Queen Of England TWICE - And A Cause Of The Norman Invasion? | Emma of Normandy

Emma of Normandy is one of the most famous Anglo-Saxon queens, and she certainly left plenty for historians to go over. She was Queen of the English not once, but twice, as well as becoming queen of Denamrk and Norway through her second husband, Cnut. Emma was a politically prominent figure in the later years of the Anglo-Saxon period, and her first marriage, to Aethelred the Unready, along with her push to keep a son of hers on the English throne, may even have contributed to the later Norman invasion of England's shores...
If you like my videos, consider sponsoring me via Patreon here! You can watch selected videos before they go on KZbin, take part in exclusive polls, and even create fan requests! / historysforgottenpeople
Sources and related books:
Women in Anglo-Saxon England by Christine Hall - amzn.to/3JLfNQY
Anglo-Saxon Chronicles by Alfred the Great(!) - amzn.to/3Y4rsOU
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Emma of Normandy) - www.oxforddnb.com/display/10....
The above book links are affiliate links, and by clicking and buying a book, you're helping support this channel. Thank you very much! 🙌
For my images and footage, thanks to:
Pixabay
Videvo
Wikimedia Commons, especially:
Hel-hama
Nilfanion
Adrian Pingstone
Michael Shea --imars
Oleryhlolsson
Suicasmo of Wikicommons
My more photographic 'Emma' is a stock image from PeriodImages.com
I endeavour to always give credit for my images, but please let me know if you haven't been credited in my video, so I can do just that.
Thanks for my music:
Folk Round by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Burglar by Kuro is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: / free-medieval-backgrou...

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you for watching! 😊 So how much do you think Emma contributed to the Norman Invasion? And was she right to encourage her sons the way she did?

[@gazlator]

Glad to see Emma of Normandy get some recognition; her story is a truly remarkable one. And SHE wrote a book about it! We can hardly blame her for encouraging Harthacnut and neglecting Edward and Alfred; she doubtless felt that an Anglo-Danish future was the better one for England. I reckon it's begging for a terrific mini-series to be made from it.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

I would definitely watch a well-made mini series about Emma's life! And I think you're right; given the choices available, I also don't think she made the decision of encouraging Harthacnut due to some sort of favouritism either. At the time, Cnut had been a long accepted ruler, and his direct son made more sense than Aethelred's by that point.

[@jawo8754]

This is a main plot point in Vikings Valhalla.Emma's nephew was William the Conquerer.

[@Malik_Sylvus]

Anglo-danish better for what??... Don't compare the normands who were, in that time, the most powerful and civilized society in western Europe able to build the biggest castles and cathedrals in the world within 5 years with the Danish who lived in wooden huts, just be grateful and thankful to the normands who introduced civilization and social and mlitary organisation to England, if England is what is today it's thanks to the normands. If normands have never been to England, England would have been a Scottish or Irish colony.

[@user-uy3ub3ki2f]

Why use 'Normands'? The generally accepted term, Normans. This usage obscures your meaning rather than enhancing it. Let's talk later if you want to continue these talks.

[@AmericanWoman1964]

So glad I discovered you today! Im tired with new channels going over the same old Henry VIII etc. So refreshing to watch this. Thank you!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊 I do occasionally cover someone more well-known, but I try to find some angle that hasn't been looked at as much, if I can.

[@AmericanWoman1964]

Thats what makes you better! Even each new BBC Historian just covers all the big names. We never here about the family members or other obscure notables no matter how small info there is. I love it when I happen upon one like you present. It's not so much that she is little known as you went into depth of the available info of her. So thank you! You!

[@TheBreechie]

This channel is great, facts aren’t as important as for others… This blends all the things perfectly

[@helpinyerdasellavon]

Thank you for this wonderful video on her. Emma of Normandy was a remarkable and fascinating woman in history. The medieval period is my favourite to know about and I love the fact that you use medieval paintings and music accordingly which makes it even more enjoyable 👑

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

You're welcome, thank you for watching! 😊 I love using medieval paintings and drawings where I can, and it's just a shame there aren't more! (Although Midjourney does a pretty good attempt sometimes).

