Birger, King of Sweden

Birger Magnusson was King of Sweden from 1290 until his deposition in 1318. The son of King Magnus Ladulås and Queen Helvig of Holstein, Birger was crowned at a young age and ruled with the support of his father’s allies and his Danish consort, Märta Eriksdotter, daughter of King Erik V Klipping. His reign was dominated by conflict with his brothers, Dukes Erik and Valdemar Magnusson, who sought greater power within the realm. In 1306, they rebelled and imprisoned him during the Håtuna game, but Birger later regained authority. In 1317, he struck back by capturing his brothers at the so-called Nyköping Banquet, where they died in captivity. The event provoked a widespread uprising that forced Birger to flee Sweden in 1318. He spent the rest of his life in exile in Denmark, and his rule effectively ended with his departure. His eldest son, Magnus, was executed two years later following his capture by his father’s opponents.