Falkenberg (fort)
Encyclopedia
Falkenberg was a fort in Falkenberg
, Sweden
. It was first mentioned in 1298. It would later give the town, which was previously known as Ätraby, its name. The fort was the location for several Nordic treaties during the fourteenth century. It was burnt down by count Erik
in 1356, but was thereafter rebuilt.
The army of Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson
did, under the leadership of Herman Berman besiege the town in 1434. The defenders managed the first attack successfully. They did however realise that they would not be able to continue to hold the fort. Therefore, they choose to put the fort on fire and leave it by water.
The fort was located on the south strand of river Ätran, about 60 m (196.9 ft) from the southern abutement of Falkenberg Bridge
. Excavations took place in 1885, as a railway was run through the area. The fort consisted of a tower. It had an inner area of 5.5 by, while the outer area was 15.5 by at the base. The walls are at the thickest at the base, and becomes thinner towards the top. Above the lower, partially intact, parts were brick walls. The group which performed the excavations found remains of brick all over the excavated area. The group also found some loose remains, such as a golden finger ring and a silver coin.
No remains of any other buildings were found. The fort was most likely only used in combat.
Falkenberg
Falkenberg is a locality and the seat of Falkenberg Municipality, Halland County, Sweden, with 18,972 inhabitants in 2005.The town has a population of 19,000 and is located at the mouth of the river Ätran. The name consists of the Swedish words for falcon and mountain...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It was first mentioned in 1298. It would later give the town, which was previously known as Ätraby, its name. The fort was the location for several Nordic treaties during the fourteenth century. It was burnt down by count Erik
Eric XII of Sweden
Eric "XII" of Sweden was a rival king of Sweden of his father Magnus IV from 1356 to his death in 1359. He was married to Beatrix of Bavaria, daughter of Louis IV of Bavaria....
in 1356, but was thereafter rebuilt.
The army of Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson
Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson
Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson was a Swedish rebel leader and later statesman. He was the leader of the Engelbrekt rebellion in 1434 against Eric of Pomerania, king of the Kalmar Union.-Biography:...
did, under the leadership of Herman Berman besiege the town in 1434. The defenders managed the first attack successfully. They did however realise that they would not be able to continue to hold the fort. Therefore, they choose to put the fort on fire and leave it by water.
The fort was located on the south strand of river Ätran, about 60 m (196.9 ft) from the southern abutement of Falkenberg Bridge
Falkenberg Bridge
The Falkenberg Bridge is a stone arch bridge in Falkenberg, Sweden, built between 1756 and 1761. The bridge span river Ätran and is a listed building since 1984. It has gone through major repair and restoration works in 1927 and 1994. The bridge is still in use and is used by an average of 3,800...
. Excavations took place in 1885, as a railway was run through the area. The fort consisted of a tower. It had an inner area of 5.5 by, while the outer area was 15.5 by at the base. The walls are at the thickest at the base, and becomes thinner towards the top. Above the lower, partially intact, parts were brick walls. The group which performed the excavations found remains of brick all over the excavated area. The group also found some loose remains, such as a golden finger ring and a silver coin.
No remains of any other buildings were found. The fort was most likely only used in combat.
People mentioned as ruling from the fort
- 1344 Trotte Petersson
- 1356 Bengt Algotsson
- 1384 Eskil Brahe
- 1433-1434 Åke Axelsson (Tott)