Ingrid Ragnvaldsdotter, born between 1100 and 1110, is the daughter of Ragnvald Ingesson, the only known son and heir of King Inge I of Sweden.

Ragnvald died early, however, and never succeeded as king.

History has not recorded either the name nor background of Ingrid's mother.

Ingrid had first married Henry Skadelaar (Henrik Svendsen Skadelår), son of Svend Svendsen of Denmark, who was one of the bastard sons of King Sweyn II of Denmark.

Svend Svendsen was an unsuccessful pursuer to the throne, who died when he was at a point of being elected as king.

Henry Skadelaar is crippled and not considered a candidate for kingship.

He is instead a frequent schemer and plotter, generating a number of enemies.

Three sons of Henry and Ingrid are recorded, including King Magnus II of Sweden.

Ingrid is known to have intrigued for Magnus to obtain the Swedish throne, in Ingrid's opinion her late father's rightful inheritance.

She reportedly suggested that her son Magnus employ the man who would kill Sverker I of Sweden.

Henry Skadelaar dies on June 4, 1134, at the Battle of Fotevik in the Bay of Fotevik near Vellinge in Skåne, fought between forces of King Niels of Denmark and his son Magnus Nilsson, against those of Erik Emune on June 4, 1134 at the bay of Fotevik in Skåne.

King Niels and Magnus are taken by surprise by a contingent of German mounted mercenaries.

Niels escapes, while Magnus is slain.

Sverker I, before becoming King of Sweden, had been a powerful landowner from Östergötland.

According to the Westrogothic law (1240), his father's name was Cornube, but according to Skáldatal, his father's name was Kol.

He was acknowledged as king at the beginning of 1130s, and conquered Västergötland from its ruler Magnus the Strong.

Sverker rules for about 26 years, but in spite of the long reign not much is known about him, other than that the convents and monasteries of Alvastra, Nydala and Varnhem are founded during this time.

According to a Russian chronicle, the newly founded Republic of Novgorod had its first confrontation with Sweden during Sverker's reign in 1142, thus breaking a centurylong peace that had been guaranteed by marriages between the earlier ruling families.

Sverker is murdered near his own coach at the Alebäck bridge near Alvastra priory, going to the early service on Christmas day, in 1156.

This is considered a shocking crime, even by medieval standards.

The pretender Magnus Henriksson is suspected of the crime.

Eric, a rival king, is subsequently recognized in most or all provinces.

Eric is murdered as he leaves the church in Uppsala on May 18, 1160.

He is said to have been murdered by Emund Ulvbane, an assassin who was hired by people working for the Sverker dynasty, in order for them to regain the control of the kingdom, or alternatively by Magnus Henriksson, another claimant, who is said in some sources to have succeeded him briefly as king.

Swedes believe a miracle occurred at Eric's death: a fountain is said to have sprung from the earth where the king's head fell after being chopped off.

Eric is soon worshiped as a saint, becoming known as Eric the Saint or Eric the Holy.

Though never formally canonized by the pope, he will eventually become the patron saint of Sweden.

Magnus Henriksson reigns as king of almost all of Sweden until he is murdered in 1161 by the men of Carl Sverkerson, the rival king.

Charles receives general recognition in Sweden as king after the fall of Magnus.

It is also during his reign that the Archbishop of Uppsala is established in 1164.