[@helpinyerdasellavon]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople love so much medieval paintings as I've always been fascinated with medieval history and arts. Whereas many history channels seem to be mainly focused on Tudor history (which I also love), your videos are absolutely delightful covering earlier times bringing some fresh air. Thank you so much 🙏

[@lfgifu296]

As much as I hate the Norman invasion, Emma is, to me, astonishing!!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Emma really didn't miss an opportunity, did she? I did admire how she went from a marriage she probably had little say in, to staging herself in probably one of the strongest positions any woman had during that period. I felt a little queasy about her encouraging her sons into wars so she could retain her power...but equally, I get the feeling Emma would have done it herself had it been possible.

[@lfgifu296]

@@HistorysForgottenPeopleThat’s why I love her! As Lindsay Holiday (from History Tea Time With Lindsay Holiday) said: “Emma, wife of two Kings, and mother of two more(…)”. Though yes, that move of sending her sons to wage war stains her memory a bit… I suppose she really thought they would win, as she did protect them as children and adolescents…

[@Andy_Babb]

Ohhhhh how I love the pre-Norman history of Britain!

[@daya820]

I enjoyed Emma’s story of power and her legacy.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@emo7636]

I'm glad I stumbled upong your videos, it's rare to find a video about anyone but Anne Boleyn (fascinating though she is). Thanks so much for taking the time to make these about lesser-known but equally interesting people!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you! 😊 In fairness, I might be doing something on Anne Boleyn in a few months as part of a series on Henry VIII's wives, but it will definitely be a one off! 🤣

[@jamescobban857]

I personally feel that it was the 25 years that young Edward, Emma's eldest son, spent in exile, mostly in Normandy, that turned him into a Normanophile. Throughout his reign Edward favoured Normans with whom he had grown up, over the Anglo-Danish nobles of England. For example in 1051 Edward rejected the candidate for Archbishop of Canterbury who was a relative of Earl Godwin and appointed Robert of Jumièges. At one point he repudiated his wife Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

I think that's a really good point - and it makes sense that the place where most of his life had been spent was the most influential. Returning to England most likely did not feel like returning home, and the first thing he would have wanted, as you say, is to surround himself with more familiar faces (and accents!).

[@Leah-xu2fd]

Your channel is such a gem. Thank you for the amazing work in all the videos you've made.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you so much! That's made my day. 😊

[@annm.7176]

She did so much for her kids and then her son wouldn't even help her in the end That sounds normal

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Now you mention it, parenting hasn't changed much! 🤣

[@katherinecooper6159]

I find it interesting to gain knowledge of history over a thousand years ago. Thank you for sharing.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@crocodiledundee8685]

Have not heard of this intriguing person or much about this time period. Great job 👍 Since we’re on the subject of Anglo-Saxons, could you also cover Hereward of Wake, the main Anglo-Saxon resistance fighter to William the Conqueror. His is a tale stooped in as much myth as fact with the odd bit of hilarity, like when William was besieging his stronghold of the Isle of Ely to no avail, he hired a witch (a random ugly old lady) to stand in a wooden tower to shout curses at them and moon them😂

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

The woman shouting curses at them definitely rings a bell! 😂 It feels very Monty Python, haha.

[@lfgifu296]

Oooh the Anglo Saxons have come back to warm my heart!! And also, when you announced you would be doing a series on Anglo Saxon women, my three guesses were Æthelflæd of Mercia, Ælfthryth of Devon and Emma of Normandy haha! She is my favourite queen consort of England too! (Although I prefer doing research on Ælfthryth)

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Haha, you did guess them all, but I didn't want to give them away! 🤣 Aelfthryth is definitely the most interesting of the three to study.

[@lfgifu296]

@@HistorysForgottenPeopleI am now a self proclaimed seer haha! In case you want more suggestions for this my favourite series: Ealhswith of Mercia, wife of Alfred the Great; Ælfgifu of Shaftsbury (may have misspelled it, sorry), wife of Edmund the Magnificent and now a Saint; Ælfgifu of Northampton herself; and Edith of Wessex :) As much as Emma is my favourite Queen of England, I fully admit Ælfthryth interests me more when it comes to studying.

[@lfgifu296]

@@HistorysForgottenPeopleBtw, thank you for the information you gave me on Byrthferth of Ramsey’s work! Sadly, I am not yet in University, and my school isn’t on the list. I have asked a friend for his University account but it doesn’t work for some reason🤷‍♀️ In a year though I shall access it all hopefully :) As for the Internet archives, boy are they helpful!!

[@asiaravenbennett]

Thank you for this! Emma has fascinated me for years. What a bio!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

You're welcome, I'm glad you like it! 😊 Emma really was fascinating to research - she's one of those figures who blows away the assumption women at that time did very little.

