Queen Osburgh/Osburga (d.before 856) was the mother of Alfred the Great. During the early middle ages the mother was responsible for her children's education; she herself could be better educated than her husband. A 9th century account praises Osburgh for giving her sons a book of Saxon poetry, saying, "Whichever of you shall the soonest learn this volume shall have it for his own." When Alfred triumphed over his brother, she "smiles with satisfaction". PICTURE: Osburga reads for Alfred, 1911.Queen Osburgh/Osburga (d.before 856) was the mother of Alfred the Great. During the early middle ages the mother was responsible for her children's education; she herself could be better educated than her husband. A 9th century account praises Osburgh for giving her sons a book of Saxon poetry, saying, "Whichever of you shall the soonest learn this volume shall have it for his own." When Alfred triumphed over his brother, she "smiles with satisfaction". PICTURE: Osburga reads for Alfred, 1911.
Queen Osburgh/Osburga (d.before 856) was the mother of Alfred the Great. During the early middle ages the mother was responsible for her children's education; she herself could be better educated than her husband. A 9th century account praises Osburgh for giving her sons a book of Saxon poetry, saying, "Whichever of you shall the soonest learn this volume shall have it for his own." When Alfred triumphed over his brother, she "smiles with satisfaction". PICTURE: Osburga reads for Alfred, 1911.