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{{Short description|Co-Ruler of Sweden from 1356 until 1359}}
{{Short description|King of Sweden from 1356 to 1359}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Eric XII
| name = Erik Magnusson
| image = Image:Eric of Sweden (1339) seal 1905.jpg
| image = Image:Eric of Sweden (1339) seal 1905.jpg
| caption = The seal of King Erik Magnusson.
| caption = The seal of King Erik Magnusson
| succession =
| succession =
| birth_date = 1339
| birth_date = Early 1339
| death_date = 20 June {{death year and age|1359|1339}}
| death_date = 20 June 1359 (aged 20)
| house = [[House of Bjelbo|Bjelbo]]
| house = [[House of Bjälbo|Bjälbo]]
| spouse = [[Beatrix of Bavaria]]
| spouse = [[Beatrix of Bavaria]]
| father = [[Magnus IV of Sweden]]
| father = [[Magnus Eriksson]]
| mother = [[Blanche of Namur]]
| mother = [[Blanche of Namur]]
}}
}}
'''Eric XII ''' ([[Swedish language|Swedish]]: ''Erik Magnusson''; 1339 – 20 June 1359) was King of Sweden and lord of Scania in 1344–1359. He was
⚫
'''Erik Magnusson''' (1339 – 20 June 1359), sometimes known as '''Erik XII''',{{efn|Referring to Erik Magnusson as King Erik XII is a later invention, counting backwards from [[Erik XIV]] (1560–68). Erik XIV and his brother [[Charles IX of Sweden|Charles IX]] (1604–1611) adopted numerals according to a [[Historia de omnibus Gothorum Sueonumque regibus|fictitious history of Sweden]]. The number of Swedish monarchs named Erik before Erik XIV (at least seven) is unknown, going back into [[prehistory]]. It would be speculative to try to affix a mathematically accurate one to this king.}} was King of Sweden and lord of Scania in 1344–1359. He was a co-ruler with his father, King [[Magnus Eriksson]], from 1356 until his death in 1359.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url= https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=15403
a co-ruler with his father, King [[Magnus IV of Sweden|Magnus IV]], from 1356 until his death in 1359.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url= https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=15403
|title=Erik Magnusson|website= Svenskt biografiskt lexikon |access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref>
|title=Erik Magnusson|website= Svenskt biografiskt lexikon |access-date=September 23, 2024}}</ref>


==Early life==
⚫
Referring to Erik Magnusson as King Eric XII is a later invention, counting backwards from [[Eric XIV of Sweden|Eric XIV]] (1560–68). He and his brother [[Charles IX of Sweden|Charles IX]] (1604–1611) adopted numerals according to a [[Historia de omnibus Gothorum Sueonumque regibus|fictitious history of Sweden]]. The number of Swedish monarchs named Eric before Eric XIV (at least seven) is unknown, going back into [[prehistory]]. It would be speculative to try to affix a mathematically accurate one to this king.
Erik was born in early 1339 as the eldest son of King [[Magnus Eriksson]] (1316–1374) who ruled both [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]].<ref name=":0" /> When Magnus' second son, [[Haakon VI|Haakon]], was born the following year, Magnus decided to divide the kingdoms between his sons. Erik was designated to succeed his father as King of Sweden, while Haakon would become King of Norway during his father's lifetime.<ref name=":0" /> Although, by Norwegian law, Erik was the rightful heir to the Norwegian throne, the Norwegian Council of the Realm agreed to this arrangement in 1343. In 6 December 1344, Erik was formally elected King of Sweden at the [[Stones of Mora]].<ref name=":0" />


==Biography==
== Marriage ==
In 1342, Magnus' brother-in-law [[Albrecht II, Duke of Mecklenburg]], approached [[Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV]] to propose a union between Erik and [[Beatrix of Bavaria|Beatrix]], the daughter of Louis IV's eldest son, [[Louis V, Duke of Bavaria|Louis V of Brandenburg]], and his first wife, Margrete, daughter of King [[Christopher II of Denmark]]. The marriage aligned with Magnus' strategic interests, as Beatrix's dynastic claims could strengthen his position in the ongoing conflicts with King [[Valdemar Atterdag]] of Denmark. Additionally, the union could also advance Magnus' ambitions in [[Duchy of Estonia (1219–1346)|Estonia]], which Valdemar had nominally ceded to Louis as compensation for Margrete's unpaid dowry. However, both Emperor Louis IV and Louis V of Brandenburg had been [[Excommunication|excommunicated]] by the Catholic Church, and Magnus had to petition [[Pope Clement VI]] regarding the marriage arrangement, as noted in a letter from the pope to the king in 1347.<ref name=":0" />
Erik was the son of King Magnus Eriksson (1316–1374) and the grandson of [[Eric, Duke of Södermanland]] (c. 1282–1318).
In 1343 Eric and his brother, [[Haakon VI of Norway|Haakon]], were elected heirs to the thrones of [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]], respectively.
He was married in 1356 to [[Beatrix of Bavaria]] (1344-1359), daughter of [[Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=10153|title= Magnus Eriksson|website= Svenskt biografiskt lexikon |access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0" />


The exact date of the wedding is unknown. Beatrix is believed to have been around the same age as Erik, and one of [[Bridget of Sweden|Saint Birgitta's]] revelations indicates that the marriage took place while she was still a minor. Some sources suggest that the wedding occurred as early as 1346, but the only certainty is that it took place before 25 October 1356.<ref name=":0" />
Håkon received the Norwegian throne in 1355 and this led to the prior union between those countries being dissolved.

