The Scandinavian History Podcast

095 The Apostate

Gustavus Adolphus’s daughter and successor Queen Christina had no time for fashion or suitors, but she loved culture and intellectual pursuits. She was mighty impressed by continental art, literature and philosophy. Maybe a little too impressed.

096 Revenge

When Frederick III became king of Denmark, he was determined to get revenge. Revenge on the scheming nobility, including his own extended family, who had robbed him of almost all royal powers. But most of all, he wanted revenge on the Swedes for the defeat in the Torstenson War.

097 Absolut Denmark

The peace in Roskilde had been a triumph for Sweden. But Karl X Gustav wanted more, so he renewed hostilities hoping to capture Copenhagen and take over all of Denmark. The very reign of Frederik III hung in the balance.

Special Episode: Christmas Weirdness

In a few days Christmas will be upon us. To mark the occasion, this episode of the Scandinavian History Podcast is dedicated to quirks of Nordic culture. It’s a totally subjective list of the five weirdest Scandinavian Christmas traditions–from the most normal to the weirdest.

098 The Scania War

Christian V may not have been particularly interested in books, administration or the French language. He didn’t care much about governing Denmark, but he was passionate about restoring its old borders. For that reason, he declared war on Sweden in 1675–a few weeks after he promised his sister could marry the Swedish king.

099 Swedification

In the second half of the 17th century, Swedish authorities initiated a campaign to turn the formerly Danish provinces of Blekinge, Halland and Scania Swedish. They used both carrots and sticks to change these new territories politically, economically and culturally. The process wasn’t always smooth.

100 The Great Rumble

There had been a few witch trials here and there in Scandinavia since the Middle Ages, but it was only after the Reformation that they became a large-scale phenomenon. In the reign of Karl XI, Sweden became the scene for the greatest witch hunt in Scandinavian history.

101 Empire

After the Scania War, Karl XI realized that Sweden was too weak to defend its northern European empire. To change this, he pushed through three important reforms that radically changed the Swedish army, economy and system of government. But would it be enough? And would the reforms survive the death of the king?