Saving a Disintegrating Kingdom: A 15th Century Norway TL

[Egil Ingesson]

In this timeline I will be exploring the idea of a more independent and functional Kingdom of Norway throughout the 15th Century. This is my first real timeline, so hopefully the quality increases as I write. Updates will be very random, and mostly when I feel like writing. Reviews and feedback will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Egil Ingesson]

1426-1435: King Eric III, King Norway, Denmark, and Sweden sees his rule and policies gradually fall apart. This is caused by a long war with the Hanseatic League over the latter's dominance in the Baltic Sea, together with resistance and revolts within his realms. Most significant among these revolts is that of Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson in Sweden in 1434-36. There he is appointed as Rikshövitsman, that being the military leader of all Swedish forces. The Swedes go back and forth between reconciliation and open revolt with Eric throughout this period.


1436: Amund Sigurdsson Bolt, a member of the lower nobility of Norway, leads the Norwegian Allmue [1] in South-Eastern Norway in revolt against Danish officials in Norway and King Eric. The revolt is directly correlated with Engelbrekt’s revolt in Sweden. He occupies the Bishop’s residence in Oslo [2], demanding that Norway is governed by Norwegian nobles and officials. In November he is joined by several representatives of the Allmue from Tunsberg sysla, Skiensysla, and Agdesiden. Due to this the Høvedsmann [3] of Akershus Fortress in Oslo, Svarte Jøns Nilsson, refrains from interfering, and later in the winter puts his support behind Amund Bolt in the Norwegian Riksråd [4]. This is also directly in opposition to the standpoint of his rival, Erlend Endridsson, the Høvedsmann of Tunsberg. Erlend Endridsson is angry about there not being done anything about these rebels, but there is a large dispute within the Norwegian Riksråd on how this should be dealt with. Erlend is a close supporter of the King in Norway, and therefore wishes to quickly and harshly put down the revolt. The other members, on the other hand, have other concerns, and feel that some of Amund Bolt's demands are justified.


This happens at the same time as the entrance of Aslak Harniktsson Bolt into the situation in Oslo. He is a far-removed cousin of Amund Bolt through his mother. He has chosen to use his mother’s name, due to the prestige connected to the prominent Norwegian noble family [5]. More importantly though, he has been the Archbishop of Nidaros since 1428. He has been making immense strides in recovering the economy of the diocese and the economy of Norway as a whole. In later years his land register of the diocese will show that his office, through his position, owns close to 3000 farmsteads across all of Norway. He also makes immense strides in mapping and standardising the rent-payment of the freeman farmers renting inside his Diocese. His standards for rent payment will soon spread to other farms and lands owned by Norwegian nobility, updating a system that has been in place since the 1270s - meant for other times, a more populated and well-functioning kingdom.


Aslak Bolt convenes a provincial council for Nidaros Diocese in Oslo in November 1436. In this council every bishop except Oslo's attends. Aslak Bolt's is somewhat opposed to the preferential treatment given by Eric towards non-Norwegian officials to Norwegian offices. He supports his removed cousin's sentiments, and it therefore comes as no surprise that the Danish Bishop of Oslo, Jens Jakobssøn Blik, does not attend. He is also the Chancellor of Erik, and currently resides in Denmark, where he is participating in a gradually declining political situation. During his tenure as Bishop, his role has been filled by substitute Bishops. This complaint is at the forefront of Aslak Bolt’s arguments, as he points out that officials should serve in an area which they are familiar with, or at least reside in.


During the provincial council, the Bishops discuss the current situation in Norway. Foremost are the demands of Amund Bolt and the rebels, but they also discuss the gradual decline of Norway and its diocese after the Black Death. The Chapter is split on how to deal with these issues, or whether they are issues to be dealt with. Aslak Bolt leans heavily towards working with the rebels, as their demands, he feels, would help in alleviating the issues that he sees with the Bishops underneath him. The Provincial Council is split in the same manner as the Riksråd. The Bishops of Hamar is Danish, and the Bishop of Stavanger is Norwegian, but one of the King's men. The former knows that acquiescing to the rebels' demands will see him out of a job, whilst the latter finds any opposition to Eric III's prior policies as treason. The provincial council does not solve anything, as the Bishops on either side of the split promise to support their position.


