Bo Jonsson (Grip) facts for kids

The coat of arms of Södermanland, linked to Bo Jonsson (Grip).

Bo Jonsson (Grip) (born in the early 1330s – died August 20, 1386) was a very powerful person in Sweden and Finland during the 1300s. He was the head of the king's council and a top military leader when Magnus IV of Sweden was king. Later, when Albert of Sweden became king in 1369, Bo Jonsson became the king's highest official. By 1371, he was the Lord High Steward, which was one of the most important jobs in the country.

Bo Jonsson was so influential that he shaped the politics of Sweden and Finland for many years. He was a key leader among the nobles who removed King Magnus IV from power in 1365. They then put Albrecht von Mecklenburg on the Swedish throne. Being the king's top official gave Bo Jonsson huge control over money and how the country was run. By 1374, he even gained control over all of Finland.

The family name, Grip, means Griffin in Swedish. Bo Jonsson himself never used this name. A coat of arms showing a black griffin on a gold shield was later linked to him. This symbol became the coat of arms for the region of Södermanland.

How Bo Jonsson Became Powerful

During Bo Jonsson's lifetime, a terrible disease called the Black Death swept through Sweden. It killed about one-third of the people. This made Sweden's economy and government weaker. This situation helped Bo Jonsson gain control of a lot of land and wealth.

Bo Jonsson became one of the richest non-royal people in Swedish history. He gained control of about 1,500 farms in 350 different areas across Sweden, from Kalmar to Falun. He used his economic and political power to do this. He became the biggest landowner ever in both Sweden and Finland. The amount of land he controlled was more than one-third of the entire Swedish kingdom. This was even more land than the king owned! In 1363, he led a group of nobles who rebelled against the king. He got help from Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg. In 1365, Bo Jonsson was very important in removing King Magnus Eriksson from the throne. He then offered the crown to the Duke's son, Albert.

Bo Jonsson's Influence and Castles

Gripsholm Castle was first built as Bo Jonsson's main home. It was later made into a royal palace by King Gustav I.

From Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, which he built, Bo Jonsson ruled over a huge area. This included the entire valley around Lake Mälaren, Hälsingland, all of Finland, and large parts of other regions like Västergötland and Östergötland. He also controlled the Småland coast, including the city of Kalmar. He gained control of the Finnish areas as a reward for helping Albert become king of Sweden.

Bo Jonsson controlled many important fortresses. These included Åbo Castle in Finland, Tavastehus, and Viborg. In Sweden, he controlled Kalmar Castle and Nyköping Castle. He also built his own castles, such as Bjärkaholm, Ringstaholm, and his most prized one, Gripsholm.

As the leader of the king's council and because he controlled so much land, Bo Jonsson helped limit the king's power. He also helped reduce the influence of other countries like Germany and Denmark in Sweden. However, he also asked for help from Denmark and Mecklenburg to put kings on the Swedish throne who would follow the nobles' wishes.

Bo Jonsson's Family Life

Bo Jonsson was married two times. His first wife was a wealthy woman named Margareta Porse. She sadly died during childbirth, and their baby son also died a day later.

His second wife was Margareta Dume from Germany. She had many admirers. One nobleman, Karl Nilsson, was involved in a conflict near a church in Stockholm. After this event, Bo Jonsson gained control of Karl Nilsson's former property.

Bo Jonsson's Death and Legacy

Bo Jonsson died on August 20, 1386. In his will, he gave a lot of his wealth to monasteries and churches in Sweden. He especially helped the monastery in Vadstena. This monastery was run by the Bridgettine Order and was dedicated to Saint Birgitta. Bo Jonsson had spent a lot of his life trying to get Saint Birgitta officially recognized as a saint.

To make sure that King Albert of Sweden, whom he did not like very much, would not get his huge estates, Bo Jonsson chose a group of powerful lords to manage his wealth after he died. The struggle between King Albert and this council over Bo Jonsson's vast lands eventually led to the Kalmar Union. The Kalmar Union was an agreement that united the kingdoms of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under one ruler for a long time.

Bo Jonsson's Children

Bo Jonsson's first wife had a son named Jon Bosson, but he died on the same day he was born. With his second wife, Margreta Lambrektsdotter (Dume), he had at least two children. His son, Knut Bosson (Grip), was once the leader of Turku castle in Finland. His daughter, Margareta Bosdotter, married a man named Detler Bylow. It's possible he had other daughters too, but their names are not known from history.

Bo Jonsson was important in helping the economy grow in medieval Finland. His family members later became barons in 1561.