298 ROYAL WOOINGS. 



Affairs matrimonial were also, at times, arranged 

 here between the Scandinavian potentates, though not 

 always, as it would seem, with such courtesy as is 

 practised at the present day. In the year 997, so we are 

 informed, Olof Tryggweson, the famous king of Norway, 

 the same who, some years previously, had by no very 

 gentle means introduced Christianity into that country, 

 was desirous, for political reasons, to form an alliance with 

 Sigrid, commonly called StorrMa, or the arrogant, the 

 Dowager Queen of Sweden, then some fifty years of age. 

 After sundry negotiations, by deputy, the high contracting 

 parties agreed to meet in Kungahall, where for a time 

 everything went on prosperously, and the marriage was 

 finally settled. But "the course of true love never does 

 run smooth," and the truth of the adage was exemplified 

 in this instance; for when King Olof solicited his heathen 

 brido to be baptized, the qvieen flatly refused to forego 

 the faith of her kindred and country, but told him that 

 he himself was fully at liberty to Avorship whatever God 

 he pleased. IMien this question of faith was raised, Olof 

 waxed very wroth, and forgetting all courtly manners 

 and what was due to the sex, struck her majesty in 

 the face with the glove he held in his hand, exclaiming, 

 " Why should I marry thee, thou wizen-faced heatlien 

 beauty?" — "That blow shall one day cause thy death," 

 replied the deeply insulted woman, and the threat was 

 soon accomplished ; for in the hopes of finding an oppor- 

 tunity to revenge herself, the despised Sigrid gave her hand 

 shortly afterwards to tlie Danish king, Sven Tweskiigg, 

 or of the two-pointed beard. This monarch, in con- 

 junction with her own son Olof Skotkonung,* the then 

 reigning king of Sweden, and Jarl Eric, who, for political 



■"■ When a baby in arms, Olof was electud to the throne, and was there- 

 fore called Skotkonung, implying the Nurseling King. 



