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The Archbishop of Uppsala (spelled Upsala until the early 20th century) has been the
primate Primates are a diverse order of mammals. They are divided into the strepsirrhines, which include the lemurs, galagos, and lorisids, and the haplorhines, which include the tarsiers and the simians ( monkeys and apes, the latter including ...
of Sweden in an unbroken succession since 1164, first during the
Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
era, and from the 1530s and onward under the
Lutheran Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and Protestant Reformers, reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Cathol ...
church.


Historical overview

There have been bishops in
Uppsala Uppsala (, or all ending in , ; archaically spelled ''Upsala'') is the county seat of Uppsala County and the fourth-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It had 177,074 inhabitants in 2019. Located north of the c ...
from the time of Swedish King Ingold the Elder in the 11th century. They were governed by the archbishop of
Hamburg-Bremen The Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen (german: Fürsterzbistum Bremen) — not to be confused with the modern Archdiocese of Hamburg, founded in 1994 — was an ecclesiastical principality (787–1566/1648) of the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic ...
until Uppsala was made an archbishopric in 1164. The archbishop in Lund (which at that time belonged to Denmark) was declared
primate Primates are a diverse order of mammals. They are divided into the strepsirrhines, which include the lemurs, galagos, and lorisids, and the haplorhines, which include the tarsiers and the simians ( monkeys and apes, the latter including ...
of Sweden, meaning it was his right to select and ordain the Uppsala archbishop by handing him the
pallium The pallium (derived from the Roman ''pallium'' or ''palla'', a woolen cloak; : ''pallia'') is an ecclesiastical vestment in the Catholic Church, originally peculiar to the pope, but for many centuries bestowed by the Holy See upon metropol ...
. To gain independence,
Folke Johansson Ängel Folke Johansson Ängel (Latin: Fulco Angelus) (died 1277) was Archbishop of Uppsala. Biography He was ordained by Pope Gregory X in 1274 and was Archbishop of Uppsala until his death in 1277. As archbishop, he crowned King Magnus Ladulås in 12 ...
in 1274 went to Rome and was ordained directly by the pope. This practice was increasing, so that no Uppsala archbishop was in Lund after Olov Björnsson, in 1318. In 1457, the archbishop Jöns Bengtsson (Oxenstierna) was allowed by the pope to declare himself primate of Sweden. Uppsala (then a village) was originally located a couple of miles to the north of the present city, in what is today known as ''
Gamla Uppsala Gamla, alt. sp. Gamala ( he, גַּמְלָא, The Camel) was an ancient Jewish city on the Golan Heights. It is believed to have been founded as a Seleucid fort during the Syrian Wars which was turned into a city under Hasmonean rule in 81 B ...
'' (''Old Uppsala''). In 1273, the
archbishopric In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associa ...
, together with the relics of King
Eric the Saint Eric IX, (Swedish: ''Erik Jedvardsson; Erik den helige; Sankt Erik''; d. 18 May 1160) also called Eric the Holy, Saint Eric, and Eric the Lawgiver, was a Swedish king in the 12th century, 1156–1160. The ''Roman Martyrology'' of the Catholic C ...
, was moved to the market town of Östra Aros, which from then on is named ''Uppsala''. In 1531,
Laurentius Petri Laurentius Petri Nericius (1499 – 27 October 1573) was a Swedish clergyman and the first Evangelical Lutheran Archbishop of Sweden. He and his brother Olaus Petri are, together with the King Gustav Vasa, regarded as the main Lutheran reformer ...
was chosen by King
Gustav I of Sweden Gustav I, born Gustav Eriksson of the Vasa noble family and later known as Gustav Vasa (12 May 1496 – 29 September 1560), was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death in 1560, previously self-recognised Protector of the Realm ('' Riksför ...
(Vasa) to be archbishop, taking that privilege from the pope and in effect making Sweden Protestant. The archbishop was then declared '' primus inter pares'' i.e. first among equals. The archbishop is both bishop of his diocese and Primate of Sweden; he has however no more authority than other bishops, although in effect his statements have a more widespread effect. In 1990, the Archbishop of Uppsala was aided in the diocese by a bishop of Uppsala.
Karin Johannesson Karin Maria Elisabet Johannesson (born 8 December 1970) is a Swedish prelate who is the current Bishop of Uppsala. Biography Johannesson was born in Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden on 8 December 1970 and was educated at the public school in ...
is the current (2022) Bishop of Uppsala.


