Stockholm Bloodbath is a gruesome event in the history of Sweden. This tragedy took place on 7th November 1520 in Stortorget, Stockholm where more than 100 Swedish nobles were executed mercilessly.
The outcome resulted in hatred and detest for the Danish, which lasted over a great period of time. For more than 200 years, Sweden and Denmark were waged in wars against each other.
History of Stockholm Bloodbath
Denmark and Sweden were united and shared the same King. After the death of Kristian I, his son Hans was declared the King of Denmark. But he was also to be crowned as the King in Sweden. During this time, Sweden was ruled by Chancellor Sten Sture, who was asked to resign from his post. Sten Sture refused and took the help of the peasants. Sten Sture's army was defeated by the powerful army of King Hans. However, the king made him “master of the court” which meant the Prime Minister. In 1497, King Hans was declared the King of Sweden.
Sten Sture however gained much power and property than the King. King Hans in the meantime was put back by the Germans in1501. Sten Sture slowly gathered forces and once again became the chancellor. There was a war waged by the armed forces of King Hans. Sten Sture died in 1503, after which Svante Nilsson came to power. After Svante died in 1512, and the archbishop, Erik Trolle was chosen to take his place but he was rejected and in his place came Svante Nilsson's son Sten Svanteson.
Sten Svanteson also called Sten Svanteson the younger, was a powerful chancellor. Gustaf Erikson Vasa who visited the court of Stens learned and gained knowledge from him. The bitter relationship between Sten Svanteson and his rival Erik Trolle led to the development of the horrible act that was committed after eight years.
After King Hans's death, his son Kristian was crowned as the King. The struggle for power between Erik trolle and Sten still continued and caused unrest in Sweden. During an open battle between them, Lund, the archbishop of Denmark, saved Erik Trolle by banishing Sten. Erik Trolle remained in his castle in the meantime.
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In the year 1517, Sten defeated the danish army comprising of 4000 soldiers in the battle of Vadla. Although Erick spoke of negotiations, his request was denied and the castle was demolished.
After 1518, a battle took place between the Danish and Swedish relief force, where the Swedish army defeated the Danish army. The King was sent an ultimatum that if he must be accepted by the Swedish or the people has a pay a lump sum amount. All the bishops were also to be released. Sten however did not accept the proposal. Later, the king wanted to negotiate and Sten accepted. But this was a conspiracy of the King who sailed away to Denmark with the prisoners freed by Sten.
Kristian II tried to gain back the Swedish kingdom again in 1520. An army comprising of Germans, Scots, French and Danes and led by Otto krumpen attacked Sten and his army. In this battle, Sten suffered injury and died within a few days. Stockholm was soon besieged. Kristian declared that all the prisoners would be released if those who defended Stockholm would leave the town. After they agreed, the preparations for King crowning in Sweden started.
Stockholm Bloodbath – The Fatal Day in Stockholm History
Huge celebrations marked the crowning of the King. After he became the king, he summoned Swedish clergies to the court. The king was supported by Erik Trolle who read out an act in which they accused the clergy nobles as heretics and ordered their arrest and punishment. The king had earlier promised them that they would be pardoned but now he has turned his back.
All the Stockholm residents were summoned to the square called Stortorget. The fourteen nobilities were first executed. Rest all were either hanged or killed. Everyone was murdered one by one and this continued for the next three days. The person who was mainly behind this murderous act was Didrik Slagheck. Otto Krumpen tried to stop the murders but failed. However, no women were executed.
Since this event, the Swedish people consider Kristian as a tyrant. The bloodbath in Stockholm is perhaps the gruesome event in Stockholm history.
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