Kristin was Queenmother of Norway. She was my 21st great grandmother. She had married Erling Skakke, and their son Magnus was crowned king when he was just eight years old. Magnus was born in 1156 and ruled until his death in 1184. Erling Skakke was the Jarl actually in charge until the king came of age.
Sigurd I, who ruled Norway from 1103-1130, was Kristin’s father. She was no stranger to royalty because her mother was Malmfrid, a princess from the line ruling line of the Kievan Rus. Her great grandmother was the daughter of King Harold of England. She died in 1178, when she was 54.
Historians and others call this the Golden Age of the Norwegian kingdoms. Partly due the steady and long rule of the kings and queens. It might also be the broader outlook to the world. Kristin’s father had led the Norwegian Crusade to the Holy Land which lasted four years. Kristin’s husband Erling Skakke had also gone Crusading for several years. In fact “Skakke” means leaning or tilting, because of a neck wound that Erling received from an Arab scimitar.
My 21st great grandmother may not have led armies, but she was certainly holding the fort down when the men were absent.