After the provincial council finishes, Aslak Bolt begins to lay pressure on the members of the Riksråd to reconcile with the rebels. The Riksråd agrees, under the heavy objections of the Danish or Royalist members. A meeting is scheduled to take place near St. Hallvard's Cathedral [6] in February 1437. Erlend Endridsson, object to this, but with both Aslak Bolt and Svarte Jøns Nilsson's support of the Allmue, together with the strong presence of the Allmue and Amund Bolt in Oslo, his position is weak.


What puts the proverbial nail in the coffin, however, is when Sigurd Jonsson puts his support behind the reconciliation as well. Sigurd Jonsson is perhaps the wealthiest man in all of Norway, owning farmsteads across the entirety of the country, from Senja near Lofoten, along the coast down to Stavanger, and into Romeriki north-east of Oslo. In total, he is wealthier than the entire Diocese of Nidaros. He is also a descendant of Haakon V of Norway through his mother, who was a daughter of Sigurd Havtoresson, the King's grandson through his illegitimate daughter. Both of these factors make him highly influential in the Riksråd. His words carry a significant amount of prestige. Although he has long been a supporter of Eric III, and is a fervent royalist, he feels that the situation within the country requires change. Also, in the event that the rebels demand that a permanent Norwegian Drottsete[7] be appointed, acting on the King’s behalf within Norway, he is very likely to get the position.


1436 Sweden:

After a brief reconciliation with King Eric, the Swedes break out in a revolt once more during the spring of 1436. They elect both Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson and Karl Knutsson Bonde as Rikshövitsmenn. Even though the nobility of the Swedish Riksråd wanted Karl to keep power for himself, he must share power with Englebrekt due to the latter’s popularity with the Swedish Allmue. Engelbrekt is given the task of removing Eric’s bailiffs and Høvedsmenn across the country. He sets to the task, leading a small army through Svealand into Östergötland and from there to Blekinge and Skåne. That he enters Blekinge and Skåne is notable, as the area is commonly thought of as part of the Danish Kingdom. Whilst leading this small army Engelbrekt is wounded, and therefore retreats into Sweden. Even though he is weak and severely fatigued he wants to attend a meeting of the Swedish Riksråd in Svealand. In May Englebrekt Englebrektsson is murdered at Lake Hjälmaren on his way to Örebro Castle. Karl Knutsson Bonde takes fully over as the Rikshövitsman of Sweden. During the summer, through the autumn, and into the winter he cracks down on several revolts by the Allmue. Many of them wanted to continue Engelbrekt’s legacy, especially lowering the ‘unfair’ taxes put upon them. Although Karl manages to pacify them, the Swedish Allmue as a political factor is there to stay. During the Autumn of 1436, the Swedes reconcile with Eric. After facing pressure from the Danish Riksråd, he promises to rule Sweden with the consent of the Swedish Riksråd. In visible frustration he decides to settle down on Gotland at Viborg Castle, starting to privateer the shipping routes in the Baltic.



[1] A Nordic term for the common people, peasants, fishermen etc., is more and more commonly used when referencing them (and their many revolts) during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.

[2] I decided to make the POD that Amund Sigurdsson is not pushed out of Oslo but rather occupies the area throughout 1436-37, till his demands are fulfilled. Although in OTL the Riksråd accepted the terms, his position is stronger in this scenario. It also gives time for Aslak Bolt to enter the political scene.

[3] A term used for several positions of power, but in this case, it is the castle custodian of Akershus Fortress

[4] Council of Norwegian Nobles, Sigurd Jonsson chief among them

[5] The Bolt family was a prominent noble family from Borgarsyssel in Vingulmark, in Råde near modern-day Sarpsborg.

[6] St. Hallvard Cathedral was alongside the Nidaros Cathedral the most important church within the Kingdom of Norway, and one of the most traveled to places for pilgrimage in Scandinavia. It was also the official coronation and royal wedding church. Its importance in the religious and daily life of the south-eastern part of Norway, can’t be understated.

