Jarler
Encyclopedia
Jarler was Archbishop of Sweden
from 1236 to 1255.
Jarler was one of the two earliest known Swedish students at the University of Paris
.
During his time as archbishop, the Dominican
and Franciscan
monks settled in Sweden. These orders benefited the Christian awareness among the common populations through their preaching. (The previously only order in Sweden, the Cistercians, did not preach.)
In Sweden, the political climate was shaky. In 1247, the house of Folkung
, revolted against the king, Eric XI of Sweden
, resulting in the battle at Sparrsätra.
Also in 1247, a vigorous delegate from the Pope, Vilhelm of Sabina, was sent to Sweden to investigate the recurring accusations of marriage among priests, and other alleged problems (clerical celibacy
was a long-standing doctrine). At a church meeting in Skänninge
1248, where Jarler participated, it was decided to consecrate the rule of celibacy
, the Church's independence of the King, and finally that the archbishop should be elected through a cathedral chapter and not as previously by the King personally. As these rules show, the Swedish Church was still in a rather unstable state. The rules established an important foundation, even though they were not always followed.
In 1254 Jarler sent a letter to the Pope, requesting permission to resign his post. He was one of the few Swedish archbishops to have made this request. The reasons he gave were that he was old and crippled. The Pope granted his resignation, but before the message had arrived in 1255, Jarler had already died.
Archbishop of Uppsala
The Archbishop of Uppsala has been the primate in Sweden in an unbroken succession since 1164, first during the Catholic era, and from the 1530s and onward under the Lutheran church.- Historical overview :...
from 1236 to 1255.
Jarler was one of the two earliest known Swedish students at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
.
During his time as archbishop, the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
and Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
monks settled in Sweden. These orders benefited the Christian awareness among the common populations through their preaching. (The previously only order in Sweden, the Cistercians, did not preach.)
In Sweden, the political climate was shaky. In 1247, the house of Folkung
Folkung
In modern Swedish, Folkung has two meanings, which appear to be opposites:# The medieval "House of Bjelbo" in Sweden, which produced several Swedish statesmen and kings....
, revolted against the king, Eric XI of Sweden
Eric XI of Sweden
Eric "XI" of Sweden, or Eric the Lisp and Lame Swedish: Erik Eriksson läspe och halte; Old Norse: Eiríkr Eiríksson was king of Sweden in 1222–1229 and 1234–1250.-Background:...
, resulting in the battle at Sparrsätra.
Also in 1247, a vigorous delegate from the Pope, Vilhelm of Sabina, was sent to Sweden to investigate the recurring accusations of marriage among priests, and other alleged problems (clerical celibacy
Clerical celibacy
Clerical celibacy is the discipline by which some or all members of the clergy in certain religions are required to be unmarried. Since these religions consider deliberate sexual thoughts, feelings, and behavior outside of marriage to be sinful, clerical celibacy also requires abstension from these...
was a long-standing doctrine). At a church meeting in Skänninge
Skänninge
Skänninge is a locality situated in Mjölby Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden with 3,242 inhabitants in 2005. It lies about 10 km north of the municipal seat Mjölby....
1248, where Jarler participated, it was decided to consecrate the rule of celibacy
Celibacy
Celibacy is a personal commitment to avoiding sexual relations, in particular a vow from marriage. Typically celibacy involves avoiding all romantic relationships of any kind. An individual may choose celibacy for religious reasons, such as is the case for priests in some religions, for reasons of...
, the Church's independence of the King, and finally that the archbishop should be elected through a cathedral chapter and not as previously by the King personally. As these rules show, the Swedish Church was still in a rather unstable state. The rules established an important foundation, even though they were not always followed.
In 1254 Jarler sent a letter to the Pope, requesting permission to resign his post. He was one of the few Swedish archbishops to have made this request. The reasons he gave were that he was old and crippled. The Pope granted his resignation, but before the message had arrived in 1255, Jarler had already died.
External links and references
- Nordisk familjebok, article Vilhelm av Sabina In Swedish
- Nordisk familjebok, article Jarler In Swedish
- Svea Rikes Ärkebiskopar, 1935, Uppsala