Eadgifu of Kent Family Tree & Biography (c905-968)

 

Eadgifu of Kent was a member of the House of Wessex through marriage. She was the daughter of Sigehelm of Kent and became the third wife of King Edward the Elder.

Eadgifu of Kent Family Tree Image showing:

father, husband, children and grandchildren

 

Eadgifu of Kent Family Tree in Table Form showing:

grandparents, parents, siblings, husband, children and grandchildren

 

 

Eadgifu of Kent Short Biography

Eadgifu was born around 905, the daughter of Sigehelm of Kent. She became the third wife of  King Edward the Elder around 919.  They had three children two of whom became Kings of England. Their daughter, Eadburh became a nun.

Edward died in July 924 and was succeeded by his eldest son from his first marriage, Aethelstan. During Aethelstan’s reign, Eadgifu disappears from the records, but during the reigns of her two sons, Edmund and Eadred her signature appears on charters suggesting she returned to court and played a prominent role. 

Both of Eadgifu’s sons died young. Edmund was 25 when he was assassinated by a man named Leofa and his children were considered too young to rule so his brother, Eadred, became king. Eadred suffered with a digestive problem and died at the age of 32.

After the death of Eadred in 955, Eadgifu’s grandson, Eadwig took the throne and when he died in 959 his brother Edgar became King. Eadgifu played a prominent role in the rules of both her grandsons and appears as a signatory on many charters.

Eadgifu died in 968. 

 

Published Jun 15, 2024 @ 3:25 pm – Updated – Jun 15, 2024 @ 1:41 pm