Queen Osburh [7122] ¹⁶⁸⁷

   FamilySearch ID: L8WB-MKY.

  General Notes:

WIFE OF THE KING ...BUT NOT QUEEN:
In accordance with ninth century West Saxon custom, Osburh was not given the title of queen. According to King Alfred, this was because of the infamous conduct of a former queen of Wessex called Eadburh, who had accidentally poisoned her husband.

Osburh, (also known as Osburgha, Osburga Oslacsdotter) was the first wife of King Æthelwulf of Wessex and mother of Alfred the Great. Alfred's biographer, Asser, described her as "a most religious woman, noble in character and noble by birth"
Osburh's existence is known only from Asser's Life of King Alfred. She is not named as witness to any charters, nor is her death reported in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. So far as is known, she was the mother of all Æthelwulf's children:
- Æthelstan
- Æthelbald
- Æthelberht
- Æthelred
- Alfred the Great
- Æthelswith, wife of King Burgred of Mercia.

Osburh was the daughter of Oslac, the name of her mother is not known. Her father Oslac was King Æthelwulf's pincerna (butler). This was not comparable to a modern-day butler, the Pincerna was an important figure in the royal court and household similar to a High Steward. Oslac is described as a descendant of King Cerdic's Jutish nephews, Stuf and Wihtgar, who conquered the Isle of Wight.

Osburh is best known from Asser's story about a book of Saxon songs, which she showed to Alfred and his brothers, offering to give the book to whoever could first memorize it, a challenge which Alfred took up and won. This exhibits high-status ninth-century women's interest in books and their role in educating their children

While Osburh was certainly the wife of the King she did not hold the title of Queen. In accordance with ninth century West Saxon custom, she was not given the title of queen. According to King Alfred, this was because of the infamous conduct of a former queen of Wessex called Eadburh, who had accidentally poisoned her husband. This was one of the points of contention between Osburh's sons and her husband's 2nd wife Judith of France. As part of their marriage agreement, Judith's father insisted Judith be anointed Queen before they even left France.

Osburh is believed to have died before 856, when her husband King Æthelwulf married Judith of France. It has been argued that Osburh was set aside, however this is unlikely considering her longterm relationship with Æthelwulf and the high esteem she held within the kingdom.

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Biographical Information: Osburh and King Æthelwulf had 6 children,, in Kent, , Kingdom of Wessex, Anglo Saxon England. ¹⁶⁸⁹ Osburh and King Æthelwulf had 6 children:
Æthelstan,
Æthelswith,
Æthelbald,
Æthelbert,
Æthelred,
Alfred.

2. Title Of Nobility: Queen of The Isle of Wight,, in Isle of Wight, , Hampshire, England. ¹⁶⁸⁹

3. Biographical Information: Wife of the King, but not Queen,, in Kent, , Kingdom of Wessex, Anglo Saxon England. ¹⁶⁸⁹ In accordance with ninth century West Saxon custom, Osburh was not given the title of queen. According to King Alfred, this was because of the infamous conduct of a former queen of Wessex called Eadburh, who had accidental.

Queen married Æthelwulf King of Wessex [7121] [MRIN: 5568], son of Egbert Le Grand D'ANGLETERRE DE WESSEX [7123] and Redburge DE HERSTAL CAROLINGIEN [7124], on 10 January 829 in Picardie, France..¹⁶⁸⁸ (Æthelwulf King of Wessex [7121] was born in 795 in Aachen, , Aachener Reich, Holy Roman Empire ¹⁶⁸⁷, christened on 23 August 806 in , , Kingdom of Wessex, Anglo Saxon England,¹⁶⁸⁷ died on 13 January 858 in London, , Greater London, England ¹⁶⁸⁷ and was buried after 13 January 858 in Steyning, Sussex, England ¹⁶⁸⁷.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

1. They have conflicting marriage information of 1 October 856 and Verberie, Oise, Picardie, France. ¹⁶⁸⁸