The Scandinavian History Podcast

072 The Count’s Feud

In the 1530s, Denmark was plagued by a civil war brought on by a combination of rivaling claimants for the crown, and a growing rift between Catholics and Protestants. Ex-king Christian was still causing trouble, and Frederick I wasn’t secure on his throne. When he died, the fighting only intensified.

073 Reformation

When Christian III became king of Denmark, he implemented the Lutheran Reformation in his new kingdom. He fired all the Catholic bishops, replaced them with Lutherans and confiscated Church property, making the Crown immensely rich and powerful. The process was surprisingly undramatic. In Denmark. In Norway and Iceland, there was plenty of drama.

074 Sweden under New Management

Unlike his Danish counterpart, Gustav Vasa wasn’t particularly interested in the Lutheran Reformation. At least not to begin with. But when he realized he could solve his money problems by confiscating Church property, Lutheranism started to sound much more interesting to the heavily indebted king of Sweden.

075 Thunder and Bells

Even though the Lutheran Reformation was relatively moderate in Sweden to begin with, Gustav Vasa’s religious and financial reforms still provoked a number of rebellions with fanciful names throughout the country.

076 The Greatest Rebellion

Gustav Vasa was the Swedish king who had to deal with the largest number of peasant rebellions. In the 1540s, he was also faced with the largest peasant rebellion of all time–at least in Scandinavia. He handled it like he always did, with skillful diplomacy, shrewd politics and overwhelming, brute force.

Special Episode: Margrexit

We interrupt our regular programming for a special episode about the surprise abdication of Queen Margaret II of Denmark.

077 New Kids on the Block

Gustav Vasa fought to establish his family as the ruling dynasty of Sweden, and to make the House of Vasa respected as equals among other European royal houses. That was often an uphill battle, and sometimes Gustav’s efforts were even undermined by members of his own family.

078 Kings, Cousins, Rivals

In the early 1560s, two inexperienced but ambitious monarchs had succeeded their fathers on the Danish and Swedish thrones. They happened to be cousins, but that didn’t stop them from spoiling for a fight over Scandinavian supremacy.