Märta Eriksdotter (Bonde) Explained

Märta Eriksdotter (Bonde) was the alleged daughter of Erik Knutsson, King of Sweden, flourishing in the first half of the 13th century.^[1] Knowledge about her is derived from a genealogy added to a 15th-century copy of the Erikskrönikan.

According to the genealogy she was married to Nils Sixtensson Sparre, a marshal in Sweden,^[2] and became the foremother of the noble families of and Oxenstjerna.

The genealogy may have been part of King Karl Knutsson's (d. 1470) ambition to prove his right to the throne by presenting a more impressive family background.^[3] Consequently, the existence of Märta and her marriage have been questioned by some modern Swedish historians, who believe she was fabricated by Karl or his chancellery. Nevertheless, a few historians have argued that her position cannot be entirely dismissed as a forgery.^[4]

Children

Allegedly, Märta and Nils had two children:

• Sixten Nilsson Sparre
• Abjörn Nilsson Sparre

Notes and References

1. PG Berg and Wilhelmina Stålberg, Anteckningar om svenska qvinnor, p. 274.
2. C.G. Starbäck & P.O. Bäckström, Berättelser ur svenska historien, Vol. II. Stockholm: Beijers, 1885, p. 121.
3. Bjarne Beckman, Matts Kättilmundsson och hans tid, Vol. I. Stockholm: Wahlström & Widstrand, 1953, p. 344-6.
4. Bjarne Beckman, Matts Kättilmundsson och hans tid, Vol. I. Stockholm: Wahlström & Widstrand, 1953, p. 88.