Join Greg Jenner, Professor Elizabeth Tyler, and comedian Jen Brister as they explore the life of Queen Emma of Normandy, a pivotal figure in early medieval England. Dive into Emma's marriages to English and Danish kings, her political savvy, and the messy family relationships that shaped history. From her childhood in Normandy to her role as mother to the king, Emma's story is filled with intrigue, power struggles, and intricate alliances in eleventh-century England.
Emma's political power is highlighted in the Incaumium Amaragina, recognizing her agency and leadership as a key player in eleventh-century England.
Emma is depicted as co-ruling with Harlequinute and Edward in the Incaumium Amaragina, showcasing her significant influence in shaping the political landscape.
Emma's multifaceted political role as mother and emperor in the Incaumium Amaragina underscores her administrative capabilities and enduring influence.
Deep dives
Emma of Normandy's Political Power
Emma's political power is highlighted in the Incaumium Amaragina, an account she commissioned to protect her interests. Despite not being able to read Latin, the text compares her to influential historical figures like Octavian and honors her agency and leadership as a mother and queen.
Emma's Influence in the Incaumium Amaragina
In the Incaumium Amaragina, Emma is depicted as co-ruling with Harlequinute and Edward, not behind the scenes. The text parallels her to powerful figures like Octavian and recognizes her significance in shaping the political landscape.
Emma's Versatile Political Role
Emma's story showcases her multifaceted political role, being designated as mother and emperor in the Incaumium Amaragina. This representation underscores her administrative capabilities and enduring influence.
Emma of Normandy in the Incaumium Amaragina
Emma's portrayal in the Incaumium Amaragina highlights her strategic political positioning and leadership as a central figure in the royal sphere. The text emphasizes her as key to the realm's stability and her adept management of political power.
Emma's Political Portrayal in Historical Texts
In historical texts like the Incaumium Amaragina, Emma is presented as a pivotal figure in the political arena, influencing key decisions and playing a significant role in ruling alongside monarchs like Harlequinute and Edward. This portrayal underscores her enduring legacy and political acumen.
In this episode, Greg Jenner is joined by Professor Elizabeth Tyler and comedian Jen Brister in early medieval England to learn all about Queen Emma of Normandy. Emma was wife to two English kings – Aethelred and Cnut – and mother to two more, Harthacnut and Edward the Confessor. She was a key player in the complex politics of eleventh-century England, and symbolised the overlapping English, Norman and Scandinavian identities at play in England even before the Norman conquest of 1066. This episode traces Emma’s life from her childhood in Normandy, through her marriages to the English Aethelred and Danish Cnut, and into her final years as mother to the king. Along the way, it explores Emma’s political savvy, and the messy family relationships that shaped early medieval English history.
Research by: Josh Rice
Written by: Josh Rice, Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey
Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse
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