7. Karin Månsdotter Was Accused of Witchcraft for Seducing a King
Karin (known in English as Catherine) Mansdotter was the daughter of a vegetable seller and a jailer in Stockholm, Sweden. Fortunately for her, kings who decided that they want to marry out of love usually went for commoners rather than nobility, something that the people primarily disapproved of doing. Through some form of intrigue, she began a formal relationship with the heir apparent, Erik IV of Sweden. She became his first and primary mistress, though he had other mistresses before her. Some suggested that her influence was due to witchcraft or besotting the king through love potions.
Karin was given all kinds of expensive clothes and finery as befitted a Scandinavian princess. She soon had her staff, the members of which were given their own beautiful wardrobes. Her daughter, Sigrid, was treated as a legitimate princess. Shortly after Karin gave birth, the king decided to marry her. The extent of her political influence was unknown, but she was often seen as one of the king’s advisors, indicating that she had political importance. She also was known to give lavish gifts, including two royal estates, to her friends. Not bad at all for someone who came from the streets of Stockholm. Unfortunately, the people of Erik’s kingdom were so taken aback with his infatuation with Karin that he was deposed shortly after that.