Świętosława of Poland

*disputed* 

 

*No image or depiction*

Name: Lady Świętosława of Poland *disputed*

Birth name: Świętosława Piastowie *disputed*

Born: ???, Duchy of Poland

Father: Mieszko I, Duke of Poland

Mother: Lady Oda of Haldensleben

House: Piast

Nationality: Polish

Religion: Catholicism 

Consort of: Sweyn 'Forkbeard' *disputed*

Reign: December 1013 - January 1014 (5 weeks)

Coronation: N/A

Predecessor: Emma of Normandy

Successor: Emma of Normandy 

Died: ???? (aged *unknown*)

Cause: *Unknown*

Burial: *Unknown*

Motto: N/A 

Spouse(s):

• King Eric of Sweden 'The Victorious' (m. ??? - ????) *disputed*
• King Sweyn of Denmark, Norway and the English 'Forkbeard' (m. ???? - 1014) *disputed* 

Children:

• With King Eric of Sweden *disputed*
• King Olof of Sweden (c. 980 - 1022) *disputed* 

• With King Sweyn of Denmark, Norway and the English *disputed*
• King Cnut of Denmark, Norway and the English 'The Great' (c. 990 - 1035) *disputed*
• King Harald II of Denmark (c. 996 - c. 1018) *disputed*
• Santslaue Svendsdatter (??? - ????) *disputed*   

Appearance:
Unknown.
 
Character:
Unknown.
 
Biography:
Świętosława was likely born in the newly established Duchy of Poland, though the year of her birth is not known. Her parents were Mieszko I, Duke of Poland, and his second wife, Lady Oda of Haldensleben, and she had around five other siblings. 

Her actual name is not known, with most historical sources giving her the name of Świętosława, while in Scandinavian accounts, she is given the name Gunhild, though this may have been a case of mistaken identity. Chronicles also sometimes refer to her as Sigrid the Haughty, or as a separate person all together.
 
Not much is known about her early life. It's possible that she married King Eric of Sweden at some point, but this is not known for sure. It is more certain that she married King Sweyn of Denmark and Norway, though this is also debated. It is likely that Sweyn was the father of her four known children, though once again, there is no certainty in this. 
 
Not much is known about her or her life due to a lack of accurate historical records. However, she was likely the Queen Consort of the English for five weeks when her husband, Sweyn, conquered the kingdom. After these five weeks, Sweyn died from an injury sustained in a horse riding accident, leaving her a widow. 
 
What happens to Świętosława after this is completely unknown. 

It is also not known how or when she died.
 
Rule:
She likely supplied Polish troops to aid with Scandinavian invasions of England.

 

Trivia: 

• Unlike Sigrid the Haughty, Świętosława more likely definitely existed and was the more likely wife and queen of both Eric and Sweyn.

 

Quotes:

 

N/A

 

 

Sources & Further Reading:

Williamson, J. (2024). Who was Sigrid the Haughty, the legendary Queen of the North? The Viking Herald. https://thevikingherald.com/article/who-was-sigrid-the-haughty-the-legendary-queen-of-the-north/935