Eric XII of Sweden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eric XII |
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_seal_1905.jpg)
The seal of King Erik Magnusson.
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| Born | 1339 |
| Died | 20 June 1359 (aged 19–20) |
| Spouse | Beatrix of Bavaria |
| House | Bjelbo |
| Father | Magnus IV of Sweden |
| Mother | Blanche of Namur |
Eric XII (in Swedish, Erik Magnusson; born 1339 – died 20 June 1359) was a King of Sweden and also the lord of Scania from 1344 to 1359. He ruled alongside his father, King Magnus IV, starting in 1356 until his own death in 1359.
It's interesting to know that calling him King Eric XII is something that happened much later. This numbering was created by counting backwards from Eric XIV (who ruled from 1560–1568). Eric XIV and his brother Charles IX (who ruled from 1604–1611) chose their numbers based on a made-up history of Sweden. We don't actually know how many Swedish kings named Eric existed before Eric XIV, especially if we look back into very old times. So, trying to give this king a perfectly accurate number would be just a guess!
A Young Prince's Life
Eric was the son of King Magnus Eriksson (who lived from 1316 to 1374). His grandfather was Eric, Duke of Södermanland (who lived around 1282 to 1318).
In 1343, something very important happened for Eric and his brother, Haakon. They were both chosen to be the future kings of Sweden and Norway, respectively. This meant they were next in line for the thrones.
Eric got married in 1356 to Beatrix of Bavaria (who lived from 1344 to 1359). Beatrix was the daughter of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, a very powerful ruler.
Becoming a Co-Ruler
In 1355, Eric's brother, Haakon, became the King of Norway. This led to the end of the union, or partnership, that had existed between Sweden and Norway.
Later, in 1357, there was a rebellion in Sweden. This forced King Magnus, Eric's father, to share his power. Eric was given control over most of Scania and Finland. This meant he became a co-ruler with his father.
In 1359, Eric and his father became friends again. They agreed to rule Sweden together. This joint rule lasted only a few months because Eric sadly died that same year. His wife, Beatrix, also passed away very soon after him. Many historians believe they both died from the Black Death, a terrible disease that spread across Europe at that time.
