Ingrid Ylva

Ingrid Ylva (c. 1180s – c. 1250–1255) was a Swedish noblewoman, the wife of Magnus Minnesköld of Bjälbo and the mother of regent Birger Jarl.

She is said to have married again, to an unnamed man with whom she had a son, Elof Vingad Pil, while other sources claim she remained unmarried.

One legend said that once, when Bjälbo was subjected to a surprise attack from the enemies of the family, Ingrid Ylva rushed to the top of the church tower, and, from there, she ripped open a pillow full of feathers which spread across the land and turned into knights in armour.

Legend claims, that on her deathbed she predicted that her line would succeed to the Swedish throne, as long as her head was held high.

[1] Legend says, that because of this, her son, the regent, buried her standing upright, inside the tower with which she had had such a close relationship.