Queen Osburh ¹⁸⁴⁴

   FamilySearch ID: <a HREF="https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L8WB-MKY">L8WB-MKY</a>

  General Notes:

Osburh, (also known as Osburgha, Osburga Oslacsdotter) was the first wife of King Æthelwulf of Wessex and mother of Alfred the Great. Alfred's biographer, Asser, described her as "a most religious woman, noble in character and noble by birth"

Osburh's existence is known only from Asser's Life of King Alfred. She is not named as witness to any charters, nor is her death reported in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. So far as is known, she was the mother of all Æthelwulf's children:
- Æthelstan
- Æthelbald
- Æthelberht
- Æthelred
- Alfred the Great
- Æthelswith, wife of King Burgred of Mercia.

Osburh was the daughter of Oslac, the name of her mother is not known. Her father Oslac was King Æthelwulf's pincerna (butler). This was not comparable to a modern-day butler, the Pincerna was an important figure in the royal court and household similar to a High Steward. Oslac is described as a descendant of King Cerdic's Jutish nephews, Stuf and Wihtgar, who conquered the Isle of Wight.

Osburh is best known from Asser's story about a book of Saxon songs, which she showed to Alfred and his brothers, offering to give the book to whoever could first memorize it, a challenge which Alfred took up and won. This exhibits high-status ninth-century women's interest in books and their role in educating their children

While Osburh was certainly the wife of the King she did not hold the title of Queen. In accordance with ninth century West Saxon custom, she was not given the title of queen. According to King Alfred, this was because of the infamous conduct of a former queen of Wessex called Eadburh, who had accidentally poisoned her husband. This was one of the points of contention between Osburh's sons and her husband's 2nd wife Judith of France. As part of their marriage agreement, Judith's father insisted Judith be anointed Queen before they even left France.

Osburh is believed to have died before 856, when her husband King Æthelwulf married Judith of France. It has been argued that Osburh was set aside, however this is unlikely considering her longterm relationship with Æthelwulf and the high esteem she held within the kingdom.

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Title of Nobility: Queen of The Isle of Wight,, in Isle of Wight, , Hampshire, England. ¹⁸⁴⁶

Osburh married King Æthelwulf OF WESSEX, son of Egbert "The Grand" OF WESSEX and Redburge OF HERSTAL CAROLINGIEN, on 10 January 829 in , , Hauts-de-France, France.¹⁸⁴⁵ (King Æthelwulf OF WESSEX was born in 795 in Aachen, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany ¹⁸⁴⁴, christened on 23 August 806 in , , Wessex, Anglo Saxon Britain,¹⁸⁴⁴ died on 13 January 858 in London, City of London, Greater London, England ¹⁸⁴⁴ and was buried after 13 January 858 in Steyning, Horsham, West Sussex, England ¹⁸⁴⁴.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

1. They have conflicting marriage information of 1 October 856 and Verberie, Oise, Hauts-de-France, France. ¹⁸⁴⁵