← Language & communication Language & communication · Developing English

Astrid Olofsdotter

Queen of Norway from 1019 to 1028

2 min
estimated reading 3
complete sections 8.27
algorithmic grade estimate

Before you read

Use the article and the local dictionary together

The complexity label is calculated from sentence length and syllable estimates; it is guidance, not an assessment of you. Open any highlighted word below for its full local dictionary page.

Words
289
Native text
2134 characters
Dictionary match
67%
Revision
1340355045 · 2026-02-25T06:35:17Z
Key vocabulary

Words to check before reading

married3 uses in this article Swedish3 uses in this article Norwegian2 uses in this article instead2 uses in this article stepson2 uses in this article support2 uses in this article father2 uses in this article others2 uses in this article sister2 uses in this article queen2 uses in this article relationship1 uses in this article cooperation1 uses in this article articulate1 uses in this article encouraged1 uses in this article legitimate1 uses in this article beautiful1 uses in this article dedicated1 uses in this article interpret1 uses in this article surviving1 uses in this article alliance1 uses in this article

Overview

Astrid Olofsdotter (Old Norse: ; Norwegian: Astrid Olavsdatter; English: Aestrith; died 1035) was the queen consort of Saint Olaf, who reigned over Norway from 1019 to 1028. She is the only woman to have a surviving skaldic praise-poem dedicated to her for her decisive address of the Swedish army in support of her stepson, Magnus the Good.

Biography

Astrid was born to King Olof Skötkonung of Sweden and his Obotritian mistress Edla. She was the half sister of King Anund Jacob of Sweden and sister of King Emund the Old of Sweden. It is said that she and her brother Emund were not treated well by their stepmother, Queen Estrid, and that they were sent away to foster parents. Astrid was sent to a man named Egil in Västergötland. In 1016, it had been decided that Norway and Sweden should come to more peaceful relations by a royal marriage alliance. Noblemen of both countries tried to arrange a marriage between King Olaf of Norway and Astrid's legitimate half-sister, Princess Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden, but Ingegerd was instead married to Yaroslav I the Wise, Grand Prince of Novgorod and Kiev. Instead Astrid was married to King Olaf in Sarpsborg in 1019.

Some sources say that Astrid replaced Ingegerd by the wish of her father, while others say that the marriage took place against the will of her father, through the cooperation of King Olaf and the Swedish jarl Ragnvald Ulfsson. Astrid was described as beautiful, articulate and generous, and well liked by others. She was the mother of Wulfhild of Norway (1020–1070), who married Ordulf, Duke of Saxony, and the stepmother of King Magnus the Good, with whom she had a good relationship. In 1030, she was widowed when her husband was killed. She left Norway and returned to the Swedish court, where she had a high position. When her stepson Magnus visited Sigtuna on his way to claim the Norwegian throne, she gave him her official support and encouraged Sweden to do so as well.

Sources

* *Lagerqvist, Lars O. Sverige och dess regenter under 1.000 år. Albert Bonniers Förlag AB. 1982. *Thunberg, Carl L. Att tolka Svitjod To interpret Svitjod . Göteborgs universitet. CLTS. 2012. . -

Language & communication

Continue with related local reading

Thomas Maxfield (Methodist)Developing Darren HarlandDeveloping Marche VerteDeveloping John CockinDeveloping Caste (play)Developing MatotDeveloping