[7] The Drottsete was formerly a title given to the Captain of the Royal Guard, but had throughout the 13th and 14th century become the title given to the King’s Deputy, to act out his role when he was vacant or not within the Kingdom.

 

[Atterdag]

Loving to see a Norway-focused TL in the Kalmar Union period! Can’t wait to see where this will go!

 

[Egil Ingesson]

Loving to see a Norway-focused TL in the Kalmar Union period! Can’t wait to see where this will go!

Thank you, I have much admired your work with the Sons of Semiramis! So it is nice to know you'll be watching

 

[Egil Ingesson]

1437:

In February Amund Bolt enters into talks with the Norwegian Riksråd. Erlend Endridsson, knowing his weak position, acquiesce to most of the points, but puts his remaining political clout into attempting to make the other Riksråd members and Allmue swear their loyalty to King Eric [1]. Aslak Bolt seizes upon this idea to lend the deal legitimacy, making it a stipulation of the deal. He then argues that everyone should swear upon upholding that deal, fronting it to their best ability. The place which they will do so is at St. Hallvard's Cathedral, before the eyes of God. When it is clear that the deal will go through, some of the Danish officials that is part of or observes it leaves in protest. They vow to continue to execute their office, by the power vested in them by Eric III.

1. The Norwegian nobility, Riksråd members, Allmue and all loyal subjects of Norway, promises to stay faithful and loyal to the King of that country, Eric III.
   
   
2. No foreign officials or nobles should hold positions, either spiritual or worldly, in Norway. They can acquire such positions by marriage, but even so their powers should be heavily restrained.
3. Jens Jakobsson Blik, having failed to fulfill his role as bishop, is to be replaced. The attendees leave it to the venerable Aslak Bolt to find a replacement.
   
   
4. A Norwegian Drottsete shall be appointed, representing the King and the Kingdoms interests. He will lead the Riksråd, constituting prominent Norwegian notables and officials within the Kingdom. [2]
   
   
5. The Seal of the Kingdom shall be placed in Norway at all times, and in the possession of the Drottsete. [3]
   
   
6. Amund Sigurdsson Bolt shall face no repercussions for leading the revolt, be appointed Høvedsmann of the Faroe Islands, and placed upon the Riksråd. [4]
   
   
7. No undue or heavy taxes shall be placed upon the Allmue.

The deal is later aptly named the Treaty of St. Hallvard's Cathedral.

Later that year there is a meeting held by the Norwegian Riksråd hosted by Erlend Endridsson in Tunsberg Castle in May. Aslak and Amund Bolt both argue that they should begin removing foreign officials from positions in Norway, but they face heavy opposition from Erlend Endridsson, and Sigurd Jonsson is reticent in doing anything before he or someone else receives the role of Drottsete, afraid that he will lose his opportunity to gain the role. The discussions delve into Erlend Endridsson and Amund Bolt being verbally at each other's throats. Their main point of argument is whether they can execute some parts of the treaty in a way that could be considered as going against the orders of King Eric. Erlend argues that in doing so, they would break the first stipulation of the treaty, which would make the entire thing null and void. Amund argues that the first stipulation is subservient to the rest of the treaty, which they all swore on before the eyes of God. However, Aslak Bolt wins through in pointing out that, whilst they can’t remove officeholders in Norway, there should be no issue in appointing vacant positions. Most important of these is the office of Fehirde [5] in Bergen, and the attached Hirdstjore of Iceland. Erlend Endridsson acquiesce to this when Sigurd Jonsson is convinced by Aslak Bolt proposal. In this position the Riksråd appoints Olav Kusse, the brother-in-law of Sigurd Jonsson through his sister Ingeborg.

