Sverker II of Sweden
Encyclopedia
Sverker II was King of Sweden from 1196 to 1208.
, a Danish noblewoman. His parents' marriage has been dated to 1162 or 1163.
When his father Karl had been murdered in Visingsö
in 1167, apparently by minions of the next king Canute I of Sweden
, Sverker was taken to Denmark
while a boy and grew up with his mother's clan of Hvide
, leaders of Zealand. Sverker also allied himself with the Galen clan leaders in Skåne who were close to the Hvide, by marriage through lady Benedikte Ebbesdotter of Hvide
. The Danish king supported him as claimant to Sweden, thus helping to destabilize the neighboring country.
When King Canute I of Sweden
died in 1196, his sons were only children. Sverker was chosen as the next king of Sweden, surprisingly without quarrel. He returned to his native country, however being regarded quite Danished. His uncontested election was largely thanks to Jarl Birger Brosa
whose daughter, Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo
, Sverker married soon after his first wife had died.
. The privilege document of 1200 is the oldest known ecclesiastical privilege in Sweden. Skáldatal
names two of Sverker's court skald
s: Sumarliði skáld and Þorgeirr Danaskáld. In 1202 Earl Birger died and the late jarl's grandson, Sverker's one-year old son John received the title of Jarl
from his father. This was intended to strengthen him as heir of the crown.
Around 1203, Canute's four sons, who had lived in Swedish royal court, began to claim the throne and Sverker exiled them to Norway
. His position as king became unsecured from this point forward. The sons of Canute returned with troops in 1205, supported by the Norwegian party of Birkebeiner
, but Sverker succeeded in winning in the Battle of Älgarås
, where three of the sons fell. The only survivor returned with Norwegian support in 1208 and in the Battle of Lena
, Sverker was defeated. Sverker's troops were commanded by Ebbe Suneson, the father of his late first wife and brother of Andreas Sunesen, Archbishop of Lund. King Eric X of Sweden
drove Sverker to exile to Denmark.
Pope Innocentius III's
attempt to have the crown returned to Sverker did not succeed. Sverker made a military expedition, with Danish support, to Sweden, but was conquered and killed in the Battle of Gestilren
in 1210. The ancient sources state that "he was killed by the Folkung
clan".
Ebbesdatter (Galen, apparently not Hvide as otherwise alleged, b. c. 1165/70, d. 1200), whom he married before 1190 when yet living in Denmark, Sverker had at least one well-attested daughter, Helena Sverkersdotter , as well as possibly further children, such as Karl (who died in adolescence at the latest, if ever lived; but his existence is from the record that he is alleged to have married a daughter of king Sverre of Norway
), and possibly even two other daughters (if they existed, their names are given by reconstructive history research as Margaret and Kristina - however they may just have been Sverker's first wife's kinswomen). Later pretensions of the House of Mecklenburg
claim that Sverker's daughter (if he had such) Christina was their ancestress, wife of Henry II of Mecklenburg ("Henry Borwin" in some later texts).
The second marriage in 1200 with Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo
, daughter of the Folkunge Jarl Birger Brosa
produced a son and heir, Jon (1201–1222), who was chosen king of Sweden 1216 as John I of Sweden
.
His certain daughter Helena Sverkersdotter married (earl) Sune Folkason of the family of Bjelbo, justiciar of Västergötland
. Their daughters Catherine of Ymseborg
and Benedicta of Ymseborg became pawns in marriages to gain Swedish succession after 1222, when the Sverker dynasty went extinct in male line. Catherine was married to the rival dynasty's heir Eric XI of Sweden
but they remained apparently childless. Benedikte married Svantepolk of Viby
and had several daughters, who married Swedish noblemen. Several Swedish noble families claim descent from Benedikte.
Biography
Sverker was a son of King Karl Sverkersson of Sweden and Queen Christine Stigsdatter of HvideChristine Stigsdatter of Hvide
Christina Hvide was a mediaeval Swedish Queen, queen consort of King Charles VII of Sweden and mother of King Sverker II of Sweden....
, a Danish noblewoman. His parents' marriage has been dated to 1162 or 1163.
When his father Karl had been murdered in Visingsö
Visingsö
Visingsö is an island in the southern half of the lake Vättern in Sweden.Visingsö lies 30 km north of the city Jönköping and 6 km west of Gränna from which two car ferries connects the island...
in 1167, apparently by minions of the next king Canute I of Sweden
Canute I of Sweden
Canute I, Swedish: Knut Eriksson , was king over all of Sweden from 1173 to 1195...
