The principality of Mecklenburg lay between the rivers Elbe and Oder. Mecklenburg played an important role in Nordic politics during the 14th century. At the end of the 12th century, Germans, led by Henry the Lion, took possession of the territory. From 1170 until 1918, all the dukes of Mecklenburg came from the same aristocratic family.
At the beginning of the 14th century, Mecklenburg was ruled by Duke Albert II. He was a powerful and ambitious man with great plans. He wanted to make Mecklenburg a really great power. When the Swedish nobility, led by Bo Jonson Grip, came to Mecklenburg in 1363 in search for a new Swedish King, Albert was interested. He sailed for Sweden with a large fleet accompanied by his son, Albert III. Assisted by the Swedish aristocracy, the country was conquered. Albert III became the new Swedish King, King Albert of Mecklenburg. This being achieved, Albert II tried to make one of his relatives King of Denmark, but did not succeed. Albert of Mecklenburg ruled Sweden until 1389 when he lost the battle at Falköping and surrendered to the troops of Queen Margareta.
The important Hanseatic town of Rostock lay in Mecklenburg.
Read more about the two Alberts of Mecklenburg at "People in Power" and about Rostock at "Town Life. Towns on the Baltic Sea"