Saint Botvid – Viking Who Was Killed By A Slave He Granted Freedom
Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Many have never heard of Viking Botvid, but his story is remarkable, and his legacy is still alive in Sweden.
Botvid was born in those days when Norse God Odin was worshipped, but this didn't prevent him from becoming a Christian follower. Later, he was declared a saint and a church was built in his honor.
Left: Botvid Church - Credit: Claudio Britos - Right: Botvid depicted as a saint - Credit: Claudio Britos
When Botvid was young, there were no indications Christianity would play an essential role in life, but certain events changed his faith.
Botvid was born in Botkyrka municipality, just outside the Swedish capital Stockholm. Saint Botvid was a Christian missionary during the 12th century, and he is depicted on the seal and coat of arms of Botkyrka Municipality, where he carries an ax and a fish. If you visit the place today, you can see a small church named after him.
The legendary Viking hero is buried at the Church's cemetery, which is considered sacred.
Botvid's tombstone. Credit: Claudio Britos
Botvid was the son of a Chieftain, but he had to leave his family home when his father died. Botvid's older brother inherited the farm, and Botvid had to find other ways to support himself. Not quite knowing what to do, Botvid decided to travel to England. His initial plan was to become a trader.
A priest took care of Botvid, and he became interested in Christianity. While in England, he became ill and stayed at a guesthouse run by the local Church. Instead of selling goods, he returned to Sweden and started preaching and spreading Christianity.
A reconstruction of events based on ancient sources reveals Botvid met a horrible death. He died on a small island just outside of Stockholm. He was killed with an ax by an enslaved person whom he had granted freedom. Botvid told the enslaved person he was free to return to his home country, and it's a little uncertain what happened next. Historians think the slave doubted he was free to go despite having a letter of liberty and became frightened. He took an ax, cut off Botvid's head, and escaped in a boat.
It took some time before Botvid's family understood what had happened. When they found Botvid's body, he was taken back to where he grew up, and his brother Björn was ordered to build a church in honor of his brother. The Botvid Church still stands there, and so does his tombstone.
Botvid was one of the most important saints during the Middle Ages. Bridget of Sweden (1303 –1373) said she experienced a vision of Botvid, who appeared in front of her and told her to embrace God.
Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
Updated on April 5, 2023
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesBotkyrka Direkt, Number 35 - 31, August 31 - September 6, 2019
More From Ancient Pages
-
Mystery Of The Scottish Medieval Wanderer And The Bog Bodies At Cramond Investigated By Scientists
Archaeology | Mar 28, 2022
-
1,800-Year-Old Relief Of Mythological Satyr Figure Under Restoration
Artifacts | Sep 5, 2020
-
Islands Of The Tropical Pacific Ocean Were Settled Much Earlier Than Previously Thought – New Theory
Archaeology | Dec 20, 2022
-
Tiny Points Made By Homo Sapiens 54,000 Years Ago Found In Mandrin Cave
Archaeology | Feb 23, 2023
-
Abu Simbel – Spectacular Ancient Egyptian Temples Unique In Design And Size
Featured Stories | Jun 12, 2021
-
Incredible 700-Year-Old Tombs With Beautiful Decorations And Carved Bricks Found In Shandong, China
Archaeology | May 22, 2023
-
Mysterious Undeciphered Carvings And Script On Stela Of Montoro
Archaeology | Aug 14, 2017
-
Silla: The Most Successful Of Three Korean Kingdoms
Featured Stories | Aug 22, 2023
-
Horus – One Of The Most Important Ancient Egyptian Gods And Symbol Of Rulership and Justice
Egyptian Mythology | Jun 26, 2018
-
Unique Treasure Of 500 Coins Accidentally Found Under Church Floor In Slovakia
Archaeology | Apr 6, 2020
-
Rare 2,700-Year-Old Seal Of Biblical King Jeroboam II’s Servant Confirmed Authentic
Artifacts | Jan 18, 2021
-
On This Day In History: Statue of Liberty Arrived In New York Harbor – On June 17, 1885
News | Jun 17, 2016
-
Qumran: The Dead Sea Scrolls And Their Connection To Enigmatic Essenes
Civilizations | Feb 20, 2016
-
Eshu The Trickster: Mischievous Mediator Between Heaven And Earth In Beliefs Of Yoruba People
African Mythology | Apr 4, 2019
-
What Is The Meaning Of Ankh – Ancient Egyptian Symbol
Ancient Symbols | Sep 21, 2023
-
A Remarkable Curse Tablet Dated To the 1st Century AD – Unearthed In Tongeren
Archaeology | Jul 10, 2020
-
On This Day In History: Gerardus Mercator Famous Mapmaker Of All Time Died – On Dec 2, 1594
News | Dec 2, 2016
-
Descent Of Orpheus To Underworld Ruled By Hades
Featured Stories | Jan 14, 2018
-
Huge 36-Million-Year-Old Skull Of Fearsome Marine Monster Discovered In Peru
Fossils | Mar 21, 2022
-
On This Day In History: The Warsaw Uprising Began – On August 1, 1944
News | Aug 1, 2016