Anna Eriksdotter (Bielke)
Encyclopedia
Anna Eriksdotter (1490–1525) was a Swedish noble
, commander
of the city and castle of Kalmar
during the Swedish rebellion against Denmark
.
Anna was born to the noble councillor of state Erik Turesson (Bielke
) and Gunilla Johansdotter Bese: among her siblings were riksråd and governor Axel Eriksson (Bielke), riksråd Ture Eriksson (Bielke) and the infamous Barbro Eriksdotter (Bielke)
. She was married in 1514 to noble and riksråd Johan Månsson (Natt och Dag) (1470–1520), commander and governor
of Kalmar in 1510–20.
At the death of her spouse in the middle of the rebellion against Denmark in 1520, she took control over his fiefs and defended Kalmar against Denmark. When her relative Gustav Vasa was released from Danish captivity and returned to Sweden to take part in the resistance of Danish rule, he turned to her first for assistance in the struggle. She received him friendly but did not think it possible to give him any help, as the fleet of Søren Norby was threatening the city. Furthermore, the attitude in the city was pro-Danish, and after failed attempts from Vasa to persuade the people arm themselves toward the Danish, which was met with first indifference and then hostility, he was forced to leave the city. Shortly thereafter, Anna saw herself obliged to turn over the city to Denmark.
Gustav Vasa by Gustav III of Sweden
, which was performed on the Royal Swedish Opera
in 1786, with Lovisa Augusti
in her part.
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
, commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
of the city and castle of Kalmar
Kalmar
Kalmar is a city in Småland in the south-east of Sweden, situated by the Baltic Sea. It had 62,767 inhabitants in 2010 and is the seat of Kalmar Municipality. It is also the capital of Kalmar County, which comprises 12 municipalities with a total of 233,776 inhabitants .From the thirteenth to the...
during the Swedish rebellion against Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
.
Anna was born to the noble councillor of state Erik Turesson (Bielke
Eric Bielke
Eric Bielke , also known as Eerikki Tuurenpoika and Eric Tureson, royal councillor of Sweden, knighted, feudal fiefholder of Vyborg castle .-Biography:...
) and Gunilla Johansdotter Bese: among her siblings were riksråd and governor Axel Eriksson (Bielke), riksråd Ture Eriksson (Bielke) and the infamous Barbro Eriksdotter (Bielke)
Barbro Eriksdotter (Bielke)
Barbro Eriksdotter , known in history as Barbro Påle was a Swedish noble and land lord. She has a significant place within Swedish folklore, where she is known in a legendary ghost story, and is also believed to be the probable historical person behind the legend of pintorpafrun, a known figure...
. She was married in 1514 to noble and riksråd Johan Månsson (Natt och Dag) (1470–1520), commander and governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Kalmar in 1510–20.
At the death of her spouse in the middle of the rebellion against Denmark in 1520, she took control over his fiefs and defended Kalmar against Denmark. When her relative Gustav Vasa was released from Danish captivity and returned to Sweden to take part in the resistance of Danish rule, he turned to her first for assistance in the struggle. She received him friendly but did not think it possible to give him any help, as the fleet of Søren Norby was threatening the city. Furthermore, the attitude in the city was pro-Danish, and after failed attempts from Vasa to persuade the people arm themselves toward the Danish, which was met with first indifference and then hostility, he was forced to leave the city. Shortly thereafter, Anna saw herself obliged to turn over the city to Denmark.
In fiction
Anna Eriksdotter (Bielke) was portrayed in the operaOpera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
Gustav Vasa by Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III of Sweden
Gustav III was King of Sweden from 1771 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Adolph Frederick and Queen Louise Ulrica of Sweden, she a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia....
, which was performed on the Royal Swedish Opera
Royal Swedish Opera
Kungliga Operan is Sweden's national stage for opera and ballet.-Location and Environment:...
in 1786, with Lovisa Augusti
Lovisa Augusti
Lovisa Sofia Augusti, , was a Swedish opera singer. She was a court singer and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.- Biography :...
in her part.