Emma of Normandy

Who was Emma of Normandy?

Emma of Normandy was the wife of two kings of England, and the mother of two kings. She was also the great-aunt of William of Normandy, who took the English throne in 1066.

When was Emma of Normandy Queen of England?

Emma of Normandy became Queen of England in 1002, when she married Aethelred the Unready. She became queen again in 1017, when she married King Cnut.

Who was Emma of Normandy's family?

Emma of Normandy had a number of very important family connections.

• ❖ She was the daughter of Richard I, duke of Normandy, and the sister of Richard II, duke of Normandy.
• ❖ She first married King Aethelred (the Unready) of England, with whom she had two sons - Alfred and Edward.
• ❖ She later married King Cnut, the Viking king of England, with whom she had a son - Harthacnut.
• ❖ Her step-son, Harold Harefoot, became king of England in 1035.
• ❖ Her son with Cnut, Harthacnut, became king of England in 1040.
• ❖ Her son with Aethelred, Edward (the Confessor), became king of England in 1042.
• ❖ Emma was also the great-aunt of William, duke of Normandy, who conquered England and became its king in 1066.

Why was Emma of Normandy significant?

These are some of the ways in which Emma of Normandy was significant:

• ❖ Because she had been married to Aethelred, the previous king, her marriage to Cnut helped to legitimise his rule.
• ❖ She was the mother of two kings of England - Cnut's son Harthacnut, and Aethelred's son Edward. Her step-son, Harold Harefoot, was another king of England.
• ❖ Emma was influential in her own right, as she possessed large areas of land and wealth. She had a particular connection with the important town of Winchester.
• ❖ She had a strong connection to the Church, and was a supporter of Stigand, who became Archbishop of Canterbury. As such, Emma helped to strengthen Christianity in England.