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 1…
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Citation: Flanders, Steve. "Encomium Emmae Reginum". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 July 2006 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=16916, accessed 23 November 2024.]