Valdemar of Sweden

Valdemar
King Valdemar in Skara Cathedral
King of Sweden
Reign	1250-1275
Predecessor	Erik XI
Successor	Magnus III
Born	1239
Died	26 December 1302 (aged 62–63)
Spouse	Sofia of Denmark
Issue	Ingeborg, Countess of Holstein Erik Valdemarsson of Sweden Marina, Countess of Diepholz Richeza, Queen of Poland Katarina Valdemarsdotter of Sweden Margareta Valdemarsdotter of Sweden
House	House of Bjelbo
Father	Birger Jarl
Mother	Ingeborg Eriksdotter of Sweden
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Valdemar (English: Waldemar; Swedish: Valdemar Birgersson; 1239 – 26 December 1302), was King of Sweden from 1250–1275.

Valdemar was the son of the Swedish princess Ingeborg Eriksdotter and Birger Jarl, from the House of Bjelbo. During the first sixteen years of his reign, it was Birger Jarl who was the real ruler. Birger Jarl had in fact been the de facto ruler of Sweden from 1248, before the reign of Valdemar, under Eric XI. Valdemar's mother was a daughter of Eric X and Richeza of Denmark.

When King Eric XI died in 1250, Valdemar was elected king. Even after the coming of age of Valdemar in 1257, Birger Jarl held a grip over the country. After Birger's death in 1266 Valdemar came into conflict with his younger brother Magnus Birgersson, Duke of Södermanland, who wanted the throne for himself.

In 1260, Valdemar married Sophia, the eldest daughter of King Eric IV of Denmark and Jutta of Saxony. Valdemar also had a relationship with his sister-in-law Jutta. In 1272, Jutta visited Sweden and became Valdemar's mistress. The affair resulted in a child born in 1273. The following year, Jutta was placed in a convent and Valdemar was forced to make a pilgrimage to Rome to ask for the absolution of the Pope.

Valdemar was deposed by his younger brother, Magnus after the Battle of Hova in Tiveden June 14, 1275. Magnus was supported by his brother, Eric Birgersson, Duke of Småland and King Eric V of Denmark who provided Danish soldiers. Magnus was elected King Magnus III of Sweden at the Stones of Mora.