Editing Emma of Normandy (section)

== Marriage to Æthelred II ==
In an attempt to pacify [[Normandy]], King [[Æthelred of England]] married Emma in 1002.{{sfn|Keynes|2009}} Similarly [[Richard II, Duke of Normandy]], Emma's brother, hoped to improve relations with the English in the wake of recent conflict and a failed kidnapping attempt against him by Æthelred.{{sfn|Neveux|Ruelle|2008|pp=94–95}} Viking raids on England were often based in Normandy in the late 10th century, and for Æthelred this marriage was intended to unite against the Viking threat.{{sfn|Howard|2008|p=10}} Upon their marriage, Emma was given the Anglo-Saxon name of [[Ælfgifu]], which was used for formal and official matters, and became Queen of England. She received properties of her own in [[Winchester]], [[Rutland]], [[Devon]]shire, [[Suffolk]] and [[Oxfordshire]], as well as the city of [[Exeter]].{{sfn|Huneycutt|2003|p=41}}

Æthelred and Emma had two sons, [[Edward the Confessor]] and [[Alfred Ætheling]], and a daughter, [[Goda of England]] (or Godgifu).

When King [[Sweyn Forkbeard]] of Denmark invaded and conquered England in 1013, Emma and her children were sent to Normandy, where Æthelred soon joined them. They returned to England after Sweyn died in 1014.

Emma and Æthelred's marriage ended with Æthelred's death in London in 1016. Æthelred's oldest son from his first marriage, [[Æthelstan Ætheling]], had been heir apparent until his death in June 1014. Emma's sons had been ranked after all of the sons from Æthelred's first wife, the eldest surviving of whom was [[Edmund Ironside]].{{sfn|Barlow|1984|pp=30–31}} Emma attempted to get her older son, Edward, recognized as heir. Although this movement was supported by Æthelred's chief advisor, [[Eadric Streona]], it was opposed by Edmund Ironside, Æthelred's third-oldest son, and his allies, who eventually revolted against his father.

In 1015 [[Cnut the Great]], the son of Sweyn Forkbeard, invaded England. He was held out of London until the deaths in 1016 of Æthelred (April) and Edmund (November). Queen Emma attempted to maintain Anglo-Saxon control of London until her marriage to Cnut was arranged.{{sfn|Howard|2008|pp=12–15}} Some scholars believe that the marriage saved her sons' lives, as Cnut tried to rid himself of rival claimants, but spared their lives.{{sfn|Huneycutt|2003|p=41}}