Catherine of Bjurum

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Catherine of Bjurum, in her lifetime called Katarina Karlsdotter, in history known as Katarina Gumsehuvud (d. 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.

[edit] 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 lady" and functioned as Queen in a ceremonial sense until 1440, when her husband was replaced as regent.

In 1448, her husband 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. Their second daughter, Magdalena, married Ivar Axelsson (Tott), uncle of Ingeborg Tott. It was said that "Their relationship had always been of the best kind".

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 the convent of Vadstena.

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.

[edit] Sources

• http://runeberg.org/sqvinnor/0093.html
• Herman Lindquist, "Historien om Sverige".
• http://historiska-personer.nu/min-s/p37dc4328.html

Catherine of Bjurum Born: 1400s Died: 1450
Preceded by Dorothea of Brandenburg 1445-1448	Queen Consort of Norway 1449-1450	Succeeded by Dorothea of Brandenburg 1450-1481
Preceded by Dorothea of Brandenburg 1447-1448	Queen Consort of Sweden 1448-1450	Succeeded by Kristina Abrahamsdotter 1470