| “ | You married a Norman. We create nightmares. | ” |
–Emma to King Aethelred II | ||
Emma of Normandy is one of the wealthiest women in Europe. She is from the Norman court and of Viking blood. She is the great-granddaughter of the Viking and first Duke of Normandy, Rollo.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Emma was born into Norman nobility. As a female, she had no rights or land, and was viewed as a piece of her father's property. Emma came to England at fifteen years old and unable to speak the language. She now views England as home more than Normandy. She is the much younger second wife of King Æthelred, making her Queen of England. Should she be sent back to Normandy, she would once again become property of her father.
Season 1[]
Emma arrives at the royal palace in London where Æthelred is on his deathbed. She reassures him that she will help her stepson Edmund as much as she can. Emma worries though the Edmund is not ready to rule because of his inexperience and hot-bloodedness.
Before departing to defend Denmark, Canute marries Emma in the middle of the night.
When Emma meets Sweyn Forkbeard, he at first appears to be telling her that she should not be part of ruling and politics by asking if she is a good cook. He then glowingly describes how his mother could cook large meals that always managed to turn out perfectly. Sweyn reveals that his speech is actually a parable about logistics. He is telling Emma that his mother could handle multiple things at once, referring to the multiple countries Canute controls, and that he doesn't believe Canute is capable of the task. Emma assures him that she is capable of making sure Canute is successful.
Edmund visits Emma in her chambers to give her a wedding gift. It is one of his mother's necklaces. It was given to her by her father-in-law, King Edgar, to remind her of her importance to England. Edmund tells Emma that he hopes she will accept it in the same spirit.
Emma, Sweyn, and Godwin have outmaneuvered Ælfgifu. Emma is back on the throne of England with Godwin on her side, while Sweyn has taken control of the Danish fleet and sailed for Kattegat.
Personality[]
Emma is young, ambitious, and politically astute. She is very protective of her two young sons, and her place on the throne of England. She is clearly thee most intelligent member of the royal family. She is resourceful, clever, and fierce. She tries to manipulate Edmund to suit her own agenda.
Relationships[]
Canute[]
Canute and Emma seem to truly genuinely love each other. Canute respects her intelligence and fierceness.
In History[]
Emma is based on Emmy of Normandy, Queen of England, Denmark, and Norway. It is believed King Æthelred marries Emma of Normandy to pacify the Normans who had been supporting the Viking attacks against England. Emma was eighteen at the time of the marriage, while Æthelred was thirty-six.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
| The Greenlanders | Viking | The Marshes | The Bridge |
| Miracle | The Last Daughter of Uppsala | Choices | The End of the Beginning |