Interview of Edgar and Elfrida, after Her Marriage to Athelwold

Image credit: National Trust Images

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Notes

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According to legend, King Edgar sent his favourite servant Earl Athelwold to meet his intended bride Elfrida (daughter of Ordgar, Earl of Devonshire). Athelwold was smitten and immediately married her himself. He told 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. Elfrida became Queen and was the mother of King Etheldred II.

When this painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1771, it was said to have raised Angelica Kauffman’s reputation to the highest point. Ironically, the artist was not able to sell it for some time; it was bought by John Parker, later Lord Boringdon, by August 1775.

National Trust, Saltram

Plymouth

Title

Interview of Edgar and Elfrida, after Her Marriage to Athelwold

Date

c.1770/1771

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 153.5 x W 214.5 cm

Accession number

872179

Acquisition method

accepted in lieu of death duties on the estate of Edmund, 4th Earl of Morley; transferred from HM Treasury, 1957

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

National Trust, Saltram

Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 1UH England

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