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Sigrid the Haughty

History or Legend?

By , About.com Guide

Known for: rebel, princess, pagan, daughter of the King of Sweden; likely legendary or mythical
Dates: ~968-before 1013: sources give varying dates, and Sigrid is most likely a myth or legend
Also known as: Sigrid the Strong-Minded, Sigrid the Proud, Sigríð Tóstadóttir, Sigríð Stórráða, Sigrid Storråda

Most likely a legendary character, Sigrid the Haughty (once assumed to be an actual person) is noted for her defiance. The chronicle of King Olaf of Norway says that when it was arranged for Sigrid to marry Olaf, she refused because it would have required her to convert to Christianity. She helped organize opponents of Olaf who, later, defeated the Norwegian King.

According to the stories that mention Sigrid, she was married to Eric VI Bjornsson, King of Sweden, and was mother of Olaf III of Sweden and of Holmfrid who married Svend I of Denmark. Later, perhaps after she and Eric divorced, she is supposed to have married Sweyn of Denmark (Sveyn Forkbeard) and is cited as mother of Estrith or Margaret of Denmark, who married Richard II "the Good" of Normandy.

About Sigrid the Haughty

  • Categories: rebel, princess, pagan, legend
  • Places: Sweden, Norway, Denmark
  • Period: 10th century

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