Aelfgifu was the consort of Canute. They had two sons, Swein Alfivason (also known as Swein Knutsson) and Harold Harefoot. Although Canute married Emma of Normandy in 1017, Aelfgifu remained an important person and was made regent of Norway in 1030 when Canute removed Olaf Haraldson from power. Through misrule and attempts to take too much power, both Aelfgifu and Swein were expelled from Norway in 1034 or 1035. After Canute's death in 1035, Aelfgifu supported her other son, Harold Harefoot, in his bid to become the English king. She acted as Harold's key political supporter, helping him become King of England in 1037, despite opposition from Queen Emma and her son, Harthacnut. The exact date of her death is not known, but she is believed to have died around 1040, possibly after Harold's death.

 Aelfgifu (of Northampton) (b.990? - d.1040)
    +Canute (King of England 1016-1035) (b.995? - d.1035)
        = Swein
        = Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040) (b.1015? - d.1040)