Emma (d. 1052) represented an important link between Normandy, England, and Scandinavia. Her first marriage was concluded as part of the defence against the Scandinavian threat in 1002, when she married the English king Æthelred II (d. 1016). When the Danish king invaded England in 1013, she fled to Normandy with her children. After her husband’s death, she returned to England and married the victorious Danish king Cnut. At his side, the power-conscious Emma became Queen of England for the second time. She had left the sons of her first marriage at the court of the Norman dukes, where they continued to live long lives. This explains the close connection of her son Edward (d. 1066) to Normandy that continued even after he had ascended the English throne. Edward even appointed a Norman as archbishop of Canterbury. However, due to the influence of the powerful Anglo-Saxon aristocrat Godwin Earl of Wessex, the Norman influence was pushed back.
(Encomium Emmae Reginae)
England, Normandy or Flanders, mid-/3rd quarter 11th c.
Parchment
London, The British Library, MS Additional 33241, fol. 47v/48r
Queen Emma commissioned this manuscript herself. The Latin text tells the story of the Danish conquest of England and subsequent events. A focus is on Emma’s life, her second marriage to the Danish and then English king Cnut and the succession of her son Harthacnut to the throne. The title miniature of the manuscript (see the display case’s background) shows the self-confident queen together with her sons Harthacnut and Edward, who succeeded one another as kings of England. Opened is the passage in which Emma’s marriage to Knut is reported.
England, London/Westminster, ca. 1250–1260
Parchment
Cambridge, The Syndics of Cambridge University Library, MS Ee.3.59
This richly illustrated manuscript tells the story of the life of Edward “the Confessor”, who was revered as a saint in England. The miniature on display shows an episode from his childhood. Queen Emma flees from the Danish invasion of England under Sven Gabelbart (on the left) with her two young sons (on the right) to Normandy. Edward and Alfred continued to live at the court of the Norman duke for a long time, even after their mother had returned to England. Edward later became King of England himself.
King Cnut makes a donation to Archbishop Ælfstan at the request of Queen Ælfgifu (Emma) Christ Church, Canterbury, 1018
Parchment
London, The British Library, Stowe Ch 38
With this deed, King Cnut presents the Archbishop of Canterbury with a piece of woodland called Hazlehurst. The text of the deed mentions that the donation was made at the request of Emma, the king’s wife. She is referred to by her Anglo-Saxon name: “Ælfgifu”. Emma appears among other persons as a witness, but only in third place after the archbishops. A few years later, she appears as witness in documents directly after the king.
East Anglia, England, ca. 1300–1340
Parchment
London, The British Library, Royal MS 14 B VI, fol. 5
The exhibited parchment is part of an almost 5 m long roll (rotulus) containing the genealogy of the English kings from the 9th to the 14th century. Interestingly, this genealogy also includes the Dukes of Normandy from Rollo to William “the Conqueror”, who can be seen here. Each person is presented through a medallion with a portrait and his or her name. However, not only the rulers were recorded, but also the women of the family and their familial connections. Genealogical rolls were a symbol of legitimacy.
Wilton mint, minted 997–1003 (1); minted 979–1016 (2)
Silver
Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Münzkabinett, Nr. 18279815 (1); Stuttgart, Landesmuseum Württemberg, Inv. MK 1951-259 (2)
Lincoln min, minted 1017–1023 (3); Colchester mint, minted 1016–1035 (4)
Silver
Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Münzkabinett, Nr. 18261689 (3); Stuttgart, Landesmuseum Württemberg, Inv. MK 1951-266 (4)
Southwark mint, minted 1042–1044 (5); Wilton mint, minted 1056–1059 (6)
Silver
Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Münzkabinett, Nr. 18202963 (5); Nr. 18279807 (6)
Lund mint, minted 1035–1042
Silver
Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Münzkabinett, Nr. 18237838
The English coinage system developed from Carolingian coinage and knew only one type of coin: the silver penny. Since about 960, images of rulers also appeared on the coins. King Æthelred II, Emma’s first husband and King of England, paid the tribute called “Danegeld” to ward off Viking invasions with these coins. King Cnut, Emma’s second husband, used the English money type to mint his own coins, not only in England, but also in his Scandinavian kingdom. Emma and Cnut’s son Harthacnut continued the tradition and had his face immortalised on coins, too.