Margaret I of Denmark
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Through marriage, inheritance and war she united the three Scandinavian kingdoms under one house and founded the Kalmar Union.
Life
Marriage and regency
Margaret was the daughter of King Valdemar IV of Denmark and at only ten years old married King Haakon VI of Norway. After her father died in 1375, she arranged for her young son Olaf to be elected King of Denmark and governed as regent. When Haakon VI died in 1380, Olaf also inherited the Norwegian throne, and Denmark and Norway remained joined for a long time thereafter.
Uniting three kingdoms
When Olaf died suddenly in 1387, Denmark and Norway each named Margaret "all-powerful lady and guardian." Swedish nobles discontented with the rule of Albert of Mecklenburg appealed to her for help, and in 1389 her army defeated and captured Albert near Falköping, after which Sweden acknowledged her rule. To settle the succession, she adopted her grandnephew Eric of Pomerania.
Kalmar Union
In 1397 Eric was crowned joint king of the three kingdoms at Kalmar in Sweden, forming the Kalmar Union, but until her death in 1412 Margaret remained the union's de facto ruler. She weakened the nobility, recovered crown lands and placed Danes in key posts, showing great political skill. The union later broke apart as Sweden drifted away, but she is still regarded as one of the most outstanding women rulers of medieval Europe.
Legacy
As regent and "sovereign lady and mistress," Margaret effectively ruled the three Scandinavian kingdoms, preserving royal power even as male heirs of the royal family died out one after another, and she is regarded as one of the most accomplished women rulers of medieval Europe. The Kalmar Union nominally lasted until Sweden broke away in 1523, but the interests of the three kingdoms were never reconciled, and Swedish historiography often regards the union as Danish domination; the union of Denmark and Norway, meanwhile, lasted until 1814.
Major works & achievements
- Secured the thrones of Denmark and Norway for her son Olaf and served as regent
- Defeated and captured King Albert of Sweden in 1389
- 1397: brought about the Kalmar Union
- Recovered crown lands and curbed the power of the nobles
Key dates
- 1363Married King Haakon VI of Norway
- 1375Her son Olaf is elected King of Denmark; she rules as regent
- 1380Olaf inherits the Norwegian throne
- 1387Olaf dies; she is chosen as ruler
- 1389Defeated King Albert of Sweden
- 1397Kalmar Union founded
- 1412Died