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733: Queen Aethelflaed
The Museum of Anglish History, Laudenwic
Visitors guide
Part 3: the Early Kingdoms
12th century illustration of Aethfleaed, Queen of England
In the case to your left (8.1) you can see both the original and a reconstruction of a letter written in 733 from Egbert, Archbishop of Lindisfarne to Aethelflaed who at time of writing was the younger sister of King Eanfrith of Angland. It was kept at Dunholm castle and later moved to Dunholm abbey and kept in the archives of the Abbot until it was rediscovered presented to the royal household in the early 20th century. It was then given to the museum in the fifth decade of the last century.
Translated from the old English it reads
To the good lady Aethelflaed, Lady of Eorforwic and sister of King Eanfrith
From your servant and Brother in service of Christ, Egbert, Archbishop of Lindisfarne
Having received your messenger on the Holy Isle concerning your brother’s health I will make haste towards you in the hope of seeing the king before he is taken unto the lord but I given your grave warnings of his condition I fear my old body will travel too slow to reach you in time. I have sent a messenger ahead of me on this horse. I share your fears for the future of our fledgling nation, that it might be struck down by warring factions in its infancy. Your brother’s lack of a male heir could take the throne far from your good family to distant cousins and descendants by some other brother or sister of your ancestors not chosen by the will of god.
When the time comes I will support you in your assumption of the throne. Though I am aware there is little precedent for an Anglish Queen you have shown yourself to be of noble mind and judgement and a good friend to the church. I only hope you continue this friendship when you assume the throne. I have left orders with the abbot of Lindisfarne to immediately recognise your reign when news travels back from Dunholm to that holy island.
You and your royal brother are in my prayers. I hope I shall see both of you soon and that you shall both see me.
(Audio and textured print versions of this letter and indeed the entire guide is available at the entrance )
Egbert’s eventual arrival barely hours after Egfrith’s death is famously portrayed in the 18th century painting “The Grief of Egbert” by Egmund Crundelmen and can be seen on the wall opposite the letters (8.2). Following Ecgfrith’s death the throne passed to Aethfelflaed, who became the first Queen of Angland. Exhibit 8.4 and 8.5 show contemporary and later illustrations of Aethflaeds coronation by Theodmund of Lindisfarne (8th century) and Theodred Seward (1922-1970) respectively and its visible how the image of Aethflaed developed in the national psyche and by the early 20th century she had become a great symbol of independence and strength. Initially however her position was unsteady given her gender and to cement her position she married Oswiu of Eorforwic (not to be confused with Oswiu of Bernicia), Son of Osred and grandson of Aedwine and her own distant cousin. Oswiu would be named co-ruler and king of Angland.
Although the descendents of Aedwine still lacked royal blood, several generations had seen them build a strong power base and with his ascension to the throne he pledged his forces and lands to the throne. Exhibit 8.5 shows the belt buckle of a soldier in Oswiu’s army, bearing the Anglo Saxon leters “O, E and R ” for Oswiu, Eorforwic and Rex, an old latin word meaning king. This dates it after 734 when Oswiu's army had put down any potential threats to the throne.
Visitors guide
Part 3: the Early Kingdoms
12th century illustration of Aethfleaed, Queen of England
In the case to your left (8.1) you can see both the original and a reconstruction of a letter written in 733 from Egbert, Archbishop of Lindisfarne to Aethelflaed who at time of writing was the younger sister of King Eanfrith of Angland. It was kept at Dunholm castle and later moved to Dunholm abbey and kept in the archives of the Abbot until it was rediscovered presented to the royal household in the early 20th century. It was then given to the museum in the fifth decade of the last century.
Translated from the old English it reads
To the good lady Aethelflaed, Lady of Eorforwic and sister of King Eanfrith
From your servant and Brother in service of Christ, Egbert, Archbishop of Lindisfarne
Having received your messenger on the Holy Isle concerning your brother’s health I will make haste towards you in the hope of seeing the king before he is taken unto the lord but I given your grave warnings of his condition I fear my old body will travel too slow to reach you in time. I have sent a messenger ahead of me on this horse. I share your fears for the future of our fledgling nation, that it might be struck down by warring factions in its infancy. Your brother’s lack of a male heir could take the throne far from your good family to distant cousins and descendants by some other brother or sister of your ancestors not chosen by the will of god.
When the time comes I will support you in your assumption of the throne. Though I am aware there is little precedent for an Anglish Queen you have shown yourself to be of noble mind and judgement and a good friend to the church. I only hope you continue this friendship when you assume the throne. I have left orders with the abbot of Lindisfarne to immediately recognise your reign when news travels back from Dunholm to that holy island.
You and your royal brother are in my prayers. I hope I shall see both of you soon and that you shall both see me.
(Audio and textured print versions of this letter and indeed the entire guide is available at the entrance )
Egbert’s eventual arrival barely hours after Egfrith’s death is famously portrayed in the 18th century painting “The Grief of Egbert” by Egmund Crundelmen and can be seen on the wall opposite the letters (8.2). Following Ecgfrith’s death the throne passed to Aethfelflaed, who became the first Queen of Angland. Exhibit 8.4 and 8.5 show contemporary and later illustrations of Aethflaeds coronation by Theodmund of Lindisfarne (8th century) and Theodred Seward (1922-1970) respectively and its visible how the image of Aethflaed developed in the national psyche and by the early 20th century she had become a great symbol of independence and strength. Initially however her position was unsteady given her gender and to cement her position she married Oswiu of Eorforwic (not to be confused with Oswiu of Bernicia), Son of Osred and grandson of Aedwine and her own distant cousin. Oswiu would be named co-ruler and king of Angland.
Although the descendents of Aedwine still lacked royal blood, several generations had seen them build a strong power base and with his ascension to the throne he pledged his forces and lands to the throne. Exhibit 8.5 shows the belt buckle of a soldier in Oswiu’s army, bearing the Anglo Saxon leters “O, E and R ” for Oswiu, Eorforwic and Rex, an old latin word meaning king. This dates it after 734 when Oswiu's army had put down any potential threats to the throne.
- Bolt451
- Word Count: 640