A Dictionary of Saintly Women/Christina (8)
St. Christina (8), May 18. 12th century. Queen of Sweden. Of the Stenkil family; her father was Biorn of Denmark; her mother, Catherine, daughter of St. Ingo IV. and St. Ragnhild, king and queen of Sweden (1118-1129). Christina married first, Jarislav Haraldson, prince of Holmgard; and secondly, Eric IX., called "The Saint," and "The Lawgiver" (1155-1161 according to Haydn; 1141-1151 according to Butler); also called Henry, a Swedish nobleman, son of Iadward. He assisted Ingo to conquer the Finns, and sent St. Henry, bishop of Upsala, an Englishman and friend of Nicholas Breakspear, to instruct the people and convert them to Christianity. Henry is therefore called the Apostle of Finland, where he fell a martyr to his mission. On the death of King Swerker, or Smercher, Eric was chosen king on account of his virtues and prowess. Eric was content with his own property; he levied no taxes, and would not even accept the third of the confiscations, which belonged to the kings. He collected the laws into a code for his people, and won their lasting affection by his wise and upright rule. His cousin, Henry Scateler, son of Sueno, king of the Danes, claimed to be heir to the throne of Sweden through his mother, and having raised troops and bribed some influential persons among the Swedes, devised the death of the unsuspecting saint. While Eric was hearing Mass on Ascension Day, his attendants came and told him that the hostile army was near, but he would not go out to battle until the Mass was ended. Then he went bravely against the enemy, and was killed or taken alive, fighting, and beheaded next day. On the spot where he fell, a spring of water arose, which works marvellous cures. He is regarded as a martyr of justice and order. He was the chief patron saint of Sweden until the Reformation, and is still remembered with affection. His tomb is preserved undefaced, and King Eric's code is regarded with respect. Christina survived many years in great sanctity. She left two sons and two daughters, of whom Knut was afterwards king of Sweden, and Margaret was queen of Norway. Vastovius, Vitis Aquilonia, Butler and Baillet each give the Life of St. Eric, but do not call Christina, or her parents or grandparents, saints. Her worship is probably local; it is mentioned in Analecta Juris Pontificii, iii. 1834. Benzelstiema's History of Sweden, by Olof Dalin, ii. p. 127, Dähnert's German version. Vita S. Erici, in Fant and Annerstedt. Script. Rer. Suecicarum.