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{{About|the Queen of Norway|Queen consort of [[Óláfr Guðrøðarson (died 1153)|Óláfr Guðrøðarson]] of [[Isle of Man]]|Ingibjörg Hakonsdóttir of Orkney}}
{{see also|Ingeborg Eriksdottir of Norway}}
{{Distinguish|Ingeborg, Duchess of Öland}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| title= [[Duchess of Södermanland]], Halland, and Estonia
| title = [[Duchess of Södermanland]], Halland, and Estonia
| image =Ingiburga of Sweden (daughter of Hacon) bust 2009 Linköping (2) crop.jpg
| image = Ingiburga of Sweden (daughter of Hacon) bust 2009 Linköping (2) crop.jpg
| caption =Duchess Ingeborg's bust at Linköping Cathedral
| caption = Duchess Ingeborg's bust at [[Linköping Cathedral]]
| spouse = [[Eric, Duke of Södermanland]]<br>[[Canute Porse, Duke of Halland]]
| spouse = [[Erik Magnusson (duke)|Duke Erik Magnusson]]<br/>[[Canute Porse, Duke of Halland]]
| house = [[House of Sverre|Sverre]]
| house = [[House of Sverre|Sverre]]
| father= [[Haakon V of Norway]]
| father = [[Haakon V of Norway]]
| mother= [[Eufemia of Rügen|Euphemia of Rügen]]
| mother = [[Eufemia of Rügen|Euphemia of Rügen]]
| issue= [[Magnus VII of Norway]]<br>[[Euphemia of Sweden|Euphemia, Duchess of Mecklenburg]]<br>Haakon, Duke of Halland<br>Canute, Duke of Halland
| issue = {{ubl|[[Magnus, King of Sweden and Norway]]|[[Euphemia of Sweden|Euphemia, Duchess of Mecklenburg]]|Haakon, Duke of Halland|Canute, Duke of Halland}}
| birth_date= 1301
| birth_date = 1301
| birth_place=Norway
| birth_place = Norway
| death_date= {{Death year and age|1361|1301}}
| death_date = {{Death year and age|1361|1301}}
| death_place=
| death_place =
| place of burial=
| place of burial =
}}
}}
'''Ingeborg of Norway''' ('''Duchess Ingeborg''', [[Old Norse language|Old Norse]] ''Ingibjörg Hákonardóttir'', [[Swedish language|Swedish]] ''Ingeborg Håkansdotter'', [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]] ''Ingebjørg Håkonsdatter''; 1301 &ndash; 17 June 1361), was a Norwegian and by marriage Swedish princess and royal duchess with a position in the regency governments in Norway (1319–27) and Sweden (1319–26). In 1318-1319 she was Sweden's first ''[[de facto]]'' female ruler<ref>Jacob Truedson Demitz ''Throne of a Thousand Years'' ISBN 91-630-5030-7, Ludvika & Los Angeles 1996 p. 27</ref> and her position subsequently equalled that of an undeclared [[queen mother]] for over 40 years.<ref>Professor [[:no:Grethe Authén Blom|Grete Authén Blom]] in ''Ingebjørg med Guds misskunn Kong Håkons datter, Hertuginne i Sviarike: Brudstykker av et politisk kvinneportrett'' Norsk Historisk Tidskrift, Oslo 1981 s. 425</ref> In 1319-1326, she was Sweden's first ''[[de jure]]'' female regent.
'''Ingeborg of Norway''' ({{langx|non|Ingibjörg Hákonardóttir}}; {{langx|sv|Ingeborg Håkansdotter}}; {{langx|no|Ingebjørg Håkonsdatter}}; 1301 &ndash; 17 June 1361) was a Norwegian princess and by marriage a Swedish royal duchess with a position in the regency governments in Norway (1319–1327) and Sweden (1319–1326) during the minority of her son, King [[Magnus Eriksson]]. In 1318–1319, she was Sweden's ''[[de facto]]'' ruler, and from 1319 until 1326, she was Sweden's first ''[[de jure]]'' female regent. Her role in northern European history is considered of major importance.