After the meeting, Aslak Bolt and Sigurd Jonsson travels to Oslo. Here they begin to plan how they can restore the Norwegian state and its declining lower and higher nobility. In reality, both have been concerned with the gradual process of eradicating the Norwegian nobility that had been taking place since the end of the 14th century. Eric, wishing to strengthen the Kings power, had placed several non-native nobles in positions of power in both Norway and Sweden. In no way is Eric's policies better exemplified with his appointment of Giovanni Franco as one of the Swedish Hövitsman in the late 1420s. Giovanni Franco was an Italian which had been Eric’s translator during his pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1424. Whether Eric undertook these policies with the intention or not, he had by not appointing Norwegian nobles to govern and rule castles and len in Norway, removed a crucial condition for them to continue as a social class. His centralization of the len in Norway, with one man having power over several len in an area, did not help in this matter. The Norwegian nobility was being starved, leaving only a few of them wealthy and powerful enough, such as Sigurd Jonsson, Aslak Bolt and Erlend Endridsson to participate in the Riksråd and Norwegian political life. In this way, he was slowly disintegrating the kingdom.

In regard to the different bishoprics, Aslak has been making steady progress in changing out foreign-born bishops. In late 1437 him and the other bishops elects a new Bishop of Oslo, which had been left vacant by the treaty of Hallvard's Cathedral. On the question of their mandate for doing so without royal nor papal approval, Aslak Bolt referred to the decree of canonical rights at the Council of Basel in 1433. In fact, Aslak had already exercised this type of election after the vacancy at the Bishopric of Bergen in 1434, pointing to the same mandate. Even so, in 1434, the Norwegian Chapter had been careful in their choice, electing a strong supporter of King Eric II, Olav Nilsson. He must not be confused with Olav Nilsson, the Høvedsmann of Bergen at the time. When it comes to the Bishopric of Oslo, Aslak Bolt felt he could act more boldly. With the support of the bishops of Stavanger and Bergen, the very same Olav Nilsson, he pushes through Hallvard Darre to the office. He has been making a name for himself fronting the Allmue in legal cases in Vingulmork len. He can claim ancestry back to the old Darre family, for who he can proudly claim had proudly served the Norwegian Kings since King Sverre during the end of the 12th century.


[1] His most important goal is to secure the position of the King in Norway, not Danish officials. Knowing his weak position, he therefore acquiesces.


[2], [3] & [4] This is the same as IOTL, although the credence lent to these stipulations are strengthened by the more formal acceptance of the rebels demands by the Riksråd, as opposed to OTL


[5] Fehirde was the name of the Norwegian King’s tax collectors over the five large districts in the Kingdom. Throughout the 15th century this role was gradually replaced by Høvedsmenn in the different len. The appointment of a Fehirde in Bergen had been left vacant for a few years.


Next up, 1437 in Denmark and Sweden

 

[Atterdag]

Hm, might this be leading to a situation where Eric might remain king of Norway? That would certainly be a way to achieve independence, don’t fire him when the rest of the Kingdoms do, though I’m unsure if Eric would ever accept that.

I also think you got Giovanni Franco/Johan Vale’s position wrong, unless it’s an atl change. In otl he was only ever bailiff of Köpinghus and Stegeholm. Rikshövitsman was more of the equivelant of the norwegian drottsette, and was first held by Engelbrekt (in union times anyway), so that’d be quite the promotion for him.

Either way, not any huge changes so far, though I can see how the groundwork is being laid for it later down the line. I wonder if we’ll already start to see repercussions in the rest of Scandinavia soon.

 

[Egil Ingesson]

I also think you got Giovanni Franco/Johan Vale’s position wrong, unless it’s an atl change. In otl he was only ever bailiff of Köpinghus and Stegeholm. Rikshövitsman was more of the equivelant of the norwegian drottsette, and was first held by Engelbrekt (in union times anyway), so that’d be quite the promotion for him.

You seem to be correct, I have managed to misinterpret my main sourcework when writing this. It will be corrected.

 

[Vikingen]

 

[Egil Ingesson]

1437 Denmark:
With Eric in self-imposed exile in Gotland, the Danish Riksråd attempts to govern Denmark on their own. Their rule quickly falls apart however, as unrest among the peasantry spreads around the country. When the news of the Norwegian peasant's ability to make their Riksråd acquiesce that unrest turns even worse. Even when it is pointed out that the Allmue in Norway was led by a noble, it does little to stimy the unrest. Several farmsteads owned by heavy-handed tax collectors are burnt down.

