Edward the elder biography

Second wife and consort of Edward the Elder

For other people with the same name, see Ælfflæd.

Ælfflæd (fl.

Edward the elder biography

early 10th century) was the second wife of the English king Edward the Elder.

Biography

Ælfflæd was the daughter of an ealdorman Æthelhelm, probably ealdorman Æthelhelm of Wiltshire who died in 897. Although genealogist David H.

Kelley and historian Pauline Stafford have identified him as Æthelhelm, a son of Edward's uncle, King Æthelred of Wessex,^[1][2] this relationship is highly unlikely. Had Æthelhelm been the son of King Æthelred I then Ælfflæd and Edward would have been first cousins once removed, and would not have been allowed to marry, their marriage would have been forbidden as incestuous.^[3] Other marriages of the time between 2nd and 3rd cousins were deemed incestuous and not allowed, therefore, it is improbable that a marriage of this closeness would have been tolerated.

This is demonstrat