Martha Eriksdotter | |
---|---|
Spouse | Nils Sixtensson Sparre |
Issue | Sixten Nilsson Sparre Abjorn Nilsson Sparre |
House | House of Eric (by birth) |
Father | Erik X of Sweden |
Martha Eriksdotter (Märta Bonde) was the alleged daughter of Erik X, King of Sweden,[1] flourishing in the first half of the 13th century. However, knowledge about her is derived from a genealogy added to a 15th-century copy of the Erikskrönikan. This genealogy may have been part of the ambition of Charles VIII of Sweden (d. 1470) to prove his right to the throne by presenting a more impressive family background.[2] The existence of Martha Eriksdotter and her marriage have therefore been doubted by some modern Swedish historians, who think she was just made up by Charles or his chancellery. Nevertheless, a few historians have maintained that her position cannot be entirely explained as a forgery.[3]