User:Jkl/Treaty of Helsingborg

Kärnan, the only remnant of Helsingborg Castlet. Construction was probably begun soon after the peace treaty and was completed in the beginning of the 1310's.

The Treaty of Helsingborg was a peace treaty between Sweden, Denmark and Norway which was signed in Helsingborg on July 17, 1310.

Background

Birger Magnusson, the son of Magnus Ladulås, was crowned king of Sweden on December 2, 1302 in Söderköping, after a 12 year regency under marshal Torgils Knutsson. However, Birger soon became entangled in conflicts with his two brothers: Erik, duke of Södermanland; and Valdemar, duke of Finland, who both, led by Erik, sought more power. The dukes had approached the church to increase their influence, which led to warnings from both the marshal and the king. The dukes were persecuted and fled to Norway where they received protection and support from the king of Norway, Håkon Magnusson, who also was Erik's father in law. King Håkon granted the town of Kungahälla in Bohuslän as a fief to the brothers. From there they carried out plundering raids into Västergötland, which led the king and the marshal to confiscate the duke's properties. The dukes then changed strategy in 1305 where they expressed regret and begged the king's forgiveness, in exchange for a promise to stand by the king's side against his enemies. They were successful and their properties were returned. By supporting a rebellion against the Danish king Erik VI in Halland, duke Erik had in addition received a fiefdom consisting of the northern parts of Halland and thus further improved his position. He also managed to convince king Birger to depose and execute the loyal marshal Torgils Knutsson.

With the marshal out of the picture, Erik and Valdemar could direct their attention against king Birger. During the king's celebration of Michaelmas which was held at the estate of Håtuna near Sigtuna in 1306, the dukes suddenly arrived with an armed retinue, but were invided by their brother to partake in the festivities. When the guests har retired for the night the dukes' men stormed into the king's chambers and took him captive, along with the queen and the archbishop. The king was imprisoned in Nyköping Castle while the dukes, headed by Erik, took control over the country. The coup came to be known as the Håtuna games. Danish king Erik, who was king Birger's brother in law, soon came to his aid but with the help of king Håkon of Norway the dukes resisted. In 1308 an agreement was entered between duke Erik and king Birger, where the king would be released in exchange for a large sum of money. However, duke Erik's alliance with king Håkon had broken after disputes about the territories in northern Halland. After an agreenment in Copenhagen the same year a three-king union was formed between Erik VI, Håkon and Birger against the two dukes. Soon thereafter Norwegian forces entered Västergötland, while Danish forces invaded Småland, and duke Erik withdrew to Kalmar. After reinforcing his forces duke Erik made a successful counteroffensive, which led to a truce, confirmed at the treaty of Oslo in 1310.

The parties meet in Helsingborg

Erik VI, the deposed Birger Magnusson, and the dukes Erik andValdemar gathered in juli 1310 at Helsingborg Castle. King Håkon could not participate, but sent a delegation to the city. In addition, duke Kristoffer of Halland, count Gerhard of Holstein and Henry of Mecklenburg were present. The goal was to end the fighting betweeen Norway, Denmark, and Sweden; and to solve the dispute betweeen Birger and his brothers which had begun with the Håtuna games.

During the negotiations two peace treaties were concluded. In the first treaty (concluded on July 17) peace was proclaimed between all the fighting parties, and duke Eriks claim on the crown of Norway was abandoned. The second treaty (concluded July 20) stipulated that Birger was to be reinstated as the king of Sweden, but that the Swedish realm was to be divided among the three brothers. Kung Birger retained the eastern parts of the country, in addition to Gotland and Viborg County. Erik received the western parts of the realm, in addition to Kalmar County, while Valdemar received Uppland, Finland and Öland. Finally, it was decided that duke Erik would keep northern Halland, but that he would abandon his claim on the crown of Norway.

Consequences

The treaty of Helsingborg appears to have had an effect since the Swedish realm had relative peace for some years. However, the relationship between the brothers was still tense, and king Birger hadn't forgotten Erik's and Valdemar's treachery at Håtuna. The fact that he didn't rule the entire realm drove him to reclaim the territories controlled by the dikes. There were other strong parties that disliked the division of the realm, especially within the Church and the nobility. When rumors about a rebellion against Birger and Erik VI, supported by duke Erik, started flourishing king Birger decided to act. He invited his two brothers to celebrate Christmas with him at Nyköping Castle. After some hesitation, they came to Nyköping, where Birger greeted them with open arms. However, after the festivities Birger's men broke into the two sleeping duke's chambers and captured them -- an event that became known as the Nyköping Banquet. The news of the dukes' capture was met with great anger, much to king Birger's surprise, and the kingdom was yet again embroiled in warfare. Supported by king Håkon the dukes' supporters pushd back Birger's men and besieged Nyköping Castle. Birger fled to Visby, and then found his way to Helsingborg, where he came under the protection of king Erik. In August of 1318, Nyköping Castle capitulated, and the the dukes were found starved to death. However, the war did not end there but spread to Skåne where the dukes' supporters besieged Helsingborg Castle. The castle couldn't be taken, and peace negotiations were initiated in Roskilde where a three year truce was concluded, while Birger with his family were expelled from Sweden. To prevent Birger from returning to power, duke Erik's son, Magnus, was proclaimed king of Sweden.

Background

The parties meet in Helsingborg

Consequences

See also