Elfthrith (c. 945–1002)
Elfthrith (c. 945–1002)
Anglo-Saxon queen. Name variations: Aelfthrith, Aelfthryth, Aethelfryth, Elfthryth, Ethelfryth, or Elfrida. Born about 945 at Lydford Castle, Devon, England; died on November 17, 1002, at Wherwell Abbey, Hampshire; interred at Wherwell Abbey; daughter of Ordgar (ealdorman of Devon); married Ethelwald (ealdorman of the East Anglians), around 962; after his death, became second wife of Eadgar or Edgar (944–975), king of the English (r. 959–975), in 965; children: (first marriage) Edmund (b. around 965); Ethelflaeda (c. 963–c. 1016, an abbess at Romsey); (second marriage) Edmund (d. 971); Aethelred or Ethelred II the Unready (968–1016), king of the English (r. 979–1016, who married Emma of Normandy).
It is said that Elfthrith caused the murder of her stepson Edward II the Martyr, king of England, at Corfe in 978, in order to secure the election of her son Ethelred II the Unready to the throne of England. Ethelred married Emma of Normandy . Elfthrith became a nun in 986.