Erik Sparre
Erik Sparre | |
---|---|
3rd Lord High Chancellor of Sweden | |
In office 1593 – 20 March 1600 | |
Monarchs | John III of Sweden Charles IX of Sweden |
Preceded by | Nils Gyllenstierna |
Succeeded by | Svante Bielke[a] |
Privy Councilor | |
In office 1575 or 1576 – 19 February 1590 | |
Monarch | John III of Sweden |
Personal details | |
Born | Erik Larsson 13 July 1550 Öja parish, Södermanland , Sweden |
Died | 20 March 1600 Linköping, Östergötland, Sweden | (aged 49)
Cause of death | Beheading |
Spouse |
Ebbe Brahe (m. 1578) |
Children | 12, including: Johan Lars Peder Ture Carl |
Parents |
|
Erik Larsson Sparre (born Erik Larsson; also known as Erik Gyllensparre, Eric Sparre, or Erik Sparre of Rossvik;[b] 13 July 1550 – 20 March 1600) was a Swedish noble, statesman, diplomat, and political theorist who served as Privy Councilor from 1575 or 1576 until 1590 and Lord High Chancellor of Sweden from 1593 until his execution in 1600.
An esteemed orator and rhetorician, Sparre was considered the spokesman for the well-organized aristocratic opposition who advocated for
Sparre's diplomatic career was long and varied. He had early successes negotiating with the Danes in border disputes and helped to secure Sigismund III Vasa's accession to the Polish throne. During the discussions of Sigismund's election, Polish and Swedish tensions heightened after a misunderstanding about the annexation of Estonia, a fault that was blamed on Sparre. Following the death of John in 1592, Sparre backed Sigismund's attempt to secure the Swedish crown from Charles, but failed to secure significant material gain from potential allies abroad. After Sigismund's defeat, Sparre was convicted of treason during a show trial and beheaded during the Linköping Bloodbath.
Early life
Erik Larsson was born on 13 July 1550 to Lars Siggesson[2][3] of the noble family Sparre and Britta Turesdotter of the noble family Trolle.[4][5] His father was well-regarded, holding a strong reputation and friendship with King Gustav I, serving as his top general.[6] Records of his youth are scarce and often contradictory,[7] but it is likely that he studied abroad between 1569 and 1573; a 1570 record at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder lists a student as Ericus Sparr, nobilis, Suecus ('Erik Sparre, noble, Swede').[7] He likely furthered his education in Padua, Italy.[8] During his time abroad, Sparre developed exceptionally strong language skills, particularly in Italian and Latin, though he was conversant in French as well.[7][9] At some point in 1574, he returned to Sweden.[5] On 30 November of the same year, he proposed to Ebbe Brahe, daughter of Per Brahe the Elder, who was first cousin to John III of Sweden and a highly influential figure in the Swedish court.[10]
In 1575 or 1576, Sparre was appointed Privy Councilor (Swedish: Riksråd) and had a special interest in the organization of the National Archives.[11][12] Largely uninvolved in the everyday operations of the office, he was used by the court as a functionary and diplomat. He was effectively utilized as commissioner of negotiations with the Danes in March 1575 regarding the Swedish–Danish border before later being dispatched to the courts of the Count of East Frisia and the Holy Roman Emperor in the summer of the same year.[12] Despite these early successes, Sparre was party to several power struggles between the Crown of Sweden, the Duke, and the high nobility, particularly with regards to the distribution of power. In March 1576, Sparre and other members of the nobility submitted new proposals for the liturgy on behalf of the king and the appointment of higher officials to Duke Charles, which he rejected. On 11 February 1577, Sparre, Brahe the Elder, and two other nobles from Uppland met in Stockholm with the clergy and the king, which affirmed the previous liturgical changes and drew Sparre in the middle of the power struggle between the king and the duke.[13]
Sparre married Ebbe Brahe in 1578 at a house owned by
In 1582, Sparre was made
Sparre is considered one of the most learned men of his time, particularly in Sweden.[17][18] He kept correspondence with many well-known scientists and historians of the era, such as the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, and served as one of the Rostock historian David Chytraeus's patrons in Sweden.[17] Sparre's patronage included part of the printing costs of his work, namely his history of the Nordic countries, Chronicon Saxoniae et vicini orbis arctoi ('The Chronical of Saxony and [Those] Near the Arctic World'), published in 1590.[19]
Pro lege, rege et grege
Sparre was a strong advocate for legislative primacy in Sweden,[20] arguing that the Privy Council of Sweden held a special place in society as the "keystone" of the legal system.[21] Sparre's best-known work is his pamphlet Pro lege, rege et grege ('For the Law, the King, and the People').[22] The date of its publication is of some debate; it is generally accepted that Sparre wrote the Pro lege in 1582,[23] though most sources cite its publication in either 1585 or a more vague "the 1580s".[24] Some sources estimate the date of publication as late as 1586 or 1587.[25]
In the pamphlet, Sparre wrote that the duke was beholden to the laws of the nation and had no sovereign authority; wherever the rights and duties of the Crown interfered, ducal rights were to be subordinated.
