History Extra podcast The royal threesome that rocked Anglo-Saxon England
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Feb 12, 2025 Join Katherine Weikert, a Senior Lecturer in Early Medieval History, as she unpacks the scandalous story of King Eadwig, who allegedly left his coronation feast for a daring rendezvous with his wife and her mother. Discover how this sensational tale, likely fabricated, reveals much about the royal authority and societal norms of 10th-century England. Weikert also explores the political significance of royal marriages, the hidden power of women in the monarchy, and how these dynamics shaped the tumultuous landscape of early Anglo-Saxon politics.
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The Coronation Feast Incident
- Eadwig, the king of England in 955, reportedly left his coronation feast for a scandalous sexual encounter.
- This involved his wife and her mother, according to 10th-century sources.
The Threesome's Significance
- The story of Eadwig's threesome is likely untrue but reveals much about English kingship.
- It's attention-grabbing and demands further analysis.
Eadwig's Background and Reign
- Eadwig, a descendant of Alfred the Great, became king at 15 in 955.
- His reign faced challenges as he navigated a court dominated by established figures.