Æthelgifu, Abbess of Shaftesbury facts for kids
Æthelgifu was a daughter of Alfred the Great, a famous King of Wessex. She was active during the 870s and 890s. Æthelgifu was the third child of King Alfred and his wife, Ealhswith.
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Æthelgifu: A Royal Life Dedicated to God
Who Was Æthelgifu?
Alfred's friend and writer, Asser, wrote about Æthelgifu. He said she was "devoted to God." This means she chose to live a religious life. She became a nun and followed the rules of a monastery.
Becoming an Abbess at Shaftesbury
King Alfred founded a special place for nuns called Shaftesbury Abbey. We don't know exactly when it was built. But it was definitely there by 893, when Asser was writing his book.
Alfred chose Æthelgifu to be the very first abbess of Shaftesbury Abbey. An abbess is the leader of a group of nuns. Many other noble nuns joined her there. King Alfred gave the abbey a part of his royal money to help it run. Some stories from the abbey say that Æthelgifu became a nun because she wasn't very healthy.
What Happened to Her Inheritance?
In King Alfred's will, he left Æthelgifu some lands. These lands were at Candover, probably Preston Candover, and Kingsclere. Both of these places are in Hampshire.
It seems these lands were never owned by the abbey. Æthelgifu might have passed away before her father. King Alfred died in the year 899.
