Meet the Middle Ages
BackAnders Jacobsen Lunge
Anders Jacobsen Lunge was the bailiff at Kalmar Castle from 1396 to 1397. He was in charge of the castle at the time of the Kalmar Union in 1397. Anders’ family were Danish gentry from Själland. Queen Margareta held him in great esteem and therefore made him her bailiff in Kalmar.
In the summer of 1396, Sir Anders was in command of a small fleet of ships from Kalmar. It had been sent out to fight the pirates ("vitalianer") who were operating in the Baltic sea. They did not find any pirates, but the fleet was attacked by ships from Preussen. Two of the Kalmar ships were taken to Visby. There, the ships were burned, the men were put on trial, sentenced to death for piracy and executed. Seventy-seven totally innocent citizens of Kalmar were killed in Visby! However, Anders Jacobsen managed to get away. He sailed back to Kalmar and told what had happened. Queen Margareta realised that it would be necessary to strengthen the bond between Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The countries could become stronger by joining forces. She proposed a Union, and the following summer the deeds were signed in Kalmar.