Ælfgifu of York facts for kids

Ælfgifu of York lived around 970 to 1002. She was the first wife of Æthelred the Unready, who was the King of the English. This made her the Queen of the English from when they married in the 980s until she passed away in 1002. Ælfgifu and King Æthelred had many children. One of their most famous sons was Edmund Ironside. Historians believe Ælfgifu was the daughter of Thored, an important leader called an Earl in southern Northumbria.

Who Was Ælfgifu of York?

Historians have learned about Ælfgifu from old writings. These writings were made after the Norman Conquest in 1066. One early writer, Sulcard of Westminster, said she was from "very noble English stock." Later, in the 1100s, John of Worcester wrote that Æthelred's first wife was Ælfgifu. He said she was the mother of Edmund, Æthelstan, Eadwig, and Eadgyth.

Another historian, Ailred of Rievaulx, wrote in the 1150s. He said Ælfgifu was the daughter of an Earl named Thored. Ailred worked for King David I of Scotland. King David's mother, Margaret, was Ælfgifu's great-granddaughter. This close family connection might mean Ailred had good information.

Most historians today think Ælfgifu was indeed the daughter of Earl Thored. This Earl Thored was likely a powerful leader in Northumbria, a region in northern England.

Marriage and Royal Family Life

Ælfgifu likely married King Æthelred in the mid-980s. Her father, Thored, was a powerful Earl in York. This marriage was very important for the royal family. It helped them gain influence and support in the northern parts of England.

This political marriage also explains why Ælfgifu's older sons, Edmund and Æthelstan, had strong connections with noble families in the northern Danelaw. The Danelaw was an area in England where Viking laws and customs were common.

Ælfgifu and King Æthelred had six sons. All their sons were named after earlier English kings. They also had several daughters. Their eldest sons, Æthelstan, Ecgberht, Eadred, and Edmund, first appeared in official documents in 993. Their younger sons, Eadwig and Edgar, appeared in documents later, in 997 and 1001. Some of their children might have lived with King Æthelred's mother, Ælfthryth, for a time.

Ælfgifu's Sons

• Æthelstan Ætheling (born before 993, died 1014)
• Ecgberht (born before 993, died 1005)
• Edmund (II) Ironside (born before 993, died 1016)
• Eadred (died between 1012 and 1015)
• Eadwig (born before 997, exiled and killed 1017)
• Edgar (born before 1001, died between 1012 and 1015)

One of her sons, Edmund Ironside, became king after his father. In 1016, Edmund fought against Cnut. They agreed to share the kingdom, but Edmund died soon after. Cnut then became king of all England.

Ælfgifu's Daughters

King Æthelred also married off three of his daughters to important leaders called ealdormen. This was probably to make sure these nobles stayed loyal to him. It also helped strengthen England's defenses against Viking attacks.

• Eadgyth (born before 993), who married Eadric Streona, an ealdorman of Mercia.
• Ælfgifu, who married ealdorman Uhtred of Northumbria.
• (Possibly) Wulfhild, who married Ulfcytel (Snillingr), an ealdorman of East Anglia.
• (Possibly) an unnamed daughter who married Æthelstan. He was killed fighting the Danes in 1010.
• (Possibly) an unnamed daughter who became the leader of a religious house (abbess) in Wherwell.

Life as Queen and Her Passing

Unlike her mother-in-law, Ælfthryth, Ælfgifu was not officially crowned queen. She also did not sign official documents called charters. However, she is mentioned in a few old records.

For example, in a will from between 975 and 987, a nobleman and his wife left gifts to their "lady" (hlæfdige). This was to make sure their wishes were carried out. Another will, from between 990 and 1001, also mentions her as "my lady" (mire hlæfdian). This shows she was respected and had some influence.

We don't know much about her daily life. We also don't know the exact date or reason for her death. She likely died by 1002. It's possible she died during childbirth. After her death, King Æthelred married Emma of Normandy. Emma was the daughter of Count Richard of Rouen. When Emma married Æthelred, she took on the Anglo-Saxon name Ælfgifu, just like her predecessor.