Ælfthryth, wife of Edgar
Ælfthryth (c. 945 - 1000 or 1001, also Alfrida, Elfrida or Elfthryth) was the second or third wife of King Edgar of England. Ælfthryth was the first king's wife known to have been crowned and anointed as Queen of the Kingdom of England. Mother of King Æthelred the Unready, she was a powerful political figure. She was linked to the murder of her stepson King Edward the Martyr and appeared as a stereotypical bad queen and evil stepmother in many medieval histories.
| Ælfthryth | |
|---|---|
| Queen consort of England | |
| 964/965 - 8 July 975 | |
| 11 May 973 | |
| Predecessor | Ælfgifu |
| Successor | Ælfgifu of York |
| Born | c. 945 |
| Died | 1000 or 1001 |
| Spouse | Edgar, King of England |
| Issue | Edmund of England Æthelred, King of England |
| Father | Ordgar, Ealdorman of Devon |
Early life
Ælfthryth was the daughter of Ealdorman Ordgar. Her mother was a member of the royal family of Wessex.
| Preceded by Ælfgifu, wife of Eadwig |
Queen Consort of England 965–975 |
Succeeded by Ælfgifu of York |
Ælfthryth, Wife Of Edgar Media
Edward the Martyr is offered a cup of mead by Ælfthryth, wife of Edgar, unaware that her attendant is about to murder him.