==Background==
==Life==
===Early life===
Ingeborg was born as the only legitimate daughter of King [[Håkon V of Norway]] from his marriage with [[Eufemia of Rügen|Euphemia of Rügen]]. As a child, she was first betrothed to [[Magnus Birgerson]], the son and designated heir of King [[Birger I of Sweden]]. Soon afterwards the engagement was however broken for altered political reasons, and in 1305 she was betrothed to [[Eric, Duke of Södermanland]], a younger brother of king [[Birger, King of Sweden|Birger of Sweden]], thus uncle of her first betrothed. In 1312, Ingeborg and Eric were formally married in a double wedding in Oslo; at the same time, her cousin [[Ingeborg Eriksdottir of Norway]], married Eric's brother duke [[Valdemar Magnusson]]. At her wedding, her mother queen Euphemia had published the recently translated (by her command) famous [[poem]]s, the Euphemia songs. The couple had two children before Duke Eric was murdered.
Ingeborg was born in 1301 as the only legitimate daughter of King [[Håkon V of Norway]] from his marriage with [[Eufemia of Rügen|Euphemia of Rügen]]. As a child, she was first betrothed to [[Magnus Birgersson (1300–1320)|Magnus Birgersson]], the son and designated heir of [[Birger, King of Sweden]]. Soon afterwards the engagement was however broken for altered political reasons, and in 1305 she was betrothed to [[Erik Magnusson (duke)|Duke Erik]], a younger brother of King Birger, thus uncle of her first betrothed. In 1312, Ingeborg and Erik were formally married in a double wedding in Oslo; at the same time, her namesake cousin [[Ingeborg, Duchess of Öland|Ingeborg]] married Erik's brother duke [[Valdemar Magnusson]]. At her wedding, her mother Queen Euphemia had published the recently translated (by her command) famous [[poem]]s, the Euphemia songs. The couple had two children before Duke Erik was murdered.


==Leader of the Ducal party==
===Leader of the Ducal party===
Upon the imprisonment of her spouse and her brother-in-law, she and her cousin and sister-in-law, Ingeborg Eriksdottir, became the leaders of their spouses' followers. On 16 April 1318, the two duchesses Ingeborg made a treaty in [[Kalmar]] with the Danish duke Christoffer of Halland-Samsö and archbishop Esgar of Lund to free their husbands and not to make peace with the kings of Sweden and Denmark before they agreed to this, and the two duchesses promised to honor the promises they gave in return in the names of their husbands. Later the same year, their husbands were confirmed to have died.
Upon the imprisonment of her spouse and her brother-in-law, she and her cousin and sister-in-law, Ingeborg Eriksdottir, became the leaders of their spouses' followers. On 16 April 1318, the two duchesses Ingeborg made a treaty in [[Kalmar]] with the Danish duke [[Christopher II of Denmark|Christoffer of Halland-Samsö]] and archbishop Esgar of Lund to free their husbands and not to make peace with the kings of Sweden and Denmark before they agreed to this, and the two duchesses promised to honor the promises they gave in return in the names of their husbands. Later the same year, their husbands were confirmed to have died.


==Regency==
===Regency===
[[File:Ingiburga of Sweden (daughter of Hacon) seal 1318 (1).jpg|thumb|left|Seal of Duchess Ingeborg; Regent of Norway 1319-27, Regent of Sweden 1319-26.]]
[[File:Ingiburga of Norway & Sweden seal.jpg|thumb|left|Seal of Duchess Ingeborg; Regent of Norway 1319–1327, Regent of Sweden 1318–1326.]]
Her son [[Magnus VII of Norway]], at the age of 3, was proclaimed king of [[Norway]] upon her father's death, in rights devolved from her. Ingeborg was recognized as formal regent of her son in Norway.
Soon, the Swedish nobility elected young Magnus king of [[Sweden]] after deposing Birger, and Ingeborg was made nominal regent of Sweden and given a seat and vote in the Swedish government and the title: ''Ingeborg, by the Grace of God, daughter of Haakon, Duchess in the Kingdom of Sweden''. Duchess Ingeborg held her own court at her residence in [[Varberg]].


