Æthelswith facts for kids

Æthelswith was an important queen from Anglo-Saxon England. She was the only known daughter of King Æthelwulf of Wessex. In 853, she married King Burgred of Mercia. They did not have any known children.

Æthelswith: A Royal Life in Anglo-Saxon England

A Royal Marriage and New Alliances

Æthelswith's marriage to King Burgred of Mercia in 853 was very important for the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. It likely showed that Mercia was becoming more closely linked to Wessex. This was a time when both kingdoms were facing many attacks from the Vikings (also known as the Danes).

King Burgred also had problems with the Kingdom of Powys on his western border. In 853, Æthelswith's father, King Æthelwulf, helped Burgred take control of the Welsh state. This shows how Wessex helped Mercia during difficult times.

A Queen's Power and Influence

Even though we don't know exactly how much power she had, Æthelswith was a queen who held some influence. In 868, she signed a West Saxon legal document. She also gave away fifteen hides of land in Berkshire in her own name. This was quite rare for a queen during that time.

One special item believed to have belonged to her is a gold ring. It has a black design called niello and says Æthelswith Regina (which means "Queen Æthelswith"). This ring is now kept in the British Museum. Because the ring is quite large, historians think she might have given it as a gift, rather than worn it herself.

Facing the Viking Threat

Over the years, repeated Viking attacks made Mercia weaker. In 868, King Burgred had to ask for help from Æthelswith's brother, King Æthelred of Wessex. He needed help to fight a strong Viking army in Nottingham. This was the last time the Saxons helped the Mercians in a big battle.

This event is also important because it was when another of Æthelswith's brothers, Alfred the Great, married his Mercian wife, Ealhswith. Alfred later became a very famous king.

Life in Exile and Final Journey

King Burgred's rule lasted until 874. That year, the Vikings forced him out of his kingdom. He and Æthelswith fled to Rome. King Burgred died shortly after arriving there.

Æthelswith continued to live in Italy for another ten years. She died in 888 while on a religious journey (a pilgrimage) in Pavia. She was buried in the monastery of San Felice.