The Fief of
Viborg (1320–1534) was for two centuries a late medieval
fief
A fief (; la, feudum) was a central element in medieval contracts based on feudal law. It consisted of a form of property holding or other rights granted by an overlord to a vassal, who held it in fealty or "in fee" in return for a form ...
in the southeastern border of
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 Bot ...
and the entire
Swedish realm
The Swedish Empire was a European great power that exercised territorial control over much of the Baltic region during the 17th and early 18th centuries ( sv, Stormaktstiden, "the Era of Great Power"). The beginning of the empire is usually ta ...
. It was held by its
chatelain, a fief-appointed feudal lord.
For extended periods, the medieval commanders of
Viborg Castle (chatelains,
castellan
A castellan is the title used in Medieval Europe for an appointed official, a governor of a castle and its surrounding territory referred to as the castellany. The title of ''governor'' is retained in the English prison system, as a remnant ...
s), on the border with the
Republic of Novgorod
The Novgorod Republic was a medieval state that existed from the 12th to 15th centuries, stretching from the Gulf of Finland in the west to the northern Ural Mountains in the east, including the city of Novgorod and the Lake Ladoga regions of mod ...
, in practice functioned as
margrave
Margrave was originally the medieval title for the military commander assigned to maintain the defence of one of the border provinces of the Holy Roman Empire or of a kingdom. That position became hereditary in certain feudal families in the ...
s by collecting the crown's incomes from the fief in their own name and being entitled to keep them to defend the realm's eastern border. They enjoyed more independence than the kingdom's other castellans, "
burgrave
Burgrave, also rendered as burggrave (from german: Burggraf, la, burgravius, burggravius, burcgravius, burgicomes, also praefectus), was since the medieval period in Europe (mainly Germany) the official title for the ruler of a castle, especia ...
s". However the fief of the castle and its county was not formally hereditary though almost all appointees were from certain families, related to the
Bonde
The House of Bonde is an ancient Swedish noble family. Today, two branches of the family survive, the barons of the House of Bonde which is number 20 in the Swedish House of Nobility and the counts of the House of Bonde af Björnö, number 41.
...
-
Bååt
Bååt was an important Swedish noble family, originally from Småland in south-eastern Sweden.
The family is especially known for its long association with Viipuri/Vyborg Castle in Finland (at present in Russia), the bulwark of the then Swedi ...
-
Haak family, which between the 1350s and the 1390s also held the Swedish titular version of the
earldom of Orkney.
The organization of that new territory for the Swedish realm took place between the 1290s and 1330s. The conquered
Kexholm was lost, and the
Neva River
The Neva (russian: Нева́, ) is a river in northwestern Russia flowing from Lake Ladoga through the western part of Leningrad Oblast (historical region of Ingria) to the Neva Bay of the Gulf of Finland. Despite its modest length of , it ...
's Landskrona was destroyed catastrophically. There was then much sporadic warring for decades until 1323, but Viborg was held with the coast westwards. When the conquest became established, a special fief became formed. Gotland had strong trade relations with coastal Karelia. Novgorod succeeded maintaining its control of the Ladoga coast and the Neva River.
The independence and the privileges of the county were founded by the Joninpoika.brothers. Squire Peter Jonsson (later knighted) and his elder brother Sir
Sune Jonsson, Lord of Flishult, Royal Councillor, the
lawspeaker of
Tiohärad (in inland Småland), together with their close relative Charles,
Bishop of Linköping Bishops of the Diocese of Linköping, Sweden.
Before the reformation
* Herbert?
* Rikard?
* 1139–1160s Gisle
* 1170–1171 Stenar
* 1187–1195/96 Kol
* Johannes?
* 1216–1220 Karl Magnusson
* 1220–1236 Bengt Magnusson
* 1236–1258 Lar ...
, were allies of the new king,
Magnus IV of Sweden
Magnus IV (April or May 1316 – 1 December 1374; Swedish ''Magnus Eriksson'') was King of Sweden from 1319 to 1364, King of Norway as Magnus VII (including Iceland and Greenland) from 1319 to 1355, and ruler of Scania from 1332 to 1360. By ...