Her son [[Magnus Eriksson]], at the age of 3, was proclaimed king of [[Norway]] upon her father's death, in rights devolved from her. Ingeborg was recognized as formal regent of her son in Norway. Soon, the Swedish nobility elected young Magnus king of [[Sweden]] after deposing Birger, and Ingeborg was made nominal regent of Sweden and given a seat and vote in the Swedish government and the title: ''Ingeborg, by the Grace of God, daughter of Haakon, duchess in the Kingdom of Sweden''. Duchess Ingeborg held her own court at her residence in [[Varberg]]. Letters 1318-1321 reveal that powerful Swedish men took advantage of the young dowager duchess by having her issue, alone and over her own seal, documents to their advantage as compensation for their support of the murdered dukes Erik and Valdemar and of little Magnus's right to the throne.<ref>Professor [[:no:Grethe Authén Blom|Grethe Authén Blom]] in ''Norge i union på 1300-tallet 1'' {{ISBN|82-519-1117-6}} p. 43</ref>
The exact position of Ingeborg in the regency council is hard to define properly due to the documentation. Mats Kettilumndsson, her ally, presided over the Swedish regency council "alongside" the two "Duchesses Ingeborg"; Ingeborg Håkansdotter and her cousin and sister-in-law Ingeborg Eriksdottir. Magnus, already King of Norway, was elected King of Sweden with the approval of the Norwegian council in her presence. Ingeborg was the only one with a seat in both the Swedish and the Norwegian minor regency and council of state. She was the independent reigning duchess of her own fiefs, which were autonomous under her rule, and a large number of castles which controlled big areas thanks to their strategic positions.


The exact position of Ingeborg in the regency council is hard to define properly due to the documentation. [[Mats Kettilmundsson]], her ally, presided over the Swedish regency council "alongside" the two "duchesses Ingeborg"; Ingeborg Håkansdotter and her cousin and sister-in-law Ingeborg Eiriksdottir. Magnus, already King of Norway, was elected King of Sweden with the approval of the Norwegian council in her presence. Ingeborg was the only one with a seat in both the Swedish and the Norwegian minor regency and council of state. She was duchess of her own fiefs, which were autonomous under her rule, and a large number of castles which controlled big areas thanks to their strategic positions.
==Favourites==
She was criticized for her way of conducting her own politics without the counsel of the Swedish and Norwegian councils, and for using the royal seal of her son for her own wishes.
1 October 1320, she liberated Riga from its debts in her name on behalf of her son. She was known to make large donations to her supporters. [[Canute Porse, Duke of Halland|Canute Porse]] had been one of the supporters of her spouse and was appointed governor of Varberg. Ingeborg surrounded herself with young foreign men, thought to affect her politics, of which Canute was the most known. 12 April 1321, the Swedish council, after receiving complaints from the Norwegian council regarding a rumour of crimes and disturbances in Ingeborg's lands made by foreigners, told the Norwegian council to advise Ingeborg to listen more to the advice of the old experienced men in the councils rather than to young unexperienced foreign men; a law was created which banned foreigners in the Swedish council.


"Ingeborg's position at court was not well-defined: she was the king's mother (''Kongemor''), but without being a dowager queen."<ref>Professor [[:no:Grethe Authén Blom|Grete Authén Blom]] in ''Ingebjørg med Guds misskunn Kong Håkons datter, Hertuginne i Sviarike: Brudstykker av et politisk kvinneportrett'' Norsk Historisk Tidskrift, Oslo 1981 p. 425</ref>
==The Scania affair==
Ingeborg and Canute had the ambition to make the then [[Denmark|Danish]] [[Scania]] a part of her possessions. In 1321, Ingeborg arranged a marriage with her daughter Euphemia and [[Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg]]. The marriage was arranged with the terms that Mecklenburg, Saxony, Holstein, Rendsburg and Schleswig would assist Ingeborg in the conquest of Scania. This was approved by the council of Norway but not Sweden. To finance the invasion, Ingeborg took a loan from Stralsund with free trade in Sweden and Norway as security. When Ingeborg's forces under command of Canute invaded Scania in 1322-23, Mecklenburg betrayed her to Denmark and the alliance was broken.


===Favourites===
==Conflict with the councils and diminished power==
She was criticized for her way of conducting her own politics without the counsel of the Swedish and Norwegian councils, and for using the royal seal of her son for her own wishes.
In 1322, open conflict broke out between Ingeborg and the Swedish regency council; the council of state made an agreement that no order from Ingeborg should hereby be accepted without the approval from the entire council, and all agreements made with her by individual councillors was hereby annulled. In 1323, Ingeborg was forced to accept the terms and give up several of her strategical castles and fiefs.
1 October 1320, she liberated Riga from its debts in her name on behalf of her son. She was known to make large donations to her supporters. [[Canute Porse, Duke of Halland|Canute Porse]] had been one of the supporters of her spouse and was appointed governor of Varberg. Ingeborg surrounded herself with young foreign men, thought to affect her politics, of which Canute was the most known. 12 April 1321, the Swedish council, after receiving complaints from the Norwegian council regarding a rumour of crimes and disturbances in Ingeborg's lands made by foreigners, told the Norwegian council to advise Ingeborg to listen more to the advice of the old experienced men in the councils rather than to young inexperienced foreign men; a law was created which banned foreigners from being members of the Swedish council and from castellanships of Swedish castles.