Quickly growing concerned, the Danish Riksråd asks in late July for Eric to return as their King. However, they also demand that he appoints a Drottsete and Marshal from their numbers, giving them more control and rights within the Kingdom. Jens Jakobsson Blik travels to Denmark as Eric III's representative, where he learns of his deposition as the Bishop of Oslo. In the meeting with the Danish Riksråd, a representative of the Norwegian Riksråd also delivers the stipulations of the Treaty of St.Hallvard's Church. The Danish Riksråd also demands that he appoints a Drottsete and Marshal from their numbers. Furious at both of the riksråds, he tells the representative that the King same as with Danish Riksråd, will not accept their demands.

Even though Jens Jakobsson Blik's response is clouded by anger, it follows the directives given to him by Eric. The King reasons that he can bide his time, and at some point, the Riksråd will panic and will beg him to come back, on Eric's conditions. As the summer enters autumn, and there is no sign Eric will budge on this issue. The Norwegian Riksråd convenes to discuss the issue, and although Erlend Endridsson is oppositional, they agree to send another representative directly to Gotland which can meet with the King directly.

As the summer enters autumn, and there is no sign that Eric will budge on the issue, the Riksråd sends a letter to his nephew, the martially experienced Christopher of Bavaria. They ask him to come to Denmark and solve their issues, in return they will solely back him over Bogislav of Pomerania as the heir. Christopher accepts, and with the support of the Holy Roman Emperor, he enters Denmark during the winter of 1437-38.

1437 in Sweden:
During the spring and summer of 1437 unrest also begins to spread again amongst the Swedish Allmue. Although they are pacified by the quelling of unrest by Karl Knutsson Bonde. However, the likelihood that they will revolt soon, is quite significant.

When they are informed of Eric's refusal to accept the demands of Danish Riksråd, and his refusal to govern as a king should his kingdom, they have Karl Bonde appointed as Drottsete of Sweden. However, he faces significant resistance internally from the Oxenstierna and Vasa families, who oppose Karl Bonde's concentration of power to himself and his family. However, they are unsuccessful, and Karl Bonde is now king in all but in name. In this capacity, during the summer he begins to further crackdown on Allmue unrest within Sweden.


Hey, so first installment in amonth. School, work and social life is taking its time at the moment, so the updates will come very sporadically. Hopefully will get more updates out as more time is freed. Comments will be greatly appreciated )

 

[Egil Ingesson]

1438: At the start of the year the Allmue in Telemark revolts under the leadership of Hallvard Gråtopp. His demands for the Allmue are the same as Sigurdsson's a year prior, but he also decries the Danish officials for diverting King Eric's will. He claims they aren't following through with the treat of St. Hallvard, for which he was one of the witnesses. He claims that surely good King Eric would have appointed a Drottsete by now, and the wicked Danish officials are hiding the fact. It does not help that the local Fogd [1], Herlaug Pedersøn has been taking more taxes than the state is due, pocketing more for himself. In February Gråtopp alongside several other men kills Pedersøn at Mæla in Skien. He then begins rousing the local Allmue surrounding the city, many of whom he knows from beforehand. The City Council of Skien [2] however refuses to back him, depriving him of crucial support, and he knows he can't force the issue either. He therefore instead begin to travel towards Oslo, enlargening his following several times over. Joining his is the Allmue of Lier, Asker and Bærum. When he closes in on Oslo, he has around eight hundred men, armed with various types of weapons. Most of them are farmers, both poor and more well-off, but many are also woodsmen and trappers from Telemark. They know their way around axes and bows.


