A Dictionary of Saintly Women/Botild
St. Botild, or Bothildis, July 28. † 1102. Queen of Denmark. Daughter of Turgot, or Trugillus, a Swedish noble. Wife of Eric II. (Eyegod), king of Denmark (1095-1102), stepson of St. Guda. Botild suffered her husband's infidelities meekly. He was beloved by his people for many noble qualities, but was liable to fits of fury, in one of which he killed some of his faithful servants. His repentance was deep, and after paying the blood fine, he could not quiet his conscience without making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to atone for the sin of murder. When his intention was known, his people besought him not to go, and offered a third of their property to pay for Masses, and to buy off the king's vow. He insisted on going, and Botild determined to accompany him. One of his illegitimate sons was appointed regent. Knud, the only son Botild had given to Eric, was left at home; he grew up a great warrior, and was crowned King of the Obotrites by the Emperor Lothaire. The pilgrims went through Russia to Constantinople, and thence to Cyprus, where Eric was taken ill and died. Botild proceeded on her pilgrimage, and died on the Mount of Olives, within sight of the gates of Jerusalem, in 1102. Some historians place their death a year later. During their life, Eric's brother Knud, king of Denmark, was canonized. Vastovius, Vitis Aquiloniæ, Saxo Grammaticus, Hist. Dan. Otté, Scandinavia, Dalin. Svea Rikes Historia, Mas Latrie, Trésor, Hamsfortii, Chron. Langebek, Scriptores Rerum Danicarum, i. 271. Dahlmann, Denmark.