Blanche of Namur

Blanche of Namur (Swedish and Norwegian: Blanka; 1320–1363) was Queen of Norway and Sweden as the wife of King Magnus Eriksson.

Blanche left Namur in the fall of 1335 and the wedding took place in October or early November 1335, possibly at Bohus Castle.

[3] At this point, Sweden did not have an official capital, and Queen Blanche accompanied the King in their travels between the royal residences.

[2] On 18 November 1343, the archbishops and bishops of Sweden swore an oath to assist Blanche in the event Magnus should die when Eric was still minor.

[2] In the will of the royal couple from 1 May 1346, they made large donations to Bridget's planned Vadstena Abbey and asked to be buried there.

She accused Queen Blanche of having been a negative influence on state affairs by discrediting capable advisers before the king; "She is a snake with the tongue of a harlot, the bile of dragons in her heart and the most bitter poison in her flesh.

On 9 April 1363, she and Magnus attended the wedding of their son Haakon with Margaret, daughter of Valdemar IV of Denmark, in Copenhagen.

In Sweden, Queen Blanche is also remembered for the song: "Rida rida ranka, hästen heter Blanka" ("Ride, ride on my knee, the horse is called Blanka"), which has influenced the famous historical painting by Albert Edelfelt of her and her son Haakon.

The seal of Blanche of Namur as Queen
Albert Edelfelt 's romanticised painting of Blanche of Namur and her son Haakon, singing the children's song "Rida rida ranka, hästen heter Blanka... ( Riding a horse named Blanche... )"