| Osburh | |
|---|---|
 Early 20th century illustration of Osburh reading to her son Alfred | |
| Spouse | Æthelwulf, King of Wessex |
| Issue | |
| Father | Oslac |
Osburh orOsburga (alsoOsburga Oslacsdotter) was the first wife of KingÆthelwulf of Wessex and mother of KingAlfred the Great. Alfred's biographer,Asser, described her as "a most religious woman, noble in character and noble by birth."[1]
Osburh's existence is known only from Asser'sLife of King Alfred. She is not named as a witness to any charters, nor is her death reported in theAnglo-Saxon Chronicle. So far as is known, she was the mother of all Æthelwulf's children, his five sonsÆthelstan,Æthelbald,Æthelberht,Æthelred and Alfred, and his daughterÆthelswith, wife of KingBurgred of Mercia.
Osburh is best known from Asser's story about a book of Saxon songs she showed to her sons, offering to give the book to whoever could first memorise it, a challenge Alfred took up and won. This exhibits high-status ninth-century women's interest in books and their role in educating their children.[2]
Osburh was the daughter of Oslac (who is also only known from Asser'sLife), King Æthelwulf'spincerna (cupbearer), an important figure in the royal court and household.[3] Oslac has partialGothic ancestry[4] and is a descendant of KingCerdic'sJutish nephews, Stuf and Wihtgar, who conquered and settled theIsle of Wight.[5]