A Brief History
On November 8, 1520, the Stockholm Bloodbath began, an event that followed the successful invasion of Sweden by Danish forces and resulted in the execution of around 100 people.
Digging Deeper
In 1520, Sweden was divided between two factions. The first consisted of Swedes who favored a union of Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden), a union that had been established in 1397, and the second faction consisting of those Swedes who advocated for Swedish independence. Denmark’s King Christian II launched the invasion of Sweden to maintain the union of Scandinavia.
Having succeeded in his military intervention to put down the Swedish separatists, Christian subsequently summoned key Swedish leaders to a private conference at the royal palace in Stockholm on November 7, 1520. Rather than treat his guests as, well, “guests,” on November 8, 1520, Christian’s Danish soldiers essentially kidnapped various Swedish nobles from the palace and imprisoned others. Thus, began the Stockholm Bloodbath or Stockholm Massacre, as it is alternatively known.
On November 9, 1520, a considerable number of those betrayed the previous day were then sentenced to death for heresy, because anyone who opposes Denmark’s king must be a heretic… Even bishops who had opposed the union of Denmark and Sweden were beheaded, along with dozens of noblemen and commoners from Stockholm who were either hanged or decapitated. More executions occurred on November 10, 1520, with at least 82 people becoming victims of the executioner. To add insult to injury, Christian reportedly had the body of the leader of the anti-unionist faction dug up and burnt along with the body of his young child in addition to imprisoning his widow and other Swedish noblewomen.
Despite having won militarily, the above actions did not exactly win Christian II (who named this guy, anyway?) many friends. In Sweden, Christian is remembered as “the Tyrant” and he even had to apologize to the Pope for having executed bishops. (No apology needed for all the other murders!) The brutality of the massacre did not terrify Christian’s opponents into submission, but rather outraged the survivors. The union of Scandinavia ended just three years later in 1523 when Gustav Vasa, the son of one of the executed victims of the Stockholm Bloodbath, was elected King of Sweden following his victory over Denmark in the Swedish War of Liberation, thus ending a united Scandinavia.
Question for students (and subscribers): Were the Danes justified in their actions? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information on the Stockholm Bloodbath and other events in Sweden’s history, we recommend the following book:
Sprague, Martina. Sweden: An Illustrated History. Hippocrene Books, 2005.
For more information of the conflict between Christian II and Gustav Vasa, please see:
Watson, Paul Barron. The Swedish Revolution Under Gustavus Vasa. Pinnacle Press, 2017.
The featured image in this article, an image of the Stockholm Bloodbath, is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain for the following reason: This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 70 years or fewer.
You can also watch a video version of this article on YouTube:
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="625 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=625">26 Comments
Although Martin Luther really started the Protestant movement in 1517, I feel the Protestant movement and its popularity, by word of mouth and especially printed materials, was a huge event in the 1520’s. Martin Luther was excommunicated during that decade, continued to write books and spread the word. Also, places like Sweden were converting by truly large numbers. Yes there were quite a number of things would be considered important events during that decade, but I feel a change in religious views was the biggest event.
I think the most important event was the change in religious views. When an entire group of people change religion it is very important.
I feel that the most important event during the 1520s was all of the change that was occurring, specifically religious changes. The Reformation was happening at this time and that was a very important aspect of history.
The most important event of the decade was the Protestant Reformation with Martin Luther and the 95 Thesis. This was a great change due to the fact that it lead to the fight against the impurities of the church, who would claim money in order to take away a person’s sin. These terrible deeds from the church and the step up to change them by Luther was probably the most key. Religion needed change at this time, and he made the initiative to do so.
I agree with what a couple other people have said in the idea that the most important change was the religious views. There was a reformation happening and the idea of religious views changing with that only brings about more change.
The changes in the 1520s that was occurring was important. The reformation was the time that made an important aspect in the history. The religion needed change.
I believe the most important event during the this time was the Reformation because the church truly did need corrected and someone needed to take advantage of the new technologies to do so.
Religious view changes were probably the most important
i agree the most important thing going on during these times in the 1520s were the reformation. the church needed to be knocked down a few pegs and changed beausce of this blood bath.
You can only push people so far into a corner before their only possible direction becomes back towards you. Christian II’s slaughter is an example of this notion, though his opponents were less than benevolent themselves.
The church definitely needed corrected. These were very important changes.
I find it interesting that this took place in Sweden, for the fact that the Swedish are pretty neutral when it comes to everything. The church felt they had all control and it is sad to see how they got the followers they have.
changes in religious views are just as important now as they were back then
It is incredible how corrupt the church was during this time
Corruption in a church is one of the most despicable things. You are supposed to be held to the highest standard and be an example yet you choose to take the power you have and exploit it.
Well, it has to be pretty bad corruption if nobles and church officials were being beheaded too.
This is overkill and i surprised this was in Sweden.
Corruption leads to many deaths. Not surprised.
The church proved to need the Reformation because of these events.
Corruptipn involving the church beheadings this is crazy
Considering this historical event took place in 1520, I wonder if the story has been fabricated throughout the years.
I cannot believe they beheaded bishops !
Beheaded bishops!? Very interesting.
Religious view changing is a lot when a group in whole does it.
this seems like another genocide. the poor danish! and for them to go to extremes with beheading bishops is crazy!
when this article started off it said they were divided into two factions an it automaticallly made me think about divergent the movie series