(no subject)

Died on this day in 1052 aged 67 Emma of Normandy(my toy,wikipedia). Emma was the daughter of the Duke of Normandy (who was the great grandfather of William the Conker). She married Aethelred (as part of a deal to smooth relations between England and Normandy) the Unready and was the mother of Eward the Confessor; when Cnut invaded (and Aethelred died) she married him, this marriage quite possibly saved her life and that of her sons. Her sons Edward (by Aethelred) and Harthacnut (by Cnut) were both later Kings of England. Emma was politically active as Queen.

Born on this day in 1405 to King Henry III of Castile and Catherine of Lancaster, King John II of Castile(my toy,wikipedia). Grandson of John of Gaunt (also died this day) and Grandfather of Catherine of Aragon. John was a long-reigning but not especially effective King. He married twice, both times to close cousins. Keeping it in the family, it's the royal way...