The last peasant revolt in this theme took place in Norway (then part of Denmark) between 1786 – 1787, and has been named after it’s leader, Christian Lofthuus.
At this time, discontent simmered among the Norwegian peasantry over unfair trade rules that favored the burghers over them. In addition, bad weather had ruined the crops and this made the peasants even more dependent on trade in the cities.
The peasants’ complaints were ignored by the authorities. That’s when Christian Lofthuus stepped forward. He was a fairly successful farmer and shipowner. In 1782 he had been prosecuted for trading in goods that only the burghers and merchants were allowed to trade in. He was sentenced to a heavy fine, but through this became a prominent figure in the rebellion that was to come.
In June 1786, Christian went to Copenhagen to complain to the crown prince. However, he was dismissed. He then returned to Norway and during the summer he rode around collecting hundreds of signatures for his complaints against unfair trade rules and high taxes.
Christian gained a strong leadership role among the peasants, which was seen as a threat by the authorities who tried to take him prisoner. They tried but failed on several occasions, as the common people supported Christian and warned him. He had by this time rallied several hundred peasants to his cause.
This strong support led to the appointment of a commission in January 1787. People in several villages were heard and the commission concluded that they were right in at least some of their complaints. Certain trade privileges were deemed destructive, and emergency relief against famine was introduced. In this way the worst of the feelings of rebellion were mitigated. But for Christian Lofthuus, the matter was far from over.
On March 15, he was overpowered and arrested, and taken to Akershus fortress. When the news got out, the peasants were greatly upset and gathered an army of several hundred men. One of the bailiffs who captured Christian was himself captured by the angry peasants, who intended to use him in a prisoner exchange for Christian Lofthuus.
But at this point, the government responded as it often does and sent soldiers to put down the rebellion. Confronted with superior force, the peasants retreated. Charges were brought in August 1789 against Christian who was accused of, among other things, violating the ban on meetings. In March 1792 he was sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour.
Christian died of a stroke on June 13, 1797. After his death, he gained the status of a martyr and symbol of the peasants’ struggle – which in the coming centuries would grow into a wider class struggle.
But that’s another story. We now conclude this story of peasants’s revolts, which began with the Engelbrekt Rebellion in the 15th century and then wound its way through the centuries.
Sources:
https://www.norgeshistorie.no/grunnlov-og-ny-union/1383-Kristian-Lofthus-og-Lofthusoppreisten.html