Aelfgifu of Northampton Family Tree & Biography (990-1044)

 

Aelfgifu of Northampton was a member of the House of Knytlinga through marriage. She was the first wife of King Canute and the mother of King Sweyn of Norway and King Harold Harefoot of England.

Contents

Aelfgifu of Northampoton Family Tree Image
Aelfgifu of Northampton Family Tree in Table Form
Aelfgifu of Northampton Short Biography

 

Aelfgifu of Northampton Family Tree Image showing:

grandparents, parents, siblings, husband, children and grandchildren

 

Aelfgifu of Northampton Family Tree in Table Form showing:

grandparents, parents, siblings, husband, children and grandchildren

 

 

Aelfgifu of Northampton Short Biography

Aelfgifu of Northampton was born around 990 the daughter of Aelfhelm, Earldorman of York / South Northumbria. Her father was murdered in 1006 and her two brothers were blinded around the same time, thought to be on the orders of King Aethelred the Unready. 

When Sweyn Forkbeard invaded in 1013 the family supported the Dane and Aelfgifu married his son, Canute. Aelfgifu and Canute had two children, Sweyn born in 1015 and Harold born in 1016. Sweyn Forkbeard defeated Aethelred late in 1013 and became King. When he died in 1014, he nominated Canute to be King but the Witan refused to accept him and called for the return of Aethelred. Canute and Aelfgifu fled to Denmark for safety. Aethelred died in 1016 and was succeeded by his son, Edmund Ironside.

Canute’s brother, Harald had succeeded to the Danish throne and had no wish to share rule with Canute so helped him raise an army to invade England. By mid 1016 Canute and Edmund Ironside had reached a stalemate so it was agreed that Canute would rule the north and Edmund the south. Edmund died later the same year and Canute became King of all England. 

Shortly after his accession, Canute married Emma of Normandy, Aethelred’s widow. There is no evidence that Aelfgifu was divorced. However, it is likely that she and Canute were married by the Danish handfasting ceremony which was not recognised by the Christian church. 

In 1030, King Olaf II of Norway died in battle against Canute’s forces. Canute sent Aelfgifu and their eldest son, Sweyn, to rule in his name. Sweyn was proclaimed King of Norway while Aelfgifu acted as regent. Their rule was not popular, in part due to the high rate of taxation imposed. They were driven out of Norway in 1035 when Magnus, son of King Olaf II claimed the Norwegian crown. Sweyn died in battle in 1036 or 1037, possibly trying to regain control of Norway.

Canute died in 1035  and Harthacnut, his son by Emma, was nominated as King. But when he was unable to return to England due to conflicts in Denmark, Harold Harefoot was nominated regent. Aelfgifu worked continuously to secure the throne for Harold and some sources suggest she may have been behind the blinding and subsequent death of Emma’s son Alfred by Earl Godwin in 1036.

In 1037, Harthacnut has still not returned so the Witan crowned Aelfgifu’s son, Harold. Harefoot reigned until his death in 1040. Harthacnut then returned to England and reigned for two years until his death. In 1042, Edward the Confessor, son of Aethelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy returned to England and was crowned King. 

Aelfgifu disappears from the records around 1037, suggesting she played little part in government after Harold became King. It is believed she died around 1044.

 

Published Aug 22, 2024 – Updated – Dec 4 2024