Meet the Middle Ages
BackWho was Margareta?
Who was the mighty Union Queen? What was she like?
At the age of six, Margareta was already engaged to be married, and at the age of ten she was married. Early on in life, she was responsible for a large household at the Castle of Akershus. She suffered many personal tragedies, losing both her husband and son whilst still quite young.
Margareta was a shrewd and single-minded woman who could run a large household, but also could get what she wanted in political negotiations. She pursued a clear and active foreign policy. She saw the danger of the increasing power of the German principalities as well as of the Hanseatic League and the Teutonic Knights. She wanted to unite the Nordic kingdoms and rule them. Since she often got what she wanted, her diplomatic skills must have been great. She acted decisively and efficiently when her husband and son died. She was also a shrewd business-woman, who managed to get the finances of the Nordic countries in order. This was done by raising taxes and by appointing local bailiffs at the castles. This led to protests from many quarters.
Margareta was not very popular. King Albrekt scorned her in public by calling her "King Trouser-less", and by sending her a whet-stone so that she could sharpen her needles. He thought that she would be better off staying at home, and that she should stop meddling with top-level politics. A woman leader was unusual and Margatera irritated many people. Many considered her to be harsh, cunning and hungry for power.
Margareta was very successful and managed to fulfil her plans to create a strong and stable Nordic Union.