Ecgwynn facts for kids

Ecgwynn was the first wife of Edward the Elder, who later became King of the English. Her name, Ecgwynn, means "sword joy" in Old English. She lived around the 890s.

Ecgwynn was the mother of Æthelstan, who ruled England from 924 to 939. She also had a daughter who married Sihtric Cáech, a Norse king from Dublin, Ireland, and Northumbria.

We don't know much about Ecgwynn's life or where she came from. Her name wasn't even written down in historical records until long after her time, after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Most of what we know about her comes from a writer named William of Malmesbury.

Ecgwynn's Life with Edward

According to William of Malmesbury, King Æthelstan was about 30 years old when he became king in 924. This means he was likely born around 894. So, Ecgwynn probably married Edward the Elder around 893.

At this time, Edward was old enough to rule. One of his main goals was to make sure his family line would continue. We don't know what happened to Ecgwynn after this. However, two important things happened next.

First, King Alfred, Edward's father, wanted Æthelstan to be raised by his aunt, Æthelflæd, in Mercia. Second, by the year 901, Edward had married another woman named Ælfflæd. She was the daughter of a powerful leader called Æthelhelm.

It's not clear why Edward married Ælfflæd. Maybe Ecgwynn had passed away by 899. Or perhaps Edward's first marriage to Ecgwynn wasn't seen as politically strong enough for a king. King Alfred might have arranged the first marriage. After Alfred died in 899, Edward and his advisors might have decided to choose a different path.

Ecgwynn's Daughter

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is an old historical record. It says that King Æthelstan married his sister to Sihtric Cáech, the king of Northumbria. Their wedding happened in Tamworth, a royal center in Mercia, on January 30, 926.

William of Malmesbury wrote that this sister was Ecgwynn's daughter. But he couldn't find her name in any of the old records he used. Later writers suggested names for her, but we can't be sure if they are correct.

Some historians think she might have been the St Edith (Eadgyth) who was buried at Polesworth. This place was not far from Tamworth. Another old book, the Chronicle of John of Wallingford, calls Sihtric's wife Orgiue. It also claims their son was Amlaíb Cuarán, who became king of Northumbria.

Historians have different ideas about these suggestions. Some believe she might have been named Eadgyth. However, another of Edward's daughters by Ælfflæd was also named Edith. This makes it confusing.

Ecgwynn's Family Background

We don't know much about Ecgwynn's family or her social standing. The little information we have seems to be affected by arguments over who should become king after Edward. These arguments likely involved supporters of Edward's sons by his second wife, Ælfflæd.

Who Would Be King?

William of Malmesbury claimed that King Alfred wanted Æthelstan to be the next king. To show this, Alfred supposedly gave Æthelstan a special cloak, belt, and sword. Alfred also made sure Æthelstan was educated at his aunt Æthelflæd's court in Mercia.

An old Latin poem from around 893-899 also seems to suggest that young Æthelstan was seen as a future ruler. This supports the idea that he was considered a good choice for king even in the 890s.

However, Edward might have changed his plans when his second wife, Ælfflæd, had sons. We don't know what Edward truly intended. But it seems that Ælfweard, Edward's oldest son by Ælfflæd, became king in Wessex on July 17, 924, after his father died. Meanwhile, the people of Mercia chose Æthelstan as their king.

Sadly, Ælfweard died within a month. So, Wessex then went to Æthelstan, who gained control of his father's entire kingdom. But becoming king in Wessex was not easy for him. His coronation ceremony at Kingston upon Thames was delayed until December 4, 925.

William of Malmesbury wrote that a man named "Ælfred" in Winchester was against Æthelstan becoming king. He claimed that Æthelstan was the son of a "concubine," meaning he was born outside of a formal marriage, and therefore not a rightful heir. These claims likely helped other royal family members who wanted the throne, especially Edwin, Ælfflæd's oldest living son.

In an old royal document, Edwin signed his name as "ætheling" (a prince who could become king), after Æthelstan. This suggests he was recognized as the next in line after Æthelstan. However, Edwin died in 933 under mysterious circumstances. This suggests that any peaceful agreement between the half-brothers had ended. An old record says that Edwin, "driven by some trouble in his kingdom," tried to sail away but drowned in a storm.

Ecgwynn's Status

The stories William of Malmesbury heard about Æthelstan's parents seem to show the different opinions during these struggles for the throne. William himself described Ecgwynn as "a distinguished woman." Another writer, John of Worcester, called her "a very noble woman."

However, William also knew about rumors that Æthelstan's mother was a "concubine." These rumors were spread by "a certain Ælfred" and others who opposed Æthelstan becoming king. By the early 1100s, these rumors had grown into popular stories that said Ecgwynn was a low-born mistress, even if she looked noble.

These negative stories might have developed later to support Ælfflæd's sons. But there is some evidence that the difference in status between Edward's first two wives was an issue earlier on. A poet from the 960s, Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim, wrote that Æthelstan's mother was of lower status than Ælfflæd. Ælfflæd's daughter, Eadgyth, married Otto I, a powerful emperor. Since Hrotsvitha wrote to praise Otto I and his family, her writings might be a bit biased. If Ecgwynn was set aside for Ælfflæd, it might have been because Ælfflæd's family was more politically important.

Other clues about Ecgwynn's family come indirectly from later relatives. For example, Dunstan, a famous church leader, was related to a lady named Æthelflæd, who was King Æthelstan's niece. Dunstan's father, Heorstan, lived near Glastonbury. He doesn't seem to have been a very important person in the kingdom. However, Æthelstan, Dunstan, and Heorstan all share a rare part in their names: "-stan." Because of this, some historians have suggested they might have been related through Ecgwynn.