Osthryth facts for kids

Osthryth (died 697) was an important queen in Anglo-Saxon England. She was the wife of King Æthelred of Mercia. Osthryth was also the daughter of King Oswiu of Northumbria and his wife Eanflæd. She probably married King Æthelred before the year 679. Sadly, she was murdered by powerful nobles in Mercia.

Osthryth's Family and Early Life

Osthryth came from a very important royal family. Her father was King Oswiu of Northumbria. Her mother was Queen Eanflæd. Osthryth was not the first woman from her family to become a Mercian queen. Her sister, Alhflæd, had married Peada, who was King of South Mercia.

Land and Property

Osthryth owned land in a place called Fladbury. This area is in Worcestershire. Later, King Æthelred gave this land to a bishop. However, a relative of Osthryth, named Æthelheard, argued about this. He said the land belonged to Osthryth. He claimed it as her family member and heir.

Osthryth and Bardney Abbey

Osthryth and her husband, King Æthelred, really liked and supported Bardney Abbey. This abbey was in Lincolnshire. Osthryth brought the bones of her uncle, Oswald of Northumbria, to the abbey. Oswald was considered a saint.

Promoting Saint Oswald

Osthryth played a big part in making Saint Oswald more famous. She helped people remember and honor him. Many years later, she convinced Oswald's widow, Cyneburh, to become a nun. This shows how much she cared about the church.

Challenges and Conflicts

Osthryth faced difficult times. She had to deal with conflicts between her own family and her husband's kingdom. In 679, her brother, Ecgfrith of Northumbria, fought a battle against her husband, King Æthelred.

A Sad Loss

During this battle, Osthryth's younger brother, Ælfwine of Deira, was killed. He was only about eighteen years old. People in both kingdoms liked him very much. This was a very sad event for Osthryth and her family.

Osthryth's Death

Osthryth was murdered in 697. Mercian nobles were responsible for her death. The reasons for this murder are not fully clear in old writings. Some historians think it was because of bad feelings between Mercia and Northumbria. Others suggest it might have been revenge for her sister's possible involvement in King Peada's murder.

Burial Place

After her death, Osthryth was buried at Bardney Abbey. This was the same abbey she and her husband had supported so much.

Osthryth's Son

Osthryth was likely the mother of King Æthelred's son, Ceolred of Mercia. Ceolred later became King of Mercia himself. He ruled from 709 to 716.