Edla
980-1010
About Edla
Lived 950 – 1010 (aged 59–60).
Edla (10th11th century) was a Slavic woman during the Viking Age. She was the mother of King Emund of Sweden and Queen Astrid of Norway.
According to tradition, Edla was the daughter of a Lechitic tribal chief who ruled the region between the Oder and Elbe rivers, in what is now Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. She was brought to Sweden as a prisoner of war sometime between 995 and 1000, likely before the arrival of Estrid of the Obotrites .
King Olof Skötkonung took Edla as his concubine. Later, he married Estrid. Edla became the mother of Emund, Astrid, and likely Holmfrid. Snorre Sturlasson notes that her children were sent to foster parents away from the royal court because Queen Estrid was unkind to them. This may suggest that Edla died while her children were still young.
Children Emund the Old, King of Sweden Astrid Olofsdotter, married King Olav II of Norway Holmfrid, wife of Sven Ladejarl
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Important facts
People in Edla's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Edla's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Edla?
980-1010
When was Edla born?
Edla was born in 950.
When did Edla die?
Edla died in 1010.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Edla. https://biography.guide/edla/
MLA: "Edla." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/edla/.
Chicago: "Edla." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/edla/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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