- Folkung
In modern Swedish, Folkung has two meanings, which appear to be opposites:
# The
medieval House of Bjelbo inSweden , which produced several Swedish statesmen and kings.citation |first=Lars O. |last=Lagerqvist |contribution=Folkungaätten |url=http://histvarld.historiska.se/histvarld/sok/artikel.asp?id=20491 |title=Medeltidens ABC |publisher=Swedish Museum of National Antiquities |id=ISBN 9151839261 |year=2001]
# The political opponents (singular "Folkunge", plural "Folkungar") of the same House of Bjelbo. This "political party" fought for the ancient right of free men to elect the kings in Sweden.citation |first=Lars O. |last=Lagerqvist |contribution=Folkungar |url=http://histvarld.historiska.se/histvarld/sok/artikel.asp?id=20489 |title=Medeltidens ABC |publisher=Swedish Museum of National Antiquities |id=ISBN 9151839261 |year=2001]The terms are so confusing that the meanings can be explained only through insight into the medieval history of Sweden.
Until the
15th century , "Folkunge" was used only with the second meaning. However, many of these political opponents were also said to have been descendants of JarlFolke the Fat (from the House of Bjelbo!), who lived before the family became royal. Hence, in the 15th century, the whole family, then already extinct, became known as the House of Folkung ("Folkungaätten" in Swedish).Later research, though, showed that the political Folkungs were not just descendants of Jarl Folke—instead, they belonged to different Swedish noble families, united by the ambition to fight against a central ruler of Sweden. According to one theory, Folkungs wanted to keep the old "freedom" of the petty kingdoms, including the election of kings, and to retain local power in their own control.Harvnb|Kari|2004|p=117] Many Folkungs came from the ancient provinces of
Svealand , opposing the ruling families of the time that were mostly fromGötaland . The first Folkung uprising in 1229 was successful, elevating Canute II on the throne. Later developments were less promising, and the centralized system eventually suppressed their resistance.There is still a lot of research to be done, and all the questions are not answered. For now, the term "Folkung" or "Folkunge" can be used of the House of Bjelbo and of their political enemies as well.
ee also
*
Magnus I of Sweden
*Unification of Sweden
*History of Sweden References
Bibliography
*Harvard reference|Surname=Kari|Given=Risto|Authorlink=|Year=2004|Title=Suomalaisten keskiaika|Place=|Publisher=WSOY|ID=ISBN 951-0-28321-5|URL=|
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
