Astrid Eiriksdatter

Astrid Eiriksdotter (born c. 925) was Queen of Viken, Norway (Vingulmark and Rånrike) in the 10th century as consort of Tryggve Olafsson. She was the mother of Olaf Tryggvason who ruled as King of Norway from 995 to 1000. Astrid's life was recorded in texts including Historia Norwegiæ, Ágrip af Nóregskonungasögum and Heimskringla.

History Astrid was born c. 925 in Obrestad, Nærbø, Rogaland. She was the daughter of Eirik Bjodaskalle Kåresson. She had a brother, Sigurd Eiriksson.

Astrid was married to King Tryggve Olafsson of Viken, Norway (Vingulmark and Rånrike).

After Tryggve was killed in Bohuslän by Harald Greycloak, third son of Eirik Bloodaxe and Gunnhild, Mother of Kings, Astrid fled from Norway while pregnant with her third child.

According to the Heimskringla Astrid and her son Olaf travelled to her father's home in Oppland, until she was located there by men in the service of Gunnhild, who had sent soldiers to kidnap or kill her infant son. Astrid disguised herself and her son and peasants and they fled to Sweden under the protection of Håkan the Old. Greycloak sent emissaries to Håkan, and asked for permission to take the Astrid's son back to Norway to be raised by Gunhild. Håkan agreed, but Astrid refused, took her son and fled again. After evading her enemies, Astrid next found sanctuary for herself and her son in Kievan Rus', where her brother Sigurd was in the service of Vladimir the Great as a high ranking official. Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson recorded that Astrid and Lodin had three children, Torkjel Nevja Lodinson, Ingerid Lodinsdotter and Ingegjerd Lodinsdotter.