Sparre stated that he wrote the pamphlet at John's request[32] and historians believe this was likely true; John sought to limit Charles's ambition to concentrate power and saw a strong anti-absolutist nobility as a means to that end.[33][26] For John at the time, it appears that the risk of usurpation by Charles was of more concern than a conglomeration of power in the legislature.[34] The work was also influenced significantly by Sparre's father-in-law, Per Brahe the Elder,[33] who himself had quarrels with Charles[35] and shared the ideas and sympathies of both Sparre and Hogenskild Bielke, especially in being concerned about the loss of privileges by the nobility and holding a sympathetic view of the Catholic Church.[33]
Sparre is commonly associated with Bielke's political thought.
Mission to Poland
In April and May 1587, Sparre, Hogenskild Bielke, Erik Stenbock , and Sten Banér were invited to develop a plan of governance in the event John's son Sigismund III Vasa were elected King of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and inherited the throne of his father, making him king in both realms.[41][42] In August, Sparre and his brother-in-law Erik Brahe were dispatched to the Commonwealth to act as Sigismund's agents.[43][44] The discussion continued through the summer, but the agreement – now known as the Statute of Kalmar (Kalmare stadgar or Kalmar stadgar)[45] – was signed and sealed by John and Sigismund on 5 September.[42] The Statute provided sweeping guarantees to Sweden's independence, secured a prohibition against Polish interference, and unequivocally defined Estonia as "a Swedish province".[44] Sparre contributed to it significantly, though John was responsible for the final draft, as Sparre was not actually present in Kalmar when it was signed and sealed.[46]
Despite the preparation, Sigismund's accession was not clearly secure until January 1588.[44] During the course of negotiations with the Commonwealth, the Poles insisted that lands conquered by the Swedes in Estonia should be handed over to the Commonwealth. Sparre and Brahe were expressly forbidden from accepting any deal that required the surrender of Estonia into Polish hands.[47][44] A well-regarded orator and rhetorician, Sparre was able to cinch the election of Sigismund without explicitly promising Estonia, but – according to John – when the pacta conventa was signed, Sparre made verbal promises "in excess of his instructions".[44][c] These promises were later rescinded from the official compact after negotiations between John and Sigismund, the latter declaring at his coronation that Sweden would never be forced to cede any territory to the Commonwealth,[44] though Sparre continued to be blamed for being willing to sacrifice Estonia for the rest of his life.[48]
Conflict in Reval and charges of treason
The election of Sigismund was fraught with issues, but Sparre and his allies saw a political union with the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth as a way of getting aid to Sweden, which was then drawing close to a war with Russia.[48] By 1589, Sigismund was looking to abdicate – assuming he could find a suitable candidate to take his place – and John was losing interest in legal power, seeking to reestablish a familial relationship with his son and return him to Sweden.[49][48] Nevertheless, both agreed that they could use the union to frighten the Russians into accepting a peace deal; the two hoped that a strong show of military numbers at a meeting in Reval (modern-day Tallinn, Estonia) would cause the Russian leader Boris Godunov to accept a permanent peace. Instead, the forces assembled were underwhelming; the nobility had shirked their usual duty in procuring soldiers.[50]
On 5 August, eight Privy Councilors – including Sparre – accompanied John to Reval with a small entourage of reluctant Polish senators following three weeks later, with no significant armed force.
