Meet the Middle Ages
BackVicke van Vitzen
The van Vitzens, members of the nobility, were very influential in Sweden during the second half of the 14th century. The family had a large estate, with land and manor-houses, particularly in the district of Möre to the south of Kalmar.
During the 14th century, the nobility increased its influence a great deal. Many German noble families moved to Sweden. During the reign of King Albrekt of Mecklenburg (1364-1389), several German noblemen became bailiffs at the royal castles.
The van Vitzen family came to Sweden from Holstein in the 14th century. Vicke van Vitzen the Elder became one of King Albrekt ´s most loyal men. He was the Bailiff of Kalmar Castle from 1366 to 1389. No-one else held that position for such a long time. Vicke became one of the richest men in the country, owning hundreds of manors in the south-east of Sweden. He spent most of his time at Kalmar Castle. The family also owned the stronghold at Påbonäs in Söderåkra near the Danish border. There was also a main residence in Risinge on Öland.
Vicke was a member of the King ´s Council and had a lot of influence on Swedish politics. He was a master of intrigue, and had a great thirst for power. Among other things, he may have planned the murder of the Bishop of Linköping, Gottskalk Falkdal, in 1374. Vicke was also part of the endeavour to have Birgitta Birgersdotter canonised.
Vicke was one of King Albrekt ´s loyal knights. When Queen Margareta mobilised an army to fight Albrekt, Vicke at once came to the defence of his King, with his horse and his armour. Vicke the Elder was killed at the Battle of Falköping, and Albrekt ´s army was defeated.
After the death of Vicke the Elder, his property was taken over by his relatives. Among them was his nephew by the same name, Vicke van Vitzen the Younger. He realised that the times were changing, and gave away or sold the family estate to Queen Margareta, who in this way acquired Kalmar Castle and the stronghold at Påbonäs. Gradually, Vicke became Queen Margareta ´s friend, and a member of her Council. Vicke van Vitzen died in 1407. He was buried in Vårfrukyrkan (the Church of Our Lady) in Skänninge.