, in 1320 or 1321 and purchased ''dominus Efflerus'', the bailiff of the deposed king,
Birger of Sweden, from Viborg Castle. They committed to keep the castle and its revenues for Charles until the purchase price had been compensated.
Their escutcheon depicted a boat, as was also depicted in arms of the so-called Bonde family and Snakenborg family and Bååt family and Puke family, and they were from a family that was originally from
Småland
Småland () is a historical province () in southern Sweden.
Småland borders Blekinge, Scania, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means ''Small Lands''. The Latinized f ...
, some of which then used the nickname Haak.
Lord Peter was set up as the fief-holder, and the whole clan participated in consolidating the fief. They also brought numbers of their Smålandic peasants to start farms in the county. There are toponymic indications of an influx of Southern-Swedish immigrants having settled in vicinities of Viborg and on the coast west up to the
Kymi River.
Peter and Sune recognized the new king and received important privileges, which effectively turned their holding of Viborg as an independent feudal fief, the start of a veritable
margraviate.
The position of the fiefed chatelain was "to defend the castle and the county, to administer them, with freedom to organize the internal affairs of the county as it pleased them, to bear the revenues and use as it pleased...".
They also grabbed immense wealth for the family. Sune's son
Erengisle, Earl of Orkney
Erengisle Sunesson of Hultboda, jarl of Orkney (died 26 December 1392) was an important Swedish magnate in the 14th century. In his later life, he was known as ''Jarl Erengisle'' in Sweden. He was knight, high councillor, and titular (Norwegian) ...
was a recorded owner of
Kymmenegård Manor, in Viborg Province, the spot on which the town of
Kotka
Kotka (; ; la, Aquilopolis) is a city in the southern part of the Kymenlaakso province on the Gulf of Finland. Kotka is a major port and industrial city and also a diverse school and cultural city, which was formerly part of the old Kymi parish ...
later became erected. Munkenäs, an immense domain in Vederlax, was owned first by Sten Turesson Bielke,
Lord High Constable of Sweden, followed byhis son Sten Stensson, Lord of Engsö.
All the Swedish negotiators of
Treaty of Nöteborg
The Treaty of Nöteborg, also known as the ''Treaty of Oreshek'' ( sv, Freden i Nöteborg, Russian: ''Ореховский мир,'' fi, Pähkinäsaaren rauha), is a conventional name for the peace treaty signed at Oreshek ( sv, Nöteborg, fi, ...
(1323), three years after the acquisition of Viborg, appear to be members of their extended family; representatives of Bishop Charles's diocese; or merchants of Gotland, part of the diocese.
Its chatelains were generally from the most powerful families of the kingdom. They enjoyed large administrative powers and some distance from the capital. Those realities made them practically independent rulers. The position of the lord if Viborg became effectively independent. As such, it was desired by many powerful magnates. In the 1350s, it was held by Earl Erengisle's brother-in-law, the mighty kingmaker
Nicholas Turesson, Lord of Kråkerum
Nicholas is a male given name and a surname.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Churches celebrate Saint Nicholas every year on December 6, which is the name day for "Nicholas". In Greece, the name and its ...
of the Bielke. He personally owned Kaukjärvi Domain, in the
Karelian Isthmus
The Karelian Isthmus (russian: Карельский перешеек, Karelsky peresheyek; fi, Karjalankannas; sv, Karelska näset) is the approximately stretch of land, situated between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga in northwestern ...
, near Viborg.
They organised defences, guarded the area constantly, provided food and equipment, kept the fortress in shape, kept mercenaries and paid the military.
The direct-line Jonsson family ended in 1392 by the death of Earl Erengisle. However, the margraviate was, almost without exception, held by descendants or husbands of their extended family until its very end, after over two centuries.