As he closes in on Oslo, however, Amund Bolt arrives from Akershus Fortress to speak with the Allmue at the crossing point of the Ljosaker river[3], at the entrance into Oslo. He arrives on the behest of the Riksråd members in Oslo, who were gathered in the fortress to discuss their issues with getting in direct contact with Eric. As news arrives from Sweden of the appointment of Karl Knutsson Bonde as Drottsete there, the discussions are tense. When news of rebels traveling towards Oslo, having killed a Fogd, the discussion becomes even tenser. There are those, Olav Kusse chief among them who argue that the rebellion shows even a larger need for a Drottsete to act out the King's work, striking down on unrest like this and dealing out justice if their claims are right. Amund Bolt fiercely argues the case of the Allmue, and that they must not be punished for being misled and angry. Surely their claim of a lacking response is not wrong, having been diverted by Jens Jakobsson Blik in Denmark. Lastly, the ever-enduring Erlend Endridsson is furious with the rebels for killing an appointed official of King Eric, and they should be nothing but punished. In the end, they ask Amund Bolt to talk the rebels down.


Stepping onto the bridge alone, he appeals for the Allmue to be patient as the King is far away. He claims that King Eric has not been able to respond yet, due to being in exile in Gotland. He squarely places the blame on Jens Jakobsson Blik, Eric's chancellor, for subverting the issue since he was ousted as Bishop of Oslo. They must be patient, as the Danish officials in Norway are just following the King's prior directives, as they all swore to do at St. Hallvard. Hallvard Gråtopp attempts to rouse the Allmue with claims that the Danish officials are stealing more than they are owed in taxes from them. It does not stick as well as he hoped when Amund Bolt tells them that he promises to hear their complaints and take them to the Riksråd. That is when Gråtopp strikes out at him, attempting to kill him in pure desperation. He knows he is a dead man after killing a Fogd. His first hit barely misses, and his second would probably have succeeded, had it not been for Gudmund Helgesson. An emotional trapper from Telemark, he had participated in Bolt's revolt in 1436-37, happy with his leader and how the conflict had ended. Now, however, he had been riled up by Gråtopp's claims. However, his anger is quickly turned, and his reflexes are just as quick. Gråtopp is dead before having taken a second stab at Amund Bolt.


[1] An old Scandinavian term for bailiffs and tax collectors, usually serving under lensmenn or sysselmenn, which in turn have jurisdiction over larger areas. Svarte Jøns Nilsson and Endrid Endridsson are examples of lensmenn/sysselmenn.


[2] Skien had a city council which was formed after it got its royal allowance to function as a market town during the end of the 14th century.


[3] Ljosaker river is where the modern border between Bærum County and Oslo County sits. In the 15th century this is quite far from the city of Oslo, which was placed further east before in OTL a large fire burnt most of the city down in 1624. The then Danish-Norwegian King Christian IV decided to rebuild the city further west, renaming it after himself, giving it the name Christiania, which it would keep till 1925.

 

[Atterdag]

Alright, so part 3 doesn't seem to change much from otl what I can see?

As for part 4, seems like important people are dying at an increasing rate, maybe creating a power vacuum similair to the one in Sweden for an ambitious self-proclaimed drottsete to fill? Guess we'll wait and see.

All in all, I'm still uncertain if Eric will get to keep his throne or not, but I'm interested in finding out.

 

[Egil Ingesson]

Alright, so part 3 doesn't seem to change much from otl what I can see?

As for part 4, seems like important people are dying at an increasing rate, maybe creating a power vacuum similair to the one in Sweden for an ambitious self-proclaimed drottsete to fill? Guess we'll wait and see.

All in all, I'm still uncertain if Eric will get to keep his throne or not, but I'm interested in finding out.

