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Lars was the name of theArchbishop of Sweden 1255–1267.
Lars is a Swedish form for the Latin name Laurentius, which in English is Lawrence. This was the name Lars used as an archbishop. His birthname is unknown.
Lars was recruited from the recently establishedFranciscan monastery inEnköping. Since the monastery is unlikely to have had time to recruit Swedish monks, it is possible that he was foreign.
In 1255, when Lars had just recently been ordained (which he was in theprimateLund), a papal letter arrived. The Pope expressed his belief in the Swedish monarchBirger Jarl. The situation in Sweden was still shaky. There was an ongoing struggle for the throne, which later forced the antagonists to tax the clergies to support their war.
Another papal letter in 1257 expressed the Pope's support forcrusades to the east, towards the Swedish parts of Finland that were either not yet Christianized, or had turnedapostate. The inspiration came from the crusades to Jerusalem.
Lars was dedicated to enforcingcelibacy among priests. This was a problem that had still not been solved in Sweden, despite papal efforts and threats. The usual reason given was the low population in Sweden, which made it necessary for priests to marry and have children. Even though Lars was known for trying to uphold celibacy, in 1258 he had to send a request to the Pope about not having toexcommunicate those who broke the rule. We can imagine how common it was since this was necessary.
In 1258 the move of the archbishopric to its present location was decided. It would, however, not be realized for another decade. The reason was that the present locationÖstra Aros had grown in significance.
When Lars died in early March 1267, he was buried among his brothers at the monastery in Enköping.
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