Rebellious bride Sigrid the Proud, destroyed the three kings, and killed the hero Dobrynya
In the middle Ages between the Slavs and the Scandinavians maintained a close relationship. Kept it not only on trade but also on political-military interests and, of course, on family connections of the rulers. It is believed that the wife of one of the Swedish kings, Sigrid the Proud, was none other than the Polish Princess. This woman, which the Slavs called Sviatoslava, remembered for the Vikings as its not feminine temper.
Boleslaw I The Brave
In Europe in the tenth century, Boleslav had a kindred spirit. It was unpredictable and warlike king of Sweden Erik V Victorious. The nature of the Scandinavian was even more abruptly, because if the Polish ruler banished his brother to claim the throne, then Eric made it easier — he brother in such a situation, poisoned. The Swedish king is also haunted neighbors the constant wars and territorial claims.
It would be strange if these two monarchs, of the Kingdom which shared only the waves of the Baltic sea, would not in the end to intermarry. Boleslaw gave Eric his sister Svyatoslav, which due to the linguistic characteristics in Sweden became known as Sigrid. It was a purely political marriage of convenience. But the king was much older than his wife, so long she's not annoyed — just three years later, Sigrid became a widow and Regent for the heir, the king's son Olaf.Such a promising bride immediately caught the attention of several European monarchs, who were not averse to intermarry with hectic Boleslav and with the Swedish Royal family. The most active men were Grenske Harald, king of Norway Grønland and Prince Vysheslav Vladimirovich (Vissavald) of Gardariki, the elder brother of Yaroslav of Kiev.
Sigrid The Proud
Vysheslav, the princely title of which at that time was very controversial, was immediately rejected by Sigrid. While annoying, the groom continued to pester the enviable bride courting, without the slightest chance of success. Harald was more promising suitor — he was not only noble, but also good.
Unfortunately, the Norwegian was one small drawback — he was already married. Himself king of Grønland't seen any problems with this and frankly said that it is never too late to change the boring old wife for a new one. As a woman Sigrid, this approach could not please, because there is always a chance to become hateful wife.
King Olaf was cocky, but stingy. First, he sent Sigrid as a gift a massive gold bracelet, which turned out to be a cheap imitation. After exposing the nerve appeared to Svyatoslav personally and began to persuade her to marry him, seducing vast estates and a mighty army. While true to himself Olaf had the audacity to put conditions for a potential bride. The king demanded to Sigrid, who had remained a pagan, converted to Christianity.
Sigrid-Sviatoslav Olaf Trygvasson, drawing Eric Varensell the beginning of the XX century
Between the king and Sigrid has any theological discussion, during which the woman laid out on shelves their attitude to religion and refused to change his faith, and the opponent struck her in the face, calling "Gentile dog." Proud to stand up for the polka was no one and the room with the steam room the second time could not pass. So Sigrid was limited to the phrase "thus have you found your death," on which squirt Olaf just laughed.
And, as it turned out, in vain. To avenge the inadequate gentleman, the woman found the groom, who was able to stand. They turned out to be the Danish king Sven Vilebody — a longtime enemy of her late husband. Just five years later, a new husband, Sven, joining forces with her stepson Olaf Setmonom (son of Sigrid and Erik), he defeated the army of Olaf Trygvasson. Ham, who dared to raise a hand against the sister of the Polish king Svyatoslav was killed and his lands were annexed to the Kingdom Sven Beloborodova.
Sven I Vilebody
After all the stories associated with the matchmaking and other pleasant chores, Sigrid was nicknamed Proud and became the heroine of many Swedish and Danish sagas and Chronicles. Slavic women, in General, it was believed in the Middle ages women serious and demanding. This once again confirms the story of the king of Norway Harald III the Severe that in order to win the hand of the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise ten long years performed feats and has made quite a career.
Keywords: The Vikings | The groom | The Prince | The king | The bride | Norway | Scandinavia | Slavs | Sweden