Background
Sophia was the eldest daughter of Eric IV of Denmark and Jutta of Saxony. Her father was murdered in 1250 when she and her younger sisters, Agnes and Jutta of Denmark were young.
Sophia was the eldest daughter of Eric IV of Denmark and Jutta of Saxony. Her father was murdered in 1250 when she and her younger sisters, Agnes and Jutta of Denmark were young.
As he left no son, Eric IV"s brothers, Abel of Denmark and then Christopher I of Denmark assumed the Danish throne. Sophia was married to Valdemar I of Sweden in 1261, as part of Birger Jarl"s policy of peace between Scandinavian kingdoms. lieutenant is said, that when she was informed about the arranged marriage, she left the room, went in to her chamber and asked God: Give me happiness with him and him with medical
Sophia was described as a politically interested, witty beauty with a quick tongue.
She was also known for her interest in chess. In 1272, Sophia"s sister Jutta visited Sweden and became Valdemar"s mistress.
The affair resulted in a child born in 1273. The following year, Jutta was again placed in a convent and Valdemar was forced to make a pilgrimage to Rome to ask for the Pope"s absolution.
According to legend, Queen Sophia said: I will never recover from this sorrow.
The news was said to have reached the queen while she played chess. Many stories are told about her sharp tongue. In 1277, Sophia separated from her spouse and returned to Denmark.
Her husband lived openly with mistresses in his comfortable prison until his death in 1302.
In 1283, the ex-queen gave her income in the fishing of Norrköping to the Saint Martin Abbey in Skänninge. This is the first document in which the city of Norrköping is mentioned.
She died in 1286. Sofia married Valdemar in 1260 and separated in 1277.
They had six children:
Ingeborg Valdemarsdotter of Sweden (1263–1292), countess of Holstein, spouse of Gerhard II, Count of Holstein-Plön. Erik Valdemarsson of Sweden (1272–1330)
Marina Valdemarsdotter of Sweden, spouse of Rudolf, Count of Diepholz
Rikissa Valdemarsdotter of Sweden (d c 1292), Queen of Poland, spouse of Przemysł II of Poland
Katarina Valdemarsdotter of Sweden (d 1283)
Margareta Valdemarsdotter of Sweden, a nun.