Aelgifu (also called Aelfgifu or Elgifu or Aelfgitha) was the wife of Canute the Great in the 11th century. Canute (or Cnut) I, or Canute the Great (Old Norse: Knútr inn ríki, Danish: Knud II den Store, Norwegian: Knut den mektige) (994/995 – November 12, 1035) was king of England, Denmark and Norway and governor or overlord of Schleswig and Pomerania. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ...

Aelfgifu was the daughter of Ealdorman Aelfhelm, who was killed by King Ethelred the Unready. At some time during the Danish Conquest of England, Canute the Great married Aelfgifu. She bore him two sons, Sweyn Estridsen and Harold Harefoot who later became Harold I of England. Ethelred the Unready (c. ... Sweyn Estridsen. ... Harold I Harefoot (c. ...

Later, Canute the Great, married Ethelred's widow, Emma of Normandy, when Ethelred was deposed. His relations with Aelfgifu after the marriage are uncertain. However, she remained in his favour and went with her son Sweyn to rule over Norway in Canute's name during 1030-1035. Both Aelfgifu and Sweyn were duly hated by the Norse, due to her harsh rule and high taxation. They were driven out of Norway, and Sweyn died before returning to England. Canute (or Cnut) I, or Canute the Great (Old Norse: Knútr inn ríki, Danish: Knud II den Store, Norwegian: Knut den mektige) (994/995 – November 12, 1035) was king of England, Denmark and Norway and governor or overlord of Schleswig and Pomerania. ... Emma (c. ...

Aelfgifu returned to England after Canute's death and helped her son Harold Harefoot gain the English throne. It is uncertain when she died.

Aelgifu, a popular female name among the Anglo-Saxons, was also the name of the wife of King Edgar the Peaceable and the second wife of King Ethelred. Confusingly, Emma of Normandy was also sometimes known as Aelfgifu or Aelgiva. The famous parade helmet found at Sutton Hoo, probably belonging to King Raedwald of East Anglia circa 625. ... King Edgar or Eadgar I ( 942 – July 8, 975) was the younger son of King Edmund I of England. ...

The name Elgifu means "gift of the Elves." A small forest elf (älva) rescuing an egg, from Solägget (1932), by Elsa Beskow An elf is a mythical creature/creature of Germanic mythology/paganism which still survives in northern European folklore. ...