Ealdgyth (fl. 1016)

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Ealdgyth (fl. 1016)

Queen of the English. Name variations: Algitha; Edith. Flourished around 1016; married Sigeferth, a Danish thane; married Edmund II Ironside (c. 989–1016), king of the English (r. 1016), around July 1015; children: Edmund (1016–?); Edward the Exile also known as Edward the Aetheling (1016–1057). Her sons were possibly twins.

Ealdgyth married Sigeferth. Following his death, she married Edmund II Ironside around July 1015, bringing with her as dowry the submission of Five Boroughs of the Danish Confederacy. For this reason, the marriage incurred the wrath of Edmund's brother-in-law Edric. It is said that the following year, along with her brother, Ealdgyth arranged for the murder of her second husband.