Early margraves of Viborg created a
petty nobility, ''knapadel'', around their strategic points. More capable peasants with some roles as leaders in the local community were given tax exemption against guard duties of local strongholds, the somewhat primitive "''
linnavuori''" fortresses. Cavalry service was not required from them for the ''
frälse'' tax exemption. The petty nobility of Veckelax is particularly noted in literature for as having been a notable example. Later margraves, such as Krister Nilsson and Charles Knutsson, declined to accept Fully such families of the petty nobility.
Apparently, the main reason for the chatelain of the Viborg Fief succeeding in keeping such an independent position, compared to other castles and their holders, was Viborg's extraordinary position as the easternmost outpost and the stronghold of the Swedish realm against the eastern neighbouring power from its attacks and desires to annex more land. Revenues from the fief were needed to defend the eastern border for what was usually understood as the government of the kingdom, and if the eastern defence was not granted sufficient resources, taxes from the western areas would possibly also have been lost to the enemy.
The fiefholders were also responsible for holding the northern border. In the 1470s, they established another castle,
Olofsborg, over 100 km north of Viborg. During the whole Middle Ages, that fortress was kept under the command of Viborg.
Important personages who held Viipuri as their fief were
Bo Jonsson Grip
Bo Jonsson (Grip) (early 1330s – 20 August 1386) was head of the royal council and marshal under the regency of Magnus IV of Sweden. Also in the council was his friend and colleague, Karl Ulfsson av Ulvåsa, eldest son of Saint Birgitta. Fro ...
,
Krister Nilsson Vasa (1417–42),
Charles Knutsson Bonde (1442–48, the future king),
Erik Axelsson Tott (1457–81),
Knut Posse
Knut Jönsson Posse (Finnish: Nuutti Posse) was a Swedish general in Sweden and Finland remembered for the Viipuri Blast (1495) and for his surprise attack on the Danish Army at the Battle of Brunkeberg (1471). Military career
Knut Posse was ...
(1495–97),
Sten Sture the Elder (particularly 1497-99 when He was personally in residence, between his regencies),
Eric Bielke Eric Bielke (died 1511), also known as ''Eerikki Tuurenpoika'' and ''Eric Tureson'', royal councillor of Sweden, knighted, feudal fiefholder or margrave of Vyborg Castle.
Biography
He was the son of Ture Turesson of Kråkerum and Rävelsta, Lord ...
and Count
John of Hoya.
Particularly in the 1440s and in the late 15th century, the fortresses of the Viborg Castle were further enlarged and built.
In 1534, 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 ...
abolished the independent fief by deposing and exiling his brother-in-law
John, Count of Hoya. Lord
Nils Grabbe took Viborg Castle by force on behalf of the king and became its royal governor without gaining of the feudal privileges that had been held by the earlier holders of the castle.
List of fiefholders of the Viborg castle
This is to list all those medieval and 16th century lords who held Viipuri castle and its fief, as fiefed chatelains, in the independent way ("margrave") and not simply as governors or bailiffs. The list is incomplete, due to the scarcity of historical sources and thus gaps.
In 1320, lord Peter Jonsson (Haak) purchased the castle and its dominions from the bailiff Efflerus set there by the deposed king Birger.
* 1320 - 1338 (or later) Peter Jonsson (and in c 1336 he was governor of all Finland)
* 1340 Dan Niklasson
* c 1348 Gerhard Skytte
* 1357 - 1364
Nils Turesson Bielke
Nils Turesson Bielke (5 November 1569 – 17 December 1639) was a Swedish statesman, member of the privy council, son of Ture Pedersson Bielke.
Career
Nils Turesson Bielke was an ardent supporter of Duke Carl which rewarded his fidelity ...
, kingdom's
Lord High Justiciar, son-in-law of Peter Jonsson's brother
* 1360s: Nils' heirs, as pawn.
* 1370 King Albrekt
* 1371 - 1386
Bo Jonsson Grip
Bo Jonsson (Grip) (early 1330s – 20 August 1386) was head of the royal council and marshal under the regency of Magnus IV of Sweden. Also in the council was his friend and colleague, Karl Ulfsson av Ulvåsa, eldest son of Saint Birgitta. Fro ...
