Gunhilda of Denmark was born in approximately 1020 as the daughter of King Cnut the Great and his second wife, Emma of Normandy.
She was a member of the powerful House of Knýtlinga and a half-sister to several monarchs, including King Harthacnut of Denmark and King Harold Harefoot of England.
Gunhilda spent much of her childhood in Germany, where she was betrothed to Henry III, the son and heir of Emperor Conrad II.
The Marriage and Accusations of Adultery
Gunhilda and Henry were married in Nijmegen in 1036, and she took the German name Kunigunde.
Their marriage was part of a diplomatic agreement between her father and Emperor Conrad II over peaceful borders between the Danish Duchy of Schleswig and Imperial Holstein in the area of Kiel.
However, their marriage was not without controversy. According to some chronicles, Gunhilda was accused of adultery and was even defended in trial by combat.
Her champion won, but Gunhilda later became a nun.
The Birth of Beatrice And A Tragic End
In December 1038, Emperor Conrad II went on a campaign to Italy and took his son Henry and Gunhilda of Denmark with him.
While in Italy, Gunhilda gave birth to their only daughter, Beatrice.
The couple’s victory in Italy found most of the Mezzogiorno loyal to the Holy Roman Empire.
However, tragedy struck on their return journey to Germany when an epidemic broke out among the Imperial troops, possibly malaria, claiming many victims. Gunhilda and Duke Herman IV of Swabia were among the casualties.
Gunhilda‘s body was later transferred to Germany and buried in the Limburg Abbey church.
Conclusion
Image: Wikimedia
Despite being a queen consort of Germany for only two years, Gunhilda of Denmark left a lasting impression on history.
Her life was marred by accusations of adultery and ended tragically at a young age.
However, her legacy lives on through her daughter Beatrice, who became an abbess and played a significant role in the religious and political life of the Holy Roman Empire.