Part 7 – Semiramis and Nimrod [1422-1426]
The re-capture of Gotland and subsequent banishment of Duke Bogislaw back to Pomerania was a celebrated occasion and seen by many as proof of the Union working to it’s intended effect; protect each of the three Kingdoms from German threats. It also became the common given reason why Danes sometimes say “go to Pomerania” instead of “go to hell”, even if the expression likely has roots going back further than this. Olaf’s reputation as a defender of the union was ensured and his already high popularity soared, especially in Sweden. The only part of the union Olaf wasn’t all that well liked was Denmark, in many ways it’s most leading Kingdom. Much of the Danish nobility was unhappy that the peace of Margaret was still being enforced, even after the Sovereign Lady had died. The more bellicose portions of the Danes also believed he had been far to soft on Schleswig and should have demanded total subjugation of the Duchy, rather than the compromise he had seeked instead. Even so they did not dare challenge Olaf, for he had at this point become the very symbol of the the virtues of the union and even abroad he had a reputation of being a wise and just ruler. If she could see him from the heavens above, Margaret was surely proud of her son.
Margaret had earned the honorific “Semiramis of the North” alluding to the legendary Queen of Babylon, her son Nimrod was “the first ruler on earth” much like Olaf was the first King of the Kalmar Union.
“Eric, I do not have long left.” Olaf’s voice was steady, even if it sometimes was interrupted by coughing. “My luck has caught up to me. A miracle saved my from this very illness many years before you were born, but I doubt that it will do so again.” Eric stood before his father’s bed in the castle of Helsingborg. They had come to the castle to celebrate christmas together, but before it had arrived Father had been overwhelmed by a cough and forced to take to his bed. “When you see Margaret next time, do be sure to tell her I will be happy in my final moments, knowing that she and my grandson both are well.”
Eric’s wife had given birth just a few weeks ago, he had not yet seen the boy but reports told him it was a healthy strong child. “Tell me again Eric, what name did you decide on for the little one?” Eric felt slightly akward, Father had asked several times already, but he never seemed to get tired of hearing it. “Valdemar, after great-grandfather.” Olaf coughed again, but smiled. “A great Grandfather he truly was. It is a good name, a strong one. Now I think I need to rest, and you’re probably sicker than I am of hearing me blabber, you go.”
Eric couldn’t help but feel annoyed at his father as he left the bedchamber. The last few days he’d been summoned again and again, each time to be informed that his Father didn’t have long left and then either have some vague words of wisdom imparted on him or having father tell that he too had been afraid when he realized he was to rule alone. Well Eric wasn’t afraid, and he actually took offense that father assumed so. He’d been preparing his entire life for eventually taking over the crowns and while he didn’t exactly wait in anitcipation for father to die, he was excited that his rule would soon begin. In fact he already ruled in some capacity in parts of the union atleast, he was the Duke of Lolland which he governed as his personal fief. Olaf had made also made the privy council recognize Eric as his co-regent in Denmark two years ago.
But he supposed there was a world of difference between partaking in government and actually being King, and father only meant well after all. Eric got to the castle window and looked out over the view, you could see very far from this place, Helsingør was clearly visible on the other side of the sound, with many ships passing the narrow straits. If one of those great bombards he had heard of would be placed on top of this very castle tower, would it’s shot be able to reach all the way over? A page came up to the prince and made himself heard. “My prince, it’s your Father. It seems to be his time, he is requesting your presence.” Eric took a deep breath and then turned around and then began making it back to the bedchamber, wondering if it was for real this time or not.
Kernen, “the core”, the only part of Helsingborg castle surviving until modern day.
On the 23rd of December 1425, Olaf IV Haakonson of the house of Folkung, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the Goths and the Wends, passed away at an age of 55. He officially ruled Denmark for a grand total of 50 years, Norway 45 and Sweden for either 37 or 29 years, depending on how you count. He outlived his mother by 13 years. He left behind him his widow Helvig and their 4-year old daughter Margaret, as well as his oldest daughter Bridget, Duchess of Schleswig, and of course his son Eric, heir to all of the union.