===The Scania affair===
20 February 1323, also the Norwegian regency council rebelled against Ingeborg. She was accused of misusing the royal seal, to have broken the peace with Denmark and for greater costs, and was replaced as head of the regency. After 1323, Ingeborgs power was limited to what was approved by votes in the councils, which in practice had deposed her. 14 February 1326, in exchange for having her debts paid, Ingeborg gave up several fiefs and was forced to send Canute into exile and was stripped from all political authority in the Swedish regency council. In the Norwegian regency council, however, her signature was still needed in the peace treaty between Norway and Sönderjylland 14 June 1327.
Ingeborg and Canute had the ambition to make the then [[Denmark|Danish]] [[Scania]] a part of her possessions. In 1321, Ingeborg arranged a marriage with her daughter Euphemia and [[Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg]]. The marriage was arranged with the terms that Mecklenburg, Saxony, Holstein, [[Rendsborg]] and Slesvig would assist Ingeborg in the conquest of Scania. This was approved by the council of Norway but not Sweden. To finance the invasion, Ingeborg took a loan from Stralsund with free trade in Sweden and Norway as security. When Ingeborg's forces under command of Canute invaded Scania in 1322–23, Mecklenburg betrayed her to Denmark and the alliance was broken.


===Conflict with the councils and diminished power===
Ingeborg married her lover [[Canute Porse]] (d. 1330), a noble from less than royal circles, in 1327. While Canute was allowed to become [[Duke of Halland]] and holder of Ingeborg's inherited estates, her marriage was another reason why Swedes, and also increasingly Norwegians, did not allow Ingeborg to use her governmental power in these kingdoms. The year of her marriage, Ingeborg was stripped from her power also in the Norwegian regency council.
In 1322, open conflict broke out between Ingeborg and the Swedish regency council. The council of state made an agreement that no order from Ingeborg should thereafter be accepted without the approval from the entire council, and all agreements made with her by individual councillors were annulled. In 1323, Ingeborg was forced to accept the terms and give up several of her strategical castles and fiefs.


On 20 February 1323, the Norwegian regency council rebelled against Ingeborg. She was accused of misusing the royal seal, to have broken the peace with Denmark and for greater costs, and was replaced as head of the regency. After 1323, Ingeborg's power was limited to what was approved by votes in the councils, which in practice had deposed her. On 14 February 1326, in exchange for having her debts paid, Ingeborg gave up several fiefs, was forced to send Canute into exile and was stripped from all political authority in the Swedish regency council. In the Norwegian regency council, however, her signature was still needed in the 14 June 1327 peace treaty between Norway and Sönderjylland.
==Later life==
Her husband was made Duke of Estonia in 1329. In 1330, she became a widow. Her younger sons became dukes of Halland. Her eldest son became an adult in 1332, and the same year, Ingeborg secured the (temporary) Swedish superiority over [[Scania]]. After the death of her second husband, Ingeborg again took an important position in the life of her son the king, but it is not known how much influence she had on him.


Ingeborg married her lover [[Canute Porse]] (d. 1330), a noble from less than royal circles, on 21 June 1327. While Canute had become [[Duke of Halland]] in 1326 as vassal of King [[Valdemar III of Denmark]] and was allowed to become holder of Ingeborg's inherited estates, her new marriage was another reason why the Swedes, and an increasing number of Norwegians, did not allow Ingeborg to use her governmental power in these kingdoms. The year of her second marriage, Ingeborg was also stripped from her power in the Norwegian regency council.
In 1336, Ingeborg welcomed her daughter Euphemia and her son-in-law Albert of Mecklenburg, Rudolph of Saxony and Henry of Holstein with her own fleet to the coronation of her son and daughter-in-law in Stockholm. In 1341, Ingeborg and the counts Henry and Claus of Holstein went to war against Valdemar of Schleswig, John of Holstein and the Hanseatic league in Denmark. Not much is known of this conflict, but king Magnus sealed the peace by telling Valdemar to keep the promise he had made to Ingeborg in the peace treaty. In 1350, she inherited the title and position of Duke of Halland from her younger son.


