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  • Anglo-Saxon Princess
  • Countess of Flanders
  • AKA: Ælfthryth, Elftrude, or Elfrida

Ælfthryth of Wessex was born circa 872 in England, United Kingdom (Wessex) to Alfred the Great (849-899) and Ealhswith (c852-905) and died 7 June 929 of unspecified causes. She married Baldwin II of Flanders (c865-918) 896 JL .

Biography

Ælfthryth of Wessex was the youngest child of Alfred the Great (849-899), the Saxon King of England and his wife Ealhswith (c852-905). Overall, Ælfthryth of Wessex was an important figure in the political and social history of both England and Flanders. Her marriage to Baldwin II helped to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two regions, and her influence at the English court made her one of the most powerful women of her time.

Marriage and family

In 884 Baldwin II of Flanders (c865-918) married Ælfthryth (Ælfthryth, Elftrude, Elfrida), a daughter of King Alfred the Great of England. The marriage was motivated by the common Flemish-English opposition to the Vikings, and was the start of an alliance that was a mainstay of Flemish policy for centuries to come.[1]

  1. Arnulf I of Flanders (c890-965) - eldest son, successor as Count of Flanders.
  2. Adalulf of Flanders (c890-933) was (the first) Count of Boulogne.
  3. Ealswid of Flanders (c865-?) - daughter
  4. Ermentrud of Flanders (c869-896) - daughter

It is not known what became of her daughters Ermentrud and Ealswid.

Some information in this article or section has not been verified and may not be reliable.
Please check for any inaccuracies, and modify and cite sources as needed.


Children


Offspring of Baldwin II of Flanders (c865-918) and Ælfthryth of Wessex
Name Birth Death Joined with
Arnulf I of Flanders (c890-965) 890 28 March 965 Adele de Vermandois (910-960)
Adalulf of Flanders (c890-933) 890 13 November 933
Ealswid of Flanders (c865-?)
Ermentrud of Flanders (c869-896)



Siblings


Offspring of Alfred the Great (849-899) and Ealhswith (c852-905)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Edward the Elder (c870-924) 870 17 July 924 Ecgwynn (c875-)
Ælfflæd (c880-)
Eadgifu of Kent (c902-968)
Æthelflæd (c872-918) 872 Wessex 12 June 918 Tamford, Staffordshire, England Æthelred of Mercia (c855-911)
Æthelgifu, Abbess of Shaftesbury (?-?)
Ælfthryth of Wessex (c872-929) 872 England, United Kingdom (Wessex) 7 June 929 Baldwin II of Flanders (c865-918)
Æthelwærd (c880-922) 880 Wessex 921 Wessex

She had four or five siblings, including King Edward the Elder and Ethelfleda.

Descendants

Ælfthryth was an ancestor of Matilda of Flanders, who married William the Conqueror, first monarch from the House of Normandy, which means that following the Norman conquest of England and the death of William I all the monarchs of England were also descendants of the House of Wessex.

See Also

Bibliography

External Links

Ancestry Trees

Contemporary References

Baldwin II, Margrave of Flanders, was a prominent figure in European history during the 9th century. Here are some contemporary references that provide insight into his life:

  1. The Annals of St. Bertin: This is a chronicle of events from the 9th century, written by monks at the Abbey of St. Bertin in France. The annals provide a detailed account of Baldwin II's reign and his relationship with other rulers of the time.
  2. The Chronicle of Nantes: This chronicle was written in the 9th century and covers the history of the city of Nantes in France. It includes information about Baldwin II's activities in the region.
  3. The Life of St. Amand: St. Amand was a Christian missionary who lived during Baldwin II's reign. His life story, written by a contemporary author, provides some insight into the religious climate of the time and the role that Baldwin II played in supporting the spread of Christianity.
  4. The Vita Eligii: This is a hagiography, or saint's biography, written in the 7th century about Saint Eligius, who lived in the area that later became Flanders. While it is not a contemporary reference to Baldwin II specifically, it provides valuable context about the region and its history.
  5. The Royal Frankish Annals: This is a set of annals that cover the history of the Franks from the 8th to the 9th century. It includes information about Baldwin II's interactions with the Frankish rulers of the time.

Royal Succession

Ælfthryth of Wessex (c872-929)
Born: c. 877 Died: 7 June 929.
Preceded by
Judith of Flanders
Countess consort of Flanders
893-899 to 918
Succeeded by
Adele of Vermandois

References

  1. ^ Nicholas 2013, p. 440.


Footnotes (including sources)

‡ General
Ω Birth
  • Was brought up in her father's court.
₪ Wedding
  • "Between 893 and 899"



Robin Patterson

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