Notable archbishops

The labours of the archbishops extended in all directions. Some were zealous pastors of their flocks, such as Jarler and others; some were distinguished canonists, such as Birger Gregerson (1367–83) and Olof Larsson (1435-8); others were statesmen, such as Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstjerna (d. 1467), or capable administrators, such as Jacob Ulfsson Örnfot, who was distinguished as a prince of the Church, royal councillor, patron of art and learning, founder of the University of Upsala and an efficient helper in the introduction of printing into Sweden. There were also scholars, such as Johannes Magnus (died 1544), who wrote the "Historia de omnibus Gothorum sueonumque regibus" and the "Historia metropolitanæ ecclesiæ Upsaliensis", and his brother Olaus Magnus (d. 1588), who wrote the "Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus" and who was the last Catholic Archbishop of Upsala. The archbishops and secular clergy found active co-workers among the regular clergy (i.e. religious orders). Among the orders represented in Sweden were the Benedictines, Cistercians, Dominicans, Franciscans, Brigittines (with the mother-house at Wadstena) and Carthusians. A Swedish Protestant investigator, Carl Silfverstolpe, wrote: "The monks were almost the sole bond of union in the Middle Ages between the civilization of the north and that of southern Europe, and it can be claimed that the active relations between our monasteries and those in southern lands were the arteries through which the higher civilization reached our country." See
Birger Gregersson Birger Gregersson (Latin: ''Birgerus Gregorii'') (c. 1327 – 11 March 1383) was Archbishop of Uppsala from 1366 until his death 1383. Biography Birger Gregersson was probably born the son of Greger Jonsson av Malstaätten of Norrtälje-Mal ...
(1366–83; hymnist and author),
Nils Ragvaldsson Nicolaus Ragvaldi (Latinized form of Swedish Nils Ragvaldsson) (born in the early 1380s and died on 17 February 1448) was bishop of Växjö and from 1438–1448 archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden. He is known as an early representative of the Gothi ...
(1438–48; early adherent of Old Norse mythology), Jöns Bengtsson (Oxenstierna) (1448–67; King of Sweden),
Jakob Ulfsson Jakob Ulvsson (1430s – spring of 1521) was Archbishop of Uppsala, Primate of the Roman Catholic Church of Sweden 1469–1515 and the founder of Uppsala University in 1477 . Biography Jakob Ulvsson came from a noble family background. He ...
(1470–1514; founder of Uppsala University),
Gustav Trolle Gustav Eriksson Trolle (September 1488 – 1535) was Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden, in two sessions, during the turbulent Reformation events. He was the son of Eric Arvidsson Trolle, a former regent of Sweden during the era of the Kalmar Union. ...
(1515–21; supporter of the Danish King),
Johannes Magnus Johannes Magnus (a modified form of Ioannes Magnus, a Latin translation of his birth name Johan Månsson; 19 March 1488 – 22 March 1544) was the last functioning Catholic Archbishop in Sweden, and also a theologian, genealogist, and histori ...
(1523-26: wrote an imaginative Scandianian Chronicle),
Laurentius Petri Laurentius Petri Nericius (1499 – 27 October 1573) was a Swedish clergyman and the first Evangelical Lutheran Archbishop of Sweden. He and his brother Olaus Petri are, together with the King Gustav Vasa, regarded as the main Lutheran reformer ...
(1531–73; main character behind the Swedish Lutheran reformation),
Abraham Angermannus Abraham Andersson, usually known under the Latin form of his name, Abrahamus Andreæ Angermannus or just Abraham Angermannus (died in October 1607) was the fourth Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden from 1593 to 1599. He was d ...
(1593–99; controversial critic of the King), Olaus Martini (1601–09),
Petrus Kenicius Petrus Kenicius (1555 – 3 February 1636) was Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden from 1609 to his death. He got his education from the Universities of Wittenberg and Rostock. In 1589 he was put in prison by King John III of Swe ...
(1609–36),
Laurentius Paulinus Gothus Laurentius Paulinus Gothus (10 November 1565 – 29 November 1646) was a Swedish theologian, astronomer and Archbishop of Uppsala. Biography Gothus was born Lars Paulsson at Söderköping in Östergötland County, Sweden. In 1588, Gothus travel ...
(1637–46; astronomer and philosopher of Ramus school),
Johannes Canuti Lenaeus Johannes Canuti Lenaeus (29 November 1573 – 23 April 1669) was a professor at Uppsala University and Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden. Biography Lenaeus was born at Länna parish in Uppland, Sweden where his father was parish ...
(1647–69; aristotelean and logician), Erik Benzelius the Elder (1700–09; highly knowledgeable), Haquin Spegel (1711–14; public educator), Mattias Steuchius (1714–30),
Uno von Troil Uno von Troil (24 February 1746 in Stockholm – 1803) was the Church of Sweden Archbishop of Uppsala 1786–1803. Biography He was the son of Samuel Troilius, who had also been archbishop. He was known for great wit at a young age. After stud ...
(1786–1803; politician), Jakob Axelsson Lindblom (1805–19),
Johan Olof Wallin Johan Olof Wallin, (15 October 1779 – 30 June 1839), was a Swedish minister, orator, poet and later Church of Sweden Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden between 1837–1839. He is most remembered today for his hymns. Early life He was born in St ...
(1837–39; beloved poet and hymnist), Karl Fredrik af Wingård (1839–51; politician), Henrik Reuterdahl (1856–70) Anton Niklas Sundberg (1870–1900; outspoken and controversial) and
Nathan Söderblom Lars Olof Jonathan Söderblom (; 15 January 1866 – 12 July 1931) was a Swedish clergyman. He was the Church of Sweden Archbishop of Uppsala between 1914 and 1931, and recipient of the 1930 Nobel Peace Prize. He is commemorated in the Cale ...
(1914–1931; Nobel Prize winner).


Earliest bishops

The first written mention of a bishop at Uppsala is from
Adam of Bremen Adam of Bremen ( la, Adamus Bremensis; german: Adam von Bremen) (before 1050 – 12 October 1081/1085) was a German medieval chronicler. He lived and worked in the second half of the eleventh century. Adam is most famous for his chronicle ''Gesta ...
's ''Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum'' that records in passing
Adalvard the Younger Adalvard the Younger (dead before 1072) was a German missionary bishop from Bremen who was active in Sigtuna, in Sweden, in the 1060s. According to Adam of Bremen, Adalvard tried to make the Swedish king Stenkil close the great temple at Uppsala ...
appointed as the bishop for ''Sictunam et Ubsalam'' in the 1060s. Swedish sources never mention him either in Sigtuna or Uppsala. The medieval ''Annales Suecici Medii Aevi'' and the 13th century legend of
Saint Botvid Saint Botvid was a Christian missionary in Sweden during the 11th and early 12th centuries. Biography Botvid, who was born in Södermanland, Sweden, went on a trade trip to England where he came into contact with Christianity and was converted ...
mention some Henry as the Bishop of Uppsala (''Henricus scilicet Upsalensis'') in 1129, participating in the consecration of the saint's newly built church. He is apparently the same Bishop Henry who died at the
Battle of Fotevik Battle of Fotevik ( da, Slaget ved Fodevig) was fought between forces of King Niels of Denmark and his son Magnus Nilsson, against those of Erik Emune on 4 June 1134 at the bay of Fotevik in Skåne. At his death, King Eric I of Denmark h ...
in 1134, fighting along with the Danes after being banished from Sweden. Known from the ''
Chronicon Roskildense ''Chronicon Roskildense'' (Danish: ''Roskildekrøniken'' English: ''Roskilde Chronicle'') is a small Danish historical work, written in Latin. It is one of the oldest known attempts to write a coherent account of Danish history by a Danish aut ...
'' written soon after his death and from
Saxo Grammaticus Saxo Grammaticus (c. 1150 – c. 1220), also known as Saxo cognomine Longus, was a Danish historian, theologian and author. He is thought to have been a clerk or secretary to Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, the main advisor to Valdemar I of Denmark ...
' ''
Gesta Danorum ''Gesta Danorum'' ("Deeds of the Danes") is a patriotic work of Danish history, by the 12th-century author Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Literate", literally "the Grammarian"). It is the most ambitious literary undertaking of medieval Denmark an ...
'' from the early 13th century, he had fled to Denmark from
Sigtuna Sigtuna () is a locality situated in Sigtuna Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 8,444 inhabitants in 2010. It is the namesake of the municipality even though the seat is in Märsta. Sigtuna is for historical reasons often still referr ...
. Also he is omitted from, or at least redated in, the first list of bishops made in the 15th century. In this list, the first bishop at Uppsala was Sverinius ( Siwardus?), succeeded by Nicolaus, Sveno,
Henricus The "Citie of Henricus"—also known as Henricopolis, Henrico Town or Henrico—was a settlement in Virginia founded by Sir Thomas Dale in 1611 as an alternative to the swampy and dangerous area around the original English settlement at Jamest ...
and Kopmannus. With the exception of Henricus, the list only mentions their names.


