Magnus Ladulås facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Magnus Ladulås |
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Bust of Magnus as duke at Skara Cathedral
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| King of Sweden | |
| Reign | 1275 – 18 December 1290 |
| Predecessor | Valdemar |
| Successor | Birger |
| Born | c. 1240 |
| Died | 18 December 1290 (aged c. 50) |
| Burial | Riddarholm Church |
| Spouse | Helwig of Holstein |
| Issue more... |
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| House | Bjelbo |
| Father | Birger Jarl |
| Mother | Ingeborg Eriksdotter of Sweden |
Magnus Ladulås (which means 'Barnlock') was the King of Sweden from 1275 until he passed away in 1290. He was also known as Magnus Birgersson. Born around 1240, Magnus became king after a rebellion against his brother, Valdemar. When Magnus died, his son Birger Magnusson, who was only ten years old, became the next king. Torkel Knutsson helped guide the young king.
Swedish kings in the Middle Ages did not use numbers with their names. Today, you might see him called Magnus I or Magnus III in books.
Contents
The Name Ladulås
The special name Ladulås (meaning 'Barnlock') has an interesting story. We don't know for sure how he got it because old records from the 1300s are missing. However, this name started appearing a lot in writings from the early 1400s.
The oldest known document mentioning it is the Visby Chronicle from 1412. A book called Lilla rimkrönikan from around 1450 gives the most common explanation. It says the name came from an important law Magnus made called the Ordinance of Alsnö. This law protected farmers by stopping nobles and bishops from demanding free food and lodging when they traveled. It was like he "locked the barns" to keep them safe.
Another idea is that Ladulås might be a changed version of the name Ladislaus. This is a Latin name similar to the Slavic name Vladislav. Magnus's great-grandmother on his mother's side was Sophia of Minsk, a princess from a Slavic family.
Early Life and Family
Magnus was born around 1240. He was the second son of Birger Jarl (who lived from 1200 to 1266) and Princess Ingeborg Eriksdotter of Sweden. His mother, Ingeborg, was the sister of King Eric XI, who had no children.
We don't have many details about Magnus's early life. But it seems he received a good education. When King Eric XI died in 1250, Magnus's older brother, Valdemar, became king. However, their father, Birger Jarl, was the real power behind the throne, acting as a regent.
In 1255, Magnus was given the title of 'junior jarl'. After his father Birger Jarl died in 1266, Magnus took on the title of Duke of Sweden. This title didn't mean he ruled a single area. Instead, it gave him control over many scattered lands and the right to collect taxes. He also received Nyköping Castle.
Magnus wanted to share the royal power with his brother Valdemar. This wish led to a conflict between them.
Becoming King and Marriage
In 1275, Duke Magnus started a rebellion against his brother Valdemar. He had help from his younger brother Eric and King Eric Klipping of Denmark. Magnus defeated Valdemar at the Battle of Hova in the Tiveden forest on June 14, 1275. He had support from Danish and German horsemen.
In July, Magnus was chosen as the new king at the Stones of Mora, a traditional place for electing Swedish kings.
In 1276, Magnus married Helwig of Holstein, who was the daughter of Gerard I of Holstein. Helwig's mother, Elizabeth of Mecklenburg, was related to King Sverker II. Later, Helwig became a regent, meaning she ruled the country when her husband or son couldn't. She likely did this from 1290 to 1302 and again from 1320 to 1327.
Ruling as King
After Magnus became king, the deposed King Valdemar managed to get back some areas in Gothenland in southern Sweden with help from Denmark. Magnus had to agree to this in 1277. However, Magnus got these areas back around 1278. He then added the title rex Gothorum, meaning King of the Goths, to his name. This started the tradition of Swedish kings being called "King of the Swedes and the Goths."
Magnus's youngest brother, Bengt, was an archdeacon (a church official). He became Magnus's Lord High Chancellor of Sweden, which was a very important job. In 1284, Magnus rewarded Bengt by making him the Duke of Finland.
King Magnus died when his sons were still too young to rule. He chose his relative Torkel Knutsson, who was the Lord High Constable of Sweden (a top military leader), to be the guardian of his heir, the future King Birger. Birger was about ten years old when his father passed away.
The Mystery of Magnus's Grave
In 2011, scientists and archaeologists were allowed to open a royal tomb in the Riddarholm Church. People believed this tomb held the remains of Magnus Ladulås and his family. They studied the bones carefully. But surprisingly, radiocarbon dating showed that the skeletons were from the 1400s and early 1500s. This meant they could not be Magnus and his family.
In 2012, the research team opened another tomb nearby. This one was thought to belong to King Karl Knutsson. The analysis showed that these remains were indeed from the 1400s and early 1500s, and one skeleton matched what they expected for King Karl. So, the exact location of Magnus Ladulås's grave is still a mystery today.
Children of Magnus Ladulås
Magnus had several children.
From his first marriage (which was later cancelled) to an unknown woman:
- Eric Magnusson (born around 1275, died around 1277)
From his second marriage to Helwig of Holstein:
- Ingeborg Magnusdotter of Sweden (born around 1279); she married King Eric VI of Denmark.
- Birger, King of Sweden (born around 1280)
- Eric Magnuson, who became Duke of Sudermannia in 1302. He died in 1318 from starvation while imprisoned by his brother King Birger.
- Waldemar Magnuson, who became Duke of Finland in 1302. He also died in 1318 from starvation while imprisoned by his brother, King Birger.
- Richeza Magnusdotter of Sweden (died after 1347), who became the Abbess (leader) of the St. Clare's convent in Stockholm.
Images for kids
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Seal of King Magnus
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A picture from the 14th century of King Magnus on a high tower wall of his burial church
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Magnus's 16th century grave monument over his family crypts in Riddarholm Church