The events in Reval turned John away from his support of legislative strength and pushed him away from Sparre and his allies; the king had never theretofore capitulated to the nobility.[54][55] John began seeking out a closer alliance with Charles and – in a final attempt to curtail such an alliance – Sparre, Sten Banér, and Ture Bielke all signed an apology, admitting wrong and promising the king that they would not oppose ceding Estonia if it meant that Sigismund could abdicate the Polish Crown.[56][57] The attempt, however, was in vain; Charles and John had reached an agreement. In 1590, Sparre, Ture Bielke, Hogenskild Bielke, Gustav Banér, Sten Banér, and Erik Stenbock were removed from the Privy Council, dismissed from their offices, had their fiefs revoked in the presence of the Estates, and imprisoned.[58] John and Charles charged the members of the Privy Council whom they stripped of their rights and privileges with prolonging the war by sabotaging the events in Reval, fomenting disagreement between John and Charles, and attempting to remove Charles from the succession. Sparre in particular was charged with offering Estonia to the Poles.[59] The evidence for this claim was the Statute of Kalmar, which – since it had not been issued to the Riksdag for approval[48] – was considered to be a secret deal to keep Charles from the throne.[59]
Sigismund repeatedly intervened in defense of Sparre and his allies and even
Soon thereafter, Sparre was tried in court. While on the stand, he defended himself with an intensity that caused John to draw his sword in anger, but Charles stopped him. No judgement was passed; Sparre and his associates were neither convicted nor acquitted.[63] In February and March 1592, Sparre avoided arrest twice.[64]
On 17 November 1592, John III died, forgiving all the men who opposed him in Reval on his deathbed in exchange for their promise to remain faithful to Sigismund.[65] Before the end of the month, Charles reached out to Sparre and his colleagues with an offer of reconciliation, but a riot started by Axel Leijonhufvud to convince the locals in Västergötland that Charles was attempting to lead a usurpation of the throne led Charles to accuse Sparre of being behind it. Sparre was able to convince Charles of his innocence in the matter and Leijonhufvud was driven beyond the Danish border.[66]
Accession of Sigismund III
A mutual distrust remained between Sparre and Charles, but Sparre was reinstated as Privy Councilor and appointed Lord High Chancellor of Sweden.[67] On 8 January 1593, they negotiated an interim government whereby Charles was acknowledged as the "leading personage" in Sweden.[68][69] The rising prominence of the Pro lege became a source of increasing distrust from Charles.[67] When Sparre was late to the Uppsala Synod, arriving in February, it reignited suspicions of heresy, despite his signing of the declaration.[67]
Sigismund moved quickly to secure the throne; in February, he dispatched Sparre's brother, Johan , from Poland to secure oaths of allegiance from fortress commanders in Finland.[70] Sigismund himself arrived in Danzig (modern-day Gdańsk, Poland) in August, his tardiness blamed on the political situation in Poland as the Polish nobility believed he would use the opportunity to abandon the Polish throne.[70] Sparre and Klas Bielke arrived from Poland the following month, escorting Sigismund to Sweden aboard Klas Fleming's fleet.[71] Sparre and Bielke attempted to convince Sigismund to allow the agreement at the Uppsala Synod to be enforced and to confirm the election of a Protestant, Abraham Angermannus, as Archbishop of Uppsala, making him Primate of Sweden. Sigismund, a devout Catholic, refused.[72]
Prior to Sigismund's accession, the nobility and Protestant clergy of Sweden made certain demands, called the Postulata nobilium (lit. 'petitions of the nobility'), to which Sigismund ultimately relented.[73][5] Sparre served as the spokesman for the nobility and gave a lengthy speech – now known as the Oration of the Nobility (adelns oration)[74] – which cited Hesiod, Salic law, the Bible, and English history, among others in addressing what he had promulgated in his Pro lege, rege et grege.[75] The Oration itself was largely an appeal for the rule of law.[76] During it, Sparre commented:
Where is the great treasure, which could indeed be reckoned at many millions, which existed when King Gustav died? It is all consumed. Where is now the rich and powerful nobility, the ornament and glory of the kingdom, which aforetime could ride its hundreds to court, to the service and honor of king and country? They too are seen no more: a great part are fallen upon the edge of the sword during so many years against so many and various enemies; some has the aforsaid tyrant [
