King Edgar's First Interview with Queen Elfrida (Aelfryth)
William Hamilton RA (Chelsea 1751 - London 1801)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1774
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1346 x 1829 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall (Children's Country House), Derbyshire
NT 653229
Caption
According to legend, in 963, King Edgar had sent his favourite servant Earl Athelwold to meet his intended bride Elfrida (daughter of Ordgar, Earl of Devonshire) at Corfe Castle. Athelwold was smitten and immediately married her himself telling Edgar that she was no beauty but the King’s suspicions were aroused and he decided to pay her a visit. He was so angry at being deceived and she at being denied the opportunity of marrying a king, that he killed Athelwold whilst out hunting. Elfrida became Queen and was the mother of King Etheldred II.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, King Edgar's First Interview with Queen Elfrida by William Hamilton RA (Chelsea 1751 – London 1801), 1774. The meeting with his second wife apparently took place at Corfe Castle. Corfe Castle (NT) was later to be bought by Sir John Bankes an ancestor of Frances Maria Warren, Lady Vernon, wife of the 4th Lord Vernon George Charles Vernon. Showing the Queen standing left with two attendants and a child greets the King centre with armed horse man, greyhounds etc. at the gate of the Castle (supposedly Corfe).
Provenance
Bequeathed by Aileen and Vera Woodroffe through the National Art Collections Fund (Art Fund) in 1987.
Makers and roles
William Hamilton RA (Chelsea 1751 - London 1801), artist