Archbishops before the Reformation


12th century

* 1164–1185 Stefan * 1185–1187
Johannes Johannes is a Medieval Latin form of the personal name that usually appears as "John" in English language contexts. It is a variant of the Greek and Classical Latin variants (Ιωάννης, ''Ioannes''), itself derived from the Hebrew name '' Yeh ...
. Johannes was ordained by the Archbishop of Lund,
Absalon Absalon (21 March 1201) was a Danish statesman and prelate of the Catholic Church who served as the bishop of Roskilde from 1158 to 1192 and archbishop of Lund from 1178 until his death. He was the foremost politician and church father of Denm ...
by November 1185. In 1187, a ship from the pagan Estonia entered Mälaren, a lake close to Uppsala, on a plundering expedition. It sailed to
Sigtuna Sigtuna () is a locality situated in Sigtuna Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 8,444 inhabitants in 2010. It is the namesake of the municipality even though the seat is in Märsta. Sigtuna is for historical reasons often still referr ...
, a prosperous city at that time, and plundered it. On its way back, barricades were set up at the only exit point at Almarestäket to prevent the ship from escaping. Johannes was there also. As the ship struggled to pass through, Johannes were among those killed. * 1187–1197 Petrus. He was ordained by Absalon. Sweden got a new king,
Sverker II of Sweden ''Sverker'' is a studio album by Neo-Medieval group Corvus Corax. Track listing # "Intro Gjallarhorni" - 0:58 # "Gjallarhorni" - 2:59 # "Sverker" - 4:31 # "Fiach Dubh" - 6:38 # "Trinkt vom Met" - 0:35 # "The drinking loving dancers" - 5:19 # ...
in 1196, who was related to the Danish Royal Court, whereby Absalon extended his authority over Sweden. When Petrus in 1196 elected three bishops, Absalon requested that the pope decide since the bishops were the sons of other priests, and this was not allowed by papal decree. He also mentioned that several Swedish bishops refused to travel to his synods. Absalon was an authoritative person whom the pope trusted and gave him rights, but by the time the message reached Uppsala Petrus had already died.


13th century

* 1198–1206 Olov Lambatunga. In 1200,
Pope Innocent III Pope Innocent III ( la, Innocentius III; 1160 or 1161 – 16 July 1216), born Lotario dei Conti di Segni (anglicized as Lothar of Segni), was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 January 1198 to his death in 16 ...
demanded that Church estate be free from the king's taxes and that clerics be judged only by bishops and prelates, and not civil courts and judges. This was a step in the separation between worldly and spiritual matters, which the Swedish Church had not yet taken. Innocent also demanded that Olov dismiss the two bishops ordained by Petrus. When Uppsala burnt in 1204, Olov's pallium was burnt and he sent a request to Innocent III for a new one to be made. * 1207–1219
Valerius The gens Valeria was a patrician family at ancient Rome, prominent from the very beginning of the Republic to the latest period of the Empire. Publius Valerius Poplicola was one of the consuls in 509 BC, the year that saw the overthrow of th ...
. Valerius was most likely the son of a church man – and the Archbishop of Lund appealed the election to Rome. The pope allowed a dispensation for Valerius on the grounds that there was no other suitable candidate and because Valierus was known as a learned man with good customs and virtues. Valerius joined sides with the King
Sverker II of Sweden ''Sverker'' is a studio album by Neo-Medieval group Corvus Corax. Track listing # "Intro Gjallarhorni" - 0:58 # "Gjallarhorni" - 2:59 # "Sverker" - 4:31 # "Fiach Dubh" - 6:38 # "Trinkt vom Met" - 0:35 # "The drinking loving dancers" - 5:19 # ...
who belonged to the House of Sverker. The House of Sverker was one of the antagonists in a civil war that had been going on and off since 1130. In 1208 the opposing side, the
House of Eric The House of Eric ( sv, Erikska ätten) was a medieval Swedish royal dynasty with several pretenders to the throne between 1150 and 1220, rivaling for kingship of Sweden with the House of Sverker. The first king from the House of Eric was Eric ...
, besieged the capital Stockholm; Sverker and Valierus fled to Denmark. Sverker gathered a small army in Denmark and tried to conquer Sweden but was killed. Valerius then decided to accept King Eric X's authority, and as a result was allowed to return to Uppsala, where he crowned Eric X in 1210.
Pope Innocent III Pope Innocent III ( la, Innocentius III; 1160 or 1161 – 16 July 1216), born Lotario dei Conti di Segni (anglicized as Lothar of Segni), was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 January 1198 to his death in 16 ...
sent a letter to Valerius where he proclaimed the procedure to be unauthorised and unlawful, but it seems to have had little impact. * 1219(1224)-1234 Olov Basatömer. N/A * 1236–1255 Jarler He was one of the first known Swedish students at the
University of Paris , image_name = Coat of arms of the University of Paris.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of Arms , latin_name = Universitas magistrorum et scholarium Parisiensis , motto = ''Hic et ubique terrarum'' (Latin) , mottoeng = Here and a ...
. As archbishop, he established several clerical regulations. * 1255–1267
Lars Lars is a common male name in Scandinavian countries. Origin ''Lars'' means "from the city of Laurentum". Lars is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which means "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". A homonymous Etruscan name was bo ...
(''Laurentius''). Lars was recruited from the recently established
Franciscan , image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg , image_size = 200px , caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans , abbreviation = OFM , predecessor = , ...
monastery in
Enköping Enköping is a locality and the seat of Enköping Municipality, Uppsala County, Sweden with 30,000 inhabitants in 2018. Geography Enköping is situated near Lake Mälaren, about 78 km west of Stockholm. A comparably large number of S ...
and was most likely a foreigner. The Pope expressed trust in the recently crowned Swedish monarch
Birger Jarl Birger Jarl, also known as ''Birger Magnusson'' (21 October 1266), was a Swedish statesman, ''jarl'', and a member of the House of Bjelbo, who played a pivotal role in the consolidation of Sweden. Birger also led the Second Swedish Crusade, w ...
who, unlike his predecessors, had promised to support the Church by granting it freedom from taxes and establish missionaries to yet un-Christianised parts – or parts who had returned to paganism – specifically
Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
and the Baltic states. But this promise was not realised because of the shaky political situation in Sweden. There was an ongoing struggle for power, which eventually forced the antagonists to tax Church property in order to support the war. Lars tried to impose clerical celibacy, which still had not been enforced in Sweden because the low population figures in Sweden required priests to marry and have children. In 1258 Lars sent
Pope Alexander IV Pope Alexander IV (1199 or 1185 – 25 May 1261) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 December 1254 to his death in 1261. Early career He was born as Rinaldo di Jenne in Jenne (now in the Province of Rome), he ...
a request that married clergy not be
excommunicated Excommunication is an institutional act of religious censure used to end or at least regulate the communion of a member of a congregation with other members of the religious institution who are in normal communion with each other. The purpose ...
, a request which indicates married clergy were not uncommon. Also in 1258 the move of the archdiocese to its present location was decided, but it would not take effect for another decade. * 1267–1277 Folke Johansson Ängel (''Fulco Angelus''). Folke belonged to the influential family Ängel, which used the
Archangel Gabriel In Abrahamic religions ( Judaism, Christianity and Islam), Gabriel (); Greek: grc, Γαβριήλ, translit=Gabriḗl, label=none; Latin: ''Gabriel''; Coptic: cop, Ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ, translit=Gabriêl, label=none; Amharic: am, ገብ ...
as a heraldic charge. He was, for unclear reasons, not ordained until 1274. Civil disturbances may have been a cause, but also the reluctance of the cathedral chapter to be under the authority of Lund. In 1274, Folke ignored the Primate of Lund by travelling to Rome and getting ordained by
Pope Gregory X Pope Gregory X ( la, Gregorius X;  – 10 January 1276), born Teobaldo Visconti, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 1 September 1271 to his death and was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order. He was ...
himself. Folke's most important contribution was to commission the moving of the episcopal see from its
old location The Old Location (or as it was known then the Main Location) was an area segregated for Black residents of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. It was situated in the area between today's suburbs of Hochland Park and Pioneers Park. History Upon the ...
to its present location. At his death he was one of the first to be buried in
Uppsala Cathedral Uppsala Cathedral ( sv, Uppsala domkyrka) is a cathedral located between the University Hall of Uppsala University and the Fyris river in the centre of Uppsala, Sweden. A church of the Church of Sweden, the national church, in the Lutheran t ...
. * 1277–1281 Jakob Israelsson Was from the same family as his predecessor. Little else is known about him. * 1281–1284 Johan Odulfsson Not ordained. Little is known about him. * 1285–1289 Magnus Bosson. Little is known about him. * 1289–1291 Johan. Had served as prior at the
Sigtuna Sigtuna () is a locality situated in Sigtuna Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 8,444 inhabitants in 2010. It is the namesake of the municipality even though the seat is in Märsta. Sigtuna is for historical reasons often still referr ...
monastery and Bishop of
Åbo Turku ( ; ; sv, Åbo, ) is a city and former capital on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River, in the region of Finland Proper (''Varsinais-Suomi'') and the former Turku and Pori Province (''Turun ja Porin lääni''; ...
. Died in Avignon while travelling to Rome to receive the
pallium The pallium (derived from the Roman ''pallium'' or ''palla'', a woolen cloak; : ''pallia'') is an ecclesiastical vestment in the Catholic Church, originally peculiar to the pope, but for many centuries bestowed by the Holy See upon metropol ...
.


