Folkungatumban i Varnhems klosterkyrka

Abstract

Summary The Monumental Folkunga Sarcophagus in the Monastery Church of Varnhem The two male figures on the tombstone in Varnhem (fig. 1–3) which lacks any inscription, were in the 20's identified with the help of two sources, the Erik Chronicle and the testament of king Magnus Ladulas of 1285. The figures are those of Birger Jarl (dead 1266) (fig. 8) and his next youngest son the duke Erik (dead 1275) (fig. 7). Regarding the identification of the queen who has the dominating middle position (figs 2 and 5), the two authors who in the 20's, did special research on the monument were of different opinions. C. R. af Ugglas regarded her as the mother of Erik, Birger Jarl's first wife Ingeborg who died as early as 1254. But C. M. Furst who investigated the grave belonging to the tombstone and situated just before the altar of the lay brethren (fig. 1 ) found that the woman was the last to be interred and at a time when both the male corpses already were decayed. Thus the woman in the grave could not be Ingeborg ...