Ælfgifu

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Ælfgifu of Northampton (meaning: "elf" and "gift") is the Queen of Denmark. She is the first wife of King Canute.

Biography

Early Life

Ælfgifu is a "daughter of the House of Mercia."

Season 1

Queen Ælfgifu is in the summer palace in Denmark with her two young sons when Jarl Olaf arrives.

Upon arriving in London, Ælfgifu attempts to assert herself as queen of England. However, Queen Emma is unwilling to give up her place on the throne. Ælfgifu manages to get Mercia in line with England through diplomacy instead of force.

Ælfgifu is outmaneuvered by Emma, Godwin, and Sweyn. Emma is back on the throne of England, and Sweyn and his grandsons have taken control of the Danish fleet and have sailed for Kattegat. Ælfgifu is left without any power in a foreign land.

Season 2

Ælfgifu reluctantly arrives in Kattegat believing she is going to be collecting her sons and returning to Jelling. However, Forkbeard informs her that while he goes to Denmark to help Canute fight the Wends, Svein will be the King of Norway, and Ælfgifu will be Svein's regent.

Personality

Ælfgifu is calculating, ambitious, and charming. She aims to gain as much respect as her husband. She strives to appear stoic and no-nonsense. Ælfgifu is a conventional medieval queen.

Relationships

King Canute

Canute and Ælfgifu appear to have a loveless marriage, and one most likely based on politics. As soon as Canute sees Emma, who is younger than Ælfgifu, as prettier, smarter, and fiercer than Ælfgifu, he essentially divorces her.

In History

Ælfgifu is based on Ælfgifu of Northampton. Ælfgifu was part of an important noble family in Mercia, and the daughter of Ælfhelm, the ealdorman of southern Northumbria. Her father was probably killed at the command of King Æthelred the Unready, and her two brothers were blinded. She was the first wife of Cnut the Great, King of England and Denmark. She was the mother of Sweyn Knutsson and Harold Harefoot who was King of England. She was regent of Norway from 1030 to 1035.

Gallery

Appearances

Vikings: Valhalla — Season One Appearances
The Greenlanders	Viking	The Marshes	The Bridge
Miracle	The Last Daughter of Uppsala	Choices	The End of the Beginning

Vikings: Valhalla — Season Two Appearances
The Web of Fate	Towers of Faith	Pieces of the Gods	The Thaw
Birth and Rebirth	Leap of Faith	Pecheneg	The Reckoning