14th century

* 1292–1305 Nils Allesson (''Nicolaus Allonius''). He studied at the
University of Paris , image_name = Coat of arms of the University of Paris.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of Arms , latin_name = Universitas magistrorum et scholarium Parisiensis , motto = ''Hic et ubique terrarum'' (Latin) , mottoeng = Here and a ...
in 1278. After returning to Sweden, he became deacon in Uppsala in 1286 and was elected archbishop in 1292. As Nils Allesson was the son of a priest, the cathedral chapter in Lund, Denmark - the primate over Uppsala - appealed the election to the pope. Nils travelled to Rome in 1295 to meet the Pope
Boniface VIII Pope Boniface VIII ( la, Bonifatius PP. VIII; born Benedetto Caetani, c. 1230 – 11 October 1303) was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 24 December 1294 to his death in 1303. The Caetani family was of baronial ...
and defend his case, which was eventually accepted. Nils was known as a vigorous archbishop. He founded and supervised institutions for safety and order around the archdiocese, such as accommodations for travellers. * 1308–1314 Nils Kettilsson Little is known about him. * 1315–1332 Olov Björnsson (''Olov the Wise''; ''Olavus sapiens''). Under his time the chapter in Uppsala stopped accepting Archbishop of Lund as primate, and Olov was to be the last Uppsala archbishop to be ordained there. * 1332–1341
Petrus Filipsson Petrus Filipsson (Latin: Petrus Philippi), also known as Peder Filipsson Röde, was a Swedish Dominican monk and Archbishop of Uppsala from 1332 to 1341. Biography He came from Uppland and was a son of the important noble family being son of Fili ...
(''Petrus Philippi''). He came from a smaller town in Uppland, the son of the knight Filip Finnvedson, one of the most important men in
Uppland Uppland () is a historical province or ' on the eastern coast of Sweden, just north of Stockholm, the capital. It borders Södermanland, Västmanland and Gästrikland. It is also bounded by lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. On the small uninhab ...
(the land of Uppsala). Petrus held various clerical offices until he was elected archbishop. Following the election he travelled to Avignon, the residence of Pope John XXII, to be ordained as bishop. He had a strained relationship with the Franciscan order. At the request of Pope Benedict XII, Paul, Archbishop of Nidaros (now Trondheim) in Norway, was to make a judgement on the matter, and this led to a settlement between the two parties in 1339. In 1341 Petrus died and was buried in Sigtuna's
Dominican Order The Order of Preachers ( la, Ordo Praedicatorum) abbreviated OP, also known as the Dominicans, is a Catholic mendicant order of Pontifical Right for men founded in Toulouse, France, by the Spanish priest, saint and mystic Dominic of ...
church which today is called Mariakyrkan. * 1341–1351 Hemming Nilsson. At the death of Petrus, Pope Benedict XII wished to occupy the archbishop's seat through commission, but following Hemming's election by the cathedral chapter, Hemming travelled to Avignon and persuaded Benedict to ordain him bishop. During his time, he helped in the political world, made a visitation through
Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the ...
and established Uppsala ecclesiastical records. His last will shows that he was also quite wealthy. * 1351–1366
Petrus Torkilsson Petrus may refer to: People * Petrus (given name) * Petrus (surname) * Petrus Borel, pen name of Joseph-Pierre Borel d'Hauterive (1809–1859), French Romantic writer * Petrus Brovka, pen name of Pyotr Ustinovich Brovka (1905–1980), Soviet Belar ...
(''Petrus Tyrgilli''; died 19 October 1366). The first mention of him is from 1320, when he was vicar in Färentuna. He was chancellor of the King
Magnus II of Sweden Magnus II; Swedish: ''Magnus Henriksson'' (c. 1130 – 1161) was a Danish lord and king of Sweden between 1160 and 1161. He is often seen by posterity as a usurper. Background The mother of Magnus was Ingrid Ragvaldsdotter, a granddaughter o ...
in 1340 and continued to support him during through the 1360s when Sweden was in a civil war. In 1342 he was appointed Bishop of Linköping, where he assisted the building of the Linköping Cathedral. He was assessor during King Magnus monetary transactions, among them the repayment of a loan Magnus hade made from the Church. After the new King
Albert of Sweden Albert (german: Albrecht, sv, Albrekt av Mecklenburg; c. 1338 – 1 April 1412) was King of Sweden from 1364 to 1389 and Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1384 to 1412. Background He was the second son of Duke Albert II of Mecklenburg and ...
took power, Petrus supported him as well. * 1366–1383
Birger Gregersson Birger Gregersson (Latin: ''Birgerus Gregorii'') (c. 1327 – 11 March 1383) was Archbishop of Uppsala from 1366 until his death 1383. Biography Birger Gregersson was probably born the son of Greger Jonsson av Malstaätten of Norrtälje-Mal ...
. Was known as a vigorous archbishop. He was also a supporter of the Swedish, highly revered, Saint Birgitta (1303–1373), and wrote a biography of her. He also wrote in honour of her and of
Saint Botvid Saint Botvid was a Christian missionary in Sweden during the 11th and early 12th centuries. Biography Botvid, who was born in Södermanland, Sweden, went on a trade trip to England where he came into contact with Christianity and was converted ...
, another Swedish saint. As a writer, he has a prominent place in early Swedish literature. * 1383–1408 Henrik Karlsson (''Henricus Caroli''). Was also friends with Saint Birgitta, in
Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...
and took part in the important political decisions during his years as archbishop, such as the Kalmar Union in 1397. Had a good economical skill, was a wealthy man, and acquired many farms for the Church. At his death, he left them to the cathedral chapter, but Queen Margaret is said to have taken them in possession instead, which marked the beginning of disputes between the chapter and the states in the union (which lasted until 1520).


