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Kalmar Union - a series of unions which ultimately brought together the kingdoms of Denmark, Norway (including Iceland) and Sweden (including Finland) under the rule of a single monarch, was established in 1397 in the Kalmar, Sweden, and lasted, with minor exceptions, until 1523. It was formed by Queen Margaret I, who was the regent of the three kingdoms by 1388, and crowned her fifteen year old grandnephew Eric of Pomerania the king of the countries. The countries kept their own laws and administration, and due to internal conflict and tension, the Union dissolved in 1523.
Prelude
During 1350 the Swedish aristocracy became dissatisfied with King Magnus Eriksson who tried to reduce their influence and augment his own power. Aided by the principality of Mecklenburg in northern Germany, the aristocrats succeeded in dethroning the king, and Albert of Mecklenburg was elected King of Sweden. Meanwhile, Denmark and Norway united in 1380 under the kingship of King Olof, son of King Haakon VI of Denmark and Queen Margaret I of Norway.
Consequently, German influence in the area increased rapidly. Aristocrats, displeased with this development, then sought help from Queen Margaret I. She was recognized by the aristocrats as the monarch of Sweden, and in 1389, Danish and Swedish troops defeated King Albert. These events paved the way to the Kalmar Union.
The Union
Queen Margaret I invited nobles from all three nations and the Kalmar Union was formed in 1397 at the Swedish city of Kalmar. Eric was crowned King, and the “Letter of the Union”, the documented record of the proceedings, expressed constitutional interests for the aristocrats. The Queen vowed to protect the interest of the aristocracy, but King Eric wanted to strengthen the monarchy.
The Conflicts
The promises made by the Queen to the Swedish aristocrats, however, were not kept, and Danish influence rose steadily in Sweden. King Eric's “traditional Danish” foreign policy ensured that he would try to check the growing influence of the Hanseatic League. Frequent wars hampered trade and increased taxes. An armed, rebellion in 1434, led by Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, expelled Danish forces from Sweden. .
These events finally led to the dethroning of Eric(1439), and Christopher of Bavaria, the son of his sister Katarina, was elected King.. After his death in 1448, there was a power vacuum, with elites from the aristocracy functioning as regents. Conflicts ensued between factions in the Union.
The Dissolution
Negotiations, confrontation and war dominated the Kalmar Union when Christian II became King of Denmark and Norway in 1513. in 1520, Christian II invaded Sweden and after a military conquest crowned himself King. In spite of promising amnesty, in November 1520 he ordered the brutal execution of all Swedish nobles who opposed him, in what is known as the “Stockholm Bloodbath”..
This led to a fierce Swedish rebellion against Danish forces, and finally, in 1523, Gustav I Vasa became King of Sweden and dissolved the Kalmar Union.
Aftermath
The remains of the Kalmar Union remained until 1536 when Norway (including Iceland) became a Danish province. This association remained till 1814 when Denmark was forced to concede Norway to the Swedish King Charles XII.
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