Hyde900: Emma of Normandy - the medieval queen that Netflix has yet to discover. A talk by Don Bryan
St Bartholomew's Church, King Alfred Place, Hyde, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7DF
Emma was born in Normandy in the 980’s. In 1002 she married English King Aethelred II (The Unready) and became the richest and most powerful woman in England. After Cnut’s victory over Aethelred, Emma married the new King Cnut. She and Cnut endowed New Minster with many treasures (eg the Liber Vitae). These treasures were brought to Hyde Abbey in 1110 when the monks were moved to Hyde.
In her lifetime she was accused of an involvement of the murder of her own son, Alfred; was banished from England for a while; was also forced into exile when the Danish Army invaded England and was even accused of having an affair with her own Bishop of Winchester! This led to her “Trial by Ordeal” which took place in the Old Minster at Winchester.
She died in Winchester and was buried in the Old Minster where her remains rested until the Norman Cathedral was built when they were placed in one of the Mortuary Chests. That is until 1642 when the Parliamentary forces ransacked the cathedral and her bones were scattered. Emma is the most illustrated queen in Medieval documents yet very few people have ever heard of her.
The talk will put some flesh on the “bare bones” of this rich and most powerful Queen of England.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 15 September:
- 1515-1615
Location & directions
St Bartholomew's Church, King Alfred Place, Hyde, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7DF
- Directions:
- There are a number of ways to find us: 1.)Hop on a King Alfred Vintage Bus (participating in the Heritage Open Day). There are regular free bus trips from Winchester city centre to Hyde (approx 10 minutes) and back. 2.) Follow a trail from Winchester city centre to Hyde (aimed at children but everyone will enjoy discovering interesting facts). Pick up the trail from City Museum and solve the clues. 3.) Follow a City Walk to Hyde: Alfred's Final Journey (available from the Tourist Information Office) 4.) Nearby Car Parks: Coach Park SO23 7EL, Worthy Lane SO23 7AB, River Park SO23 7DQ, St Peter's SO23 7DD
- Contact on day:
- Francesca Sluman
- Telephone number:
- +447811735871
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Early booking is advisable.
- Booking website:
- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hampshire-history-trust
- Booking opens:
- 15 Jul 2024 12:00 AM
Additional information
- Max no of people per tour:
- 90
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s)