You've got some good observations here. There are some changes from OTL. Here are the most significant of them:
Chapter 3:
- The unrest in Denmark is more significant IOTL due to influences of a partially successful revolt in Norway under Amund Bolt
- Christopher of Bavaria is contacted a year prior and enters into denmark close to two years before IOTL.
- Karl Bonde is made Drottsete or "Riksforstander" aka Regent of Sweden a year prior to OTL, cracking harder down on revolts and unrest due to his increased power

Chapter 4:
- Svarte Jens Nilsson has not lost his command of Akershus as in OTL
- The revolt is quelled much quicker than in OTL due to Amund Bolt's intervention and Hallvard's death (although he died at some point during 1438-39 in OTL)

 

[Egil Ingesson]

In Norway, the attempted murder of Amund Bolt by Hallvard Gråtopp has some significant consequences. First of all, it scares Svarte Jøns Nilsson into more strict oversight and consequential actions towards the officials within his jurisdiction. He is approached by Amund Bolt on the behalf of the Allmue, as they were promised by Bolt. The most severe of the issues are with the Fogd that collects taxes in Asker, which has been pushing several tenants into poverty and debt. What is even more of an issue, is that he has pocketed the surplus for himself. The offending official, who actually is of Swedish-Norwegian descent, is arrested and stripped of his valuables, and then placed in the dungeons of Akershus. The next Fogd of the area is a wealthy and outspoken Storbonde [1] (well-off farmer), with prior noble ties, who is from the area.

Secondly, it also causes Amund Bolt a significant amount of stress, as he takes on several guards for his own protection, among them Gudmund Helgesson. He sets out to Bergen, and from there to the Faroese Islands. He had initially planned to wait for Eric’s appointment of a Drottsete, but trusts that his far-removed cousin Aslak Bolt will be able to manage the situation. He is entirely convinced that he needs to remove himself from the strenuous tension in the area.

Third, it causes the King’s supporters, most significant among them Endrid Endridsson to explicitly direct their Fogds into treating the peasantry fairly, but harshly if there are any signs of similar further revolts. In Tunsberg syssel, three men are arrested by Endrid Endridsson when they threaten a Fogd of Danish origins in Tverrdalene [2]. In Bergen, Olav Nilsson (not the bishop, but the Høvedsmann) is also forced to arrest a fisherman who threatens a local Fogd. The fisherman had been felling trees in an area close to his homestead, which recently had been bought by the very same Fogd.

Olav Nilsson is heavily opposed to foreign involvements in Norway and is known for his anti-Hanseatic tendencies. During his early years, he had traveled to Iceland where he attempted to stop English fishermen from fishing in the area, as it went against Norwegian law. He had been a representative of the King in Bergen from around 1430 and ascended to the role of Høvedsmann in 1436. During his time there, he had been heavily involved in suppressing and removing Hanseatic influence on the trade in the region. In 1438, after the precedence for further heavy involvement by the Høvedsmenn is set after the Hallvard Gråtopp revolt, he bans Hanseatic merchants from directly buying and selling goods to Norwegian suppliers and consumers [3]. Rather, he forces them to buy from Norwegian intermediaries and merchants with the right to sell and buy produce in Norway. Although this quickly just results in Hanseatic merchants setting up contracts with these intermediaries, Olav Nilsson then institute a small tax on this trade, that these kinds of intermediary merchants much own a vessel of some kind, and that they must do military service if required.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly are the things that are set into motion in September. Sigurd Jonsson, at the polite request of Aslak Bolt, invites the Archbishop and Svarte Jøns Nilsson to one of his homesteads in Romeriki. Together they begin planning to formalise and improve upon the administrative syssel system which has been in place since the late 12th century. From the early 14th century, and especially after the Black Plague, the system has become quite messy and non-functional. The tasks that are given to the Fogd, Sysselman, Lensmann and Høvedsmann within an area differ from others. At the same time, several of these posts has been handed to one person, which has inadvertently caused the Norwegian Lower Mobility to disappear. Whilst most of these families are demoted to landowners or Storbonde (well-off farmers). The main goal for formalising the system is to prevent further unrest and revolts from taking place, due to how officials are treating or taxing the Allmue in their jurisdictions. In this, both Aslak Bolt and Sigurd Jonsson lend their significant experience in administrating large estates. The former from his role in restructuring and standardising the lent out farmsteads under the Archbishop of Nidaros, and the latter from being the wealthiest landowner in all of Norway.

Still, their plans are only plans for now. Sigurd Jonsson and Svarte Jøns Nilsson both strongly emphasise that they must wait for King Eric to appoint a Drottsete, which they hope will be Sigurd Jonsson, before acting this out.