, Sverker was taken to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
while a boy and grew up with his mother's clan of Hvide
Hvide
Hvide was a medieval Danish clan, and afterwards in early modern era a Danish noble surname of presumably one surviving branch of leaders of that clan. Before 16th century it was not used as surname...
, leaders of Zealand. Sverker also allied himself with the Galen clan leaders in Skåne who were close to the Hvide, by marriage through lady Benedikte Ebbesdotter of Hvide
Benedikte Ebbesdotter of Hvide
Benedicta Ebbesdotter of Hvide was a Swedish queen consort, first consort of king Sverker II of Sweden. In Sweden she was often called Queen Bengta.-Biography:...
. The Danish king supported him as claimant to Sweden, thus helping to destabilize the neighboring country.
When King Canute I of Sweden
Canute I of Sweden
Canute I, Swedish: Knut Eriksson , was king over all of Sweden from 1173 to 1195...
died in 1196, his sons were only children. Sverker was chosen as the next king of Sweden, surprisingly without quarrel. He returned to his native country, however being regarded quite Danished. His uncontested election was largely thanks to Jarl Birger Brosa
Birger Brosa
Birger Brosa , jarl of Sweden 1174-1202, d. 9 January 1202 on Visingsö, was a son of Bengt Snivil and a member of the powerful House of Bjälbo...
whose daughter, Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo
Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo
Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo , , was a Swedish Queen Consort, second spouse of King Sverker II of Sweden....
, Sverker married soon after his first wife had died.
Reign
King Sverker confirmed and enlarged privileges for the Swedish church and the Valerius Archbishop of UppsalaArchbishop of Uppsala
The Archbishop of Uppsala has been the primate in Sweden in an unbroken succession since 1164, first during the Catholic era, and from the 1530s and onward under the Lutheran church.- Historical overview :...
. The privilege document of 1200 is the oldest known ecclesiastical privilege in Sweden. Skáldatal
Skáldatal
Skáldatal is a short prose work in Old Norse. It is preserved in two manuscripts: DG 11, or Codex Uppsaliensis, which is one of the four main manuscripts of the Prose Edda , and AM 761 a 4to , which also contains Skaldic poems...
names two of Sverker's court skald
Skald
The skald was a member of a group of poets, whose courtly poetry is associated with the courts of Scandinavian and Icelandic leaders during the Viking Age, who composed and performed renditions of aspects of what we now characterise as Old Norse poetry .The most prevalent metre of skaldic poetry is...
s: Sumarliði skáld and Þorgeirr Danaskáld. In 1202 Earl Birger died and the late jarl's grandson, Sverker's one-year old son John received the title of Jarl
Jarl
Jarl or JARL may refer to:*Japan Amateur Radio League*Jarl, the word for Earl in Scandinavian languages**Jarl in Sweden**Jarl , in Norse Mythology, a son of the god RígPeople with the given name Jarl:...
from his father. This was intended to strengthen him as heir of the crown.
Around 1203, Canute's four sons, who had lived in Swedish royal court, began to claim the throne and Sverker exiled them to Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. His position as king became unsecured from this point forward. The sons of Canute returned with troops in 1205, supported by the Norwegian party of Birkebeiner
Birkebeiner
The Birkebein Party or Birkebeinar was the name for a rebellious party in Norway, formed in 1174 around the pretender to the Norwegian throne, Eystein Meyla...
, but Sverker succeeded in winning in the Battle of Älgarås
Battle of Älgarås
The Battle of Älgarås took place at the royal estate of Älgarås in northernmost Västergötland in November 1205 between the House of Sverker and the House of Erik fighting for the Swedish crown. The brothers Jon, Joar, Knut and Erik Knutsson were staying at the estate when the Sverker clan attacked...
, where three of the sons fell. The only survivor returned with Norwegian support in 1208 and in the Battle of Lena
Battle of Lena
The Battle of Lena occurred on January 31, 1208, and probably took place near Kungslena , which is located in the Tidaholm Municipality in Västergötland, Sweden....
, Sverker was defeated. Sverker's troops were commanded by Ebbe Suneson, the father of his late first wife and brother of Andreas Sunesen, Archbishop of Lund. King Eric X of Sweden
Eric X of Sweden
Eric "X" of Sweden, Swedish: Erik Knutsson; Old Norse: Eiríkr Knútsson was the King of Sweden between 1208 and 1216. Also known as Eric the Survivor when he became King, he was the only remaining son of King Canute I of Sweden and his queen of an undetermined name, who probably was Cecilia...
drove Sverker to exile to Denmark.
