In the last post, we saw the Norwegian princess Ingeborg Håkonsdatter being the leader of the rebellion to free her husband, duke Erik, from his imprisonment. After Erik’s death in 1318, she claimed the Swedish throne in the name of their son, Magnus.
But then, bad news reached her from Norway. Her father, king Håkon had died in May, 1319. Ingeborg was 18, and had lost both her parents and her husband in just a few years time.
3-year-old Magnus inherited the throne from his grandfather, and Ingeborg was made regent and head of the regency council. Two months later, on July 8th, Magnus was officially elected king of Sweden as well – and again Ingeborg was made regent.
At just 18, Ingeborg now ruled two countries. She took a very active role in the management of her kingdoms. She worked diligently, traveled a lot in her kingdoms, got involved in politics, read documents and had her own seal – with a full-length picture of herself – which she used to sign official documents (above).
In all this work, she needed a confidante and advisor. She found this in a Danish knight, Knut Porse, who had fought on her side during the civil war. He was her closest man, och they fell in love. They could not marry however, since she was a princess and a duchess, and he was just a knight.
The following years, Knut’s influence grew and the privy councils of the two countries began to resent him. They also became frustrated with Ingeborg, as she acted more independently and made decisions without consulting them.
The whole thing came to a head when Ingeborg and Knut Porse secretly planned an attack on Skåne – then part of Denmark – together with the Duke of Mecklenburg.
The alliance was secured in 1321 with the engagement between Ingeborg’s daughter Eufemia and the duke’s son Albrecht.
The privy councils of both countries approved the engagement, but when they learned of the invasion plans, problems arose. The men in the councils were not at all happy that Ingeborg had made such a big decision by herself, and they started to conspire against her.
Ingeborg was not deterred by the fact that her invasion plans were not supported by the privy councils of Sweden and Norway. She and Knut Porse borrowed money and hired mercenaries. In the summer of 1322 they were ready.
But so were the Swedish nobles. The privy council held a meeting without her, where they limited her power by requiring all decisions to be made by vote. All previous decisions Ingeborg had made on her own were revoked. Her old allies abandoned her, and she was also excluded from the regency council for her son.
The invasion of Skåne was not successful either. The Duke of Mecklenburg switched sides in the conflict. The fighting continued until 1323, but then Ingeborg and Knut had to surrender.
But Ingeborg’s worries did not end there. Also in Norway, the privy council turned against her. She was accused of abusing her power, breaking the peace with Denmark and increasing taxes. A new regent was appointed and Ingeborg thus lost power in both her kingdoms.
When the Swedish council wanted to withdraw her lands, there were even open battles. In the peace treaty of 1326, she lost the remnants of her influence in the council, and Knut Porse was sent into exile.
But there was a glimmer of hope. Knut entered the service of the new Danish king, and thanks to his efforts in his service, he was named duke. Now he had the same status as Ingeborg, and he immediately proposed.
She persuaded the Swedish council to lift Knut’s banishment, and on Midsummer Eve 1327 they were finally able to marry. Ingeborg was now 26 years old, and got to experience true love in the midst of all the political turmoil.
The happy couple had two sons together, Håkan and Knut. Their dates of birth is not known, but both had to be born before 1330.
That year, Ingeborg suffered yet another terrible loss. On May 30th, her beloved husband died. According to Icelandic sources he was poisoned by some of his many political enemies. It’s not entirely unlikely, but on the other hand, such rumors often arose if someone died suddenly.
Once again, Ingeborg had to bury a loved one. She was 29, and had lost both her parents and two husbands. And again, she became guardian over her young children, who inherited their father.
The following year, her eldest son Magnus turned 15 and became of age, and could rule on his own. Mother and son had a close relationship and saw each other often. Even though she seems to have taken a step back from politics, she was still one of his advisors.
Time went by. Her older children married. Magnus married Blanche of Namur, and Eufemia married Albrecht of Mecklenburg. Ingeborg became a grandmother many times over.
In 1349, a new disaster occurred – one that affected the entire Nordic region: the plague. Sweden lost a third of its population and in Norway about half died. Nor was Ingeborg’s family spared. Both of her sons she had with Knut were infected and died in 1350.
After their death, Ingeborg withdrew to a monastery in Norway. She made donations to have requiems held for her dead parents, husbands, sons and grandchildren.
Ingeborg lived the rest of her life quietly in the convent. On June 17, 1361 she died, 60 years old. Ingeborg’s life was marked by both success and losses. For a few years, she was one of the most powerful women in northern Europe and ruled over two countries. Yet she is strangely forgotten today, and is only mentioned in passing in the story of her first husband and son.
Sources:
Högberg, Stefan. Svenska kvinnor historien glömde. (2019)
Karlsson, Thomas. Hertiginnan Ingeborgs Västsverige under 1300-talet. (2020)
Skeie, Tore. Jungfrun från Norge. (2014)