Sweden 1250-1397 Sweden 1448-1523









The Kalmar Union, 1397-1448



A.) Sweden in her relation with the Union Kings

Queen Margaretha's adoptive son Bogislav, who took on the Swedish name of Erik, in history named ERIK OF POMERANIA, ruled since 1397, alone since 1412. A major political success was the acquisition of GOTLAND in 1409 from the Teutonic Order, by paying the latter her expenses for the expedition against the pirates who controlled Visby in 1398.
In her later years, Margarethe got in conflict with the Swedish church, because she ignored the right of the Swedish cathedral chapters to elect their respective bishops, nominating her own candidates and having them appointed by the popel King Erik, after failing to come to an agreement with the Swedish church, continued that practice. In addition, Erik violated the INDIGENATE, the rule that only Swedes qualified for administrative posutions in Sweden; being a native German, Erik appointed many Germans, but also Danes and even an Italian to such positions. In addition, Erik, by continuing the policy of REDUCTION (the crown claiming lands alienated, i.e. which had come into the hands of noblemen. These policies antagonized both clergy and nobility of Sweden. King Erik had no children; disregarding the treaty that created the union of Kalmar, he promised succession to his cousin Bogislav IV. (another Bogislav) of Pomerania.
When Erik failed in his attempt to gain SCHLESWIG (1423-1424) and Luebeck imposed trade sanctions on Erik's Scandinavian kingdoms, matters only turned to the worse. In 1434 a rebellion, lead by ENGELBREKT ENGELBREKTSSON, broke out in Dalarna. The rebels defeated the local forces loyal to Erik and the rebellion quickly spread; the first RIKSDAG (Swedish parliament) met in 1435. In negotiations with Erik, an understanding was sought; yet Sweden by now had institutions and demands. In 1439 both Denmark and Sweden declared Erik deposed; he had taken up residence on Visborg castle, which at his order had been constructed on the southern end of the city wall of Visby, Gotland; here, Erik continued to rule until early in 1449, claiming the title of King of Denmark and Sweden. Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson had fallen victim to an assassin, and KARL KNUTSSON had been appointed marshal and regent of Sweden by RIKSRAD (the council of the realm). In 1441 Riksrad elected Christoph of Wittelsbach (Bavaria, already King of Denmark) King. When he died, he was succeeded in Denmark by Christian I. of Oldenburg, in Denmark and Norway by Karl Knutsson.


B.) The Emergence of National Institutions

Union King Erik was residing in Copenhagen for most of his earlier reign. His policies made him appear as a foreigner; he violated many Swedish traditions and laws. When Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson lead a rebellion, few Swedes sided with Erik and many were willing to support the revellion.
In 1435 a general meeting of representatives from the entire country was held at Arboga, Sweden's first RIKSDAG (parliament). There rebellion leaders were elected/appointed to offices representing the Swedish nation. They were to form the RIKSRAD (council if the realm) instead of the foreigners Erik had appointed previously.
Future union kings would not repeat Erik's mistake of disregarding the indigenate; the Riksdag, dominated by Sweden's most prolific noble families, would become the main political body maintaining Swedish national identity.


C.) The Economy

Erik's policy of acquiring Gotland and attempting to acquire Schleswig caused costs even the three kingdoms combined were scarcely capable of paying for. The economic blockade imposed by Lübeck, which Erik provoked, caused suffering in Sweden as the nation had become increasingly dependent on imports, most of all of salt.
The policy of REDUCTION antagonized the nobility, whose revenues were reduced by it, as they were by the appointment of foreigners to administrative positions in Sweden.






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This page is part of World History at KMLA
First posted in 2000, last revised on November 8th 2004

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