Virginia Eriksdotter (1 January 1559 – 1633) was a Swedish noble. She was the recognized illegitimate daughter of King Erik XIV of Sweden and his official royal mistress Agda Persdotter.

Life

Virginia was born at Kalmar Castle during her father's tenure as governor of Kalmar. In 1560, her father became King. She and her sister Constantia Eriksdotter (1560–1649) were removed from their mother's custody when she married in 1561. This was illegal, as according to the law the mother had sole custody until the children reached the age of three. They were placed under the responsibility of Princess Cecilia of Sweden and (after her marriage in 1564) Princess Elizabeth of Sweden or, more precisely, the head-lady-in-waiting

Anna Hogenskild Anna Klemetsdotter Hogenskild (1513-1590), also known as ''fru Anna till Åkerö'' ('lady Anna of Åkerö') and ''fru Anna till Hedensö'' ('lady Anna of Hedensö'), was a Swedish court official and landowner. She served as ''hovmästarinna'' to que ...

. The following year, Karin Månsdotter was included in their staff, and two years later, she became their stepmother. In 1566, her father suggested that she marry Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich of Russia. This was at a point when her father forged an alliance between Sweden and Russia against Poland; other considerations mentioned were the handover of Queen Dowager Catherine, Princess Sophia of Sweden and Princess Elizabeth of Sweden as hostages to Russia. Virginia was reportedly displeased when she was informed of the plans of her future marriage and refused. Concerning her age, a marriage would in any event not have been realized for years, and her father was deposed but two years after. Despite her age, she as well as Karin Månsdotter were the object of the appeals from

Martha Leijonhufvud Martha Eriksdotter Leijonhufvud (24 December 1520 in Ödeby Lillkyrka, Ekeberg, Närke – 15 January 1584 in Stegeholm), known as (), was a politically-active Swedish noblewoman. She was the sister of Queen Margaret Leijonhufvud and sister-in- ...

, who asked them to appeal to the King for the mercy of Martha's spouse and sons prior to the Sture Murders, as Martha herself had been placed in house arrest. Martha suggested to Karin that she use "Miss Virginia" as messenger, if that would be the most effective method of success, but she did also appeal to Virginia personally. In 1568, her father was deposed by her uncle,

John III of Sweden John III ( sv , Johan III, fi, Juhana III; 20 December 1537 – 17 November 1592) was King of Sweden from 1569 until his death. He was the son of King Gustav I of Sweden and his second wife Margaret Leijonhufvud. He was also, quite autonomous ...

. On 7 May 1585, she was granted estates in Västergötland by her uncle King

, and the following year she herself chose to marry the noble Håkan Knutsson Hand, governor of

Kronoberg Castle Kronoberg Castle (Swedish: ''Kronobergs slott'') is a medieval ruined castle (''slottsruin'') located on an island in Helgasjön ("the Helga Lake"), north of Växjö in Kronoberg County, which is named after the castle. The castle ruin is open ...

. In 1589, she was granted further estates by the future King

Charles IX of Sweden Charles IX, also Carl ( sv, Karl IX; 4 October 1550 – 30 October 1611), reigned as King of Sweden from 1604 until his death. He was the youngest son of King Gustav I () and of his second wife, Margaret Leijonhufvud, the brother of King Eric X ...

in his Duchy of Södermanland. She had seven children during her marriage.

References

Other sources

* Gustaf Elgenstierna : Den introducerade svenska adelns ättartavlor. 1925-36 * Lars-Olof Larsson : Arvet efter Gustav Vasa * Tegenborg Falkdalen, Karin, Vasadrottningen: en biografi över Katarina Stenbock 1535-1621 he Vasa Queen: A biography of Catherine Stenbock, 1535-1621 Historiska media, Lund, 2015 {{DEFAULTSORT:Eriksdotter, Virginia Swedish nobility 16th-century Swedish people Illegitimate children of Swedish monarchs 1559 births 1633 deaths Daughters of kings