Technically, all of Æthelred's sons by his first wife (Lady Ælfgifu - historians have thought he might have had two handfast wives before his Christian marriage to Emma of Normandy), were bastards. The eldest was Æthelstan - died in 1014, then Ecgberht - died c.1005, then Edmund Ironside - died after the battle of Assandun in November 1016, then Eadred - died c.1013, then Eadwig - killed by Cnut in 1017, then Edgar - died c.1008. They also had several daughters, although only three can be confirmed - Eadgyth - who married Eadric Streona, Ælfgifu - who married Uhtred of Northumbria, and Wulfhild - who married Ulfcetel, an ealdorman of East Anglia. Out of Æthelred's bastard sons, only Edmund became king and that was mainly due to the result of Edward the Confessor's situation (exiled in Normandy), and, age. After the death of Æthelred in April 1016 and because of the threat of Cnut Sweinson, Queen Emma and her three children (Edward, Godgifu and Alfred) fled England and found shelter at her brother duke Richard's court in Normandy. Emma remained there until 1017 (she returned to England to marry Cnut), and her children took longer to return - Edward and Alfred in 1036 (Alfred was murdered, Edward briefly - not returning properly till 1042), and Godgifu after Edward became King.
It is interesting to contemplate what might have happened had Edmund not died six weeks after the battle of Assandun. Was Cnut really happy for Edmund to have Wessex? Did he have a hand in the death of Edmund? Unfortunately, we will never know. However this is gold for the historical fiction writer as there is scope to introduce said various theories.
In the next post I'll explore William of Normandy - the bastard son of duke Robert of Normandy, and his son, Henry I's numerous bastard sons.
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