[@peggybrem2848]

Nicely done! I will watch this again👍

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you! I'm pleased you enjoyed it so much. 😊

[@bigmal1690]

Very interesting time in history, would make a great mini series on the history channel or something

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

It would be great to see more documentaries on this time period, especially as there are so many TV dramas that (while great in their own way) often deviate from the real history.

[@silliaek]

Best summary of Emma's life I've come across

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@patriciaramsey5294]

Never heard of Emma. But she was a very intelligent woman.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

A lot of women before William the Conqueror seem to suffer from not been known (and many after, of course), against their more famous husbands. You're right, Emma was definitely a clever woman not to be trifled with!

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

Emma is a nice name, I would Conquer England for her.

[@williethomas5116]

I would never trust any woman who so easily screwed over her first 2 sons, Alfred and Edward from her first marriage. She pushed them aside only for her own greed. Had her other son Harthcanute invade and fight their own brothers.

[@Philip-bk2dm]

Great. And a good time to review your video on Elfrida of Devon. Many thanks.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

I must admit, Elfrida/Aelfthryth (still can't say her name easily!) is my favourite I've done of the Anglo-Saxon ladies so far, even though Emma was a very impressive lady in her own right.

[@beth7935]

Awesome! I only know the outline of Emma's story, & the events & people in this super-chaotic time, but this summarises the decades of drama so well- & it pulls together the random things I do know into a coherent narrative, which is one of my fave things in the entire world. Anyway, Emma was even more of a political force than I realised, which is saying something! Just calling her "the wife & mother of kings" leaves out SO MUCH.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

I totally agree - not that it's not an achievement in itself to be married to two kings and then give birth to more, but that narrative always leaves out Emma's own intelligence and critical thinking. (Happens across most historical women, to be fair). It really was chaotic at this time! Especially when you look closely at the very short reigns of the kings in this period. A lot of historians think there was either a genetic illness that was killing the men off very early in life, or it was just a very bloody, violent period where people were getting bumped off. Either way, it makes it more incredible that Emma was able to rise above it and maintain her position.

[@beth7935]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople With so many historical women, their marriage & children _are_ the only things we know about them, ofc, cos that's all that was deemed important enough to record. Then you get a woman like Emma who _does_ have an epic story in her own right, & people _still_ try to reduce her to a wife & mother; the only important & acceptable roles for a woman, & minimise or leave out all the other hugely significant things she did. But what's this about a possible genetic illness killing off the men?!? I'm fascinated by that kind of medical speculation (not that I take it seriously; I usually think people are jumping to conclusions, & I argue _against_ the theories), so I'm surprised I've never heard anything about this theory, especially since lots of historians back it. I don't imagine there's enough evidence for them to specify a particular genetic condition? Maybe there is, but I'm drawing a blank on anything that'd fit without _all_ the men in question being so unwell/disabled that it would've massively affected their lives & reigns, & DEFINITELY would've been recorded... I'm not a geneticist though! It also seems to me like people want a medical explanation for these things when it comes to royalty, cos it has a massive affect on history, but nobody would notice or care about it happening to "average" families. So I always want to ask, "is this actually so unusual for the time period, or does it happen to loads of other people & families?", & a lot of the time I think it's the latter.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

@@beth7935 Yeah, it's definitely not a HUGE idea on the genetic illness, as it's completely theory with no way of proving it, sadly! I agree, there does always seem to be a medical reason suggested for a lot of events in history now, but I think that's because we went so far the other way for so long, ignoring it when there really was something. I'm inclined to argue more towards the 'bumped each other off' theory, I'm afraid, haha! Despite the culture and literature of the late Anglo-Saxon period, it was also a violent time with a lot of change, and I personally feel it's far more likely that - especially with so many nobles/royals closely related to each other - everyone wanted their piece of the pie, and killing off a rival was the quickest way to do it. Having said that, the chroniclers of the time don't often hold back in telling how someone was murdered or killed, and so where there's a blank, perhaps there is another reason?

