In modern
SwedishSwedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the coast and on the Åland islands. It is to a considerable extent mutually intelligible with Norwegian and to a lesser extent with Danish...
,
Folkung has two meanings, which appear to be opposites:
- The medieval House of Bjelbo
The House of Bjelbo , also known as the House of Folkung , was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided for several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings.- Name and origin :...
in SwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe...
, which produced several Swedish statesmen and kings.
- The political opponents (singular Folkunge, plural Folkungar) of the same House of Bjelbo. This "political party" fought for the ancient right of free men to elect the kings in Sweden.
The terms are so confusing that the meanings can be explained only through insight into the medieval history of Sweden.
Until the 15th century,
Folkunge was used only with the second meaning. However, many of these political opponents were also said to have been descendants of
JarlIn Sweden, members of medieval royal families, such as the House of Stenkil and House of Bjelbo, held the title of jarl before their ascension to the throne. Since the early 12th century, there usually was only one holder of the title at a time, second only to the King of Sweden.For special...
Folke the FatFolke the Fat , according to Gesta Danorum by the 12th century Danish chronicler Saxo Grammaticus, was the most powerful man in Sweden around 1100. He married Ingrid Knutsdotter, daughter of the Danish king Canute IV of Denmark who was murdered in 1086. Folke and Ingrid had the sons Knut and...
(from the House of Bjelbo!), who lived before the family became royal. Hence, in the 15th century, the whole family, then already extinct, became known as the House of Folkung (
Folkungaätten in Swedish).
Later research, though, showed that the political Folkungs were not just descendants of Jarl Folke—instead, they belonged to different Swedish noble families, united by the ambition to fight against a central ruler of Sweden. According to one theory, Folkungs wanted to keep the old "freedom" of the petty kingdoms, including the election of kings, and to retain local power in their own control. Many Folkungs came from the ancient provinces of
SvealandSvealand , Swealand or Sweden proper is the historical core region of Sweden. It is located in south central Sweden, bounded to the north by Norrland and to the south by Götaland. Deep forests, Tiveden, Tylöskog, Kolmården, separated Svealand from Götaland...
, opposing the ruling families of the time that were mostly from
GötalandGötaland , Gothia, Gothland, Gothenland, Gotland, Gautland, Geatland is one of three lands of Sweden consisting of ten provinces...
. The first Folkung uprising in 1229 was successful, elevating
Canute IICanute II the Tall, Swedish: Knut Långe, Knut Holmgersson or Knut Långe till Sko, was king of Sweden from 1229 to 1234. Eric the Saint may have been his great-grandfather . Canute was closely allied with folkungs who wanted to limit the powers of the church and king...
on the throne. Later developments were less promising, and the centralized system eventually suppressed their resistance.
There is still a lot of research to be done, and all the questions are not answered. For now, the term
Folkung or
Folkunge can be used of the House of Bjelbo and of their political enemies as well.
See also
- House of Bjelbo
The House of Bjelbo , also known as the House of Folkung , was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided for several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings.- Name and origin :...
- Magnus I of Sweden
Magnus I of Sweden may refer to:* Magnus I of Gothenland , much later called Magnus the Strong* Magnus III of Sweden, in Swedish Magnus Ladulås , at times in error called Magnus I...
- Magnus Minniskiöld
Magnus Måneskiöld, who married Ingrid Ylva, is mostly prominent as the father of five sons who would influence early Swedish history.-Children:*Eskil Magnusson, the lawspeaker of Västergötland in the early 13th century...
- Birger jarl
, born Birger Magnusson , was a Swedish statesman, a member of the House of Bjelbo, who played a pivotal role in the consolidation of Sweden while a jarl from 1248 until his death...
- Valdemar of Sweden
- Magnus III of Sweden
Magnus Birgersson , usually called Magnus Ladulås, English: Magnus III Barnlock, was King of Sweden from 1275 until his death in 1290....
- Birger of Sweden
Birger was King of Sweden from 1290 to 1318.He was hailed king of Sweden when he was four years old. This was done by his father Magnus III, in order to secure the succession. His mother was Helvig of Holstein...
- Erik, Duke of Södermanland
- Magnus IV of Sweden
Magnus IV Eriksson of Sweden, also Magnus VII of Norway was king of Sweden , Norway, and Terra Scania, and was the son of Duke Erik Magnusson of Sweden and Ingeborg, a daughter of Haakon V of Norway...
- Erik XII of Sweden
- Olav Håkonsson
- Olav IV of Norway
Oluf IV Haakonsson was king of Denmark as Oluf II and king of Norway as Olav IV . Oluf was son of King Haakon VI of Norway and the grandson of Magnus II of Sweden. His mother was Queen Margaret of Denmark which made him the grandson of Valdemar IV of Denmark...
- Unification of Sweden
- History of Sweden
Modern Sweden emerged out of the Kalmar Union formed in 1397 and by the unification of the country by King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century. In the 17th century Sweden expanded its territories to form the Swedish empire. Most of these conquered territories had to be given up during the 18th century...