Rikitsa Birgersdatter

Rikitsa Birgersdatter (also Richiza, Richissa) († 1288 ) was Norwegian Queen and later Princess of Werle and Güstrow .

Her parents were the Swedish ruler Birger Jarl and his wife Ingeborg Eriksdotter . This made her the sister of the Swedish kings Valdemar Birgersson and Magnus Ladulås . This was the father of Duke Erik Magnusson , who with Ingebjørg Håkonsdatter , the granddaughter of Rikitsa's brother-in-law, King Magnus lagabætir . Their son Magnus Eriksson became king over Norway and Sweden and brought the Folkung family to the throne. With this family background, Rikitsa was an attractive match. So she came to the marriage with the Norwegian heir to the throne Håkon Håkonsson unge . The marriage guaranteed a good relationship between the Norwegian king and the Swedish ruler.

As a young girl, Rikitsa was unmarried to Håkon Håkonsson , who had already been given the royal name. She received the title of queen and became an important member of the royal court. Their position was considerably strengthened by their son Sverre Håkonsson (1252–1261). He received the title "Junker Sverre". The court often stayed in Bergen , where Sverre was raised.

When her husband died, she suddenly lost her rank and influence. Although she retained her economic resources, she was no longer queen with a reigning king. The next heir to the throne was her brother-in-law Magnus. However, she could hope that at least her son would become king. In 1258 she returned to her father Birger. The son stayed with grandfather in Bergen. But when Junker Sverre died in Bergen in the winter of 1260/1261, it was no longer relevant for Norway. So she was married to the Mecklenburg prince Heinrich I von Werle .

See also

• Family table of the Danish kings

Explanations

1. ↑ Junker was the title of princely sons in the 14th century.

literature

• Terje Bratberg: Rikitsa Birgersdatter in: Norsk biografisk leksikon