Sofia of Denmark

Sofia Eriksdotter, (1241-1286), also known as Sofia of Denmark, was queen consort of Sweden.

Sofia was the eldest daughter of Eric IV of Denmark and Jutta of Saxony. Her father was murdered in 1250 when she and her younger sisters, Agnes and Jutta of Denmark were young. As he left no son, Eric IV's brothers, Abel of Denmark and then Christopher I of Denmark assumed the Danish throne.

Sofia was married to Valdemar I of Sweden in 1261, as part of Birger Jarl's policy of peace between Scandinavian kingdoms. Sofia was described as a politically interested, witty beauty with a quick tongue.

In 1269, Sofia visited her father's grave in Denmark as well as visiting her sisters, Agnes and Jutta, who had both been placed in Agnesklostret convent in Roskilde. In 1272, Sofia's sister Jutta visited Sweden and became Valdemar's mistress. The affair resulted in a child born in 1273. The following year, Jutta was again placed in a convent and Valdemar was forced to make a pilgrimage to Rome to ask for the Pope's absolution. According to legend, Queen Sofia said, "I will never recover from this sorrow. Curse the day my sister saw the kingdom of Sweden."

In 1275, Valdemar was deposed by his younger brother, Magnus III of Sweden. The news was said to have reached the queen while she played chess. She is said to have complained about her husband's brothers as "Magnus Ticklingfingers" and "Eric Everything-and-anything". In 1277, Sofia returned to Denmark.

References

* Åke Ohlmarks, "Alla Sveriges drottningar"

Sucession