Æthelburg of Wessex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Æthelburg |
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|---|---|
| Queen consort of Wessex | |
| Tenure | c. 688–726 |
| Born | c. 673 |
| Died | c. 740 (aged 66–67) |
| Spouse | Ine of Wessex |
Æthelburg (also spelled Æthelburh or Ethelburga) was a queen of the ancient kingdom of Wessex. She was born around the year 673 and passed away around 740. Æthelburg became queen by marrying King Ine of Wessex.
She is perhaps best known for an important event in 722. During this time, she destroyed the strong fort of Taunton. King Ine had built this fort. Æthelburg did this to try and find a rebel leader named Ealdbert.
Life of Queen Æthelburg
Æthelburg was born around 673. She married King Ine of Wessex, becoming the Queen of Wessex. Some historians believe Æthelburg was one of the few Anglo-Saxon women who acted like a warrior.
In 722, Queen Æthelburg famously burned down the city of Taunton. This city was a strong fort built by her husband, King Ine. We are not entirely sure why she did this. She might have been trying to find the rebel leader Ealdbert. Another reason could be to stop the rebels from taking over Taunton themselves.
In 726, Æthelburg and King Ine went on a special journey called a pilgrimage. They traveled all the way to Rome. Before this trip, King Ine gave up his role as king. He did not leave a clear person to take his place. Both Queen Æthelburg and King Ine passed away while they were in Rome.
Legacy and Recognition
Æthelburg is honored in a famous art piece called The Dinner Party. This artwork was created by Judy Chicago. Æthelburg's name is one of 999 names listed on the Heritage Floor part of the artwork.
In The Dinner Party, the character representing Æthelburg is actually a mix of two different historical figures. It combines Æthelburg of Wessex with Æthelburg of Kent. People often confuse these two historical women. In the artwork, Æthelburg is linked to the place setting for Theodora.
See also
