Æthelburg of Wessex

Queen Æthelburg, (also Æthelburh) (ca. 673-740[1]) was the wife of King Ine of Wessex. In 722 AD, she destroyed the stronghold of Taunton (which had been built by Ine) in an attempt to find the rebel Ealdbert.[2]

Contents

Life

Æthelburg was born circa 673. She was the wife of King Ine of Wessex. The couple ruled jointly, and when Ine was engaged in war she led troops into battle as needed.[1] In 722, Æthelburg burned down the city of Taunton, a city built by Ine, to avoid it's destruction by enemies.[3][4][1]

In 728 she convinced the king to relinquish the crown to her brother, so that she and Ine could go to Rome. Devout Christians, the couple lived amongst the poor and supported themselves through labor. After Ine died around 728, she took her children and moved to Kent, which was, at one point, ruled by her brother Eadbald of Kent. In Lyminge she founded a monastery, where she was buried.[1]

Legacy

Æthelburg is a featured figure on Judy Chicago's installation piece The Dinner Party, being represented as one of the 999 names on the Heritage Floor.[3][1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Chicago, 105.
  2. ^ Ashley, Mike (1998). The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens. London: Robinson Publishing. p. 309. 
  3. ^ a b "Aethelburg". Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: The Dinner Party: Heritage Floor: Aethelburg. Brooklyn Museum. 2007. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/heritage_floor/aethelburg.php. Retrieved 16 December 2011. 
  4. ^ "Ine". 1911 Encyclopedia. 1911. http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Ine. Retrieved 16 December 2011. 

Bibliography