Pope Innocentius III's
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
attempt to have the crown returned to Sverker did not succeed. Sverker made a military expedition, with Danish support, to Sweden, but was conquered and killed in the Battle of Gestilren
Battle of Gestilren
The Battle of Gestilren took place on July 17, 1210. The battle was fought between the exiled King of Sweden Sverker and the ruling King Eric. Sverker had been beaten in the previous Battle of Lena, but had returned with new forces. Sverker was killed in the battle...
in 1210. The ancient sources state that "he was killed by the Folkung
Folkung
In modern Swedish, Folkung has two meanings, which appear to be opposites:# The medieval "House of Bjelbo" in Sweden, which produced several Swedish statesmen and kings....
clan".
Family
With his first wife, the Danish noble BenedictaBenedikte Ebbesdotter of Hvide
Benedicta Ebbesdotter of Hvide was a Swedish queen consort, first consort of king Sverker II of Sweden. In Sweden she was often called Queen Bengta.-Biography:...
Ebbesdatter (Galen, apparently not Hvide as otherwise alleged, b. c. 1165/70, d. 1200), whom he married before 1190 when yet living in Denmark, Sverker had at least one well-attested daughter, Helena Sverkersdotter , as well as possibly further children, such as Karl (who died in adolescence at the latest, if ever lived; but his existence is from the record that he is alleged to have married a daughter of king Sverre of Norway
Sverre of Norway
Sverre Sigurdsson was king of Norway from 1177 to 1202. He married Margareta Eriksdotter, the daughter of the Swedish king Eric the Saint, by whom he had the daughter Kristina Sverresdotter....
), and possibly even two other daughters (if they existed, their names are given by reconstructive history research as Margaret and Kristina - however they may just have been Sverker's first wife's kinswomen). Later pretensions of the House of Mecklenburg
House of Mecklenburg
The House of Mecklenburg is a North German dynasty of West Slavic origin that ruled until 1918.- Origins :Niklot was a lord of the Wendish tribe of Obotrites. When the Holy Roman Empire expanded eastwards, notably to the coast of Baltic in 13th century, a portion of Obotrite lords allied with...
claim that Sverker's daughter (if he had such) Christina was their ancestress, wife of Henry II of Mecklenburg ("Henry Borwin" in some later texts).
The second marriage in 1200 with Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo
Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo
Ingegerd Birgersdotter of Bjelbo , , was a Swedish Queen Consort, second spouse of King Sverker II of Sweden....
, daughter of the Folkunge Jarl Birger Brosa
Birger Brosa
Birger Brosa , jarl of Sweden 1174-1202, d. 9 January 1202 on Visingsö, was a son of Bengt Snivil and a member of the powerful House of Bjälbo...
produced a son and heir, Jon (1201–1222), who was chosen king of Sweden 1216 as John I of Sweden
John I of Sweden
John I of Sweden was a Swedish king elected in 1216. -Background:John was the son of King Sverker II of Sweden of the House of Sverker and Queen Ingegerd of the Bjälbo dynasty. King Sverker had been beaten in the Battle of Lena and later killed in the Battle of Gestilren in 1210...
.
His certain daughter Helena Sverkersdotter married (earl) Sune Folkason of the family of Bjelbo, justiciar of Västergötland
Västergötland
', English exonym: West Gothland, is one of the 25 traditional non-administrative provinces of Sweden , situated in the southwest of Sweden. In older English literature one may also encounter the Latinized version Westrogothia....
. Their daughters Catherine of Ymseborg
Catherine of Ymseborg
-Succession:...
and Benedicta of Ymseborg became pawns in marriages to gain Swedish succession after 1222, when the Sverker dynasty went extinct in male line. Catherine was married to the rival dynasty's heir Eric XI of Sweden
Eric XI of Sweden
Eric "XI" of Sweden, or Eric the Lisp and Lame Swedish: Erik Eriksson läspe och halte; Old Norse: Eiríkr Eiríksson was king of Sweden in 1222–1229 and 1234–1250.-Background:...
but they remained apparently childless. Benedikte married Svantepolk of Viby
Svantepolk of Viby
Svantepolk Knutsson , Lord of Viby in Östergötland, was a Scandinavian magnate.Svantepolk's father was Canute, Duke of Revalia, a bastard son of king Valdemar II of Denmark with a high-born Swedish lady Helena, daughter of Earl Guttorm...
and had several daughters, who married Swedish noblemen. Several Swedish noble families claim descent from Benedikte.
Other sources
- Lindström, Fredrik; Lindström, Henrik Svitjods undergång och Sveriges födelse (Albert Bonniers Förlag AB. 2006)
- Lagerqvist, Lars O. Sverige och dess regenter under 1.000 år (Albert Bonniers Förlag AB. 1982)