On November 9th, the Asatru Folk Assembly honors our noble Folk Heroine, Queen Sigrið of Sweden.
Widowed early in her marriage to Eric the Victorious of Sweden, her beauty and wealth led many to seek her hand in marriage, all of which she refused and punished the suitors she knew to be unworthy. Queen Sigrið eventually caught the eye of the King of Norway, Olaf Tryggvason, and accepted his proposal.
King Olaf, who had taken upon himself to convert all our Folk to Christianity (by force and devastation when necessary), met with his future queen to discuss the wedding arrangements. He demanded that Queen Sigrið give up her ancestral faith and accept Christ. Queen Sigrið refused and bravely told King Olaf that she would not abandon the faith she was raised in and that of her kinsmen before her. Outraged, King Olaf struck her on the cheek to which she calmly stated, “This may some day be thy death.” The wedding was called off and the two became sworn enemies.
Queen Sigrið eventually married Sweyn Forkbeard, King of Denmark. Aligning Sweden and Denmark, the couple brought war upon the King of Norway ending in the death of Olaf Tryggvason at the Battle of Svolder.
Just as Queen Sigrið stood calm and strong in the face of adversity, we too must stand proud and courageous against those who would uproot us from our ancestral faith. Take time today to celebrate Queen Sigrið with your family and your Folk. Create bonds and traditions that will outlast those who wish to stop you.
Hail Queen Sigrið!
Hail the Folk!
Hail the AFA!
Brandy Callahan
Folkbuilder, Northern Plains