Finnish campaign (1523)

Finnish campaign
Part of the Swedish War of Liberation

A map of Sweden and Finland in 1747
DateAugust–October 1523
Location
Finland
Result Swedish victory
Territorial
changes		 Finland is conquered by the Swedes
Belligerents
History of Sweden#19th century Sweden
Commanders and leaders
History of Sweden#19th century Erik Fleming
History of Sweden#19th century Ivar Fleming
History of Sweden#19th century Vieregk
History of Sweden#19th century Nils Grabbe		 Medieval Denmark Søren Norby
Medieval Denmark Rolef van Leveren
Medieval Denmark Junker Moritz Surrendered
Medieval Denmark Tile Giseler
Units involved
Unknown Kalmar Union Kastelholm garrison
Kalmar Union Åbo garrison
Kalmar Union Viborg garrison
Strength
2,000 men
400 cavalry		 c. 2,000 men
10 ships
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Finnish Campaign was a successful campaign under Erik Fleming, Ivar Fleming, Nils Grabbe, and a certain Vieregk to liberate Finland from Danish control during the Swedish War of Liberation.

Background

The Entry of King Gustav Vasa of Sweden into Stockholm

Gustav Vasas' election as king

Further information: Gustav Vasa § Election as king

On 6 July, the Swedish Estates gathered in Strängnäs. The representatives were peasants, miners, burghers, the council, and a large portion of the nobility.[1] Bered von Melen, along with two observers from Lübeck, Berut Bombouwer, and Hermann Plonnies were present as well.[1] At first, Gustav Vasa was hesitant about his ability to be the king, however, after speaking with members of his council and the Germans, Gustav preceded with his election.

He was proclaimed the king of Sweden and took his oath of office the same day.[1] Previously, on 22 May, Søren Norby had arrived in Finland with around 2,000 men and 10 ships.[2]

Campaign

In August, an army of 2,000 men and 400 cavalry[3][4] under the command of Erik and Ivar Fleming, Vieregk, and Nils Grabbe was sent to Finland to liberate it from Danish control.[5][4][6][7] At Åbo, Junker Moritz would resist the Swedes so seriously that it developed into a battle. The battle ended with a decisive victory for the Swedes, with Åbo being taken on August 10[4][7] and its castle and Junker capitulating after a two-week long siege.[3][4] Erik Fleming also stormed and captured Kustö Bishop's Castle.[4][7] After its submission to the Swedes, Erik Fleming stayed in western Finland and handed over supreme command to Ivar Fleming.[6] In September, Erik and Ivar Fleming had taken control of most of Finland except Viborg and Olofsborg, however, these would later capitulate after Ivar signed the conditions for their surrender in October.[3][6][4]

Aftermath

Because of the campaign, all pro-Danish forces in Finland were successfully driven out by the Swedes, and as a reward for his services, Erik Fleming was appointed as a Councillor in 1523 and later in 1525 as a lawman in Söderfinne Lagsaga.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c Peterson, Gary Dean (2007-04-11). Warrior Kings of Sweden: The Rise of an Empire in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-2873-1.
  2. ^ "Den danske Flådes første søhelt; Søren Norby (14??-1530)" (PDF). www.noerby.net.
  3. ^ a b c Sundberg, Ulf (1998). Svenska krig 1521-1814 [Swedish wars 1521-1814] (in Swedish) (2nd ed.). Stockholm: Hjalmarson & Högberg. p. 27. ISBN 9789189080140.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "FLEMING, Erik". www.blf.fi. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  5. ^ "Karis förr - Nils Grabbegatan". www.karisforr.fi. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  6. ^ a b c Anthony, Eric. "Ivar Fleming". sok.riksarkivet.se. National Archives of Sweden.
  7. ^ a b c "Erik Fleming". sok.riksarkivet.se. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  8. ^ "Sök - Uppslagsverket Finland". www.uppslagsverket.fi. Retrieved 2024-05-20.