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Notes

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According to legend, King Edgar sent his favourite servant Earl Athelwold to meet his intended bride Elfrida (daughter of Ordgar, Earl of Devonshire). Athelwold was smitten and immediately married her himself. He told Edgar that she was no beauty but the King’s suspicions were aroused and he decided to pay her a visit. He was so angry at being deceived and she at being denied the opportunity of marrying a king, that he killed Athelwold. Elfrida became Queen and was the mother of King Etheldred II.

When this painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1771, it was said to have raised Angelica Kauffman’s reputation to the highest point. Ironically, the artist was not able to sell it for some time; it was bought by John Parker, later Lord Boringdon, by August 1775.