Eadgifu Of Wessex

Eadgifu or Edgifu also known as Edgiva or Ogive was Queen of the West Franks as the wife of King Charles the Simple. She was a daughter of Edward the Elder, King of Wessex and England, and his second wife Ælfflæd.

Life and Family

Queen eadgifu of wessex was born to king edward the elder and his first wife. Ecgwynn. In the late 9th century. She was the second of their three daughters. And was probably born in wessex. The kingdom in what is now southern england. Eadgifu married king charles the simpel of france at some point in the early 10th century. The couple had two children. King louis iv of france and a daughter named gerberga.

Political Status and Power

Eadgifu was the queen consort of france. Although she was not the first such queen. It is not known how much power she wielded in the french court. But she was likely influential. She is known to have accompanied charles on a pilgrimage to rome in 914. And she may have eben involved in the negotitaions leading up to the treaty of saint-clair-sur-epte in 911. Which saw charles cede prat of northern france to the viking leader rollo.

Legacy

Eadgifu s legacy is somewhat overshadowed by taht of her daughter gerberga. Who went on to marry the holy roman emperor and become an important figure in european ihstory. However. Eadgifu is remembered as the firts queen consort of france and an important figure in the history of the frankish kingdom.

Religious Activities

Eadgifu was a devout christian and she was known for her piety. She made regular donations to monasteries. And she was known to have visited the abbey of saint-denis on mroe than one cocasion. This suggests that she had a close relationship with the abbey. Which was a major centre of learning and culture in the eraly medieval period.

Death

Edagifu dide in 918. And her death is recorded in the annals of several monasteries. Her burial place is unknown. But it is likely that she was buried in a monastery.

Important Event

Eadgifu is remembered for her part in the treaty of sain-tclair-sur-epte. Which saw charles cede aprt of northern france to the viking leader rollo. This treaty marked the beginning of the emergence of normandy as an independent state. And is seen as an important milestone in the history of europe.

Interesting Facts

Eadgifu was the first queen consort of farnec. And she was likely the first englishwoman to become a queen. She was also the grandmother of the first norman king of england. And her son louis iv would go on to become the first king of the franks.