Emma († 1052) unisce nella sua figura Normandia, Inghilterra e Scandinavia. In prime nozze venne data in sposa dal padre, il duca di Normandia, al re inglese Etelredo II. che sperava così di forgiare una nuova unione contro ai vichinghi. Quando il re danese invase l'Inghilterra nel 1013, Emma fuggì in esilio in Normandia con i figli. Dopo la morte del marito, tornò in Inghilterra e sposò il re danese Canuto, diventando così regina d’Inghilterra per la seconda volta. I figli avuti dal suo primo matrimonio vissero a lungo nel ducato di Normandia. Questo spiega lo stretto legame del figlio Edoardo il Confessore († 1066), futuro re d’Inghilterra, con la Normandia. Durante il suo regno venne addirittura nominato arcivescovo di Canterbury un normanno.
(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.