Early English Queens, 650–850: Speculum Reginae (Lives of Royal Women)

This book offers the first dedicated and comprehensive examination of the lives of nearly thirty women known to occupy the office of queen in the English kingdoms between 650 and 850. The queens of early England are often shadowy figures in the historical record, beset by numerous issues which have largely confined them to the margins of history. Through careful analysis, the volume presents a ground-breaking appraisal of the role of queens in early England, and how their actions and identities shaped their practice of queenship. Organised thematically, it offers an overview of queens in many different roles, such as agents of Christianity, mothers, and peace-weavers. From high profile queens such as Æthelthryth of Ely and Cynethryth of Mercia, to the shadowy Leofrun of East Anglia and the nameless queen of Anna of East Anglia, the book engages with sources to advance fuller narratives about even the most obscure queens of the era. Aided by resources such as genealogical tables, Early English Queens, 650–850 is an ideal resource for students and scholars at all levels, as well general readers, interested in the lives of queens and early English history. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Illustrations Abbreviations Acknowledgements Note on the Names Introduction: Speculum Reginae: Early English Queens, 650–850 What Was a Queen? Early England Kent Northumbria East Anglia Wessex Mercia Surrey Sussex Essex Northern European Queens Frankish Queenship Norse Queenship Sources Regnal Tables Overview of Chapters Notes 1 Christian Queens Queen of Heaven: Mary in The Advent Lyrics Queens as Saints Queens and Saints: Five Seventh-Century Queens Sister Saint: Seaxburh A Shrewd Negotiator: Domne Eafe Learning and Layers of Identity: Cuthburh Between the Lines: Osgyth An Exceptional Saint: Æthelthryth of Ely Other Christian Queens Eafe of Sussex Frithugyth of Wessex Conclusion Notes 2 Queens as Mothers A Model Mother: Elene An Exceptional Queen and Mother: Cynethryth of Mercia Slave, Queen, Mother, Saint: Balthild Saintly Mother, Saintly Daughter: Eormenhild Failed Mothers? Three Queens and Two Martyr Princes Ælfthryth and Cynehelm Cynethryth and Wigmund, Ælfflæd and Wigstan Mother, Teacher: Osburh Conclusion Notes 3 The Peaceweaver (FreoÐuwebbe): A Queenly Custom? The Theoretical Background Sister-swap: Ealhflæd and Cyneburh Unfinished Business: Osthryth of Mercia ‘A Tyrant After the Manner of Her Father’: Eadburh A Hypothetical Peaceweaver: Leofrun Conclusion Notes 4 The Voiceless Queens The Queens of Wihtred of Kent: Cynegyth, Æthelburh and Wærburh ‘I, Æthelthryth, Queen, Consent’ Nameless Mother of Saints: Anna’s Queen Echoes of Power: Cynewise, Seaxburh and Æthelburh Cynewise Seaxburh: A Queen Regent? Æthelburh What’s in a Name: Eormenburg and Eormengyth Eormenburg Eormengyth Conclusion Notes Conclusion Bibliography Index "This book offers the first dedicated and comprehensive examination of the lives of nearly thirty women known to occupy the office of queen in the English kingdoms between 650 and 850. Aided by resources such as genealogical tables, Early English Queens, 650-850 is an ideal resource for students and scholars at all levels, as well general readers, interested in the lives of queens and early English history"-- Provided by publisher