The story of England’s first queen is among the fascinating talks and walks unveiling Tavistock’s hidden history to the public in the coming days as part of the biggest festival of its kind in the country.

Historian Dr Geri Parlby will explore the life of the tenth century Devon woman who became England’s first queen and rather than being just a figurehead, wielded real power and influence. There is reason to think she inspired Tavistock Abbey’s growth.

She was beautiful, ambitious, politically powerful and was accused of murdering her stepson. But did history get Ælfthryth, the remarkable Devon woman who became England’s first crowned queen, completely wrong?

That is one of the questions Geri will explore in her talk, ‘Temptress, Murderess, Mother and Patron: The Many Faces of Ælfthryth’, on Saturday, September 12, at Tavistock Guildhall as part of Tavistock’s Heritage Open Days, running from September 11-20.

The founders of Tavistock are recorded as Ordgar and his son Ordulph, powerful tenth-century noblemen who were also great benefactors of Tavistock Abbey.

But another member of this family has a fascinating story. Ælfthryth (or Elfrida) was Ordulph’s sister. She rose from her West Country origins to become the wife of King Edgar and, in 973, the first woman to be formally crowned and anointed Queen of England.

Geri said: “Her story sounds more like a medieval soap opera than sober history. There was beauty, romance, royal ambition, religious reform and ultimately murder. It is a wonderful story. Unfortunately, it is probably more medieval gossip than history.”

Medieval chroniclers portrayed Ælfthryth as the archetypal wicked queen. According to legend King Edgar heard of her beauty and sent a trusted nobleman, Æthelwold, to investigate. Æthelwold supposedly fell in love with her himself, married her and tried to convince the king that she was plain and unremarkable. Edgar discovered the deception, Æthelwold conveniently died in a hunting accident, and the king married his beautiful widow.

Geri said: “What we do know is that Ælfthryth married Edgar and became one of the most influential women in England. She was crowned alongside Edgar at Bath in a ceremony transforming English queenship. She was not simply the king’s wife: she was a consecrated queen with a recognised role in religious and political life.”

When Edgar died in 975, his eldest son Edward became king. But Ælfthryth had a young son of her own, Æthelred, and the succession became bitterly contested.

The new king was murdered at Corfe Castle and Ælfthryth blamed in later centuries. She was labelled the wicked stepmother plotting the death of the young king so her own son could succeed.

Geri admits history does not prove Ælfthryth’s guilt: “But we do know she was a formidable political operator, a patron of religious reform who exercised extraordinary authority for her time.

“Ælfthryth also has an intriguing Tavistock connection as the sister of Ordulph and his influence on Tavistock Abbey. Given her wealth, influence and commitment to religious reform, it’s difficult to believe that she had no interest or influence upon his great religious project.”

Further details on Tavistock Heritage Open Days at this link: https://www.heritageintavistock.org/tavistock-heritage-open-days