[@beth7935]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople It's kinda similar to the endless back-&-forth killing of early kings of Scotland, which ofc had to do with the tanistry system, where they got sick of waiting for their turn, & I guess the Anglo-Saxons didn't have simple male primogeniture either- not that that stops people killing & usurping their rivals, but when there are multiple potential heirs all with valid claims, ofc it's more likely. I agree that that doesn't mean everyone _was_ murdered though! It seems like unfounded accusations of murder (especially by poison) were pretty common when important people died, so I agree it's not that likely that _actual_ murders were totally ignored. As to what they died from other than murder, there are endless options that are far more likely than a genetic condition that only affects males... fascinating as that would be. Thanks for telling me the theory exists though, & answering my questions.

[@tobyknowles3531]

Thanks for this reminder of '1066 history & all that'. I had never understood why Edward preferred that his English throne should be bequeathed to his Cousin William of Normandy, now I know; that his familial allegiance was to Normandy & his Cousins there. I had always been a supporter of Harold Godwinson & Edith Swan Neck of Bosham. more interesting articles: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Conquest, and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Godwinson.

[@johncoreyfarrell]

Mother of two kings, queen consort of two as well. The most powerful woman of the Tenth century. If she could speak today? The story of her bones are devoid of fleshly knowledge.

[@MartinFinnigan]

Just subscribed to your channel, I love your take on royal women and the struggles they must have endured in such a male dominated and religious society. As a Scot im going to be selfish and ask if you can include some of Scotlands royal woman in your future videos? Mary queen of Scots is an obvious choice but I've always had a fascination with Queens of Scots, such as Saint Margaret of Wessex and Elizabeth de Burgh and her step daughter princess Marjory Bruce. Keep up the good work!!!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you, great to have you here. And not selfish at all! 😊 I'm definitely going to do royal women (and some men, of course) from across Britain, and I have a long list of Scottish, Welsh and Irish ladies to get to - plus some non-royal, haha!

[@rivermoon6190]

Thank you, Elizabeth de Burgh is an ancestor of mine and her marriage to Robert de Bruce is something I would love to hear much more about. Also her namesake, and another relative, in England was married to Lionel Duke of York to then procure the British throne to those we have today! So now I know where I get my determination and forcefulness and patriotism from -the de Burgh women!

[@forlornfool221]

A Badass Woman of her time indeed!! One must not interject our so called modern morality to much though

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Oh, definitely - Emma was able to do what she did in the context of her era, which obviously was male-dominated, but nonetheless she made a favourable impression with chroniclers of the middle ages.

[@marcduhamel-guitar1985]

Very interesting figure! She certainly was tenaceous!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

She certainly was, almost to the exclusion of anything else, I think!

[@cepopeye]

In The British History podcast, she is portrayed as an ultimate nightmare mother-in-law archetype lol

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

She very well may have been! I can imagine that someone as single-minded as that, used to being the matriarch, probably was (and still is lol!) a nightmare. 🤣

[@billpalmer174]

The English lying about a foreign woman who married into the family? Who would have thought of that? Lol! 21:17

[@lindadeal3344]

This is so interesting and I find Emma very likeable and then men at this time somewhat disappointing as they seem small minded!

[@MichelleBruce-lo4oc]

Hi, how are you? I'm doing well. Awesome live history video I enjoyed it 👍 😊

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you, I'm glad you did! 😊

[@maryfrump7937]

Gramma Emma. I am astounded that I found my family roots. Lucky that I came from 2 very old families with old English names.

[@Malik_Sylvus]

To be precise Emma isn't an english name, it's a french name it was introduced to England by the invaders normands, all historical women named Emma were French (frankish)

[@lfgifu296]

By the by, what happened to your Castle Tour videos? I can’t find them

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

There was a change over permissions, so sadly, I've had to remove them for the time being. It might change again in the future, but for now I might stick to my normal ones for a bit. 😊

[@lfgifu296]

@@HistorysForgottenPeopleAgh :( I figured some sort of Copyright restriction, but hoped I’d be wrong :’) But I also adore your usual people documentaries so I am quite content!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Well, it wasn't copyright (it wasn't YT who flagged it), but a bit of a misunderstanding. Either way, at least I have a huge list of historical people still to work though, haha!

[@bihottie26]

I can’t believe a spitfire like Emma spawned that eunuch Edward the Confessor. 😂

[@SacredDreamer]

Marquis is spoken "MarK-ee"

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Well, I can't be certain in other forms of English, but in British English, it is pronounced 'mar-kwis'. We would pronounce 'marquee' (a large type of tent) as 'mar-kee'. I haven't pronounced it the French way as most of the video is about a confusing mixture of Anglo-Saxon, Dane, and Norman figures, so I feel it's better to stick to one form of pronunciation.

