Editing Stockholm Bloodbath (section)

==Background==

===Political factions in Sweden===
The Stockholm Bloodbath was a consequence of conflict between Swedish pro-unionists (in favour of the [[Kalmar Union]], then dominated by Denmark) and anti-unionists (supporters of Swedish independence), and also between the anti-unionists and the Danish [[aristocracy]], which in other aspects was opposed to King Christian.<ref name="Poulsen2007">{{cite book|author=Jens Aage Poulsen|title=Det Historiske Overblik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PK7N2SZx15AC&pg=PA102|access-date=6 July 2013|year=2007|publisher=Gyldendal Uddannelse|language=da|isbn=978-87-02-05665-5|pages=102–}}</ref> The anti-unionist party was headed by [[Sten Sture the Younger]], and the pro-unionist party by the [[Archbishop]] [[Gustavus Trolle]].{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

===Military interventions of King Christian===
King Christian, who had already taken measures to isolate Sweden politically, intervened to help Archbishop Trolle, who was under [[siege]] in his [[fortress]] at [[Stäket]]. However, he was defeated by Sture and his peasant soldiers at [[Vedila]], and forced to return to Denmark. A second attempt to bring Sweden back under his control in 1518 was also countered by Sture's victory at [[Brännkyrka]]. Eventually, a third attempt made in 1520 with a large army of [[France|French]], [[Germany|German]] and [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[mercenary|mercenaries]] proved successful.<ref name=EB1911/>

Sture was mortally wounded at the [[Battle of Bogesund]] on 19 January 1520. The Danish army, unopposed, was approaching [[Uppsala]], where the members of the Swedish [[Riksdag of the Estates]] had already assembled. The senators agreed to render homage to Christian, on condition that he give a full [[amnesty]] for past actions and a guarantee that Sweden should be ruled according to Swedish laws and customs. A convention to this effect was confirmed by the king and the Danish [[Danish Council of State|Privy Council]] on 31 March.<ref name=EB1911/> Sture's widow, [[Christina Gyllenstierna|Lady Kristina]], was still resisting in [[Stockholm]] with support from the peasants of central Sweden, and defeated the Danes at Balundsås on 19 March. Eventually, her forces [[Battle of Uppsala|were defeated at Uppsala]] ({{lang|sv|långfredagsslaget vid Uppsala}}) on Good Friday, 6 April.<ref>Syse, Bent. (2003) ''Långfredagsslaget: en arkeologisk historia'' (Uppsala: Upplandsmuseets); {{ISBN|91-85618-71-3}}</ref>

In May, the Danish fleet, led by King Christian, arrived and [[Siege of Stockholm (1520)|Stockholm was attacked]] by land and sea. Lady Kristina resisted for four months longer, and in the beginning of autumn Kristina's forces began winning. The inhabitants of Stockholm had a large supply of food and fared relatively well. Christian realized that his stockpile was dwindling and that it would doom his army to maintain the siege throughout the winter. With the help of [[Mattias Gregersson|Bishop Mattias]], Hemming Gadh and other Swedes of high stature, Christian sent a proposal for retreat that was very advantageous for the Swedes. During a meeting on what is thought to be Beckholmen, outside of [[Djurgården]], Christian swore that all acts against him would be forgotten, and gave pardon to several named persons (including [[Gustav Vasa]], who had escaped from Denmark, where he had been held hostage). Lady Kristina would be given Hörningsholm and all Mörkön as a [[fief]], and was also promised [[Tavastehus]] (Hämeenlinna) in [[Finland]]. When this had been written down on paper, the mayor of the city delivered the keys to the city on [[Södermalm]] and Christian held his grand entry. Shortly after, he sailed back to Denmark, to return in October for his coronation.<ref>[[Alf Henrikson|Henrikson, Alf]]. (1966) ''Svensk Historia''; {{ISBN|91-0-047053-8}}<!-- publishing info needed -->{{pages needed|date=November 2020}}</ref>