Meet the Middle Ages
BackJohan Hemmingson Lejonansikte
Johan was a wealthy man of noble birth who had a lot of property in Handbörd. He also owned land in other parts of the country. When he married Ingeborg Anundsdotter, he became the owner of land in Västergötland and Närke. Gradually he concentrated his property to the Emå Valley in Handbörd. He bought, sold and exchanged farms and land. His main residence was at the fortified manor Ringvidahult in the parish of Fagerhult.
John is referred to as a squire in 1335. At Christmas in 1341 he travelled to Kalmar to be knighted. He was knighted by King Magnus who at this time stayed at Kalmar Castle.
Johan and Ingeborg had a son, Anund.
In the autumn of 1350, the Black Death swept through Handbörd. Johan and Ingeborg caught the plague and died at Ringvidahult in this year. Probably, many more at the manor died. Anund survived, though. As he still was very young, he was sent away to be brought up by Ingeborg ´s uncle. Eventually, Anund settled at Grönskog in the parish of Fliseryd.
Sir Johan owned many estates in the region; Granskata, Guttemåla and Ringhult in the parish of Fagerhult and Granhult, Frövi, Odensö, Valåkra and Blankakvarn in the parish of Högsby. He also owned farms in the parishes of Mörlunda, Mönsterås and Döderhult. The entire estate was managed from the manor at Ringvidahult.