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Birth:          ABT  810 Wessex
Death:          AFT  876 

Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osburh
Osburh or Osburga was the first wife of King Ęthelwulf 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".[1]

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 Ęthelwulf's children, his five sons Ęthelstan, 
Ęthelbald, Ęthelberht, Ęthelred and Alfred the Great, and his daughter Ęthelswith, 
wife of King Burgred of Mercia.


The Boyhood of Alfred the Great (1913).jpg 



She is best known for 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 memorise it, a 
challenge which Alfred took up and won. This exhibits the interest of high status 
ninth-century women in books, and their role in educating their children.[2]

Osburh was the daughter of Oslac (who is also only known from Asser's Life), King 
Ęthelwulf's pincerna (butler), an important figure in the royal court and household.[3] 
Oslac is described as a descendant of King Cerdic's Jutish nephews, Stuf and 
Wihtgar, who conquered the Isle of Wight.[4] and, by this, is also ascribed 
Geatish/Gothic ancestry.

Parents
____ Oslac (ABT  780 - )
----- ----- ()

Siblings
OF HAMPSHIRE Osburh (Osberga) (ABT  810 - AFT  876)

Marriage To ____ Aethelwulf (ABT  806 - 13 Jan  859)
    m.  dv.  853 

Notes
his first

Parents
____ Egbert "the Great" ( 775 - 4 Feb  839)
OF THE CAROLINGIANS Raedburh (Raedberg) (BEF  768 - )

Children by ____ Aethelwulf ABT  806 - 13 Jan  859
____ Aethelred I (ABT  830 - 23 Apr  871)
____ Alfred "the Great" ( 849 - 26 Oct  899)

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