- Ragnhild
Ragnhild, (1000s-1100s) is a local
saint whoseveneration is attested in lateMedieval Sweden and whose name was particularly associated with the church inSödertälje in the province ofSödermanland and thediocese of Strängnäs inSweden . According to tradition, she was also married to king Inge II of Sweden.Biography
Ragnhild is said to have founded the church of Södertälje and have her burial place there. If she is a historical person, she probably lived during the late 11th or early 12th century, but no sources that mention her can be dated earlier than the 15th century. An epitaph in the church, probably dating from that period, was later copied by the late 17th century antiquarian
Elias Palmskiöld . In various 15th century literary sources, she is claimed to have been a queen, the daughter of a Halsten (it is uncertain whether the kingHalsten Stenkilsson is intended) and queen of either Inge the Elder or Inge the Younger (either of which would for genealogical and chronological reasons contradict her being the daughter of king Halsten). 15th century wall-paintings depicting Ragnhild can be found in the churches ofBörje andViksta inUppland , andEnånger inHälsingland (all three in thearchdiocese of Uppsala ).The interest in Ragnhild (as in some other medieval local saints) was revived after the
Protestant Reformation through the general interest in Swedish antiquities that flourished in 17th century Sweden. In her case, the publication of "Vitis aquilonia" byJohannes Vastovius in 1623 caused a re-interpretation of the human figure in the seal of the City of Södertälje as a depiction of Ragnhild.References
*Fröjmark, Anders, "Ragnhild", "Svenskt biografiskt lexikon", vol. 29 (1995-1997), pp. 613-615.
* [http://runeberg.org/sqvinnor/0343.html "Svenska quinnor" at Projekt Runeberg]
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