Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia

Ælfgar (also Algar, Elgar, † 1062) was an Anglo-Saxon Earl in the 11th century.

Family

Ælfgar was the son of Earl Leofric of Mercia, whose famous wife Lady Godiva was his mother or stepmother.

He was married to Aelfgifu, with whom he had three children: daughter Ealdgyth, who was married to his first marriage with the Welsh King Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, in second marriage with Harald Godwinson and the sons of Edwin, his successor as Earl of Mercia, and Morcar the later Earl of Northumbria.

Life

Ælfgar received while fleeing Harald Godwinsons 1051-1052 briefly the Earldom of East Anglia.

1053, after the death of Godwin, took Harald Godwinson the Earldom of Wessex and his son Ælfgar was used as Harald's successor as Earl of East Anglia.

Ælfgar was indicted in 1055 for unknown reasons for treason by King Edward the Confessor, deposed and banished. He Gruffydd ap Llywelyn allied with Wales, introduced in Ireland on an army and attacked Herefordshire on. Edward's nephew Earl Rodulph, which should stop the looters, and his men were defeated in a sortie from Hereford Castle on October 24, 1055 crucial. Hereford was captured, city, cathedral and monastery pillaged and destroyed a newly built castle. Harald Godwinson sales in Edward's behalf the invaders and built Hereford again. After peace had been concluded in Byligesleage ( Bilsley ) Ælfgar was restored to his office and got back lands. The following year Gruffydd ap Llywelyn married Ælfgars daughter Ealdgyth.

After the death of his father Leofric of Mercia Earl of Mercia in 1057 was Ælfgar.

Earl Ælfgar 1058 dismissed the Confessor of his office a second time by Eduard. Again, he allied himself with Gruffydd ap Llywelyn his son of Wales and conquered his county, and by the help of a Norwegian fleet back.

As Ælfgar died in 1062, his eldest son Edwin was (also Eadwin ) Earl of Mercia. His second son Morcar (also Morkere ) was Earl of Northumbria in 1065.