Bridget Haraldsdotter
 | This article includes a list of generalreferences,butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations.(February 2016) |
| Bridget Haraldsdotter | |
|---|---|
| Queen consort of Sweden | |
| Tenure | 1160–1161 |
| Born | c. 1131 |
| Died | c. 1208 |
| Burial | |
| Father | Harald IV Gille |
Bridget Haraldsdotter,alsoBrigida(Swedish:Birgitta Haraldsdotter) (c. 1131 – c. 1208) wasQueen of Swedenas the spouse of KingMagnus II.[1]
Brigida Haraldsdotter was the illegitimate daughter of KingHarald IV of Norway.Her mother is unknown, but she was possibly Tora Guttormsdotter, long-term lover of her father and the mother of KingSigurd II of Norway.Her Irish first name was the same as that of her father's Irish mother, Brigida O'Brien (d. 1138). According to legend, she was first married to KingInge the Younger,but this is not considered possible; likely, her first marriage was to the Swedish Earl Karl Sunesson. She was married toMagnus Henriksen,son of her stepmotherIngrid Ragnvaldsdotterand Ingrid's first husband,Henrik Skadelår.Her spouse claimed the Swedish throne through his mother in 1160–61. After his death in 1161, she remarried the SwedishjarlBirger Brosaof Bjelbo. The daughter she had during her marriage to Brosa,Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo,was to be Queen of Sweden in 1200.
In 1174, the Norwegian throne claimantØystein Møyla,who claimed to be her nephew, asked for the support of her and her husband, which they also granted. In 1176, the Norwegian throne claimantSverre of Norwaydid the very same thing. He was turned away at first, but in 1177, they advised theBirkebeinerto acknowledge Sverre as their King and gave him the support of them and of the Swedish King. Bridget's son Filippus would also join Sverre's service. Brosa died in 1202. In 1205, a conflict broke out between her daughter Queen Ingegerd and the Bjelbo family.
The dates of her birth and death are not known, though her daughter's birth year is set at c. 1180. The dates c. 1131–1208 have been suggested. After the death of her second spouse in 1202, she retired to theRiseberga NunneryinNärke,where she died and was buried. [2]
Children
[edit]- Philippus Birgersson(d. 1200), Jarl of Norway in the service of KingSverre of Norwayand one of his most staunch supporters.
- Knut Birgersson, Riksjarl of Sweden,jarlof Sweden. According to one source, Knut was married to kingKnut Eriksson's daughter, named Sigrid in that source. He was killed in 1208 at thebattle of Lena(??Battle of Gestilren1210???).
- Folke Birgersson,akaFolke jarl,jarlof Sweden, killed 1210 atbattle of Gestilren
- Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo,(ca 1180–1230), Queen of Sweden 1200–1208, married to kingSverker IIand mother of kingJohn I of Sweden.
- Kristina Birgersdotter
- Margareta Birgersdotter
References
[edit]- ^Demitz, Jacob Truedson (2020).Centuries of Selfies: Portraits commissioned by Swedish kings and queens.Preface byUlf Sundberg.Stockholm; New York: Vulkan Förlag. p. 100.ISBN978-91-89179-63-9.
- ^[1]Brigida Haraldsdatter (Store norske leksikon)
- Lars O. Lagerqvist, "Sverige och dess regenter under 1.000 år", (1976)Swedish
- Åke Ohlmarks:Alla Sveriges drottningar(All the queens of Sweden)Swedish