Martha of Denmark

Martha of Denmark (after 1277 – 2 March or 3 October 1341) was Queen of Sweden by marriage to King Birger. She was the daughter of King Eric V of Denmark and sister of King Eric VI. She was given the name at birth, but in Sweden was called , and has been known to history by that name. She was a politically influential queen and an important figure in the Håtuna games and the Nyköping Banquet.

Life Early life Martha, the daughter of King Eric V of Denmark and Agnes of Brandenburg and the sister of King Eric VI, was born sometime between 1277 and 1282. Her elder brother Christopher was born in 1277, and by 1282, peaceful relations had been restored between Denmark and Sweden, leading to agreement that Princess Martha would marry Prince Birger, the heir to the Swedish throne. According to Petrus Olai, this agreement was made as early as 1280. The papal dispensation for the marriage, necessary due to the previous family ties, was obtained in 1284. In 1304, Queen Martha as well as her sister-in-law Queen Ingeborg attended the border meeting between King Birger and her brother King Eric at Knäred or Fagerdala.

Exile In Denmark, Birger and Martha were accompanied by their daughters Agnes and Katarina. On 4 September 1318, King Eric of Denmark granted Martha the manor of Hjarup in Jutland for her income. The following year, her brother Eric died and was succeeded by her younger brother Christopher II of Denmark, with whom she was reportedly not on as good terms as with her elder brother, possibly because Christopher had earlier sided with Birger's brothers against Eric.

Issue The following children of Martha and Birger are known: Magnus (13001320), heir to the throne; executed in Sweden Erik (d. 1319), archdeacon in Uppsala; died in exile Third son of unknown name Agnes (d. after 1344), a nun in Slangerup Abbey Katarina (d. after 1320); accompanied Birger and Martha in exile