Sverker II of Sweden

Sverker the younger Karlsson or Sverker den yngre Karlsson in Swedish (born c. before 1167, probably already before 1160 – fell (died) July 17 1210 in battle of Gestilren), was king of Sweden from 1196 to 1208.

Related Topics:
Swedish - 1167 - July 17 - 1210 - Battle of Gestilren - 1196 - 1208

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He was a son of king Karl Sverkersson of Sweden and queen Christina Stigsdatter Hvide, a danish noblewoman.

Related Topics:
Karl Sverkersson - Christina Stigsdatter Hvide

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When his father Charles had been murdered in Visingsö 1167, apparently by (minions of) the next king, Knut Eriksson, he was taken to Denmark and grew up there in the clan of his mother's. The Danish king used him as claimant to Sweden, thus helping to destabilize the neighboring country yet more.

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However, when king Canute I of Sweden died, 1195, (Knut's sons were only children at the time) he was chosen, surprisingly without quarrel, as the next king of Sweden, and he returned to his native country, however being regarded quite Danished... his uncontested election was largely thanks to Jarl Birger Brosa, whose daughter Ingegerd he married soonafter his first wife died.

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