Edith of Wessex

Edith of Wessex, also known as Ealdgyth, was the Queen of England as the spouse of Edward the Confessor from 1045 until his death in 1066. She stands out as a crowned queen, a rarity for English queens during the 10th and 11th centuries. The main source of her life is the Vita Ædwardi Regis, a work she commissioned, which is inherently biased in her favor. Born to Godwin, Earl of Wessex, and Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, Edith was educated at Wilton Abbey and was known for her multilingualism and piety. She had a significant influence on religious institutions, extending her patronage and sometimes asserting her preferences.

Edith experienced the tumultuous loss of her brothers during the battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings. Her marriage to Edward the Confessor was childless, and her role as queen included being a part of Edward’s advisory circle and overseeing his regal presentation. After Edward’s death, she survived the Norman conquest and remained a prominent figure until her death in 1075, being buried alongside her husband in Westminster Abbey.