Ealdgyth of Mercia

Ealdgyth, alternatively known as Aldgyth or Edith, was a notable figure during the mid-11th century, recognized for her marriages to two significant rulers of her time. She was the daughter of Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia, and his wife Ælfgifu. Ealdgyth’s familial connections extended to her brothers, Eadwine, who later became Earl of Mercia, and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria. Initially, she married Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, the ruler of all Wales, and upon his death, she became the wife of Harold Godwinson, who was King of England in 1066.

Her marriages were strategically important and influenced the political landscape of the era. Ealdgyth’s union with Gruffudd ap Llywelyn played a part in countering the growing influence of the Godwinson family, while her subsequent marriage to Harold Godwinson was likely aimed at consolidating support from the Mercian house for Harold’s royal aspirations. Despite the significance of these alliances, her life after the tumultuous events of 1066, including Harold’s death at the Battle of Hastings, remains largely unknown.