| Magnus Ladulås | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bust of Magnus as duke atSkara Cathedral[1] | |
| King of Sweden | |
| Reign | 1275 – 18 December 1290 |
| Predecessor | Valdemar |
| Successor | Birger |
| Born | c. 1240 |
| Died | 18 December 1290 (agedc. 50) |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | Helvig of Holstein |
| Issue more... | |
| House | Bjälbo |
| Father | Birger Jarl |
| Mother | Ingeborg Eriksdotter of Sweden |
Magnus Ladulås (pronounced['lɑːdɵloːs],lit. 'Barnlock') orMagnus Birgersson (c. 1240 – 18 December 1290) wasKing of Sweden from 1275 until his death in 1290.[2]
He was a son ofBirger Jarl, and became a king after a rebellion against his brotherValdemar. He was succeeded by his ten-year-old sonBirger Magnusson withTorkel Knutsson acting as his guardian.
Medieval Swedish kings did not useregnal numbers as part of their title.[3] In modern literature he may be referred to as eitherMagnus I[4] orMagnus III.[5][6]
The origin of the epithetLadulås (lit. 'Barnlock') is not known for certain, due to the lack of source material from the latter half of the 14th century. It appears widely in written documents from the beginning of the 15th century, with the Visby Chronicle from 1412 being the oldest datable document.Lilla rimkrönikan fromc. 1450 gives the traditional explanation, ascribing the epithet to theOrdinance of Alsnö. This act by Magnus freed theyeomanry from the duty to provide sustenance for travelling nobles and bishops, and "locked the barns".[7][8]
Another theory is thatLadulås is a corruption of a second nameLadislaus, the Latin equivalent of theSlavic nameVladislav. (Magnus's maternal great-grandmother wasSophia of Minsk, aRurikid princess.)[8]
Magnus was born around 1240 as the second son ofBirger Jarl (1200–66) and PrincessIngeborg, daughter of KingErik Knutsson and sister of KingErik Eriksson of Sweden. The early life of Magnus is poorly documented, but he seems to have received an extensive education.[7]
Erik Eriksson ruled until 1250 and died without an heir. After his death, Magnus' elder brotherValdemar (1239–1302) became king, but the true power was held by their father Birger Jarl who acted as aregent. In 1255, Magnus was granted the title of aiunior dux, 'junior jarl'.[7][9]
When Birger died in 1266, Magnus assumed his title as the Duke of Sweden. The title was not accompanied by any unified territory, but by a number of scattered estates and rights to collect taxes and fines. He also receivedNyköping Castle inSödermanland.[7][10]
There is no indication that he would have received the powers of his father.[9] According to theErik's Chronicle, Magnus wanted to share the Royal power with his brother, which led to a conflict.[7]
In 1275, Duke Magnus started a rebellion against Valdemar, supported by his younger brotherErik and KingEric Klipping of Denmark. Valdemar was deposed by Magnus after theBattle of Hova in the forest ofTiveden on 14 June 1275 with the help of Danish and German horsemen. In July, Magnus was elected king at theStones of Mora.[11]
In 1276, Magnus marriedHelvig, daughter ofGerard I of Holstein. Through her mother, Elizabeth of Mecklenburg, Helvig was a descendant of Christina, the putative daughter ofKing Sverker II. A papal annulment of Magnus' alleged first marriage and a dispensation for the second (necessary because ofconsanguinity) were issued ten years later, in 1286. Helvig later acted as regent, probably 1290–1302 and 1320–1327.[11]
The deposed King Valdemar managed, with Danish help in turn, to regain provinces inGötaland in the southern part of the kingdom, and Magnus had to recognize that in 1277. However, Magnus regained them about 1278 and assumed the additional titlerex Gothorum,King of the Goths, starting the tradition of "King of the Swedes and the Goths".
King Magnus's youngest brother,Bengt (1254–1291), thenarchdeacon, acted as hisLord High Chancellor of Sweden, and in 1284 Magnus rewarded him with theDuchy of Finland.[12]
Magnus died when his sons were yet underage. Magnus ordered his kinsmanTorkel Knutsson, theLord High Constable of Sweden as the guardian of his heir, the futureKing Birger, who was about ten years old at father's death.
In spring 2011,archaeologists andosteologists from theStockholm University were granted permission to open one of the royal tombs in theRiddarholmen Church, traditionally believed to contain the remains of Magnus Ladulås and some of his relatives. An osteological andodontological examination revealed the presence of five male and two female skeletons. Preliminary studies indicated a notable sickly disposition in one skeleton, previously presumed to belong to Magnus Ladulås based on descriptions of his ailments. Contrary to expectations,radiocarbon dating indicated that the skeletons were from the 15th and early 16th centuries, and could not belong to the king and his family.[13]
In 2012, the research team was permitted to open the adjacent tomb, traditionally believed to contain KingKarl Knutsson (c. 1408–1470). The analysis showed that these remains were from the 15th and early 16th century, and one skeleton matched the expected profile for King Karl. The location of Magnus Ladulås's grave remains unresolved. In 2014, the team discovered a previously unknown brick chamber between the two tombs, but further excavation was halted due to legal and administrative challenges.[13][14]
From his alleged first (annulled) marriage to an unknown woman:
From his second marriage toHelvig of Holstein:
Media related toMagnus III of Sweden at Wikimedia CommonsMagnus Ladulås Born: 1240 Died: 18 December 1290 | ||
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| Preceded by | King of Sweden 1275–1290 | Succeeded by |
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