===Later life===
The controversy around Ingeborg's second marriage and the potential succession of her son Haakon to the Norwegian throne are an important part of the plot of the novel ''[[Kristin Lavransdatter]]'' by [[Sigrid Undset]].
Her husband was made Duke of Estonia in 1329. In 1330, she again became a widow on 30 May 1330 because Canute got murdered. Her younger sons became dukes of Halland. Her eldest son became an adult in 1332, and the same year, Ingeborg secured Swedish superiority (until 1360) over [[Scania]]. After the death of her second husband, Ingeborg again took an important position in the life of her son the king, but it is not known how much influence she had on him.

In 1336, Ingeborg welcomed her daughter Euphemia and her son-in-law Albert of Mecklenburg, [[Rudolf I, Duke of Saxe-Wittenberg]] and Henry of Holstein with her own fleet to the coronation of her son and his wife in Stockholm. In 1341, Ingeborg and the counts Henry and Claus of Holstein went to war against Valdemar of Schleswig, John of Holstein and the Hanseatic league in Denmark. Ingeborg was residing at [[Kalundborg]] in Denmark at the time and was attacked by King Valdemar IV there; after two years of alternating conflicts and agreements the matter was settled against King Valdemar, who however regained [[Copenhagen Castle]].<ref>[[Ulf Sundberg]] in ''Medeltidens svenska krig'' [[Stockholm]] 1999 {{ISBN|9189080262}} pp. 147-149 {{in lang|sv}}</ref> King Magnus sealed the peace by telling Valdemar to keep the promise he had made to Ingeborg in the peace treaty. In 1350, she inherited the title and position of Duke of Halland from her younger son.


==Children and family==
==Children and family==
With Duke [[Erik Magnusson (duke)|Erik Magnusson]], Ingeborg had two children:
''1st marriage with [[Eric, Duke of Södermanland|Eric of Sweden, Duke of Södermanland]]:''


* [[Magnus VII of Norway]] (1316–74)
* [[Magnus Eriksson]] (1316–1374), king of Sweden and Norway
* [[Euphemia of Sweden]], duchess of Mecklenburg (1317-c 1370)
* [[Euphemia of Sweden]], duchess of Mecklenburg (1317–c. 1370)


''2nd marriage with [[Canute Porse, Duke of Halland|Canute Porse]], [[List of Dukes of Halland|Duke of Halland]] and Estonia''
With [[Canute Porse, Duke of Halland|Canute Porse]], [[Duke of Halland]] and Estonia, Ingeborg had three children:


* Haakon, Duke of Halland, died 1350
* Haakon, Duke of Halland, died 1350
* Canute, Duke of Halland, died 1350
* Canute, Duke of Halland, died 1350
* Birgitta,<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=pxsTAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA90&dq=%22John+Hafthorsson+%22+Porse&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ffT5T82BGoenrQHt7riLCQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22John%20Hafthorsson%20%22%20Porse&f=false Dronning Margrete: Valdemar danekonges datter : hendes ungdom]</ref> married Jon Hafthorsson and had issue
* Bridget,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=pxsTAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22John+Hafthorsson+%22+Porse&pg=PA90 Dronning Margrete: Valdemar danekonges datter : hendes ungdom]</ref> married Jon Hafthorsson and had issue


==Ancestry==
==Legacy==
Along with Swedish-Italian [[Bridget of Sweden|Saint Bridget]] and reigning [[Margaret I of Denmark|Queen Margaret of Scandinavia]], Ingeborg has been called one of the three most extraordinary Scandinavian historical women in European history.<ref>[[Arthur L. Herman]] in ''The Viking Heart: How Scandinavians Conquered the World'', Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021 {{ISBN|978-1328595904}} pp 173 & 176-178</ref>
{{Ahnentafel top|width=100%}}

