Olaus Laurentii
Encyclopedia
Olaus Laurentii was a Swedish ecclesiastic and archbishop of Uppsala
.
Olaus Laurentii (who is known under the Latin
form of his Swedish name Olof Larsson) came from Uppland
and studied at the universities of Prague, Leipzig
and Paris
. He was elected Dean of Uppsala Cathedral
in 1417 and archbishop in 1432. He was ordained in Rome 18 May 1432.
In the conflict between king Eric of Pomerania
, the ruler of the Kalmar Union
countries, and the archbishop Johannes Gerechini in 1419, Olaus acted on behalf of the king and as a diplomatic envoy to Rome in the negotiations to get Johannes Gerechini deposed and the Vadstena monk Johannes Haquini elected and ordained (1422) as new archbishop. When he died in 1432, the chapter elected Olaus new archbishop. Olaus had spent long periods in the previous years in Rome and was in good standing with the pope, but the king preferred bishop Arnold of Bergen
. After Arnold died, he was replaced by Torlav of Bergen. Olaus had been ordained by the pope already in 1432, but was accepted by the king only in 1435, during the rebellion of Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson
. In 1436, Olaus and the Privy Council of Sweden
, over which he presided, turned their back on the king and joined the rebellion.
Olaus Laurentii is said to have died from poisoning by almond milk
, and according to a later source the regent (later king) Karl Knutsson (Bonde)
was responsible.
In 1435, Olaus consecrated the new Uppsala Cathedral
which had been under construction for two centuries.
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 :...
.
Olaus Laurentii (who is known under the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
form of his Swedish name Olof Larsson) came from Uppland
Uppland
Uppland is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden, just north of Stockholm, the capital. It borders Södermanland, Västmanland and Gästrikland. It is also bounded by lake Mälaren and the Baltic sea...
and studied at the universities of Prague, Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
and 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...
. He was elected Dean of Uppsala Cathedral
Uppsala Cathedral
Uppsala Cathedral is a cathedral located centrally in the city of Uppsala, Sweden. It dates back to the late 13th century and at a height of 118.7 m is the tallest church building in Scandinavia. Originally built under Roman Catholicism and used for coronations of the Swedish monarch, since the...
in 1417 and archbishop in 1432. He was ordained in Rome 18 May 1432.
In the conflict between king Eric of Pomerania
Eric of Pomerania
Eric of Pomerania KG was King Eric III of Norway Norwegian Eirik, King Eric VII of Denmark , and as Eric King of Sweden...
, the ruler of the Kalmar Union
Kalmar Union
The Kalmar Union is a historiographical term meaning a series of personal unions that united the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway , and Sweden under a single monarch, though intermittently and with a population...
countries, and the archbishop Johannes Gerechini in 1419, Olaus acted on behalf of the king and as a diplomatic envoy to Rome in the negotiations to get Johannes Gerechini deposed and the Vadstena monk Johannes Haquini elected and ordained (1422) as new archbishop. When he died in 1432, the chapter elected Olaus new archbishop. Olaus had spent long periods in the previous years in Rome and was in good standing with the pope, but the king preferred bishop Arnold of Bergen
Arnold of Bergen
Arnold of Bergen was bishop of Bergen, Norway, and a non-ordained, short-lived Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden.As Olaus Laurentii, in 1432, was elected by the Chapter to become Archbishop of Uppsala and Sweden, the King Eric of Pomerania expressed his displeasure that he had not been consulted...
. After Arnold died, he was replaced by Torlav of Bergen. Olaus had been ordained by the pope already in 1432, but was accepted by the king only in 1435, during the rebellion of Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson
Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson
Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson was a Swedish rebel leader and later statesman. He was the leader of the Engelbrekt rebellion in 1434 against Eric of Pomerania, king of the Kalmar Union.-Biography:...
. In 1436, Olaus and the Privy Council of Sweden
Privy Council of Sweden
The High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm consisted originally of those men of noble, common and clergical background, that the king saw fit for advisory service...
, over which he presided, turned their back on the king and joined the rebellion.
Olaus Laurentii is said to have died from poisoning by almond milk
Almond milk
Almond milk is a milky drink made from ground almonds. Unlike animal milk, almond milk contains no cholesterol or lactose. Regular, unsweetened almond milk can be used as a substitute for animal milk in many recipes, and as it does not contain any animal products, is suitable for vegetarians and...
, and according to a later source the regent (later king) Karl Knutsson (Bonde)
Charles VII of Sweden
Charles "VII" also Carl , or Karl Sverkersson in Swedish , was ruler of Gothenland, and then King of Sweden from circa 1161 to 1167, when he was assassinated....
was responsible.
In 1435, Olaus consecrated the new Uppsala Cathedral
Uppsala Cathedral
Uppsala Cathedral is a cathedral located centrally in the city of Uppsala, Sweden. It dates back to the late 13th century and at a height of 118.7 m is the tallest church building in Scandinavia. Originally built under Roman Catholicism and used for coronations of the Swedish monarch, since the...
which had been under construction for two centuries.