Gyrid of Sweden

Gyrid Olafsdottir of Sweden (born c. 932) was a Swedish princess and queen consort to King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark. She was the daughter of King Olof Björnsson of Sweden.

Gyrid was married to Harald by her brother, Styrbjörn the Strong, in order to secure his support against their uncle, King Eric of Sweden, who was chosen to succeed his brother, King Olof, instead of Styrbjörn.

Biography

In 985, Gyrid joined her brother on the voyage to Jomsborg to gain the army of Jomsvikings in his quest for vengeance against their uncle. As children of a former king, the two were granted passage into Jomsborg despite the Jomsvikings initially stopping them due to their strict rules against allowing women into their fortress. When Styrbjörn demanded an audience with the Jomsviking leader Palnatoke, the siblings were escorted to meet him, whereupon Gyrid watched as her brother challenged Palnatoke to a duel for leadership of his army.

After Styrbjörn defeated Palnatoke, he laid his next goal to invade the Christian king Harald Bluetooth. With Palnatoke and his Jomsvikings, they sailed to Jutland, where Gyrid would claim its kingdom while her brother would claim Sweden's. Arriving at Jutland's shores, the group saw Harald and his children waiting for them.

During their initial meeting, Harald took Gyrid as his wife but did not lend his army to Styrbjörn. In retaliation, Styrbjörn led his army to victory over the sea and had Harald surrender to his axe. After the battle, Gyrid conferred with Styrbjörn over his plan to take Sweden's throne, and forced her husband Harald to accompany him to ensure that his army would follow Styrbjörn.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Fate of the Gods