Union Queen Margaret Valdemarsdotter and the Challenges of Female Leadership in the Middle Ages

Under the leadership of Queen Margaret Valdemarsdotter (1353–1412), the three Nordic kingdoms – Denmark, Norway and Sweden – were united in the so-called Kalmar Union that lasted until 1523, when Sweden seceded. In this article, the rule of Queen Margaret Valdemarsdotter will be analysed in light of earlier and contemporary medieval queenship. Queen Margaret was confronted with all the challenges posed by female rule. She dealt with them in a way that shows her awareness of contemporary and historical models, but she also contributed to creating a new form of government when she was elected ‘authorised lady and the right owner of the realm’ in the Kingdom of Denmark in 1387. This model was subsequently introduced also in Norway and Sweden. We will look into possible role models for Queen Margaret. We will also investigate some aspects of her rule to see what may be learnt about her style of government. Her choice of collaborators is a significant part of her politics. A queen regnant of the fourteenth century was dependent on men to carry out her orders and act as her representatives and intermediaries in her lands. Where did Queen Margaret find her associates and what were the virtues she expected them to display in her service? Further, we will make use of Niccolò Machiavelli’s concept of ‘New Rulers’, to find out if it may help us analyse Queen Margaret’s actions.