[@F6blue]

The root of 1066; it started with the murder of Edward the Martyr at Corfe

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

You're right in that it's certainly an event that changed the path of history, but of course there was still a chance Emma (or one of her sisters) would still have been married to whoever was on the English throne, and that could have led to the same outcome.

[@lfgifu296]

Now for the question haha, what do you think of Edward IV? Both as a monarch and as a person?

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Haha, every week I look forward to a new question! 😄 Hmm....okay, firstly as a ruler. I think Edward IV was so-so, not bad, not particularly good, either. He was a good military king, and was in the right place, right time for attempting to hold rule while showing that off. He especially did well with France in terms of negotiating while threatening an army. Politically, he was a bit hit-and-miss, I think. Some of his decisions were sensible, to attempt to steady the economy, but this was undermined by his over-spending. But giving a lot of positions to his brothers-in-law also probably didn't help. As a person...I mostly don't like him, but not as strongly as I dislike others! Although many described him as charming, he was also used to getting his own way, and could be aggressive about it. I think he liked power more than he wanted to actually rule the country. And finally, his numerous lovers and subsequent illegitimate children would cause confusion after his death.

[@lfgifu296]

@@HistorysForgottenPeopleNgl, exactly the same😭 I don’t like how he ousted Henry VI- not once, but twice lol- and (likely) had him killed, and though he was a good military leader, he proved that good leadership by fighting his own people… And not a great husband either! Man couldn’t keep his libido down😭

[@lfgifu296]

@@HistorysForgottenPeopleAnd every week I look forward to asking them haha :)

[@ludovica8221]

28x great grandmother

[@gonefishing167]

Really, really interesting, thank you. Quite a woman wasn’t she? 🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

What would Fomanko say about this ?

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Probably that it already happened in Germany in 1200, and the Russian hoardes did it. 🤣

[@romo9122]

👸🏻

[@funtimefoxy6136]

She was the first foreign queen consort of England (after Judith of Flanders in 858) and before Matilda of Flanders (William The Conqueror’s wife). She would’ve felt proud to see her great-nephew on the throne and ending the Anglo-Saxon bloodline.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

I agree, despite being queen of England, I also think Emma would have been very happy that her French bloodline had taken the English crown!

[@funtimefoxy6136]

@@HistorysForgottenPeople She wouldn’t been happy that the Godwinsons had taken over the throne

[@anemarie2984]

J aime beaucoup l histoire mais plus je vieillis plus je m aperçois que les civilisations sont bâties sur des montagnes de morts et malheureusement cela continue avec le XXI siècle 😢

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

C'est une partie vraiment triste de l'histoire, vous avez raison, et il est facile de devenir déprimé parfois ! Mais il y a aussi beaucoup de bien qui s'est produit dans le monde, et je pense que c'est tellement fantastique de découvrir quelque chose de grand qui a été oublié. Et désolé pour mon français, j'utilise Google Translate. 😊

[@rudolfx1070]

Three times a lady by then?

[@susancaleca4796]

Never heRd of her

[@Malik_Sylvus]

Sorry but in English language you should say NORMAND not Norman.... NORMAN is a false creolic pronunciation of french Normand (where final D is unpronouced if it's masculin). NORMAND means people of Normandie, when Norman is just a generic word reffering to hypothetic North!!!.....when you say Norman it's a lack of precision and a great great historic mistake.

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

'Norman' is the Anglicised version of 'Normand', hence why it is used in countless English language books and documentaries other than just mine.

[@Malik_Sylvus]

​@@HistorysForgottenPeople yes of course madam, when I say "you" I mean whole english speakers linguists and historians first. I'm not an english speaker, so for me Norman refers to an "undefined people from northern europe", but Normand refers to people from a located and delimited known region. It's just a matter of historic precision, It's a bit like the American Indians they are called Indians by mistake but the error has become an accepted norm, but if we want to be accurate we say amerindians or precolombians. By dint of saying norman instead normand, people believe it's about Vikings or whatever, and this is not true.

[@vf24renegade23]

It's arbiter not arbitrator. Learn your own language!

[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Arbiter- one who acts as a judge; arbitrator - one who conducts the proceedings, usually independently. Hence why I instead worded it as 'judge and arbitrator'; 'acting as an arbiter and arbitrator' would have been an unnecessarily unwieldy sentence. I also find being polite when correcting people's grammar or language doesn't cost anything.