Elswitha (d. 902)
Elswitha (d. 902)
Queen of the English. Name variations: Alwitha; Ealhswith; Ealhswyth; Elswith; Ealhswith of the Gaini. Died on December 5, 902 (some sources cite 905), at St. Mary's Abbey, Winchester, Dorset; interred at Winchester Cathedral, London; daughter of Ethelred the Great, ealdorman of the Gainis, and Eadburh ; married Alfred the Great (848–c. 900), king of the English (r. 871–899), in 868; children: Edmund (died young); Edward I the Elder (c. 870–924), king of the English (r. 899–924); Ethelweard (880–922); and three daughters, Ethelflaed (869–918), Ethelgeofu (d. around 896), and Elfthrith (d. 929).
A member of the Mercian royal family, Elswitha was the daughter of Ethelred the Great, ealdorman of the Gainis, and Eadburh . She married Alfred the Great, king of the English, in 868. Following the death of her husband around 900, Elswitha became a nun. She was reputed to be a saint.