15th century

* 1408–1421
Jöns Gerekesson ::''The last name is a patronymic, not a family name; this person is properly referred to by the given name'' Jöns. Jöns Gerekesson (as Archbishop Latinized to Johannes Gerechini, also ''Jón Gerreksson'') (ca 1380-1433) was a controversial A ...
(''Johannes Gerechini'') Jöns originated the influential Danish family Lodehat. His uncle was bishop of Roskilde and a former chancellor of the Queen. Jöns himself became, thanks to his family's Royal connection, chancellor to the King of
Scandinavia Scandinavia; Sámi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Swe ...
,
Eric of Pomerania Eric of Pomerania (1381 or 1382 – 24 September 1459) was the ruler of the Kalmar Union from 1396 until 1439, succeeding his grandaunt, Queen Margaret I. He is known as Eric III as King of Norway (1389–1442), Eric VII as King of Denmark (1 ...
. At the death of the Archbishop Henrik, King Eric appointed Jöns, who had no connection to Uppsala, as new archbishop without regards to the candidates of the chapter. During his time, Jöns paid little respect to the duties of archbishop. He embezzled Church property and mistreated Church officials. Eventually, the chapter complained to the Pope, who conducted an investigation and dismissed Jöns Gereksson in 1421. * 1421–1432
Johan Håkansson Johan Håkansson (Latinized to Johannes Haquini) (died 1432) was Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden, 1421–1432. Biography His first known occupations were at a school in Söderköping and as a canon in Linköping. In 1411 he enrolled at Vadstena ...
(''Johannes Haquini'') Was originally a monk at
Vadstena Vadstena () is a locality and the seat of Vadstena Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden, with 5,613 inhabitants in 2010. From 1974 to 1979 Vadstena was administered as part of Motala Municipality. Despite its small population, Vadstena ...
monastery. As archbishop, he freed clericals of taxation, and built a permanent house for the archbishop. * 1432–1438 Olov Larsson (''Olaus Laurentii'') * 1433–1434
Arnold of Bergen Arnold of Bergen ( no, Arend) (died 1434) was bishop of Bergen, Norway, and a non-ordained, short-lived Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden. As Olaus Laurentii, in 1432, was elected by the Chapter to become Archbishop of Uppsala and Sweden, the King ...
(unofficial) (''Arend'' in Norwegian; died 1434) was bishop of Bergen, Norway, and was never ordained as archbishop. When Olaus Laurentii was elected by the Chapter to become Archbishop of Uppsala and Sweden, the Swedish King
Eric of Pomerania Eric of Pomerania (1381 or 1382 – 24 September 1459) was the ruler of the Kalmar Union from 1396 until 1439, succeeding his grandaunt, Queen Margaret I. He is known as Eric III as King of Norway (1389–1442), Eric VII as King of Denmark (1 ...
was displeased because he was not consulted and therefore decided that Arnold of Bergen should become archbishop in 1433 while Olaus Laurentii was in Rome to be ordained. Arnold moved into the archbishopseat in Uppsala despite protests from the chapter. The quarrels were resolved when Arnold died in 1434; then the king decided to accept Olaus Laurentii who had just returned from Rome. * 1438–1448
Nils Ragvaldsson Nicolaus Ragvaldi (Latinized form of Swedish Nils Ragvaldsson) (born in the early 1380s and died on 17 February 1448) was bishop of Växjö and from 1438–1448 archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden. He is known as an early representative of the Gothi ...
(''Nicolaus Ragvaldi'') * 1448–1467 Jöns Bengtsson (Oxenstierna) * 1468–1469
Tord Pedersson (Bonde) Tord Pedersson (Bonde) (died May 1470) was the un-ordained Archbishop of Uppsala from 1468 to 1469. He was born as Tord Pedersson, but since his mother was of the Bonde family, he would often use this name in addition to his own. He studied at th ...
(not ordained) * 1469–1515 Jakob Ulvsson * 1515–1517 and 1520–1521
Gustav Trolle Gustav Eriksson Trolle (September 1488 – 1535) was Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden, in two sessions, during the turbulent Reformation events. He was the son of Eric Arvidsson Trolle, a former regent of Sweden during the era of the Kalmar Union. ...
Gustav Eriksson Trolle (1488–1533) was a controversial person. He was in dispute with the king, since he was a supporter of the Danish King
Christian II Christian II (1 July 1481 – 25 January 1559) was a Scandinavian monarch under the Kalmar Union who reigned as King of Denmark and Norway, from 1513 until 1523, and Sweden from 1520 until 1521. From 1513 to 1523, he was concurrently Duke ...
. In 1515 he was removed from office, but barricaded himself in the archbishop's mansion/fortress at Almarestäket, until an assembly of chancellors ordered its destruction in 1517. In 1520, Danish King Christian conquered Swedish territory, and Trolle was reinstated and deeply involved in
Stockholm Bloodbath The Stockholm Bloodbath ( sv, Stockholms blodbad; da, Det Stockholmske Blodbad) was a trial that led to a series of executions in Stockholm between 7 and 9 November 1520. The event is also known as the Stockholm massacre. The events occurred af ...
where he led the trial that found his political opponents guilty of heresy and he and King Christian II had them executed (among them the father of the future King Gustav Vasa). However, King Christian's reign in Sweden lasted but one year, and in 1521 Trolle was forced to flee to Denmark to seek refuge. When the Pope months later received news of the deposition of Trolle, he ordered the reigning Swedish King
Gustav Vasa Gustav I, born Gustav Eriksson of the Vasa noble family and later known as Gustav Vasa (12 May 1496 – 29 September 1560), was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death in 1560, previously self-recognised Protector of the Realm ('' Riksför ...
to reinstate Trolle, not realizing the severity of the matter. Being forced to have his father's murderer reinstated as archbishop, King Gustav Vasa in effect broke away from the Catholic tradition, making Sweden a Lutheran nation starting 1531.


