Folkunger

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Folkunger (Swedish: Folkungar) was a group or party in Sweden in the 13th century that was called "Folkunger-Rotte" ( Folkunga-red ) in the Eriks Chronicle ( Erikskrönikan ) . Since the 17th century it was the name of the royal family. The origin of the name is not known.

In the Middle Ages there was a group of local rulers mainly from Uppland and to a certain extent from Västergötland , whose followers were scattered throughout the Swedish Empire, including Östergötland . They were the descendants of Folke the Fat's eldest son , Birger Brosa . These local rulers united under Sverker II against the royal power. An uprising broke out, led by a Jarl (Duke) Folke . He lost the Battle of Gestilren in 1210 and was killed. After Adolfsson, the alliance of the powerful families of the defeated insurgents took over the name of their fallen military leader and from then on called themselves “Folkunger”.

In a revolt in 1229, the Folkung people defeated King Erik Eriksson , who fled to Denmark . In his place, Knut Långe was elected king.

This Jarl Folke was identified on a very uncertain basis as a resident of Östergötland and a relative of Birger Jarl , who would later crush the Folkung people in the battles at Sparresäter (1247) and Herrevadsbro (1251). In reality, Birger Jarl and the Folkunger had little to do with each other. Rather, it is a very late misunderstanding that developed in older historical works and persisted there and also in genealogical work. Birger Jarl was not a Folkung, but was a member of the Bjälbo family . The rebellious Folkung represented the old, Birger was one of the new rulers who considered a strong royal power and a strong church to be necessary. But both were ultimately descended from Folke the Fat, the Folkung from the older son Birger Brosa , the Bjälbo family from the younger son Magnus Minnesköld .

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Lagerqvist, p. 69.

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