<center>{{Ahnentafel-compact5
The controversy around Ingeborg's second marriage and the potential succession of her son Haakon to the Norwegian throne are an important part of the plot of the novel ''[[Kristin Lavransdatter]]'' by [[Sigrid Undset]].
|style=font-size: 90%; line-height: 110%;
|border=1
|boxstyle=padding-top: 0; padding-bottom: 0;
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;
|1= 1. '''Ingeborg of Norway'''
|2= 2. [[Haakon V of Norway]]
|3= 3. [[Euphemia of Rügen]]
|4= 4. [[Magnus VI of Norway]]
|5= 5. [[Ingeborg of Denmark, Queen of Norway|Ingeborg of Denmark]]
|6= 6. [[Günther, Count of Arnstein]]
|7= 7. NN of [[Rügen]]
|8= 8. [[Haakon IV of Norway]]
|9= 9. [[Margrét Skúladóttir]]
|10= 10. [[Eric IV of Denmark]]
|11= 11. [[Jutta of Saxony]]
|12=
|13=
|14= 14. [[Wizlaw II, Prince of Rügen]]
|15= 15. [[Agnes of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Princess of Rügen|Agnes of Brunswick-Lüneburg]]
|16= 16. [[Håkon III of Norway]]
|17= 17. Inga of Varteig
|18= 18. [[Skule Bårdsson]]
|19= 19. Ragnhild Jonsdotter
|20= 20. [[Valdemar II of Denmark]]
|21= 21. [[Berengaria of Portugal]]
|22= 22. [[Albert I, Duke of Saxony]]
|23= 23. Agnes of Austria
|24=
|25=
|26=
|27=
|28= 28. [[Jaromar II, Prince of Rügen]]
|29= 29. [[Euphemia of Pomerelia]]
|30= 30. [[Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg]]
|31= 31. [[Matilda of Brandenburg (1210-1261)|Matilda of Brandenburg]]
}}</center>
{{Ahnentafel bottom}}


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>

* Herman Lindqvist, "Historien om Sverige", (In Swedish).
==Further reading==
* Åke Ohlmarks "Alla Sveriges drottningar"
*''Den svenska historien. Medeltid 1319-1520'' (Stockholm:Bonniers 1966), s. 14-18
*''Den svenska historien. Medeltid 1319-1520'' (Stockholm:Bonniers 1966), s. 14-18
*{{cite book |last= Nordberg |first= Michael |coauthors= |title= I kung Magnus tid |publisher= Norstedts |year= 1995 |month= |isbn= 91-1-952122-7 }}
*{{cite book |last= Nordberg |first= Michael |title= I kung Magnus tid |publisher= Norstedts |year= 1995 |isbn= 91-1-952122-7 }}
* Jerker Rosén : Den svenska historien 2. Medeltiden 1319-1520 (1966)
* Jerker Rosén : Den svenska historien 2. Medeltiden 1319–1520 (1966)
* Nationalencyklopedin, Bokförlaget Bra Böcker AB, Höganäs (1992)
* Nationalencyklopedin, Bokförlaget Bra Böcker AB, Höganäs (1992)
* {{SKBL | name=Ingeborg Håkansdotter }}


==Succession==
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{{s-start}}
{{S-roy|se}}
{{S-roy|se}}
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| years=1329-1332
}}
}}

{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ingeborg Of Norway}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ingeborg Of Norway}}
[[Category:14th-century female rulers]]
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[[Category:Norwegian princesses]]
[[Category:Norwegian princesses]]
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[[Category:House of Sverre]]
[[Category:House of Bjälbo]]
[[Category:14th-century Norwegian people]]
[[Category:14th-century Norwegian people]]
[[Category:14th-century Swedish people]]
[[Category:14th-century Swedish people]]
[[Category:House of Bjelbo]]
[[Category:14th-century Norwegian women]]
[[Category:14th-century Swedish women]]
[[Category:Daughters of kings]]
[[Category:Mothers of Swedish monarchs]]
[[Category:Mothers of Norwegian monarchs]]
[[Category:14th-century regents]]

Latest revision as of 20:41, 8 January 2025

This article is about the Queen of Norway. For Queen consort of Óláfr Guðrøðarson of Isle of Man, see Ingibjörg Hakonsdóttir of Orkney.
Not to be confused with Ingeborg, Duchess of Öland.
Ingeborg of Norway
Duchess of Södermanland, Halland, and Estonia
Duchess Ingeborg's bust at Linköping Cathedral
Born1301
Norway
Died1361 (aged 59–60)
SpouseDuke Erik Magnusson
Canute Porse, Duke of Halland
Issue
HouseSverre
FatherHaakon V of Norway
MotherEuphemia of Rügen

Ingeborg of Norway (Old Norse: Ingibjörg Hákonardóttir; Swedish: Ingeborg Håkansdotter; Norwegian: Ingebjørg Håkonsdatter; 1301 – 17 June 1361) was a Norwegian princess and by marriage a Swedish royal duchess with a position in the regency governments in Norway (1319–1327) and Sweden (1319–1326) during the minority of her son, King Magnus Eriksson. In 1318–1319, she was Sweden's de facto ruler, and from 1319 until 1326, she was Sweden's first de jure female regent. Her role in northern European history is considered of major importance.

