Kettil Karlsson (Vasa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kettil Karlsson (Vasa) |
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Vasa coat of arms in the 15th century.
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| Regent of Sweden | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign | February 1464 - August 1464 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Christian I of Sweden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Charles VIII of Sweden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign | 26 December 1464 - 11 August 1465 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Charles VIII of Sweden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Jöns Bengtsson (Oxenstierna) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | c. 1433 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 11 August 1465 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| House | House of Vasa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kettil Karlsson (Vasa) (born around 1433 – died August 11, 1465) was an important Swedish leader during the Kalmar Union era. This was a time when Sweden, Denmark, and Norway were often united under one king. Kettil Karlsson was a member of the powerful House of Vasa family.
He was a clergyman, a diplomat, and a military leader. At just 25 years old, he became the Bishop of Linköping. He led a rebellion against King Christian I in 1463. For a short time, from February to August 1464, he was the de facto (meaning "in practice") ruler of Sweden, known as the Captain General.
He stepped down when King Charles Canutesson returned from exile. But after disagreeing with King Charles, Kettil Karlsson was again chosen to rule Sweden as a Regent (a temporary ruler). He held this position from December 26, 1464, until his death in 1465.
Early Life and Education
Who were Kettil Karlsson's parents?
Kettil Karlsson was the son of Karl Kristiernsson (Vasa). His father was a very important person in Sweden, a member of the Privy Council (a group of advisors to the king) and the Castellan (commander) of Raseborg Castle.
His mother was Ebba Eriksdotter (Krummedige). Her father was a powerful Danish leader. This meant Kettil had important family connections in both Sweden and Denmark.
Where did Kettil Karlsson study?
Kettil was trained for a life in the church. He studied at two famous universities: the University of Rostock starting in 1454, and the University of Leuven in 1455.
Church Career
How did Kettil Karlsson become a bishop?
After finishing his studies, Kettil Karlsson returned to Sweden. He became a canon (a type of priest) in Uppsala. His cousin, Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna, was the Archbishop there.
Because of his family's influence, King Christian I of Denmark liked Kettil. In 1458, King Christian suggested to the Pope that Kettil become a Coadjutor Bishop (a helper bishop) in Linköping. The old bishop, Nils König, died soon after.
The church leaders in Linköping then chose Kettil Karlsson as the new bishop. He was only 25 years old, which was very young for a bishop. He had to travel to Rome to get the Pope's approval. In 1459, Pope Pius II finally approved his appointment. Kettil Karlsson officially became the Bishop of Linköping in 1460.
Rise to Power
Why did Kettil Karlsson rebel against the King?
In the early 1460s, there were rumors that the former King, Charles Canutesson, might return from exile. King Christian I tried to get more control over Sweden.
In 1463, Archbishop Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna, Kettil's cousin, was arrested by King Christian. This happened because the Archbishop refused to collect new taxes for the King. Kettil Karlsson and other family members, along with many nobles and farmers, decided to fight back.
Kettil Karlsson became the leader of the uprising in parts of Sweden. He attacked royal castles controlled by King Christian's supporters. In February 1464, he was chosen as the Captain General of the Swedish rebels.
What happened in the Battle of Haraker?
Kettil Karlsson's army won a big victory against King Christian's Danish army on April 17, 1464. This battle took place at Haraker, near Västerås.
Even after this victory, King Christian's supporters still held Stockholm. The Swedish rebels didn't have enough ships to block the city's harbor. So, they called back the exiled King Charles Canutesson. He arrived with his own ships and soldiers.
The rebels, led by Kettil Karlsson, captured the city of Stockholm. King Charles Canutesson was welcomed as king on August 9, 1464. However, the main castle in Stockholm, Stockholm Castle, remained under the control of King Christian's supporters.
Why did Kettil Karlsson become Regent?
Meanwhile, Archbishop Jöns Bengtsson was released from prison. When he arrived in Stockholm, he and Bishop Kettil Karlsson started to disagree with King Charles Canutesson. This disagreement quickly turned into another fight.
The bishops joined forces with the soldiers at Stockholm Castle. King Charles's position became very difficult. On December 26, 1464, Kettil Karlsson was chosen as the Lord Protector and Regent of Sweden, sharing power with Jöns Bengtsson.
King Charles gave up his claim to the throne on January 30, 1465. He received two castles in Finland instead.
Regentship and Death
How long did Kettil Karlsson rule?
Kettil Karlsson's time as Regent was short. He died from the plague on August 11, 1465, at Stockholm Castle. He was buried in Linköping Cathedral. After his death, Jöns Bengtsson became the sole Regent of Sweden.
Legacy
What happened after Kettil Karlsson's death?
The conflict over who should rule Sweden continued for many years. Jöns Bengtsson was later replaced as Regent. King Charles Canutesson even returned as king for a third time in 1467.
The fight between the Swedish separatists (who wanted Sweden to be independent) and the unionists (who wanted to stay united with Denmark) continued. Sten Sture the Elder, one of the leaders from Kettil Karlsson's uprising, became a powerful leader of the separatists.
Sten Sture defeated King Christian I in the Battle of Brunkeberg in 1471. This meant the separatist party controlled Sweden for another generation. Later, Gustav Eriksson Vasa, a relative of Kettil Karlsson, became the leader of the separatists. In 1523, he was elected King of Sweden. This marked the beginning of the House of Vasa as the royal family of Sweden.
