Catherine of Bjurum
Encyclopedia
Catherine of Bjurum, in her lifetime called Katarina Karlsdotter, in history known as Katarina Gumsehuvud (died 7 September 1450) was the Queen consort of Sweden
from 1448 to 1450 and later the Queen consort of Norway
from 1449 to 1450. She was the second wife of Charles VIII of Sweden, I of Norway
.
and functioned as Queen in a ceremonial sense until 1440, when her husband was replaced as regent. Before the marriage, dispensation was attained by the Pope, as Catherine was related to the first wife of Karl, to ensure that the children born in the marriage would be regarded as legitimate.
In 1448, her spouse became regent again and then crowned himself King. She was crowned Queen of Sweden in the cathedral in Uppsala
on 2 July 1448. The year after, her husband made himself King of Norway also, making her Queen of Norway. The marriage is described as very happy and resulted in nine children. It was said that "Their relationship had always been of the best kind". Their second daughter, Magdalena, married Ivar Axelsson (Tott), uncle of Ingeborg Tott
.
Queen Katarina is described as beautiful and cheerful; she created a nice environment and a relaxed atmosphere at court, and she was forthcoming to those who came seeking audience.
In 1450, she became one of many who died of the plague in Stockholm
, and was deeply mourned by the king. She was buried in 1451 in Vadstena Abbey
.
Her husband married a third time; the same year he died in 1470, he married his Finnish mistress, Kristina Abrahamsdotter
, who brought back from Finland in 1464 and with whom he already had children.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
from 1448 to 1450 and later the Queen consort of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
from 1449 to 1450. She was the second wife of Charles VIII of Sweden, I of Norway
Charles VIII of Sweden
Charles VIII of Sweden , Charles I of Norway, also Carl, , was king of Sweden and king of Norway ....
.
Biography
Daughter of the nobleman Karl Ormsson (Gumsehuvud), she was married to the regent (and then widower) Karl Knutsson on 5 October 1438, when she became first ladyFirst Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
and functioned as Queen in a ceremonial sense until 1440, when her husband was replaced as regent. Before the marriage, dispensation was attained by the Pope, as Catherine was related to the first wife of Karl, to ensure that the children born in the marriage would be regarded as legitimate.
In 1448, her spouse became regent again and then crowned himself King. She was crowned Queen of Sweden in the cathedral in Uppsala
Uppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
on 2 July 1448. The year after, her husband made himself King of Norway also, making her Queen of Norway. The marriage is described as very happy and resulted in nine children. It was said that "Their relationship had always been of the best kind". Their second daughter, Magdalena, married Ivar Axelsson (Tott), uncle of Ingeborg Tott
Ingeborg Tott
Lady Ingeborg Åkesdotter Tott , in her lifetime called Ingeborg Åkesdotter , was a Swedish noble, the consort of the Swedish regent Sten Sture the elder . She was also the fiefholder and regent of Häme in Finland...
.
Queen Katarina is described as beautiful and cheerful; she created a nice environment and a relaxed atmosphere at court, and she was forthcoming to those who came seeking audience.
In 1450, she became one of many who died of the plague in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, and was deeply mourned by the king. She was buried in 1451 in Vadstena Abbey
Vadstena Abbey
Vadstena Abbey was the motherhouse of the Bridgettine Order, situated on Lake Vättern, in the Diocese of Linköping, Sweden. The abbey started as one of the farms donated by the king, but the town of Vadstena grew up around it...
.
Her husband married a third time; the same year he died in 1470, he married his Finnish mistress, Kristina Abrahamsdotter
Kristina Abrahamsdotter
Christina Abrahamsdotter was a Finnish noble, royal mistress and later third spouse and Queen consort of King Charles VIII of Sweden.-Biography:...
, who brought back from Finland in 1464 and with whom he already had children.
Children
- Margaret Karlsdotter (Bonde) (1442–1462)
- Magdalen Karlsdotter (Bonde)Magdalen of SwedenMagdalena of Sweden was a Swedish princess. She was the daughter of King Charles VIII of Sweden and his first queen consort, Catherine of Bjurum. In 1468-1470, her spouse Ivar Axelsson was the promised successor of her father as regent.-Biography:Magdalena was one of Charles's nine children, most...
(1445–1495), married to noble Ivar Axelsson (Tott) 1466 - Richeza Karlsdotter (Bonde) (born ca. 1445) nunNunA nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
at Vadstena AbbeyVadstena AbbeyVadstena Abbey was the motherhouse of the Bridgettine Order, situated on Lake Vättern, in the Diocese of Linköping, Sweden. The abbey started as one of the farms donated by the king, but the town of Vadstena grew up around it...
. - Bridget Karlsdotter (Bonde) (1446–1469) nunNunA nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
at Vadstena AbbeyVadstena AbbeyVadstena Abbey was the motherhouse of the Bridgettine Order, situated on Lake Vättern, in the Diocese of Linköping, Sweden. The abbey started as one of the farms donated by the king, but the town of Vadstena grew up around it...
. - four sons died early