When Sigismund became king, Sparre administered the coronation oath.[79] Sparre was reportedly so tired that his upraised arm became limp during the oath, prompting Charles to forcefully command him to hold it firm until the oath had been fully administered.[79] With Sigismund on the throne, Sparre was reinstated as ståthållare and lawspeaker of Västmanland, Bergslagen, and Dalarna.[80] A period of détente between Sparre and Charles followed; Sparre stood as godfather to Charles's newborn son, Gustavus Adolphus.[81] A short time later, Sparre named his newborn son after Charles.[80]
Preparations for war and defeat in Sweden
Sigismund's rule in Sweden was extremely unpopular; he was perceived to have walked back several promises,[82] such as installing Catholics in the government – which served to further alienate him from an increasingly Protestant nation – and failing to institute the agreements made in the Postulata.[83][84] Charles, on the other hand, was becoming increasingly popular and secured guarantees of authority as riksförestådare in Sigismund's absence with the Arboga Resolution.[85] Sparre initially considered an armed revolt to disrupt Charles's rise to power, but quickly determined that this was an untenable option.[86][87]
On 20 March 1597, Sparre and Erik Stenbock fled for Denmark before making their way to Poland, with Sten Banér and Jöran Posse following them in May.[88] By the summer, Sparre had convinced Sigismund that war was inevitable to maintain the crown.[89] In December, Sparre was dispatched to visit the Dukes of Mecklenburg and Pomerania to secure their neutrality in the upcoming conflict before heading to Denmark to persuade Christian IV to invervene on behalf of Sigismund.[90] Although he had supported Sparre when Charles attempted to have him extradited, Christian refused to supply armed assistance, at least partially at the behest of his council who believed Sigismund would easily crush Charles's forces.[91][92] Further, Christian agreed to allow Polish troops to pass through if it became necessary and offered to serve as a mediator who would appear impartial, but ultimately side with Sigismund.[91]
After a protracted conflict, now known as the War against Sigismund, Charles became the decisive winner at the Battle of Stångebro on 25 September 1598, forcing Sigismund to hand over several of his loyalists, including Ture Bielke, Gustav Banér, Sten Banér, Jöran Posse, and Erik Sparre.[93][5]
Trial and execution
After the Battle of Stångebro, Sparre was taken into custody and imprisoned at Nyköping Castle.[92] While imprisoned, Sparre wrote a defense which was later published in Poland.[92] In an undated letter to Nils Gyllenstierna shortly before his death, Sparre complained that no one visited him, wrote to him, or gave him advice or comfort. He lamented that his parliamentary colleagues did nothing to help intercede on his behalf and thus failed him.[92]
Charles organized a show trial in the nearby town of Linköping with over 150 judges,[d] some of whom were then serving as Privy Councilors.[33][94] The court was impannelled by Axel Leijonhufvud and Sparre's brother-in-law Erik Brahe, who was a respected Catholic in the country and former ståthallåre.[95] Sparre was charged with treason, attempting to overthrow Protestantism in Sweden, and not recognizing the legitimacy of Charles's position as riksförståndare.[96] Sparre read out a final defense in the hopes of influencing the verdict.[97] When the judgement condemning Sparre was read, Sparre tore up his speech in protest and attempted to console his fellow condemned with another speech.[97] Professing his innocence from the scaffold, in the market square of Linköping on 20 March 1600, Sparre was executed by beheading.[98] The executions that took place later became known collectively as the Linköping Bloodbath.[99] His body was taken to Peder Stiernfelt's house, where it was wrapped before being interred at the Linköping Cathedral. His body was later exhumed and moved to the church in Öja , where his wife Ebba was also buried after her death.[97]
References
Notes
- ^ There was a short break between Sparre's execution and Bielke's accession; Bielke did not take over the chancellery until 1602.[1]
- ^ Swedish: Erik Sparre av Rossvik; historically Erik Sparre af Rossvik (see Swedish orthography § 1906 spelling reform)
- ^ Historian Michael Roberts suggests that there was probably some truth to John's claims.[44]
- ^ Different sources place the number as either 153[94] or 155.[33][95]
Citations
- ^ Nordisk familjebok 1889, pp. 1173–1174.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, §Meriter.
