Fairytale Facts About Karin Mansdotter, Sweden’s Peasant Queen
Karin Mansdotter's life seemed like a fairytale. The King of Sweden plucked her out of obscurity for a life of luxury—but this fairytale has a dark twist that she never saw coming.
1. It Was Like A Fairy Tale
Before there was ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” Sweden had a “Survivor Queen”. Karin Mansdotter’s fairytale life started when the King of Sweden plucked her out of poverty and straight into life as a royal. Sadly, after “happily ever after,” her life took a turn for the much, much worse.
A dangerously mentally ill husband, a conniving brother-in-law, and some really, really bad luck turned Karin’s storybook life into a nightmare.
2. She Suffered An Early Tragedy
Karin Mansdotter was born in Stockholm, Sweden on November 6, 1550—but she was no royalty. Her parents were barely able to provide for her as is—and then things just got worse. Before her tenth birthday, both parents had tragically passed. Young Karin was soon on the streets selling nuts just to feed herself.
It looked like a life destined for ruin, until a miracle happened.
3. She Was A Stunning Beauty
Sweden’s King—Eric XIV—was walking through the town square one day and saw young Karin. It just took one brief look at her beauty, and Eric was head over heels in love. If this sounds too much like a fairytale to be true, you’re on to something. You see, this was the official version of how they met.
The truth is something totally different.
4. She Was A Server
Karin really was an orphan, but instead of selling nuts on the street she had a job serving at an inn. The owner of the establishment was Gert Cantor, was a musician for Sweden’s royal court. The King and other nobility were regulars at the inn, and Karin caught the king’s eye.
He desperately wanted her—but there was one very big problem.