Life

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

Ingeborg was born in 1301 as the only legitimate daughter of King Håkon V of Norway from his marriage with Euphemia of Rügen. As a child, she was first betrothed to Magnus Birgersson, the son and designated heir of Birger, King of Sweden. Soon afterwards the engagement was however broken for altered political reasons, and in 1305 she was betrothed to Duke Erik, a younger brother of King Birger, thus uncle of her first betrothed. In 1312, Ingeborg and Erik were formally married in a double wedding in Oslo; at the same time, her namesake cousin Ingeborg married Erik's brother duke Valdemar Magnusson. At her wedding, her mother Queen Euphemia had published the recently translated (by her command) famous poems, the Euphemia songs. The couple had two children before Duke Erik was murdered.

Leader of the Ducal party

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Upon the imprisonment of her spouse and her brother-in-law, she and her cousin and sister-in-law, Ingeborg Eriksdottir, became the leaders of their spouses' followers. On 16 April 1318, the two duchesses Ingeborg made a treaty in Kalmar with the Danish duke Christoffer of Halland-Samsö and archbishop Esgar of Lund to free their husbands and not to make peace with the kings of Sweden and Denmark before they agreed to this, and the two duchesses promised to honor the promises they gave in return in the names of their husbands. Later the same year, their husbands were confirmed to have died.

Regency

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Seal of Duchess Ingeborg; Regent of Norway 1319–1327, Regent of Sweden 1318–1326.

Her son Magnus Eriksson, at the age of 3, was proclaimed king of Norway upon her father's death, in rights devolved from her. Ingeborg was recognized as formal regent of her son in Norway. Soon, the Swedish nobility elected young Magnus king of Sweden after deposing Birger, and Ingeborg was made nominal regent of Sweden and given a seat and vote in the Swedish government and the title: Ingeborg, by the Grace of God, daughter of Haakon, duchess in the Kingdom of Sweden. Duchess Ingeborg held her own court at her residence in Varberg. Letters 1318-1321 reveal that powerful Swedish men took advantage of the young dowager duchess by having her issue, alone and over her own seal, documents to their advantage as compensation for their support of the murdered dukes Erik and Valdemar and of little Magnus's right to the throne.[1]

The exact position of Ingeborg in the regency council is hard to define properly due to the documentation. Mats Kettilmundsson, her ally, presided over the Swedish regency council "alongside" the two "duchesses Ingeborg"; Ingeborg Håkansdotter and her cousin and sister-in-law Ingeborg Eiriksdottir. Magnus, already King of Norway, was elected King of Sweden with the approval of the Norwegian council in her presence. Ingeborg was the only one with a seat in both the Swedish and the Norwegian minor regency and council of state. She was duchess of her own fiefs, which were autonomous under her rule, and a large number of castles which controlled big areas thanks to their strategic positions.

"Ingeborg's position at court was not well-defined: she was the king's mother (Kongemor), but without being a dowager queen."[2]

Favourites

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She was criticized for her way of conducting her own politics without the counsel of the Swedish and Norwegian councils, and for using the royal seal of her son for her own wishes. 1 October 1320, she liberated Riga from its debts in her name on behalf of her son. She was known to make large donations to her supporters. Canute Porse had been one of the supporters of her spouse and was appointed governor of Varberg. Ingeborg surrounded herself with young foreign men, thought to affect her politics, of which Canute was the most known. 12 April 1321, the Swedish council, after receiving complaints from the Norwegian council regarding a rumour of crimes and disturbances in Ingeborg's lands made by foreigners, told the Norwegian council to advise Ingeborg to listen more to the advice of the old experienced men in the councils rather than to young inexperienced foreign men; a law was created which banned foreigners from being members of the Swedish council and from castellanships of Swedish castles.

The Scania affair

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Ingeborg and Canute had the ambition to make the then Danish Scania a part of her possessions. In 1321, Ingeborg arranged a marriage with her daughter Euphemia and Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg. The marriage was arranged with the terms that Mecklenburg, Saxony, Holstein, Rendsborg and Slesvig would assist Ingeborg in the conquest of Scania. This was approved by the council of Norway but not Sweden. To finance the invasion, Ingeborg took a loan from Stralsund with free trade in Sweden and Norway as security. When Ingeborg's forces under command of Canute invaded Scania in 1322–23, Mecklenburg betrayed her to Denmark and the alliance was broken.

