Reign 1019–1035 House Olaf II of Norway Mother Edla Children Wulfhild of Norway | Name Astrid of Parents Olof Skotkonung, Edla Died 1035 | |
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Father Olof Skotkonung of Sweden Spouse Olaf II of Norway (m. 1019–1030) Similar People Olaf II of Norway, Olof Skotkonung, Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden, Magnus the Good, Sigrid the Haughty | ||
Grandchildren Magnus, Duke of Saxony | ||
Astrid Olofsdotter (Norwegian: Astrid Olavsdatter; English: Aestrith) (died 1035) was the Queen Consort of King Olav II of Norway.
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 Olav of Norway and the half sister of Astrid, Princess Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden. King Olof of Sweden agreed at first but broke his promise. King Olav was supposed to have married Astrid's half sister, Olof Skötkonung's legitimate daughter Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden. Ingegerd was, however, after his father's wishes instead married to Yaroslav I the Wise, Grand Prince of Novgorod and Kiev. Astrid was married to King Olav in Sarpsborg in 1019. Some sources claim that Astrid replaced Ingegerd by the wish of her father. Other sources claim that the marriage took place against the will of her father, by the cooperation of King Olav of Norway 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), wife of 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 settled in 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.