Anonymous, Encomium Emmae Reginum

Steve Flanders (Queen's University Belfast)

Ed. by Hugh Magennis, Queen's University Belfast
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.01: English Writing and Culture: Old English, 500-1066.
Vol. editors: Richard William Dance (University of Cambridge), Hugh Magennis (Queen's University Belfast)

Domains

Political Science

Dates

First circulation or publication 1041

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Non-Fiction
- Biography (literary)
Non-fictional prose

Resources

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The

Encomium Emmae Reginae

is an eleventh-century historiographical work, written in Latin, commissioned by and dedicated to the object of its praise: Queen Emma. Its overt political purpose is demonstrated by the “spin” placed on events and on the intentions of individuals. Emma, the sister of Richard II, Duke of Normandy (996-1026), had first married Æ;thelred II (“the Unready”), King of England (978-1016), bearing him at least two sons. On his death and the successful invasion by the Danish king Swein, she subsequently married Swein’s son and successor, Cnut, and bore him one son, Harthacnut. The

Encomium

, which can be dated to sometime in 1041-2, was written to help validate Harthacnut’s succession in 1041.

The work comprises three books. The first two cover the

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732 words

Citation: Flanders, Steve. "Encomium Emmae Reginum". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 July 2006 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=16916, accessed 24 November 2024.]