This is the second part of the story of the Engelbrekt Rebellion, read the first part here.
The truce that Engelbrekt and king Erik had negotiated didn’t last very long. The king continued to appoint foreign bailiffs and the taxation remained high.
As mentioned in the last post, a rift had begun between Engelbrekt and the peasants on one side, and the nobility on the other. Karl Knutsson Bonde had been appointed Lord high constable of Sweden by the king, and had also removed Engelbrekt and his ally Erik Puke from the Privy council.
But in January 1436 another council meeting was held in Arboga. Engelbrekt showed up with his troops of loyal peasants, and demanded that the rebellion be resumed. The nobility tried to advise against this, but had to give in when it became clear that the peasants intended to follow Engelbrekt.
So the whole army marched to Stockholm again, led by Engelbrekt and Karl Knutsson, who for the time being put aside their differences.
A contemporary chronicle tells us what happened when the army reached the city.
Engelbrekt and Karl rode to the gates and demanded parley. Two mayors stepped outside, but the negotiations soon stranded since they refused to let the army inside the gates. The rebel leaders attacked the mayors and their troops tried to force the gates. They weren’t fast enough and the gates were closed.
But then, citizens inside the city rebelled, killed the Danish soldiers and opened the gates to the rebels. Engelbrekt and Karl were hailed as heroes.
Then, Engelbrekt left to conquer the fortifications still in the king’s hands, and Karl stayed in Stockholm. They had been victorious together, but Karl prepared for his next move. With Engelbrekt out of the way, he summoned another council meeting. This time, his goal was to replace Engelbrekt as Rikshövitsman (Captain of the armed forces).
Since Engelbrekt himself wasn’t present, it – sort of – succeded. Karl was elected Rikshövitsman. But when Engelbrekt showed up, he had his loyal peasant troops with him. He demanded to be reinstated on his post, and since the peasants were far too many for the nobility, a compromise was reached: Engelbrekt and Karl would share the title.
Once again, Engelbrekt left Stockholm to lead his troops. He conquered Halland, and then turned to Västergötland. But then, he fell ill. He had to leave the campaign and made to return to Stockholm. But he never reached the city.
On either April 27 or May 4 (sources vary) 1436, Engelbrekt and a small company made camp on an islet in the lake Hjälmaren. One of his personal enemies, Måns Bengtsson Natt och Dag, was in the vicinity.
Måns had previously been an ally, but for unknown reasons, he and Engelbrekt had fallen out. He arrived at the camp, and Engelbrekt went to greet him. He was unarmed, and leaned heavily on his cane.
Måns Bengtsson attacked him with an axe. Engelbrekt tried to defend himself with his cane, and tried to run. But he was too slow, and was killed with three blows of the axe.
When the peasant army found out what had happened the following day, they were of course enraged. They attacked the estate of Måns Bengtsson and his father, but they had already fled.
Though nothing suggests that Engelbrekt’s rival Karl Knutsson Bonde was involved in the murder, he did protect the murderer, and Måns was never punished for the crime.
Find out what happened with the rebellion after the death of Engelbrekt in the next post.
Sources:
Adolfsson, Mats. När borgarna brann. Svenska uppror: forntiden – 1499. (2007)
Harrisson, Dick. Engelbrekt och bondeupproren. (2021)