Ælfgifu (Wessex) of Wessex (abt. 944)

Born about 0944 in Wessex, England

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Biography

Ælfgifu, whose mother was called Æthelgifu, married King Eadwig, probably in 956. The marriage was opposed by Archbishop Oda of Canterbury, who was backed by St Dunstan, on grounds of consanguinity,^[1] and in 958 Oda parted them because of the blood relationship.^[1][2] It appears that Ælfgifu was sent into exile.^[1]

A story which is first found in an early life of St Dunstan states that, the day after his coronation, Eadwig consorted with a noblewoman called Æthelgifu and her daughter. Archbishop Oda of Canterbury sent Dunstan to remonstrate and persuade Eadwig to return to the coronation celebrations, and Dunstan ended up using force. This led to Dunstan being exiled and deprived of his possessions. This story may be at least partly embellished, but the daughter is probably the Ælfgifu of this profile.^[3]

After Eadwig's death in 959, Ælfgifu returned to England and seems to have had some sort of reconciliation with his brother and successor Edgar, receiving charters from him. But most of her property passed to Edgar and his family, and she seems to have paid a large heriot or death duty.^[1]

Research Notes

It is possible that Ælfgifu is the Ælfgifu whose will (made between 966 and 975) left large estates to King Edgar, including Wing in Buckinghamshire, but this is by no means certain.^[1] This will names a sister called Ælfwaru and a sister-in-law Æthelflæd; bequeathes property for life to Ælfweard, Æthelweard and Ælfwaru; leaves an estate to Bishop Æthelwold; and requests burial at the Old Minster, Winchester.^[4] The terms of the will seem to imply a close connection with King Edgar.

Ælfgifu's Wikipedia entry assumes the will is hers.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, entry for 'Ælfgifu (fl. 956–966)', print and online 2004, viewable online by subscription or via some libraries
2. ↑ Michael Swanton (translator and editor). The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, revised edition, Phoenix press, 2000, pp. 112-113
3. ↑ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, entry for 'Eadwig [Edwy] (c. 940–959)', print and online 2004, available online by subscription and via some libraries
4. ↑ Dorothy Whitelock (editor and translator). Anglo-Saxon Wills, Cambridge University Press, 2011, pp. 20-23 and notes at pp. 118-121
5. ↑ Wikipedia: Ælfgifu (wife of Eadwig)

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, entry for 'Ælfgifu (fl. 956–966)', print and online 2004
• Wikipedia: Ælfgifu (wife of Eadwig)