Elizabeth Norton’s book, “Elfrida: The First Crowned Queen of England,” describes in fine detail the life of Elfrida, an Anglo-Saxon queen during the late tenth century. Anglo-Saxon queens are often rarely spoken of in detail within the English history books. According to Asser, the biographer of Alfred the Great, Saxon England did not have any influential female monarchs. But that would change in 973 when a noblewoman named Elfrida was crowned beside her husband, King Edgar the peaceful. During her reign as queen, Elfrida would become Anglo-Saxon England’s most powerful and infamous female ruler. Norton starts her work was the description of the future queen’s early life and her first marriage. Elfrida was the only daughter of Ordgar, an Anglo-Saxon thegn, and was born in the mid tenth century in Devon. News of her beauty swept through Devon then through the rest Anglo-Saxon England, the rumors that would eventually reach the ears of the Edgar, the current King of England. The king would send his friend Ethelwold, the oldest son of Athelstan who was the Ealdorman of East Anglia, to confirm if these rumors were indeed true. Ethelwold would travel to Devon where he would meet with Elfrida and her father. It was …show more content…
Details of the incident vary between medieval sources which Norton quotes in the book then makes the argument that, when based on contemporary evidence, Elfrida at worst “…might have had some inkling that the gathering men meant the king harm (Norton 148)” then suggests that this theory too is uncertain. After the murder of Edward, Elfrida would rule as regent until her son came of age. Not long after ascending to the throne, his reign was plagued with the invasion of Danish Vikings, losing his throne to Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard; it would only in 1014 when Sweyn died. Events such as this earned him the name Ethelred the
Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most influential women in the history of Europe, having been a queen to rulers of both France and England, along with having significant political and economic power in her own right. She served as an example to all women, during a period where there was increasing development in the female s role in society. Eleanor was a patron of the arts, and she was also a powerful personality, influencing the politics of the day with the help of her sons, and maintaining a certain degree of control over the monarchy even after her marriage to Henry had ended.
Elizabeth I, was the queen of England 1558-1613, while she may have brought great success and stability to the government she was questioned in her ability to lead due to her gender. Gender became a critical part of her reign and was brought into question by numerous religious figures. Although most thought a woman was unfit to be a ruler, this did not stop Elizabeth from responding to the criticism with determination to making wise and selfless decisions that proved what a strong leader she was. This determination and leadership fueled the country with success.
Elenor of Aquitaine was the wealthiest and most powerful women of the 12 century. She started as the Duchess of Aquitaine, in her own right, to becoming the queen of England and France. In 1122 she was born in Aquitaine, she had a mother and a brother who both died in 1130. Her father, William X was the duke of Aquitaine. He educated her extremely well, she was talented in literature, philosophy, theology, language, diplomacy and was skilled in, what was known as ‘masculine traits’, such as horse riding and hunting. Apart from her beauty and education she was an extremely eligible bachelorette of the time, solely because of the amount of land she owned. This made her a target to people who would kidnap her, and exchange her for money and land.
In the half century during which she ruled, her kingdom became known for its pageantry and glamour. When Elizabeth Tudor had succeeded the throne, religious strife, a huge government debt, and failures in war, had caused England to be considered a poor credit risk on the Continent. Though popular and much-admired, Elizabeth did not inherit a stable and prosperous country, thus the quest for stability and prosperity became the guiding force of her reign. She constantly avoided foreign entanglements and religious extremism. The motto Elizabeth “Semper Eadem” Latin, meaning “Always the same” was highly appropriate. Queen Elizabeth I left behind an extraordinary image of a dazzling era of excitement and achievement, nearly superhuman heroes and daring deeds, with the Queen, larger than life, radiating inspiration at the center of it all.