- ^ Weidling & Opsahl 2020.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶1.
- ^ a b c d e Scott 1977, p. 148.
- ^
- For his friendship with Gustav I, see: Janbrink 2006, ¶1
- For his generalcy, see: Scott 1977, p. 148
- ^ a b c Janbrink 2006, ¶2.
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶2
- Scott 1977, p. 148
- Korpiola 2009, p. 9
- ^ Danneskiold-Samsøe 2004, p. 106.
- ^
- For Ebbe's relation to Per, see:
Scott 1977, p. 148 and Hakanen & Koskinen 2017, p. 55 - For Per's relation to John, see: Janbrink 2006, ¶3 and Danneskiold-Samsøe 2004, p. 106
- For Per's influence in the court, see: Scott 1977, p. 148
- For Ebbe's relation to Per, see:
- ^ Nordisk familjebok 1917, p. 571.
- ^ a b Janbrink 2006, ¶3.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶4.
- ^ a b Janbrink 2006, ¶5.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶6.
- ^ a b c d Janbrink 2006, ¶8.
- ^ a b Janbrink 2006, ¶37.
- ^ Nordisk familjebok 1917, p. 573.
- ^
- For Sparre's patronage of Chytraeus, see:
Danneskiold-Samsøe 2004, p. 84, fn 197 and Janbrink 2006, ¶37 - For his patronage of the Chronicon, see:
Danneskiold-Samsøe 2004, p. 106 and Nordisk familjebok 1917, p. 573
- For Sparre's patronage of Chytraeus, see:
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶11
- Hallenberg, Holm & Johansson 2008, p. 254
- Pryor & Hoshauer 2005, p. 303, fn 55
- ^ a b Jezierski et al. 2022, p. 352.
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶11
- Jezierski et al. 2022, p. 352
- Peterson 2007, p. 85
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶11
- Roberts 1968, p. 304
- ^
- For 1585, see:
- Jezierski et al. 2022, p. 352 and Katajala 2023, p. 286
- For "the 1580s", see: Scott 1977, p. 148 and Hakanen & Koskinen 2017, p. 55
- ^
- For 1586, see:
- Roberts 1968, p. 304
- Peterson 2007, p. 85
- For 1587, see:
- Korpiola 2009, p. 9
- ^ a b Peterson 2007, p. 85.
- ^ Katajala 2023, p. 285–286.
- ^ Katajala 2023, p. 286.
- ^ a b c d Roberts 1968, p. 304.
- ^ Scott 1977, p. 239.
- ^
- Peterson 2007, p. 85
- Nordström 1968, p. 328
- Roberts 2003, p. 64
- Roberts 1968, p. 304: "Pro Lege, Rege et Grege marks an epoch. Its author may fairly be regarded as the first great constitutional lawyer in Swedish history."
- ^ Leffler 1854, p. i.
- ^ a b c d e f Hakanen & Koskinen 2017, p. 57.
- ^ Roberts 1968, pp. 314–315.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 300.
- ^
- Danneskiold-Samsøe 2004, p. 153
- Hallenberg, Holm & Johansson 2008, p. 254
- Hakanen & Koskinen 2017, p. 55
- ^ Danneskiold-Samsøe 2004, p. 119.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 304–305.
- ^ Korpiola 2009, p. 9–10.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 301–302.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶13.
- ^ a b Roberts 1968, p. 313.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶14.
- ^ a b c d e f g Roberts 1968, p. 270.
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶13
- Nordisk familjebok 1917, p. 572
- Reddaway 1906, p. 168
- ^
- Roberts 1968, p. 313–314
- Reddaway 1906, p. 168
- Nordisk familjebok 1917, p. 572
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶15.
- ^ a b c d Roberts 1968, p. 315.
- ^ Hakanen & Koskinen 2017, p. 56.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 315–316.
