Meet the Middle Ages
BackEric of Pomerania
For many years, King Erik (1382-1459) was the King of the greatest realm in Europe. When he was dethroned, he became a pirate on the Baltic Sea.
Erik, or Bogislav as he was called originally, was born in 1382 in the German duchy of Pommern (Pomerania in English), on the borders of present-day Germany and Poland. His father was a duke, his mother a Danish princess, Maria, who was the daughter of Queen Margareta ´s sister. Maria died young.
Erik was only six years old when his mother ´s aunt, Margareta, sent for him. After her son ´s death, Margareta wanted Erik to become the new King of the Nordic countries. Very suddenly, Erik had to leave his home and everything he was used to. His name was changed, and he was brought up to be the King of a foreign country. In 1389, Erik was accepted as the King of Norway and a few years later, in 1392, ten-year-old Erik was crowned King in the Cathedral of Trondheim. In 1396, he was elected King of Sweden and Denmark as well.
1397 was the peak of King Erik ´s life. Noblemen, bishops and priests from all the Nordic countries witnessed the ceremony in which he was crowned King of Denmark and Sweden. The coronation took place in a huge church in Kalmar. At the same time, the so-called Kalmar Union was established. 15-year-old Erik was now the ruler of the greatest kingdom in Europe. It may seem strange that a young man should have such a responsible position. But in medieval society, a 10 or 12-year-old child was considered to be an adult. Besides, it was really Queen Margareta who ruled the kingdom until her death in 1412.
Erik was considered an handsome and distinguished young man. At the age of 14, he married Princess Philippa from England who was 12. The couple did not have any children.
Erik tried to create unity amongst the Nordic countries. He wanted to establish one kingdom, with himself as the ruler. But he was not as shrewd and cunning as Margareta. He made enemies as he tried to strengthen his position. He was on bad terms with the Hanseatic League. He was at war with the German principality of Holstein. Erik had appointed Danish bailiffs at his Swedish castles which greatly annoyed the Swedish nobility. New and raised taxes, as well as new customs duties were also sources of irritation. In 1434, a rebellion broke out in Sweden(read more about this under The Engelbrekt Rebellion) and in 1436, the Norwegians rebelled, too. Eventually - in 1439 - Erik was dethroned in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. He fled to Gotland and became the leader of a group of pirates, the so-called Vitalienbrüder who terrorised merchant vessels on the Baltic Sea. In 1449, he gave up and Gotland was handed over to Denmark. Erik returned to Pommern, where he died ten years later, at the age of 77.