Gytha of Wessex facts for kids

Gytha of Wessex was a princess born around 1053 to 1061. She was one of the daughters of Harold Godwinson. He was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. Her mother was Edith the Fair.

Gytha married Vladimir II Monomakh. Through this marriage, she became a princess of Kievan Rus'. This was a powerful state in Eastern Europe long ago.

Gytha's Life Story

Gytha's grandparents were Godwin, Earl of Wessex and Gytha Thorkelsdóttir.

After her father, King Harold, died in 1066, Gytha had to escape. This happened at the Battle of Hastings. She and two of her brothers went to Denmark. They found safety with their cousin, King Sweyn Estridsson.

This escape happened around 1069 or 1070. Gytha then married Vladimir II Monomakh. He was a very famous ruler of Kievan Rus'.

Vladimir wrote a book of advice for his sons. It was called Pouchenie (Instructions). In it, he said, "Love your wives, but grant them no power over you." He also mentioned the recent death of Yuri's mother.

Gytha was the mother of Mstislav the Great. He was the last ruler of a united Kievan Rus'. In old Norse stories, Mstislav is sometimes called Harald. This was after his grandfather, King Harold.

During her life, Gytha was a princess of Smolensk. This was because of her marriage to Vladimir. However, she died before her husband became the Grand Prince of Kiev. So, she was never the Grand Princess of Kiev.

Gytha's Children

Gytha and Vladimir had several children together. They included:

• Mstislav the Great (1076–1132)
• Izyaslav Vladimirovich, Prince of Kursk (died 1096)
• Svyatoslav Vladimirovich, Prince of Smolensk and Pereyaslav (died 1114)
• Yaropolk II of Kiev (died 1139)
• Viacheslav I of Kiev (died 1154)

When Did Gytha Die?

Historians are not completely sure when Gytha died. Her death date is thought to be between 1098 and 1107.

A record from a church in Cologne says "Gytha the Queen" died as a nun on March 10. This year is believed to be 1098.

However, Vladimir Monomakh's "Testament" says Yuri Dolgorukiy's mother died on May 7, 1107. If Gytha died in 1098, then Yuri could not have been her son. He would have been the son of Vladimir's second wife.

But, old records show Yuri got married in 1108. This means he must have been born before 1099 or 1100. So, it is possible that Gytha was indeed Yuri's mother and died in 1107.

Gytha's Lasting Impact

Historians believe Gytha had an important effect on Vladimir Monomakh's image. One historian said, "Knyaz's English wife wasn't wasted." This means her background and influence were helpful.

Through her son, Mstislav the Great, Gytha is an ancestor of many important people. This includes Philippa of Hainault and King Edward III of England. This means she is an ancestor of all later English and United Kingdom monarchs.

She is also an ancestor of Alexander Nevsky. He was a famous Russian hero. She is also connected to the later princes of Moscow.

Family Trees

• Cnut the Great's family tree