[1]: Although the term Storbonde was not really used in Norway till the early 18th century, I have for the sake of the story decided to give the more well-off farmer this denomination. A Storbonde is a farmer who owns a large estate and usually rents out significant parts of his lands to other farmers who pay his rent. They usually also have several helping hands on their estates, as well as servants.
[2]: A term for different valleys and farmsteads around the area of Sigdal, an area inside Tunsberg len, directly west from Oslo.
[3]: Olav Nilsson was a known anti-Hanseatic official IOTL’s Norway and would spend most of his life working to curtail their role. He would introduce this kind of legislature, but that would be in the late 1440s and early 1450s. His progress would in IOTL be constrained by first Christopher of Bavaria and then Christian of Oldenburg, who needed good relations with the Hanseatic due to their issues with Eric in Gotland and the Swedish revolters, respectively.

 

[Egil Ingesson]

Denmark in January-September 1438:

In early January Christopher enters into Southern Jylland through Schleswig-Holstein, answering the request of the Danish Riksråd and Nobility. With him he has some fifty heavily armoured knights, lent to him by the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund I [1]. Gathering some levies along the way, he routes a rebel force at Flensburg.

From there he crosses over to Sjælland and encamps at Rude. There, in early February, he meets with several of the members of the Danish Riksråd. There is, however, a significant portion of them that are absent, most of them Eric's supporters or those in disagreement with the Riksråd's actions. As negotiations begin, the Danish Riksråd gets several concessions, key among them that a Drottsete and Marshal must be named from among their numbers, and that several privileges must be given to the nobility. Christopher acquiesce, but points out that for this to be accepted he must be given the power as their King. Seeing how Eric has gone silent on their requests, the Danish Riksråd, or the majority thereof agrees, and proclaiming that Eric is neglected his duties, they renounce their allegiance. They swear fealty to Christopher of Bavaria.

The smaller part of the Riksråd still loyal to King Eric, and the officials appointed by and loyal to him react poorly to this. It is too early for many to be disillusioned by Eric's absence, and nonetheless many of them are only vested in their power because Eric had decreed so. They begin to rouse the peasantry in support of their King. By June, a large rebel force composed of loyalist and armed peasants from Northern Jylland and Fyn is led by Henrik Tagensen Reventlow towards the stronghold of Aarhus. Although originally a force composed of peasantry in revolt against the Riksråd, the leaders of the rebels quickly proclaim their support for Eric. After this proclamation they are reinforced by pro-Eric nobility and the levies roused by them. Most significant of them are the nobility of Northern Jylland, led by Eske Brock Jensen [2]. Aarhus is placed under siege on the 27th of June 1438.

In early July, during a particularly warm day, the peasantry in Skane also rise up in rebellion. They are also coming out in support for King Eric, although it should be noted that much of this dissent is flared up by Peder Oxe til Asserbo, the custodian of Helsingborg castle. Having mostly spent his time in the castle working against the Hanseatic Leagues endeavour, he is one of many officials who still believe that Eric will return [3]. To the peasantry of Skane he proclaims that Englebrektsson's raid two years prior was only possible due to the restraints and pressures placed upon him by the Danish Riksråd. Those nobles and the Swedes are in league with each other.

By August there are thousands of people up in arms against Christopher of Bavaria. The largest concentrations are of course the force led by Jensen and Reventlow at Aarhus and the other led by Peder Oxe til Asserbo in Skane. There are also several smaller bands and groups across the country, some led by only peasants, whilst others have converged around pro-Eric officials and nobles and their levies.


[1] Sigismund is still alive and kicking at 70 years old, although his health is deteriorating and there is no heir in sight.

[2] He is still the lensmann at Aalborgshus and is part of the nobility which opposes the renunciation of Eric.

[3] IOTL he held control of Helsingsborg Castle till 1440, when he turned it over to Christopher of Bavaria. ITTL there is significantly less time for him to begin believing that Eric won't return, and thus he strikes his colours for Erik

My master's is taking most of my time, but felt like writing so here is a small update