Of very great historical importance, it is the only Anglo-Saxon era sapphire ever found in the ground in Britain. The only other sapphire from the period is the one that the Queen wears in her Imperial State Crown, used at the opening of Parliament. Known as St. Edward’s sapphire, this latter gem was once part of King Edward the Confessor’s finger ring and is now the oldest gem in the British crown jewels.
Image via Wikipedia
Regia Anglorum is a re-enactment society that brings you genuine, living history. They live in the time of the first millenium when Anglo-Saxons, Danes, and Viking invaders fought countless battles for control of England.
In the midst of these battles is the heart of everyday English life as it was then: blacksmiths and storytellers, potters and fishermen. The society’s online presence at Regia.org also provides this English history at your fingertips. Their available articles range from everyday life and language to weapons and warfare. So if you are an Anglophile or a history teacher looking for in-depth information about William the Conqueror or his people’s timeframe, this is the place to be.
A team of experts are currently trying to identify a set of bones discovered at Germany’s Magdeburg Cathedral. They believe they may have found 10th century Anglo-Saxon princess Eadgyth, the sister of King Athelstan and the granddaughter of Alfred the Great.
Tests on the bones are still pending at Bristol University in England, and if conclusive, will prove that it is indeed Eadgyth – pronounced Edith – whose remains were wrapped in silk and sealed inside a lead coffin. It will be the oldest remains of an English royal ever discovered.
Eadgyth’s description is reminiscent of Queen Marie of Romania: both were born charismatic British princesses who were sent abroad to marry well. Eadgyth became the wife of Otto I, the Holy Roman Emperor. The former Marie of Edinburgh wed Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania.
Eadgyth was born at the beginning of the 10th century and her brother, King Athelstan is considered the first king of England.
Image: Sacred Destinations
The Economist.com has conducted a poll in both Britain and America to see how our views are similar – and different.
The Economist’s article “Anglo-Saxon Attitudes” asks if our two countries are really that similar in viewpoint, and whether Britain may be more similar to a country like France, for example.
For the full poll data, click here:
http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/FullPollData.pdf
Tyra (Thyra Haraldsdatter) was the daughter of Harold Bluetooth (Harald Blaatand) and his wife Gyrid. She was born about 947. She married (1) the disinherited Swedish prince Styrbjörn Starke (Styrbjörn Olafsson) and had the son Torkel Styrbjörnsson, who had the daughter Gytha Thorkelsdóttir. Gytha married Godwin, Earl of Wessex and had the son Harold II of England. Styrbjörn died in battle in 986.
She married second Olav Tryggvason, King of Norway, about 995. He died in 1000.
She died on 18 SEP 1000.
(Wikipedia)