(all Finland), Lord High Justiciar
* 1386 - 1399 Karl,
Charles Ulvsson, Lord of Tofta, kingdom's
Lord High Constable, stepson of a niece of Peter Jonsson
* 1403 - 1417
Tord Bonde
Lord Tord Röriksson, nicknamed Bonde, Lord of Penningby (born in the 1350s, died 21 March 1417, ''Toordh Bonde'' in his era's Old Swedish language; ''Tord Bonde'' in today Swedish) was a medieval Swedish magnate.
Tord Bonde was born into the high ...
, Lord High Constable, distant cousin of Peter Jonsson
* 1417 - 1442 Kristiern,
Krister Nilsson Vaasa, Lord High Justiciar, brother-in-law of Tord Bonde
* 1440 - 1448 Karl,
Charles Knutsson, Lord of Fogelvik (b. 1408 - d. 1470), Lord High Constable, grandson of Charles Ulvsson and of Tord Bonde, became in 1448 king
* 1457 - 1481
Erik Akselsson Tott
Tott or Thott is the name of a prominent Swedish noble family, whose members occupied many important positions in Sweden and Denmark.
Notable members
* Åke Henriksson Tott or Achatius Tott (1598–1640), Swedish soldier and politician
* Bri ...
(b. c.1420 - d. 1487), great-grandson of Tord Bonde, son of a first cousin of Charles Knutsson
* 1481 Lars, Laurens Axelsen
Thott, brother of previous
* 1483 Ivar,
Iver Axelsen Thott, Over
lord of Gotland, brother of previous, son-in-law of Charles Knutsson
* 1483 - 1495
Sten Sture the Elder, Kingdom's Regent, nephew of Charles Knutsson, great-grandson of Charles Ulvsson, and great-great-great-grandnephew of Nils Turesson
** his deputy:
Nils Eriksson Gyllenstierna, grandson of Charles Knutsson
* 1495 - 1496 Knut,
Knut Posse
Knut Jönsson Posse (Finnish: Nuutti Posse) was a Swedish general in Sweden and Finland remembered for the Viipuri Blast (1495) and for his surprise attack on the Danish Army at the Battle of Brunkeberg (1471). Military career
Knut Posse was ...
(d. 1500)
* 1497 - 1501 again Sten Sture the Elder (b. 1440 - d. 1503), between his terms as
Regent of Sweden
* 1499 - May 1511
Erik Turesson Bielke (d. 1511), great-great-grandnephew of Nils Turesson
* 1511 - 1513
Gunilla Johansdotter Bese, widow of
Eric Bielke Eric Bielke (died 1511), also known as ''Eerikki Tuurenpoika'' and ''Eric Tureson'', royal councillor of Sweden, knighted, feudal fiefholder or margrave of Vyborg Castle.
Biography
He was the son of Ture Turesson of Kråkerum and Rävelsta, Lord ...
, her predecessor
* 1513 - 1520
Tony Eriksson Tott, son-in-law of the two previous, great-nephew of Erik Akselsson, Laurens and Ivar of Gotland
* 1525 - 1534
Johan, Count of Hoya and Bruchhausen (d. 1535), son-in-law of Sten Sture's nephew, brother-in-law of the reigning king Gustav I.
In 1534,
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 ...
, Sten Sture's grandnephew, abolished the independent fief.
Lord
Nicholas Grabbe was the next commander of the Viipuri castle, 1534–45, but he did not receive the feudal privileges held by earlier chatelains.
See also
*
Viipuri Province
Viipuri Province ( fi, Viipurin lääni'', commonly abbreviated'' Vpl, sv, Viborgs län or Wiborgs län, russian: Выборгская губерния) was a historical province of Finland from 1812 to 1945.
History
The predecessor of the ...
References
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fief Of Viborg
Medieval Finland
History of Vyborg
History of the Karelian Isthmus
Finland under Swedish rule