Conflict with the councils and diminished power

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In 1322, open conflict broke out between Ingeborg and the Swedish regency council. The council of state made an agreement that no order from Ingeborg should thereafter be accepted without the approval from the entire council, and all agreements made with her by individual councillors were annulled. In 1323, Ingeborg was forced to accept the terms and give up several of her strategical castles and fiefs.

On 20 February 1323, the Norwegian regency council rebelled against Ingeborg. She was accused of misusing the royal seal, to have broken the peace with Denmark and for greater costs, and was replaced as head of the regency. After 1323, Ingeborg's power was limited to what was approved by votes in the councils, which in practice had deposed her. On 14 February 1326, in exchange for having her debts paid, Ingeborg gave up several fiefs, was forced to send Canute into exile and was stripped from all political authority in the Swedish regency council. In the Norwegian regency council, however, her signature was still needed in the 14 June 1327 peace treaty between Norway and Sönderjylland.

Ingeborg married her lover Canute Porse (d. 1330), a noble from less than royal circles, on 21 June 1327. While Canute had become Duke of Halland in 1326 as vassal of King Valdemar III of Denmark and was allowed to become holder of Ingeborg's inherited estates, her new marriage was another reason why the Swedes, and an increasing number of Norwegians, did not allow Ingeborg to use her governmental power in these kingdoms. The year of her second marriage, Ingeborg was also stripped from her power in the Norwegian regency council.

Later life

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Her husband was made Duke of Estonia in 1329. In 1330, she again became a widow on 30 May 1330 because Canute got murdered. Her younger sons became dukes of Halland. Her eldest son became an adult in 1332, and the same year, Ingeborg secured Swedish superiority (until 1360) over Scania. After the death of her second husband, Ingeborg again took an important position in the life of her son the king, but it is not known how much influence she had on him.

In 1336, Ingeborg welcomed her daughter Euphemia and her son-in-law Albert of Mecklenburg, Rudolf I, Duke of Saxe-Wittenberg and Henry of Holstein with her own fleet to the coronation of her son and his wife in Stockholm. In 1341, Ingeborg and the counts Henry and Claus of Holstein went to war against Valdemar of Schleswig, John of Holstein and the Hanseatic league in Denmark. Ingeborg was residing at Kalundborg in Denmark at the time and was attacked by King Valdemar IV there; after two years of alternating conflicts and agreements the matter was settled against King Valdemar, who however regained Copenhagen Castle.[3] King Magnus sealed the peace by telling Valdemar to keep the promise he had made to Ingeborg in the peace treaty. In 1350, she inherited the title and position of Duke of Halland from her younger son.

Children and family

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With Duke Erik Magnusson, Ingeborg had two children:

With Canute Porse, Duke of Halland and Estonia, Ingeborg had three children:

  • Haakon, Duke of Halland, died 1350
  • Canute, Duke of Halland, died 1350
  • Bridget,[4] married Jon Hafthorsson and had issue

Legacy

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Along with Swedish-Italian Saint Bridget and reigning Queen Margaret of Scandinavia, Ingeborg has been called one of the three most extraordinary Scandinavian historical women in European history.[5]

The controversy around Ingeborg's second marriage and the potential succession of her son Haakon to the Norwegian throne are an important part of the plot of the novel Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset.

References

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  1. ^ Professor Grethe Authén Blom in Norge i union på 1300-tallet 1 ISBN 82-519-1117-6 p. 43
  2. ^ Professor Grete Authén Blom in Ingebjørg med Guds misskunn Kong Håkons datter, Hertuginne i Sviarike: Brudstykker av et politisk kvinneportrett Norsk Historisk Tidskrift, Oslo 1981 p. 425
  3. ^ Ulf Sundberg in Medeltidens svenska krig Stockholm 1999 ISBN 9189080262 pp. 147-149 (in Swedish)
  4. ^ Dronning Margrete: Valdemar danekonges datter : hendes ungdom
  5. ^ Arthur L. Herman in The Viking Heart: How Scandinavians Conquered the World, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021 ISBN 978-1328595904 pp 173 & 176-178

Further reading

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Swedish royalty
Preceded by Duchess of Halland
1350–1361 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Duchess of Estonia
with Canute II until 1330
1329-1332 		Succeeded by
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