Wulfhild of Norway

Wulfhild (1020 – 24 May 1071), Old West Norse: Úlfhildr Ólafsdóttir, Swedish: Ulfhild Olofsdotter, was a Norwegian princess and a duchess of Saxony, wife of Ordulf, Duke of Saxony.

Wulfhild was born in 1020 to Olaf II of Norway and Astrid Olofsdotter of Sweden. Her half-brother was Magnus the Good. She was likely born and raised in Sarpsborg. In 1028, she accompanied her parents to Vestlandet, and in 1029, she left Norway for Sweden with them. It is not determined whether she followed her father and half-brother on their trip to Russia or remained in Sweden with her mother, but she did live in Sweden between the death of her father in 1030 until she returned with her half-brother Magnus to Norway in 1035, when he became king. Wulfhild is described as a beauty, and is regarded to have been in a respected position in the capacity of the only legitimate issue of her father.

On 10 November 1042, she was married to duke of Saxony Ordulf of Billung, son of Bernard II and Eilika of Schweinfurt. This marriage was supposed to strengthen the alliance between Saxony and Denmark; her half-brother expected the support of her consort to strengthen his position in Denmark by fighting the Wends. The marriage ceremony was celebrated in Schleswig during these political negotiations. Her consort did remain loyal to the alliance, but the information about Wulfhild is limited and nothing is known about any of her opinions.

Wulfhild and Ordulf had a son, Magnus.

References

• Norsk biografisk leksikon. Den store norske