Edith of Wessex

Edith of Wessex, (probably * 1029, † December 19, 1075 ), also called Edith Godwinson, was the wife of the English king Edward the Confessor and crowned Queen of England. Edith of Wessex came from the Anglo-Saxon family of Godwin. She was married to Edward in 1045. Eduard for the marriage was an essential means to enforce its power in England.

The marriage remained childless. Later ecclesiastical chroniclers claimed that this was due to a vow of chastity Edward. The biographer Edward, Frank Barlow, but points out that there was no indication of a chaste life on the part of Edward.

As Edith's father, Godwin of Wessex, was expelled with his family in 1051 in the country, Edith von Eduard was banished to a nunnery. The Godwin family forced her return in 1052 and Edith was reinstated in their previous role. In later years it was one of Edward 's closest advisors. It was considered a strong-willed and assertive. The contemporary chronicler William of Poitiers certified to the very well-educated for their time Edith the "intelligence of a man ." It featured in her role as Queen of England to own land, but had also lands beyond. At the royal court, she took essential functions true. She was official honor ceremonies and formal events and represented, for example, shortly before the death of her husband, the King of England at the inauguration of Westminster Abbey.

Edward died on January 4, 1066. Edith's brother, Harald Godwinson succeeded him on the English throne. In the two battles of the year 1066, the Battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066 and the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066 were four of Edith's brothers, including Harald Godwinson. Her brother Wulfnoth Godwinson remained in Norman hostage, the sons of Harald Godwinsons fled to Ireland. Edith of Wessex was thus the head of the Godwin family after the Norman conquest of England. The art historian Carola Hicks has so conclusively argued that Edith of Wessex is the Contracting Authority of the Bayeux Tapestry. This rug focuses on the conquest of England by the Normans, in his statement but so ambiguous that it allows also an Anglo-Saxon interpretation of events. She is also the Contracting Authority Vita Ædwardi Regis, the biography of Edward, in the broad space occupy the deeds of their family.

Edith died on 19 December 1075 at Wilton Winchester, and was buried in Westminster Abbey in London.