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The Stockholm Bloodbath in Folklore.
May. 4th, 2010 10:35 amSo, in the spirit of recent time's ficcage, and because someone asked me, I got down to writing this entry.
I think that part of what fascinates me the most about the Stockholm Bloodbath is how deeply imprinted it actually is in people's minds, at least here in Stockholm. People don't THINK about it but at least to me it has been present for a long time. In third grade, when we were working with the history of Stockholm, that was the only event that would stick with me for years.
If you look at local legends about the event, it's also probably quite evident that it's something that has always tickled the imagination of people over almost 500 years. What bloody execution wouldn't?
And the background story is at least as provocative, isn't it? After more than a century of struggles, the powerful men of Sweden one after another goes over to the Danish king, helping him to regain control over the country in exchange for the promise of amnesty. Three days after he's crowned, the coronation feast turns into an execution, starting with the bishops that put the crown on his head to begin with! And this is after a great feast has been thrown to his honour, people have been eating and drinking thinking that they're safe and that things will look up.
I think that's why it has stuck for so long, too. Not as much the number of the executed, the pillaging of Stockholm - bloodbaths were not an unusual event in Medieval Europe - but the betrayal it meant. The bloodbath would be brought up centuries later, still echoing clear in people's minds; don't forget what they did, don't forget what the Danes are like.
It's with this in mind I bring up these tales: just a couple of those that haven't been forgotten over the years. The first one is even well and alive to this day.
( There are ghosts in this town. )
... Now I need to run to school.
I think that part of what fascinates me the most about the Stockholm Bloodbath is how deeply imprinted it actually is in people's minds, at least here in Stockholm. People don't THINK about it but at least to me it has been present for a long time. In third grade, when we were working with the history of Stockholm, that was the only event that would stick with me for years.
If you look at local legends about the event, it's also probably quite evident that it's something that has always tickled the imagination of people over almost 500 years. What bloody execution wouldn't?
And the background story is at least as provocative, isn't it? After more than a century of struggles, the powerful men of Sweden one after another goes over to the Danish king, helping him to regain control over the country in exchange for the promise of amnesty. Three days after he's crowned, the coronation feast turns into an execution, starting with the bishops that put the crown on his head to begin with! And this is after a great feast has been thrown to his honour, people have been eating and drinking thinking that they're safe and that things will look up.
I think that's why it has stuck for so long, too. Not as much the number of the executed, the pillaging of Stockholm - bloodbaths were not an unusual event in Medieval Europe - but the betrayal it meant. The bloodbath would be brought up centuries later, still echoing clear in people's minds; don't forget what they did, don't forget what the Danes are like.
It's with this in mind I bring up these tales: just a couple of those that haven't been forgotten over the years. The first one is even well and alive to this day.
( There are ghosts in this town. )
... Now I need to run to school.
