Lasse-Maja

Lasse-Maja.

Lasse-Maja , actually Lars Larsson Molin (* 1785 in Ramsberg in Västmanland , † 1845 ), was a Swedish trick thief. On his thief tours through the country, he always disguised himself as a woman. It is from this habit that his nickname Lasse-Maja comes from. He often took a job as housekeeper in private households. As soon as he had robbed them, he dressed normally again and, since a woman was wanted, was able to avoid arrest in this way for a long time. But after stealing the church silver in the church of Järfälla , he was arrested in 1813 and sentenced to life-long forced labor at the fortress Carlsten in Marstrand . It was only after 26 years that he was pardoned by King Karl XIV. Johann in 1838 .

During his time in prison he wrote his memoir: Lasse-Majas besynnerliga äventyr (Lasse-Majas strange adventures). After his release he decided to become a farmer and settled at Arboga . There he died in 1845 and is buried in front of the Holy Trinity Church.

In the church of his birth town Ramsberg there is a memorial stone about Lasse-Maja with the inscription:

I Ramsberg hans vagga

I Arboga hans grav

I rätt protocols hans minne

His cradle in Ramsberg

His grave in Arboga

His memory in the trial protocol

A few kilometers south of the church, in Morskoga , a hiking trail begins with information signs about Lasse-Maja, which follows his assumed hike from his place of birth to his relatives in Ösarhytta. One of the passenger ferries between the two districts of Marstrand also bears his name.