Ealdgyth of East Anglia

*No image or depiction*

Name: Ealdgyth of East Anglia *disputed*

Birth name: Eadgyð of Ēastengla Rīċe *disputed*

Born: c. 992, Kingdom of England

Father: *Unknown*

Mother: *Unknown*

House: *Unknown*

Nationality: English

Consort of: Edmund II 'Ironside'

Reign: 23 April 1016 - 30 November 1016 (7 months)

Coronation: N/A

Predecessor: Emma of Normandy 

Successor: Emma of Normandy and Ælfgifu of Northampton *disputed* 

Died: ???? (aged *unknown*)

Cause: *Unknown*

Burial: *Unknown*

Motto: N/A 

Spouse(s):

• Sigeferth, Chief Thegn of the Seven Burghs (m. ???? - 1015)
• King Edmund II of the English 'Ironside' (m. 1015 - 1016) 

Children:

• With King Edmund II of the English
• Edward Ætheling 'The Exile' (c. 1015 - 1057)
• Edmund Ætheling (c. 1016 - 1057)  

Appearance:
Unknown.
 
Character:
Unknown.
 
Biography:
Ealdgyth was likely born some time around 992, though her parents and family are not known. It's possible that she may have been from the East Anglia area of England. 

Nothing is known of her early life, and general evidence of her existence is murky. 
 
At a young age, she likely married Sigeferth, Chief Thegn of the Seven Burghs, but it does not appear that they had any children together. 

Some time around or before 1015, Ealdgyth's first husband was murdered by the Ealdorman of Mercia. Upon his death, all of his property was seized by King Æthelred of the English, and Ealdgyth was sent to Malmesbury Abbey. 
 
In the autumn of 1015, King Æthelred's son, Edmund, began a rebellion against his father. As part of his revolt, he freed Ealdgyth from the abbey she had been detained in and married her. The two of them went on to have at least two children together while Edmund became King Edmund II of the English. 

However, the marriage would not last, as her second husband would die in 1016. 

After this, she completely disappears from historical records, but it is likely that she fled into exile with her two sons. 
 
It is not known how or when she died.
 
Rule:
She may have been present for some of her husband's charters while he was King.

 

Trivia: 

• Ealdgyth may not have been her real name as there may have been a mix up with records.

  

Quotes:

 

N/A

 

 

Sources & Further Reading:

Ealdgyth (wife of Edmund Ironside). (2026). Royal Line. https://www.royalline.uk/people/ealdgyth-(wife-of-edmund-ironside