The conflict behind
The Stockholm bloodbath was the culmination of years of conflict within the Swedish elite. At the time, there were powerful factions in Sweden that wanted to preserve the union with Denmark and those that wanted Sweden to become independent. By decision of the Union, Kristian II, King of Denmark, had the legal right to also become King of Sweden.
One who was in favor of the union with Denmark was Bishop Gustav Trolle. He was appointed Swedish archbishop in 1515 and was blessed by the Pope with the right to his own soldiers to defend himself and his land around Stäket Castle outside Stockholm. The Swedish governor, Sten Sture the Younger, was responsible for running the country in the absence or absence of the king. He opposed the union and accused Trolle of being a traitor and in league with Christian II. The conflict escalated and in 1517 Sten Sture pushed through a decision to demolish Stäket. He also dismissed Gustav Trolle as archbishop despite the pope's protests.
In January 1520, Christian II attacked Sweden to claim the throne. Sten Sture was wounded at the Battle of Bogesund in February and later died of his injuries. In March, the Riksraad recognized Christian II as king of Sweden. Sten Sture's widow, Kristina Gyllenstierna, however, continued to defend Stockholm when the Danish army besieged the city. Kristina and her supporters held out throughout the summer, but when Christian II promised them amnesty in September for opposing the Danish king, the Union and the Church, they finally gave up the defense.
Coronation of Christian II
On November 4, 1520, Christian II was crowned King of Sweden. The coronation was followed by three days of festivities at Tre Kronor Palace. It is said that the king behaved very graciously towards his former enemies at this banquet, but that at the same time he consulted his confidants on a way to destroy his opponents in the Swedish nobility despite the promised amnesty. On November 7, the castle gates were bolted and the guests were ushered into the great hall. There, Gustav Trolle demanded that those who had previously deposed him and demolished his castle Stäket should be punished as heretics. Heresy was a crime against the Church and therefore the secular amnesty promised by Christian II did not apply.
The Brask flap saved Bishop Brask's life
Many powerful people were behind the 1517 decision to demolish the Stäke and were now accused of heresy. All were tried by the court and most were sentenced to death. One of the signatories was the Bishop of Linköping, Hans Brask, who claimed that he had been forced to sign. It is said that he hid a note under his seal saying "I am forced to do this" and that it saved his life. To this day, the term 'caveat' is used to refer to a reservation that aims to exonerate a decision-maker in sensitive decisions.
Kristina Gyllenstierna also escaped execution. Christian II declared that Kristina "is now dead to the world, for she is now condemned with the others for manifest heresy". She was imprisoned at Tre Kronor Castle and later taken to Denmark where she remained in prison until 1524.
Executions went on for two days
The executions began the next day and the condemned were taken out according to rank and dignity. Bishops and nobles were executed by beheading with a sword. Others were beheaded with an axe or by hanging and a gallows was erected in the main square. Executioners were paid more for beheading than hanging.
The exact number of people executed is disputed. The executioner in charge, Jörgen Homuth, stated that he killed 82 people before the bloodbath was over.
It is not clear who actually decided that so many people should be killed, whether it was Christian II, Gustav Trolle or one of his advisers. Nor does anyone know whether the bloodbath was planned in advance or whether it was decided during those days in November.
Christian II was only named Christian the Tyrant after he had so many people killed in the Stockholm bloodbath and on his way back to Denmark.
Historical Escapes creates unique escape rooms with themes from the history of Stockholm. Read more here about how you can experience the Stockholm Bloodbath in the form of an Escape Room.