In later years he would most commonly be known by the name Olaf “Arv”, usually translated to “the heir” or “the inheritor”. Several theories exist about this nickname. One theory suggests that it stems from the title “true heir to Sweden”, which he used either until 1388 or 1396. Another suggests that the nickname hinted to his rich ancestry, which included many important Scandinavian rulers, like Harald Fairhair, Eric the Victorious, Birger Jarl and all Danish Kings going back to Gorm the Old. A third, more malicious theory, suggests that those who saw him as nothing more than a puppet of his mother had refused to call him King, but merely her heir. Whatever the case, it is a fitting nickname, for he did rise to power to no small degree through inheritance, the question now was what legacy he would leave?
The King was dead, long live the King!
Part of the stone carvings over Olaf’s grave, displaying the arms of Norway. Despite it being the weakest of the union Kingdoms, it held a special place in Olaf’s heart as his birthplace.
Eric Olafson looked down at the long sheet of parchement. The handwriting on it was absolutely sub-par for such an important document, in fact he could not at all make out what was written in some places. That which could be read on it was however absolutely outrageous. The document in question was a proposed håndfæstning, a contract put forward by the nobles of the realm that he was expected to sign to be elected King. He had read his father’s håndfæstning before coming to the negotiations, so that he knew what to expect, and it was nowhere near as restrictive as this one. It seemed to leave very little room for what he could actually do in his own right without approval of the privy council. “None of this was in King Olaf’s håndfæstning.” He pointed out to the council, which had been waiting for his response to the document in silence.
“My King.” An ancient nobleman who Eric actually didn’t know the name of began to speak. “When your Father, may he rest in peace, signed his håndfæstning the realm was in a state of mortal danger, I was there you see. There was therefore cause to sacrifice some of our rightful liberties in the name of security, but the same cannot be said now. This håndfæstning is much more in line with tradition.” Eric looked down at the document, if these were the liberties the nobility had in the past it was no surprise that Denmark had fragmented. “I’m sorry my Lords, but this draft is simply unacceptable. We will have to work out a new one. I also cannot help but notice that you do not mention your commitments to the peace of Margaret in it.”
There went a shudder through the room. The peace of Margaret had been an increasingly growing source of discontent amongst nobles, especially in the later years of Olaf’s reign. Among other things it forbade the building of castles by the nobles, something Eric had noticed this håndfæstning directly contradicted, as it stated that the right to build castles should not be touched upon. “But your majesty, even your Father agreed that those laws were harsh beyond reason.” Eric put down the document. “I see no reason why they should be considered as such. King and nobility are supposed to rule together no? Then why should only the King have to sign a contract? If you believe the laws of 1396 are unreasonable we can perhaps look at a revised version, just like this håndfæstning should be revised.” A bitter murmur arose in the council, it was clearly time for a break.
Eric V, better known as Eric Klipping, had signed the first håndfæstning in 1284. His reign was part of the long decline that saw Denmark disappear by 1332.
Discussions, discussions, discussions. They carried on for days, then weeks. Eventually Eric grew extremely frustrated and it was clear the council did the same. In that time letters had arrived from both Norway and Sweden, the privy councils there announced that they were ready to crown Eric if he’d only show up in Trondheim and at Mora äng. Thus Eric declared that the negotiations would continue once he had been crowned in the two other realms. In late January he left Nyborg for Odense and from there began the journey to Trondheim. Bad weather, which is to be expected for the season, meant he only arrived there by March. Well there, there was little conflict, he was hailed by a large crowd of people and crowned King Eric III of Norway in the cathedral there.
By April Eric had made it to Stockholm and from there he journeyed inland to Mora. Eric was there crowned King Eric VIII of Sweden and began his Ericsgata. On the journey news caught up to him. Tired of negotiations and seemingly believing Eric intended to rule as a despot, much of the Danish nobility had risen in rebellion. The journey around Sweden thus became a hastened affair, where less time was spent recieving oaths of loyalty and more of asking for men to help crush the rebellion. The Danish privy council had denied Eric the power his father had wielded because the union wasn’t in crisis, but in doing so one had certainly been created.
19th century painting depicting the conspiring nobles who had killed Eric Klipping in 1286, Eric Olafson saw the rebellion of his own nobles as the greatest treason in Denmark since.