Archbishops during the Reformation

* 1523–1544
Johannes Magnus Johannes Magnus (a modified form of Ioannes Magnus, a Latin translation of his birth name Johan Månsson; 19 March 1488 – 22 March 1544) was the last functioning Catholic Archbishop in Sweden, and also a theologian, genealogist, and histori ...
Johannes Magnus was the last Catholic archbishop of Sweden. He was selected to be archbishop in 1523, but the Pope deemed the disposal of Gustav Trolle unlawful and demanded that he be reinstated. The Swedish king,
Gustav Vasa Gustav I, born Gustav Eriksson of the Vasa noble family and later known as Gustav Vasa (12 May 1496 – 29 September 1560), was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death in 1560, previously self-recognised Protector of the Realm ('' Riksför ...
, therefore broke with the Catholic Church and himself ordained Johannes Magnus. But before long, Magnus expressed disapproval of Lutheran teachings, so Gustav Vasa sent him to Russia as a diplomat in 1526. Gustav Vasa appointed a new archbishop, Laurentius Petri, in 1531, and Johannes realized that his time as archbishop was over. He travelled to Rome where he stayed for the rest of his life. * 1544–1557
Olaus Magnus Olaus Magnus (October 1490 – 1 August 1557) was a Swedish writer, cartographer, and Catholic ecclesiastic. Biography Olaus Magnus (a Latin translation of his birth name Olof Månsson) was born in Linköping in October 1490. Like his elder ...
Brother of the previous, with whom he was in exile in Rome. After the death of his brother, Olaus was consecrated by the Pope in 1544, but he never returned home. He was the last Swedish archbishop to get papal consecration. Staying in Rome, Olaus wrote several highly regarded works about Scandinavia that still interest readers today. He also had works by his brother Johannes published.


Archbishops after the Reformation


16th century

* 1531–1573 Laurentius Petri (Nericius) He and his brother
Olaus Petri Olof Persson, sometimes Petersson (6 January 1493 – 19 April 1552), better known under the Latin form of his name, Olaus Petri (or less commonly, Olavus Petri), was a clergyman, writer, judge, and major contributor to the Protestant Reformatio ...
were the main Protestant reformers in Sweden; while his brother was more energetic, Laurentius laid the theoretical foundation for the Swedish Church Ordinance 1571. * 1575–1579
Laurentius Petri Gothus Laurentius Petri Gothus (died 12 February 1579) was the second Swedish Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden. He served from 1575 to 1579. Biography He was born Lars Petersson in either 1529 or 1530 in the province of Östergötland, from whic ...
Before becoming archbishop, Gothus appears to have been inclined towards King Johan III of Sweden's more Catholic viewpoint. He was for this reason ordained by the King in a Catholic ritual with all its apparatus, and wrote the introduction to the King's "red book". As the Jesuitic tendencies grew stronger in Sweden in the 1570s, he became more wary; he refused to support the views of the King any longer, and published ''Contra novas papistarum machinationes'' which, although it gives proper respect to the Church fathers, polemizes against the foundation of Catholicism and the Jesuits. * 1583–1591 Andreas Laurentii Björnram He was vicar in Gävle 1570 and is reported as one of the first priests to have used the King's "red book" in his sermons, which sparked the King's interest, and he subsequently appointed him archbishop after a four-year vacancy. Björnram upset Church officials by declaring that the liturgy of the King was in accordance with the
Apostles' Creed The Apostles' Creed (Latin: ''Symbolum Apostolorum'' or ''Symbolum Apostolicum''), sometimes titled the Apostolic Creed or the Symbol of the Apostles, is a Christian creed or "symbol of faith". The creed most likely originated in 5th-century ...
and that he supported it. Surprisingly, he nonetheless advocated the reading of Luther's works. * 1593–1599
Abraham Angermannus Abraham Andersson, usually known under the Latin form of his name, Abrahamus Andreæ Angermannus or just Abraham Angermannus (died in October 1607) was the fourth Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden from 1593 to 1599. He was d ...
Angermannus first became known as a critic of the liturgy of King John, and the king had him put in jail in
Åbo Turku ( ; ; sv, Åbo, ) is a city and former capital on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River, in the region of Finland Proper (''Varsinais-Suomi'') and the former Turku and Pori Province (''Turun ja Porin lääni''; ...
, Finland. He managed to escape back to Stockholm with the protection of influential friends, but he eventually had to flee to Germany, where he lived for 11 years. He visited the renowned universities there and wrote several books with Lutheran contents aimed at Swedish readers. In 1593, the cathedral chapter of Uppsala elected him archbishop, and he moved back to Sweden. He was a harsh critic of Catholic remnants which were still adhered to in Sweden. In 1599, the king had had enough of him and prosecuted him. Angermannus was put in prison in
Gripsholm Gripsholm Castle ( sv, Gripsholms slott) is a castle in Mariefred, Södermanland, Sweden. It is located by lake Mälaren in south central Sweden, in the municipality of Strängnäs, about 60 km west of Stockholm. Since Gustav Vasa, Grip ...
, where he was forced to remain until his death in 1607. * 1599–1600 Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis (not ordained) Like his predecessor Angermannus, Bothniensis was imprisoned for 1.5 years due to his resistance to John III's non-Lutheran liturgy. In 1593 he became the first professor of theology at the
Uppsala University Uppsala University ( sv, Uppsala universitet) is a public research university in Uppsala, Sweden. Founded in 1477, it is the oldest university in Sweden and the Nordic countries still in operation. The university rose to significance during ...
. He died before being consecrated.