- ^ a b Roberts 1968, p. 316.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 317: "Ten days later the members of the råd tried again, urging him [John] at least to have a little patience until the matter could be arranged with goodwill on both sides, and a successor found who would be a friend to Sweden. At the foot of this document they added, in large and tactless capitals, the seasonable exhortation 'VINCAT AFFECTUM RATIO'. But of this there was no hope.
- ^ a b Roberts 1968, p. 317–318.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 318.
- ^ Nordisk familjebok 1917, p. 572.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶21.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 319.
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶22
- Roberts 1968, p. 319
- Hakanen & Koskinen 2017, p. 56
- Reddaway 1906, p. 169
- Otté 1894, p. 260
- Nordisk familjebok 1917, p. 572
- ^ a b Roberts 1968, p. 320.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 324.
- ^ a b Janbrink 2006, ¶22.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶23.
- ^ a b c Janbrink 2006, ¶24.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶25.
- ^
- For forgiveness issued on John's deathbed, see: Roberts 1968, p. 325 and Otté 1894, p. 260–261
- For the promise to remain faithful to Sigismund, see: Janbrink 2006, ¶26
- ^
- For the offer of reconciliation, see: Roberts 1968, p. 327 and Peterson 2007, p. 99
- For Charles's accusations, Sparre's professions of innocence, and Leijonhufvud's retreat, see: Janbrink 2006, ¶26 and Roberts 1968, p. 327–328
- ^ a b c Janbrink 2006, ¶27.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 328.
- ^ Peterson 2007, p. 99.
- ^ a b Roberts 1968, p. 338.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 339.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶28.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 338–340.
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶28
- Lagerroth 1936, p. 6, fn 4
- Nordisk familjebok 1917, p. 573
- Lind 2021
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 345.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 345: "Reduced to its essentials, the Oration is really a plea for the rule of law."
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 348.
- ^ Lagerroth 1936, p. 6.
- ^ a b Roberts 1968, p. 343.
- ^ a b Janbrink 2006, ¶29.
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶29
- Peterson 2007, p. 117
- Scott 1977, p. 148
- ^ Roberts 1968, pp. 348–349: "Preoccupied with the desperate struggle for the Charter, the Nobility (and the Clergy too) had neglected to wrest from the king, before his coronation, his assent to the demands of their order. [...] Sigismund did indeed give a general promise, as part of his coronation oath, to confirm all former privileges [...]"
- ^ Peterson 2007, p. 102.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 348–349.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 368.
- ^ Janbrink 2006, ¶32.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 370.
- ^
- Janbrink 2006, ¶32
- Roberts 1968, p. 370
- Hakanen & Koskinen 2017, p. 57
- Krawczuk 2017, p. 31
- Peterson 2007, p. 104
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 375.
- ^
- For diplomatic mission to Mecklenburg and Pomerania, see:
Janbrink 2006, ¶33; Roberts 1968, p. 377; and Peterson 2007, p. 105 - For intervention in Denmark, see:
Roberts 1968, p. 377 and Peterson 2007, p. 105
- For diplomatic mission to Mecklenburg and Pomerania, see:
- ^ a b Roberts 1968, p. 377.
- ^ a b c d Janbrink 2006, ¶35.
- ^ Roberts 1968, p. 382–383.
- ^ a b Reddaway 1906, p. 173.
- ^ a b Peterson 2007, p. 107.
- ^
- For charges of treason, see: Skibiński 2013, p. 66; Jezierski et al. 2022, p. 353; and Janbrink 2006, ¶36
- For all other charges, see: Peterson 2007, p. 107
- ^ a b c Janbrink 2006, ¶36.
- ^
- For professions of innocence, see Roberts 1968, p. 391 and Krawczuk 2017, p. 41
- For the execution itself, see Hakanen & Koskinen 2017, pp. 57–58; Danneskiold-Samsøe 2004, p. 278; Katajala 2023, p. 286; Scott 1977, p. 145; and Skibiński 2013, p. 66.
- For the manner of execution, see Roberts 1968, p. 426; Peterson 2007, p. 107; Reddaway 1906, pp. 173–174; Skibiński 2013, p. 66; and Otté 1894, p. 268.
- ^
- For the name of the executions, see Nordiska museet 2024.
- For Sparre's ultimate fate in the Bloodbath, see Lind 2021.
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