Hodierna of St Albans

Hodierna of St Albans (fl. 1150–1210) was the mother of Alexander Neckam and wet nurse of Richard I of England. Hodierna is also known as Audierne.[1]

According to legend, Richard I and Alexander Neckam were born on the same day.[2] The astrological significance of these two births may be the reason Hodierna was chosen as wet nurse.[1] The boys were breastfed together, although as heir to the throne Richard was given the right breast which was believed to produce richer milk.[1]

Wet nurse to the young princes was an honoured position and Hodierna was given a home in the King's Houses.[1] However, if Richard became ill or died, Hodierna could be blamed.[1] Transitioning into a nanny role as Richard got older, Hodierna was Richard's main source of maternal affection in his early years as his mother was often away.[1]

Richard did not forget Hodierna as he got older. Records show that when he was King, Richard gave Hodierna a generous pension.[3][4]

The village of West Knoyle in Wiltshire was formerly known as Knoyle Hodierne after her.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Boyd, Douglas (2014-02-01). Lionheart: The True Story of England's Crusader King. The History Press. p. 13. ISBN 9780750954754.
  2. 1 2 McLynn, Frank (2008-10-20). Richard and John: Kings at War. Da Capo Press. p. 24. ISBN 9780786726295.
  3. ↑ Cropp, Laurel Susan (1991). "A critical edition of Alexander Neckam's Corrogationes noui Promethei with introduction, textual notes, and commentary". University of Toronto: 2–4.
  4. ↑ Houts, Elisabeth van (2011). "Family, marriage, kinship". In Crick, Julia; Houts, Elisabeth van. A social history of England, 900–1200. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 137. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511976056.013. ISBN 978-0-521-88561-4.
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