What do we know about Estrid?

Estrid was one of the most powerful women in the Täby and Vallentuna area in the 11th century. She was the grandmother of Jarlabanke, a wealthy  landowner, and her relatives raised many rune stones.
Thanks to archaeological finds and inscriptions, we know a lot about this enterprising woman. Estrid was around 75 years old when she died. She survived two husbands, gave birth to ten children and became over the years a very important person in the district. This has been determined by the treasures she had with her in her grave. We also know that Estrid was one of the very first Christians in Sweden.

A thousand year old grave in the Rune Kingdom

At an archaeological dig in 1995, the archaeologists from Stockholm County Museum found the grave with Estrid’s remains. Oscar Nilsson, a modelmaker, recreated a model of Estrid based on her thousand year old skull, including facial features that show what she could have looked like during the latter part of her life. The model of Estrid is located at the entrance to the main library in Täby. The model is an extension of the exhibition of the Rune Kingdom around Lake Vallentuna which is already on site.  

 
The model of Estrid as a young woman can be seen at Stockholm County Museum in Nacka, Stockholm and the model as an old woman is located at the main library in Täby.