Ingrid Ilva ( Swede. Ingrid Ylva ; - ) - Swedish noblewoman, wife of Magnus Minnelskjold and mother of regent Birger . The exact years of her birth and death are unknown; traditionally, the date of death is indicated as October 26, 1252; it is also believed that this was the date of her funeral and that she actually died in 1251.
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Biography
According to Olaus Petri, she was the daughter of Suna Sika . She was married to Magnus Minnelskjold from Bjelbu 's house , possibly his second wife. Several of his sons, born or raised by Ingrid Ilva, held senior positions: Eskil became the lawmaker in Westergötland , Karl and Bengt both became bishops of Linköping , and Birger became the Sweden's jarl (his son was later elected king).
Widowed, in about 1208–1210, she probably managed her possessions in Bielba as head of the family, as her sons were still underage. She visited the Church Tower, which was her favorite place; once gave the church a bell. It is believed that she often lived in this tower during dangerous times. In 1234, her son Birger married the Swedish princess Ingeborg Ericksdotter , and in 1250 he became regent and father of the king. It remains unclear whether Ingrid Ilva was still alive at this moment, although it is believed that she was. Apparently she did not play any important role at the royal court and probably preferred to remain in her possessions. Some sources claim that she married an unnamed man from whom her son Elof Wingad Peel was born, while other sources say that she no longer married.
Ingrid Ilva in legends
In legends, and possibly throughout life, Ingrid Ilva is known as the White Witch. According to legend, she could have owned magic , which she used for the good and for the sake of her family. There are many stories about her magical abilities. One legend says that once, when Bjelbu was unexpectedly attacked by the enemies of the family, Ingrid Ilva climbed to the top of the church tower and there tore a pillow, the scattered feathers from which scattered on the ground and turned into knights in armor. These magical stories were not libelous; in the 13th century, witches were not persecuted, magic was not illegal, and the ability to use magic was considered a great and admirable skill. There was a clear separation between white and black magic, and even black magic was not yet connected with the devil or was punished by death, as it will be later. Her name was widely known long before her son became regent, and her alleged magical skill was admired by people.
She was respected and appreciated for her ability to predict the future. Legends say that on her deathbed she predicted that her family would sit on the Swedish throne while her head was high [1] . According to legend, because of this prediction, her son, the regent, buried his mother in an upright position in the tower, with which she had a lot to do [2] .
Notes
- ↑ Christer Öhman (Swedish): Helgon, bönder och krigare. Berättelser ur den svenska historien (Saints, farmers and warriors. Stories from the history of Sweden)
- ↑ Christer Öhman (Swedish): Helgon, bönder och krigare. Berättelser ur den svenska historien (Saints, farmers and warriors. Stories from the history of Sweden)
Literature
- Jan Guillou: "Häxornas försvarare" (Swedish)
- Christer Öhman: "Helgon, bönder och krigare. Berättelser ur den svenska historien" (1994) (Swedish)
Links
- Runeberg.org (Swedish)