Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jöns Bengtsson
Archbishop of Uppsala Primate of Sweden
Seal of Archbishop Jöns Bengtsson, displaying the arms of the Archdiocese of Uppsala (left) and the Oxenstierna family (right)
Church	Roman Catholic
Archdiocese	Uppsala
Appointed	1448
In Office	1448–1467
Predecessor	Nicolaus Ragvaldi
Successor	Jakob Ulvsson
Orders
Consecration	30 June 1448
Rank	Archbishop
Personal details
Born	1417 Sweden
Died	15 December 1467 Borgholm, Öland, Sweden
Nationality	Swede
Parents	Bengt Jönsson Oxenstierna Kristina Kristiernsdotter (Vasa)
Alma mater	Leipzig University

Jöns Bengtsson (born 1417, died 15 December 1467) was an important Swedish leader. He was a clergyman, which means he worked for the church. He also studied church laws and was a statesman, meaning he helped run the country. Jöns Bengtsson served as the Archbishop of Uppsala from 1448 to 1467.

He was also a regent of Sweden. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young, ill, or absent. Jöns Bengtsson was a regent in 1457, sharing power with Erik Axelsson (Tott). He then ruled alone from 1465 to 1466.

About Jöns Bengtsson

His Family Background

Jöns Bengtsson came from the famous Oxenstierna family. Many people from this family were important in Swedish public life. His father was Bengt Jönsson Oxenstierna, who was a high-ranking advisor called a Privy Councillor. His mother was Kristina Kristiernsdotter Vasa. Her father was Kristiern Nilsson Vasa, who held the important title of Lord High Justiciar.

His Education and Early Career

Jöns Bengtsson studied at the University of Leipzig in Germany. He earned a master's degree in arts in 1438. After returning to Sweden, he became the Archpriest of the Uppsala Cathedral. This was an important position in the church.

In 1440, he attended a big meeting called the Riksmöte in Arboga. Here, the Danish King Christopher of Bavaria was chosen as King of Sweden. Jöns Bengtsson also represented Sweden in two meetings of the Kalmar Union in 1441. The Kalmar Union was a union of the kingdoms of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Between 1442 and 1447, Jöns Bengtsson likely went back to Germany. He continued his studies there, focusing on canon law, which are the laws of the church. In 1445, he was even the Rector (head) of the University of Leipzig for a short time.

Becoming Archbishop

In February 1448, Jöns Bengtsson was chosen as archbishop. This happened shortly after his father and uncle became co-regents of Sweden. He asked the Council of Basel to confirm his election. On June 30, 1448, he was officially made archbishop by other bishops. The very next day, he crowned King Charles VIII of Sweden. He also crowned the queen. The Pope, Nicholas V, confirmed his appointment the following year.

In 1457, the Pope gave Jöns Bengtsson the special title of Primate of Sweden. This meant he was the highest church leader in Sweden.

Leading the Opposition

King Charles VIII faced money problems. He raised taxes and took property from the church. This made many people, including the clergy, very unhappy. Jöns Bengtsson decided to lead the people against the King in 1457.

He went into Uppsala Cathedral and took off his special archbishop clothes. Instead, he put on a helmet, breastplate, and sword. He announced that he would not wear his church robes again until King Charles was forced out of the country. The King had to give in and went into exile.

After this, Christian I of Denmark was recognized as the new King of Sweden. Jöns Bengtsson crowned him in Stockholm.

Challenges and Exile

Soon, people became unhappy with King Christian I too. He needed a lot of money and raised taxes very high, even on church property. While King Christian was away in Finland, Jöns Bengtsson was the regent of Sweden. He saw that people were rebelling against the high taxes. He supported them and stopped the tax collection.

King Christian was very angry about this. He arrested Jöns Bengtsson and sent him to Denmark. A new rebellion started in Sweden. It was led by Jöns Bengtsson's cousin, Kettil Karlsson Vasa, who was the Bishop of Linköping. Kettil Karlsson defeated King Christian's army in 1464 and became the ruler of Sweden.

King Charles VIII was called back to the throne. To get Sweden back, King Christian I made peace with Jöns Bengtsson. Jöns Bengtsson returned to Sweden and turned the people against King Charles. He even excommunicated him, which meant he removed him from the church.

Final Years

Jöns Bengtsson eventually helped King Charles step down. King Christian I was once again recognized as King of Sweden. However, Jöns Bengtsson was the one truly in charge. He tried to rule the country himself. But different groups were unhappy with him. In 1466, they chose Erik Axelsson Tott as the new regent. Jöns Bengtsson had to step down.

The disagreements continued. King Charles VIII returned to the throne again. Jöns Bengtsson found a safe place with his friend Magnus Gren on the island of Öland. He died there in Borgholm on December 15, 1467. He was described as "poor and exiled, regretted by no one, hated by many, and feared by all."

Why He Was Important

Jöns Bengtsson's actions were driven by his ambition for his family and for Sweden. There was a strong rivalry between his family, the Oxenstiernas, and the Bonde family, to which King Charles belonged.

Jöns Bengtsson also believed that the nobles in Sweden had not respected the church or its property. He thought that if Sweden was united with Denmark and Norway, it would limit the power of the Swedish nobles. As archbishop, he saw this as a way to protect the church's wealth and lands.

See also

In Spanish: Jöns Bengtsson para niños