Wulfthryth of Wessex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wulfthryth |
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| Queen consort of Wessex | |
The witness list of charter S 340, with Wulfthryth's name in sixth position.
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| Born | fl. 868 |
| Spouse | Æthelred I, King of Wessex |
| Issue | Æthelhelm Æthelwold |
Wulfthryth was a queen of Wessex, an important kingdom in old England. She was married to King Æthelred I. She lived around the year 868.
Who Was Queen Wulfthryth?
Not much is known about Queen Wulfthryth. Historians have found very few records about her life. This makes her story a bit of a mystery!
A Queen's Signature
In 868, Wulfthryth signed an important document called a charter. A charter was a written agreement or a legal paper. On this document, she was called regina, which is the Latin word for "queen". This charter is one of the only times her name appears in old records.
The charter is found in an old book called the Codex Wintoniensis. This book contains many historical documents. Some historians think Wulfthryth's name might suggest she came from Mercia, another powerful kingdom at the time.
Wulfthryth's Children
Wulfthryth had two sons with King Æthelred I:
- Æthelhelm (born around 865)
- Æthelwold (who died in 902)
When their father, King Æthelred I, died in 871, both sons were too young to become king. Because of this, their uncle, Alfred the Great, became the new king of Wessex instead.
Æthelwold's Challenge
Later, after King Alfred died in 899, Wulfthryth's son Æthelwold tried to become king. He led a rebellion known as Æthelwold's Revolt. He wanted to take the throne from his cousin, Edward the Elder, who was King Alfred's son. However, Æthelwold's attempt was not successful.
