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CONTENT WARNING!

Although I will not be going into graphic detail, there may be descriptions and accounts that include: sexual situations, sexual violence, strong language, physical violence, physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. I do not condone any of this behaviour, and descriptions are simply to present an accurate account of historical events. Reader discretion is advised.

Ælfgifu of York

*No image or depiction*
Name: Lady Ælfgifu of York
Birth name: Ælfġifu of Eoforwīc 
Born: c. 970, York, Kingdom of England
Father: Thored, Ealdorman of York *disputed*
Mother: *Unknown*
House: York
Nationality: English
Consort of: Æthelred 'The Unready'
Reign: c. 980 - c. 1002 (22 years)
Coronation: N/A
Predecessor: Ælfthryth of Devon
Successor: Emma of Normandy 
Died: c. 1002 (aged 32), Kingdom of England
Cause: Childbirth
Burial: *Unknown*
Motto: N/A 
Spouse(s):
  • King Æthelred of the English 'The Unready' (m. c. 980 - c. 1002) 
Children:
  • With King Æthelred of the English 
    • Æthelstan Ætheling  (c. 980 - 1014)
    • Ecgberht Ætheling (??? - 1005)
    • King Edmund of the English 'Ironside' (c. 990 - 1016)
    • Eadred Ætheling (??? - c. 1012)
    • Eadwig Ætheling (??? -  1017)
    • Edgar Ætheling (??? - 1008)
    • Eagyth Æthele, Lady of Mercia (??? - ????)
    • Ælfgifu Æthele, Lady of Northumbria (??? - ????)
    • Wulfhild Æthele, Lady of East Anglia (??? - ????) *disputed*
    • *Unknown Æthele* Abbess of Wherwell Abbey (c. 1002 - ????) 
Appearance:
Unknown.
 
Character:
Unknown.
 
Biography:
Ælfgifu was born some time around 970 in the Kingdom of England, and was likely one of two potential children born to Thored, Ealdorman of York, though her mother remains unknown. 
 
Nothing is known about her early life until her marriage to King Æthelred of England around the year 985. Their marriage would have been an important political alliance for further Anglo-Saxon control in the north of England, which normally fell under Danelaw and Scandinavian control. 

During their marriage, Ælfgifu and Æthelred would have roughly ten children together. Ælfgifu does not appear to have played a large role in raising her sons, as many of them spent most of their childhood fostered into different households, which was standard practice for royals and nobility during this time. 
 
Around the year 1002, Ælfgifu likely died giving birth to her final child.
 
Rule:
Ælfgifu did not play an active role as consort. Any activities surrounding her tenure as consort have been lost to history.
 
Trivia:
  • N/A
 
Quotes:
 
N/A
 
 
Sources & Further Reading:
Connolly, S. B. (2018) In Search of Ӕlfgifu of York, Ӕthelred II’s First Wife. History... The Interesting Bits! https://historytheinterestingbits.com/2018/06/30/%d3%95lfgifu-of-york/ 

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