Alfred was born at Wantage in Oxfordshire in 849, fourth or fifth son of Aethelwulf, king of the West Saxons. Following the wishes of their father, the sons succeeded to the kingship in turn.

In real life, she was the second wife of King Aethelwulf of Wessex, whom she married at just 12 years old when he returned to England from Rome, as she was the daughter of King Charles of West ...