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Ingeborg Eriksdotter, duchess of Öland

Ingeborg Eriksdotter, duchess of Öland

Ingeborg Eriksdotter was the Duchess of Öland and lived at Borgholm Castle from 1316 till her death in 1357.

Originally, Ingeborg was a Norwegian princess, daughter of King Erik Magnusson. She was born in 1297. At the age of 13 she became engaged to the Swedish duke Valdemar Magnusson. Two years later they were married in Oslo. Valdemar´s cousin Erik married Ingeborg ´s cousin at the same time.

When Valdemar became the ruler of the Castle County of Borgholm, he and Ingeborg moved to the castle there. Ingeborg and Valdemar had one son, Erik. He died in childhood.

Erik and Valdemar were competing for the throne of Sweden and Norway with their brother Birger. In 1318 Birger killed his brothers at the so-called "Feast at Nyköping" ("Nyköpings gästabud"). Ingeborg became a widow at the age of 21.

After the death of Valdemar, Ingeborg became the ruler of Öland. She lived at Borgholm Castle until her death. At this time Borgholm was a mighty fortress with many buildings inside a strong defensive wall. The old "King ´s House" still stands, as well as the surrounding fortification. Outside the walls were a number of workshops as well as a chapel.

Life was peaceful on Öland during the time of Duchess Ingeborg. Agriculture and trade flourished. All the taxes on Öland were collected by Ingeborg and her bailiff at Borgholm Castle.

The author Margit Friberg wrote a book about Ingeborg in 1986, "Hertiginna med Guds nåde" (Duchess by the Grace of God). According to this book, Ingeborg was loved by the people of Öland.