Emma of Normandy was one of the most influential queens in the Norman world. She was the daughter of Richard I, Duke of Normandy. Her marriage to two English kings, Ethelred the Unready and Cnut the Great, created a strong bond between her homeland Normandy and England. She is a unique queen because of her deep involvement in the political interests in England, Normandy, and Denmark, through much of the first half of the eleventh century. She is known as “the Gem of the Normans”. In comparison, she is amongst some of the most powerful Queens in early medieval history, like Edith of Wessex and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Emma also played an important role in the ruling of England and the succession that came after the death of her husband Cnut. “By
Together with her husband, they took land from the Danes (Johnson, Web). They also destroyed the Norse army which attempted to take the city of Chester in 905 (East of England Broadband Network, Web). After her husband fell ill and died in 911, she formed an alliance with her brother, King Edward the Elder (Sawyer 69). The siblings worked together and were said to be of equal status (Malsmebury 123). Thereafter, she raided Danish East Angelia and brought back the body of St. Oswald (East of England Broadband Network, Web). Over the following years, the alliance between the brother and sister continued to drive the Danes out of central and southern England. She engaged them in Wales in 916 and 917, after the murder of an Abbot and his companions. Then, she moved north to Derby and Leicester, successfully sieging the towns. By late 918, Aethelflaed had reached the River Humber, and had managed to persuade the city of York to form an alliance with her (Johnson,
politically. Although she had, at times, a horrible temper and a disagreeable personality, and suffered through many physical and psychological problems as an adult, Elizabeth proved to be one of the most remarkable monarchs in English history. Firstly, I will discuss Elizabeth’s family (including her many stepmothers), and then I will talk about her relationship with her siblings under their power. Thirdly, I will examine religion and how it affected her opinions and politics during her reign. Lastly, I will look at foreign politics of the time and some of Elizabeth’s decisions
Beowulf is a tale filled with battles and heroes going through journeys to save the day. Men were dominate for without them and their strength, the constant state of war would mean nothing. In Beowulf, the role of women is less important than men but they are still vital in keeping the society together. Expectations for women were to be the caregiver not protector and fighter like men, yet they were still important just oversaw different responsibilities. Women were weak and in constant need of a man for protection. They were valued in society as the wife, child-bearer, and in highest respect hostess. In the succeeding paragraph, the value of women and marriage in early English societies is discussed.
Queen Elizabeth was born in 1533 in Greenwich. Her parents, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, were not satisfied with her birth because they could not have male heirs. Since Henry suspected his wife for committing adulteries and blamed her for not giving him a boy, he decapitated her. Although Elizabeth did not grow up with the background of a loving family, she never stopped studying, but endeavored to develop her disposition to become a monarch. She cogitated over her studies with the best scholars and experts, learning six diverse languages: English, French, Spanish, Latin, Greek, and Italian. After few years, the demise of King Henry let Mary I succeed to the throne, becoming the first queen, who was later
As an epic tale of heroes and monsters, Beowulf gives its readers much excitement and adventure, but Beowulf's importance is more than just literary. It offers many insights into the beliefs and customs of seventh-century Anglo-Saxon culture. Among these insights is the Anglo-Saxon view of women and their role in society. Good Anglo-Saxon women are peaceful and unassertive, greeting guests and serving drinks to the warriors and other men in the meadhall. Wealhtheow, the queen of the Danes, represents a typical subservient Anglo-Saxon woman. As a foil to Wealhtheow, Grendel's mother is a strong and combative monster whom Beowulf must kill. By analyzing these two characters in Beowulf, we can understand the
Queen Elizabeth I held the throne of England from the time of her sister Mary’s death in 1558 until her own death in 1603. As the second female ruler of England, she faced a patriarchal society ingrained with the notion that a woman’s (specifically a Queen’s) job was to serve her husband and produce heirs. As Queen, Elizabeth deserved the same respect afforded to her male predecessors, but social constrictions of the period forced her to face unjust oppression that would have been grounds for treason if faced by her father (or any other male monarch). Elizabeth faced a number of challenges as a female ruler, such as regularly being ignored by trusted advisors such as William Cecil (Lord Burghley), Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester), Francis Walsingham, and Robert Devereux (Earl of Essex) of whom each was intent on his own agenda, and who believed they could bend Elizabeth to their wills. As a result of these challenges, Elizabeth had to fight for respect from enemies and friends alike.
“If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die.” (Ch. 1- pg.13) These are the words of Lord of the North, an honorable family man, and Hand of the King.
He also tells Edgar that Cornwall is not pleased with him over a dispute between Albany and Cornwall that Edgar knows nothing about. He then urges Edgar to flee just before he lies to Gloucester about Edgar’s intent. Gloucester, believing Edmund’s lies condemns Edgar to death and promises Edmund his lordship. Edmund, having disposed of his brother and securing his eventual reward sees an opportunity to acquire his land and status a little more swiftly. When Gloucester flees to help Lear he entrusts Edmund with ensuring Cornwall does not discover Gloucester’s plans and the location of letter regarding an imminent French invasion. Edmund immediately betrays his father and shows Cornwall the letter, making him believe Gloucester is working for the French. Gloucester is soon after discovered and brought before Cornwall and Reagan. While Gloucester is being blinded by Cornwall, Edmund is busy courting Goneril outside of her palace. Edmund decides to double his chances of becoming King by courting Reagan as well. Edmund’s final act of treachery occurs when he gives orders to the Captain to hang Lear and Cordelia. He lies even in his dying breath as he stalls in order to ensure the death of Cordelia: “Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send-/ Be brief in it - to th’ castle, for my writ/ Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia./ Nay, send in time.” (Shakespeare 5.3.292-295) Edmund’s actions led