In 1357 a Swedish rebellion forced King Magnus to share the rule of Sweden with his son Erik, who was allowed domain over most of Scania and Finland.
== Rebellion and death ==
Joint rule of Sweden was established again in 1359 when father and son became reconciled and co-ruled Sweden until Eric's death a few months later.
In 1355, Haakon was declared of age, and after that, he was the sovereign ruler of Norway, although his father's influence remained significant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suvanto |first=Seppo |date=2000 |title=Håkan Maununpoika |url=https://kansallisbiografia.fi/kansallisbiografia/henkilo/62 |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=Kansallisbiografia}}</ref> In contrast, Erik held no power while his father continued to reign as King of Sweden.
Quite soon after his death his wife, Beatrix, died as well. It is generally believed that they both died of the [[Black Death in Sweden|Black Death]].

In 1357, a Swedish rebellion forced King Magnus to share the rule of Sweden with his son Erik, who was allowed domain over most of Scania and Finland. Joint rule of Sweden was established again in 1359 when father and son became reconciled and co-ruled Sweden until Erik's death a few months later. Quite soon after his death his wife, Beatrix, died as well. It is generally believed that they both died of the [[Black Death in Sweden|Black Death]].

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
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{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[House of Bjelbo]]||1339||1359|name=Erik Magnusson}}
{{s-hou|[[House of Bjälbo]]||1339||1359|name=Erik Magnusson}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Magnus IV of Sweden|Magnus IV]]|as=sole king}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Magnus Eriksson]]|as=sole king}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[King of Sweden]]|regent1=[[Magnus IV of Sweden|Magnus IV]]|years=1356–1359}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[King of Sweden]]|regent1=[[Magnus Eriksson]]|years=1356–1359}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Magnus IV of Sweden|Magnus IV]]|as=sole king}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Magnus Eriksson]]|as=sole king}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


Latest revision as of 18:49, 9 January 2025

Erik Magnusson
The seal of King Erik Magnusson
BornEarly 1339
Died20 June 1359 (aged 20)
SpouseBeatrix of Bavaria
HouseBjälbo
FatherMagnus Eriksson
MotherBlanche of Namur

Erik Magnusson (1339 – 20 June 1359), sometimes known as Erik XII,[a] was King of Sweden and lord of Scania in 1344–1359. He was a co-ruler with his father, King Magnus Eriksson, from 1356 until his death in 1359.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Erik was born in early 1339 as the eldest son of King Magnus Eriksson (1316–1374) who ruled both Sweden and Norway.[1] When Magnus' second son, Haakon, was born the following year, Magnus decided to divide the kingdoms between his sons. Erik was designated to succeed his father as King of Sweden, while Haakon would become King of Norway during his father's lifetime.[1] Although, by Norwegian law, Erik was the rightful heir to the Norwegian throne, the Norwegian Council of the Realm agreed to this arrangement in 1343. In 6 December 1344, Erik was formally elected King of Sweden at the Stones of Mora.[1]

Marriage

[edit]

In 1342, Magnus' brother-in-law Albrecht II, Duke of Mecklenburg, approached Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV to propose a union between Erik and Beatrix, the daughter of Louis IV's eldest son, Louis V of Brandenburg, and his first wife, Margrete, daughter of King Christopher II of Denmark. The marriage aligned with Magnus' strategic interests, as Beatrix's dynastic claims could strengthen his position in the ongoing conflicts with King Valdemar Atterdag of Denmark. Additionally, the union could also advance Magnus' ambitions in Estonia, which Valdemar had nominally ceded to Louis as compensation for Margrete's unpaid dowry. However, both Emperor Louis IV and Louis V of Brandenburg had been excommunicated by the Catholic Church, and Magnus had to petition Pope Clement VI regarding the marriage arrangement, as noted in a letter from the pope to the king in 1347.[1]

The exact date of the wedding is unknown. Beatrix is believed to have been around the same age as Erik, and one of Saint Birgitta's revelations indicates that the marriage took place while she was still a minor. Some sources suggest that the wedding occurred as early as 1346, but the only certainty is that it took place before 25 October 1356.[1]

Rebellion and death

[edit]

In 1355, Haakon was declared of age, and after that, he was the sovereign ruler of Norway, although his father's influence remained significant.[2] In contrast, Erik held no power while his father continued to reign as King of Sweden.

In 1357, a Swedish rebellion forced King Magnus to share the rule of Sweden with his son Erik, who was allowed domain over most of Scania and Finland. Joint rule of Sweden was established again in 1359 when father and son became reconciled and co-ruled Sweden until Erik's death a few months later. Quite soon after his death his wife, Beatrix, died as well. It is generally believed that they both died of the Black Death.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Referring to Erik Magnusson as King Erik XII is a later invention, counting backwards from Erik XIV (1560–68). Erik XIV and his brother Charles IX (1604–1611) adopted numerals according to a fictitious history of Sweden. The number of Swedish monarchs named Erik before Erik XIV (at least seven) is unknown, going back into prehistory. It would be speculative to try to affix a mathematically accurate one to this king.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Erik Magnusson". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Suvanto, Seppo (2000). "Håkan Maununpoika". Kansallisbiografia. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
Erik Magnusson
Born: 1339 Died: 1359
Regnal titles
Preceded byas sole king King of Sweden
1356–1359
with Magnus Eriksson 		Succeeded byas sole king
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Erik_Magnusson,_King_of_Sweden&oldid=1268427047"