Godgifu (daughter of Æthelred the Unready) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Godgifu |
|
|---|---|
| Born | c.1004 |
| Died | c.1049/1056 |
| Spouse | Drogo of Mantes Eustace II, Count of Boulogne |
| Issue | Ralph the Timid Gautier III Foulques de Vexin |
| House | Wessex |
| Father | Æthelred the Unready |
| Mother | Emma of Normandy |
Goda of England, also known as Godgifu, was an English princess. She was born around the year 1004. Her name, Godgifu, means "gift of God" in Old English. Goda was the daughter of King Æthelred the Unready. Her mother was Emma of Normandy. She was also the sister of King Edward the Confessor.
Goda married twice during her life. Her story gives us a peek into the royal families of England and France in the 11th century.
Contents
Goda's First Marriage
Goda's first husband was Drogo of Mantes. He was a powerful noble, known as a count, from a region in France called the Vexin. They likely married on April 7, 1024.
Goda and Drogo had three sons together:
- Ralph the Timid: He became an earl in England, ruling an area called Hereford.
- Gautier (or Walter) III: He also became a count of the Vexin, like his father. Gautier married Biota of Maine. Sadly, both Gautier and Biota died in 1063 while held captive by William the Conqueror.
- Foulques (Fulk) de Vexin: He died in 1068.
Goda's Second Marriage
Goda married for a second time in 1035. Her second husband was Eustace II, Count of Boulogne. This marriage did not result in any children.
Later Life and Death
Historians are not completely sure about the exact date Goda died. Some historians believe she died around 1047. They think Eustace, her second husband, remarried around 1049. Other historians suggest she might have lived longer, possibly until 1056.
In 1049, a big meeting called the Council of Reims took place. The Pope himself led this meeting. During this council, Goda's marriage to Eustace was criticized for reasons that are not fully clear today. This event seems to have ended their marriage. After this, Goda returned to England. Her brother, King Edward the Confessor, treated her very kindly.
Lands After the Norman Conquest
Years later, in 1066, William the Conqueror invaded England. This event is known as the Norman Conquest. After William became king, he took control of many lands. The lands that Goda had owned in Buckinghamshire were given to new owners. These new owners were knights from other parts of Europe. One was Bertram de Verdun, a knight from Flanders. The other was Raoul, a count from Brittany.
