sweden
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The Princess and the Vadstena Rumble
On November 6, 1540, a baby girl was born at the royal palace Tre Kronor in Stockholm. She was named Cecilia, and if princesses at that time had surnames, it was Gustavsdotter. However, just as her father is not primarily… Continue reading
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Feuding brothers and death
In February 1306, Torgils Knutsson was executed by beheading on Pelarbacken, better known as Götgatsbacken in today’s Stockholm. Despite opening with his death, he’s not the main character here. Instead, it’s King Birger Magnusson – ward of Torgils Knutsson –… Continue reading
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Erik the Holy
Sweden has a national saint who is not really a saint. This because the Pope did not want to canonize him. Why is a little unclear, but a letter somewhere in the now thousand-year-old records mentioning a king who fought,… Continue reading
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The Witch Trials of Dalarna
The connection between the witch trials in Salem, USA – those that have been the subject of at least one horror film – and Sweden may not be obvious, but they are there. It started in Mora in Dalarna. The… Continue reading
Scandinavian History 