Elfgifu (c. 963–1002)

views updated

Elfgifu (c. 963–1002)

Queen of the English. Name variations: Aelfgifu or AElfgifu; Elfled, Elfreda, Elgifu. Born c. 963; died Feb 1002, in Winchester, England; dau. of Thored, sometimes referred to as Ethelbert, and Hilda; became 1st wife of Aethelred or Ethelred II the Unready (c. 968–1016), king of the English (r. 979–1013, deposed, 1014–1016), in 985; children: Athelstan or Ethelstan the Atheling (d. 1015); Egbert (d. around 1005); Edmund II Ironside (c. 989–1016), king of the English (r. 1016); Edred (d. around 1012); Eadwig (or Edwy, d. in 1017); Edgar (d. around 1012); Edith (who m. Edric Streona and Thurkil the Tall); Elfgifu (c. 997–?, who m. Uchtred, earl of Northumberland); Wulfhild (who m. Ulfcytel), and two others. Ethelred II's 2nd wife was Emma of Normandy (c. 985–1052).