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Elizaveta YaroslavnaThe second daughter in the family of the Kyiv prince Yaroslav the Wise and Ingegerda of Sweden
Date of Birth: 01.01.1025
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Content:
- Daughter of the Grand Prince of Kyiv
- Marriage to Harald Hardrada
- Queen of Norway
- Battle of Stamford Bridge and Aftermath
- Later Life
- Slavic Origins and Scandinavian Name
Daughter of the Grand Prince of Kyiv
Elisabeth was born as the second daughter (fourth child) to Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kyiv and Ingegerd of Sweden. She grew up in the princely court of Kyiv, where she received an excellent education.
Marriage to Harald Hardrada
In the winter of 1043-1044, Elisabeth married Harald III Sigurdarson (known as Harald Hardrada), the younger brother of Saint Olaf. Harald had relentlessly pursued her hand in marriage from her father, Yaroslav the Wise.
Queen of Norway
As Harald's wife, Elisabeth bore two daughters: Maria and Ingigerd. However, in 1048, Harald took a second wife, Tora Torbergsdottir, who bore him two sons who would later become rulers of Norway.
Battle of Stamford Bridge and Aftermath
On September 25, 1066, Harald was killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in Britain. Elizabeth and their daughters accompanied Harald on his final campaign and were left on the Orkney Islands. According to sagas, Elizabeth's daughter Maria died "at the same day and hour" as Harald's demise in England.
Later Life
Elisabeth and Ingigerd returned to Norway after Harald's death. Elizabeth's fate after this point is unknown. She is rumored to have remarried, while Ingigerd married King Olaf II of Denmark and became Queen of Denmark.
Slavic Origins and Scandinavian Name
In ancient Russia, the name Elisabeth was not recorded in sources until the 14th century. Russian chronicles do not contain information about Yaroslav's daughters, and all knowledge about them is derived from foreign works and inscriptions beneath their portraits in Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral. It is believed that Elisabeth was actually named "Olisava" in Slavic, which was transformed into "Ellisiv" in Scandinavia.
