sweden
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Hemming Gadh – bishop and warrior
The Swedish Middle Ages, not unlike those in other countries, had their power players who were often unscrupulous and, therefore, at least many centuries later, are more exciting than those with more ethical concerns. Not infrequently, these unscrupulous power players… Continue reading
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The Battle of Brunkeberg
When you walk along Norrmalm in central Stockholm today, you usually don’t think that you are walking on a former battlefield. But it was here that Sten Sture the Elder and King Kristian I’s forces clashed on October 10, 1471.… Continue reading
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Ulrika Eleonora – the woman who chose her own path
Not feeling at home as the person one was born with is by no means new. There have been those throughout history who have chosen to live as the opposite sex, and one of these was Ulrika Eleonora Stålhammar. She… Continue reading
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Ragnarok – end and beginning
In troubled times, when threats seem to be looming from all directions, a dark thought may slip in and dwell on the possibility of doom. This is not unique to our times; in most cultures, the idea that everything can… Continue reading
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Birger jarl – founder of a nation
Birger jarl is a name that most Swedes recognise; even if it’s the only thing you know about Swedish history, you likely know this: there once was a man called Birger jarl. Except he wasn’t—that was his title, akin to… Continue reading
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St Bridgid of Sweden
On 7 October 1391, Birgitta Birgersdotter was canonised by Pope Boniface IX in Rome. She had been dead for 13 years at that time. Internationally, she’s mostly known as St Bridgid of Sweden, as in the headline, but will throughout… Continue reading
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Erik the Victorious
The numbers that are found after, or in the middle of, king names can be confusing. For example, Erik XIV was not preceded by thirteen other Eriks. Instead, each of his numbers is a way of trying to show a… Continue reading
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From English Princess to Nordic Queen
She is probably the most powerful queen in Swedish history, apart from Kristina, who actually ruled in her own name. But Filippa of England is also probably the most forgotten, even though she became queen not only of Sweden, but… Continue reading
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Scandinavian bog bodies
Imagine that, for whatever reason, you are out walking on a bog, and suddenly you see what appears to be human remains. A hand sticks up, or maybe even a face looks back at you from between the tufts. It… Continue reading
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Ingrid Ylva – medieval power woman
Like the vast majority of women during the early Middle Ages, Ingrid Ylva has left few traces behind for posterity to note. This is in contrast to her son, Birger Magnusson, much better known as Birger jarl. However, he becomes… Continue reading
Scandinavian History 