17th century

* 1601–1609 Olaus Martini (''Olof Mårtensson'') Born 1557 in Uppsala. Educated first in Uppsala, then abroad. He was against the liturgy of King John III of Sweden. He was made archbishop owing to the support of Duke Charles ( Charles IX of Sweden), although they later clashed because of their fundamentally different beliefs. * 1609–1636
Petrus Kenicius Petrus Kenicius (1555 – 3 February 1636) was Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden from 1609 to his death. He got his education from the Universities of Wittenberg and Rostock. In 1589 he was put in prison by King John III of Swe ...
Born 1555. Was against the King's liturgy, and was imprisoned for a short time of 1589. Participated in the Uppsala Synod 1593. Was archbishop for a long time, into his old age. * 1637–1646
Laurentius Paulinus Gothus Laurentius Paulinus Gothus (10 November 1565 – 29 November 1646) was a Swedish theologian, astronomer and Archbishop of Uppsala. Biography Gothus was born Lars Paulsson at Söderköping in Östergötland County, Sweden. In 1588, Gothus travel ...
Born 1565. Was knowledgeable in several subjects, and was professor of astronomy and logistics at Uppsala University. Wrote several works on astronomy, astrology and theology. * 1647–1669
Johannes Canuti Lenaeus Johannes Canuti Lenaeus (29 November 1573 – 23 April 1669) was a professor at Uppsala University and Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden. Biography Lenaeus was born at Länna parish in Uppland, Sweden where his father was parish ...
Professor of Logic, Hebrew and Greek. Wrote an influential book about the philosophy of
Aristotle Aristotle (; grc-gre, Ἀριστοτέλης ''Aristotélēs'', ; 384–322 BC) was a Greek philosopher and polymath during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. Taught by Plato, he was the founder of the Peripatetic school of ph ...
that revived interest in
Aristotelianism Aristotelianism ( ) is a philosophical tradition inspired by the work of Aristotle, usually characterized by deductive logic and an analytic inductive method in the study of natural philosophy and metaphysics. It covers the treatment of the so ...
and was used as a textbook for several years. * 1670–1676 Lars Stigzelius Professor of Logic at Uppsala where he supported Aristotelian philosophy against the adherents of
Ramism Ramism was a collection of theories on rhetoric, logic, and pedagogy based on the teachings of Petrus Ramus, a French academic, philosopher, and Huguenot convert, who was murdered during the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in August 1572. Accord ...
. Was considered a highly learned man and was involved in various political and clerical tasks. As an archbishop he did not make any great contribution owing to his advanced age. * 1677–1681 Johan Baazius the younger * 1681–1700
Olov Svebilius Olaus (Olov) Svebilius (1 January 1624 – 29 June 1700) was a Swedish priest and professor. He was Bishop of the Diocese of Linköping and Archbishop of Uppsala. His most notable work was ''Martin Luthers Lilla katekes med Katekesförklaring'', ...
, (''Olaus Svebilius'') Commissioned the new Bible translation and revising the Swedish book of hymns. Published many works, most notably ''A simple explanation of Martin Luther's little catechism''.


18th century

* 1700–1709 Erik Benzelius the elder Benzelius took an important part in the various ecclesiastical committees active during the reigns of Charles XI and
Charles XII Charles XII, sometimes Carl XII ( sv, Karl XII) or Carolus Rex (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 O.S.), was King of Sweden (including current Finland) from 1697 to 1718. He belonged to the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line of ...
, such as that concerning the new Church Law of 1686, the new hymn book of 1695 and the new Bible translation. He was a typical representative of 17th-century Swedish
Lutheran orthodoxy Lutheran orthodoxy was an era in the history of Lutheranism, which began in 1580 from the writing of the ''Book of Concord'' and ended at the Age of Enlightenment. Lutheran orthodoxy was paralleled by similar eras in Calvinism and tridentine Ro ...
, careful not to deviate from established theological principles, and lacked originality in his writing. Nevertheless, he was a productive author of works in theology, and his work on church history was used as a textbook for the following century. * 1711–1714 Haquin Spegel (born ''Håkan Spegel''; 14 June 1645 – 17 April 1714) He was an important religious author and hymn writer. He held several bishop's seats before becoming archbishop. * 1714–1730 Mathias Steuchius * 1730–1742
Johannes Steuchius Johannes Steuchius (3 January 1676 – 21 June 1742) was Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden from 1730 to his death. Biography He was born in Härnösand, the son of Archbishop Mathias Steuchius (1644–1730) . His family sur ...
, (''Johannes Steuch'') * 1742–1743
Erik Benzelius the younger Erik Benzelius the younger (27 January 1675 in Uppsala – 23 September 1743) was a priest, theologian, librarian, bishop of Linköping, 1731–1742 and Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden, 1742–1743. He was a highly learned man and one of Sweden' ...
* 1744–1747 Jakob Benzelius * 1747–1758 Henric Benzelius * 1758–1764 Samuel Troilius * 1764–1775 Magnus Beronius * 1775–1786 Carl Fredrik Mennander * 1786–1803
Uno von Troil Uno von Troil (24 February 1746 in Stockholm – 1803) was the Church of Sweden Archbishop of Uppsala 1786–1803. Biography He was the son of Samuel Troilius, who had also been archbishop. He was known for great wit at a young age. After stud ...


