To get a fuller picture of medieval queenship, it’s time to head to the heart of Scandinavia to learn about the lives of the lesser-known medieval women who found themselves – intentionally or unintentionally – ruling a kingdom. This week, Danièle speaks with Caroline Wilhelmsson about the royal women of Sweden, how they became queens, and how they exercised their power.

Caroline Wilhelmsson is an Assistant Curator at the Tower of London. Her new book is The Queens and Royal Women of Sweden, c. 970–1330: Their Lives, Power, and Legacy.

The creator and host of The Medieval Podcast is Danièle Cybulskie. Click here to visit her website or follow her on BlueSky @5minmedievalist.bsky.social

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Top Image: Queen Katarina Sunesdotter’s tomb from Gudhem Abbey, Västergötland. Photo by Dagjoh / Wikimedia Commons