19th century

* 1805–1819 Jakob Axelsson Lindblom * 1819–1836 Carl von Rosenstein (''Carl Rosén von Rosenstein'') (
Uppsala Uppsala (, or all ending in , ; archaically spelled ''Upsala'') is the county seat of Uppsala County and the fourth-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It had 177,074 inhabitants in 2019. Located north of the c ...
13 May 1736 – 2 December 1836) was a member of the Swedish Academy. He belonged to the influential noble families von Rosén and Rosenstein. He was knowledgeable in the classic languages, had an unusual knowledge of agriculture and was a member of all the
Swedish Royal Academies The Royal Academies are independent organizations, founded on Royal command, that act to promote the arts, culture, and science in Sweden. The Swedish Academy and Academy of Sciences are also responsible for the selection of Nobel Prize laureates i ...
at the time, except for the Academy of Arts. The academies he joined were: the Academy of Science and Literature (joined in 1807), Academy of Science (1808), the Academy of Literature History (1810), the Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (1818), the Swedish Academy (1819), the Scientific society in Uppsala (1820) and the Academy of Music (1822). He was regarded as a generous and social person, friendly, handsome and cheerful. * 1837–1839
Johan Olof Wallin Johan Olof Wallin, (15 October 1779 – 30 June 1839), was a Swedish minister, orator, poet and later Church of Sweden Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden between 1837–1839. He is most remembered today for his hymns. Early life He was born in St ...
(1779–1839), minister, orator, poet. He was a prolific writer, today best remembered for the hymns he wrote. * 1839–1851
Carl Fredrik af Wingård Carl Fredrik af Wingård (born 26 September 1781 in Stockholm, died 19 September 1851) was a Swedish Lutheran archbishop of the Church of Sweden, Professor at Uppsala University, and politician. He served as Archbishop of Uppsala 1839–1851 ...
* 1852–1855 Hans Olov Holmström (15 October 1784 – 27 August 1855) After acquiring his
Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Th ...
in philosophy and theology and becoming assistant professor in Latin at Uppsala University, he moved to
Strängnäs Strängnäs is a locality and the seat of Strängnäs Municipality, Södermanland County, Sweden with 15,363 inhabitants in 2020. It is located by Lake Mälaren and is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Strängnäs, one of the thirteen dioceses ...
where he was eventually appointed bishop in 1839. He was also an influential politician in the Swedish Riksdag from 1828 to his death. He was known as a soft and gently person, and very firm in his beliefs. * 1856–1870 Henrik Reuterdahl (1795–1870) Stemming from
Malmö Malmö (, ; da, Malmø ) is the largest city in the Swedish county (län) of Scania (Skåne). It is the third-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg, and the sixth-largest city in the Nordic region, with a municipal pop ...
, he was orphaned early on and had to rely on others for his education and support. Despite this he managed to get a higher education at the
Lund University , motto = Ad utrumque , mottoeng = Prepared for both , established = , type = Public research university , budget = SEK 9 billion philology Philology () is the study of language in oral and written historical sources; it is the intersection of textual criticism, literary criticism, history, and linguistics (with especially strong ties to etymology). Philology is also defined as th ...
and Church history, influenced by local academic dignitaries such as
Erik Gustaf Geijer Erik Gustaf Geijer (12 January 1783 – 23 April 1847) was a Swedish writer, historian, poet, romantic critic of political economy, philosopher, and composer. His writings served to promote Swedish National Romanticism. He was an influential ...
and the German
Schleiermacher Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (; 21 November 1768 – 12 February 1834) was a German Reformed theologian, philosopher, and biblical scholar known for his attempt to reconcile the criticisms of the Enlightenment with traditional ...
whose works were popular in Lund at the time. He later published a comprehensive history of the Church in Sweden, and was a member of the Swedish Academy from 1852. * 1870–1900 Anton Niklas Sundberg (27 May 1818 – 2 February 1900) He acquired a philosophy doctor's degree in Uppsala, became dean and was ordained priest, and then undertook travel through Europe in 1849–50. He was known as a controversial person; very outspoken, no stranger to using strong language, despising hypocrisy, but he displayed a notable sense of wit and authority.


20th century

* 1900–1913 Johan August Ekman * 1914–1931
Nathan Söderblom Lars Olof Jonathan Söderblom (; 15 January 1866 – 12 July 1931) was a Swedish clergyman. He was the Church of Sweden Archbishop of Uppsala between 1914 and 1931, and recipient of the 1930 Nobel Peace Prize. He is commemorated in the Cale ...
, theologian and influential researcher into the history of religions; one of the key organizers of the modern
Ecumenical movement Ecumenism (), also spelled oecumenism, is the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. The adjec ...
. * 1931–1950 Erling Eidem * 1950–1958 Yngve Brilioth (12 July 1891 in Västra Ed,
Kalmar County Kalmar County () is a county or '' län'' in southern Sweden. It borders the counties of Kronoberg, Jönköping, Blekinge and Östergötland. To the east in the Baltic Sea is the island Gotland. The counties are mainly administrative units. G ...
– died 27 April 1959 in
Uppsala Uppsala (, or all ending in , ; archaically spelled ''Upsala'') is the county seat of Uppsala County and the fourth-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It had 177,074 inhabitants in 2019. Located north of the c ...
) Was PhD in Uppsala and subsequently a dean and professor of philosophy and bishop of
Växjö Växjö ( ) is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden. It had 70,489 inhabitants (2019) out of a municipal population of 95,995 (2021). It is the administrative, cultural, and industrial centre of Kronoberg County ...
. He wrote many international historical and theological books. For his contribution to the history of the
Anglican Church Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of the ...
, in 1942 he was awarded the Lambeth Cross, the highest award in the Anglican Church. He used his deep historical knowledge when he was archbishop to take measures concerning the organisation, liturgy and methods of preaching; he furthermore had an international interest and was chairman of the Faith and Order commission. * 1958–1967 Gunnar Hultgren (born 19 February 1902 in Eskilstuna; died 13 February 1991 in Uppsala.) * 1967–1972 Ruben Josefson (born 25 August 1907 in Svenljunga, Älvsborgs län; died 19 March 1972 in Uppsala.) * 1972–1983 Olof Sundby (1917–1996) He officiated at the marriage of present King Carl XVI Gustaf and
Queen Silvia Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...
on 19 June 1976, in Storkyrkan in Stockholm. * 1983–1993
Bertil Werkström Bertil Werkström (9 June 1928 – 10 July 2010) was Archbishop of Uppsala from 1983 to 1993. Early years and education Bertil Werkström was the son of the Gunnar Werkström (1904-1975) and Ingar Hedenskog (1908-1971). He grew up in Dalsland an ...
(1928–2010) * 1993–1997
Gunnar Weman Gunnar Weman (born 25 February 1932) was Archbishop of Uppsala from 1993 to 1997. Weman is the son of Henry Weman who was the cathedral organist in Uppsala. He was ordained in 1958 and was stationed as a priest in Sigtuna and later in Uppsala in ...
(born 1932) * 1997–2006 Karl Gustav Hammar (born 1943)


21st century

On 15 June 2014 Antje Jackelén became Archbishop of Uppsala and primate of the Church of Sweden. She is the first woman to hold that position. * 2006–2014 Anders Wejryd (born 1948) * 2014–2022
Antje Jackelén Antje Jackelén (; born 4 June 1955) is archbishop emerita and primate emerita (''prima inter pares'') of the Church of Sweden, the national church. On 15 October 2013, she was elected the 70th Archbishop of Uppsala and formally received through ...
(born 1955) * 2022-present
Martin Modéus Nils Martin Modéus (born 1 March 1962 in Jönköping) is a Swedish theologian and bishop of the Diocese of Linköping. Modéus was ordained as a bishop on 6 March 2011 in Uppsala Cathedral. On 8 June 2022 he was elected Archbishop of Uppsala and ...
(born 1962)


See also

*
History of Sweden The history of Sweden can be traced back to the melting of the Northern Polar Ice Caps. From as early as 12000 BC, humans have inhabited this area. Throughout the Stone Age, between 8000 BC and 6000 BC, early inhabitants used st ...
*
List of archbishops of Uppsala This article lists the archbishops of Uppsala. Before the Reformation * 1164–1185: Stefan * 1185–1187: Johannes * 1187–1197: Petrus * 1198–1206: Olov Lambatunga * 1207–1219: Valerius * 1219 (1224)–1234: Olov Basatömer * 1236– ...


References


Notes


Citations


Sources

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Further reading

* * * * * * ''Svea Rikes Ärkebiskopar'', Uppsala, 1935 {{DEFAULTSORT:Uppsala Archbishops of Uppsala Archdiocese of Uppsala History of Christianity in Sweden Lists of bishops and archbishops in Europe Lutheran archbishops by diocese