Written in the 14th century and enjoying a Swedish national status similar to the English Beowulf, this fascinating tale with many levels of meaning reflects the ideals of politics and aesthetics typical of the age of chivalry. The rhyming verses are accompanied by prose renditions and commentary, making the work enjoyable reading for anyone with an interest in medieval texts. A valuable source for the scholarly disciplines of comparative literature and poetics, this genuine piece of Scandinavian history contains intriguing dichotomies between center and periphery, male and female, and Christian and heathen.

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Duke Erik and His Tragic Fate. Introduction by Professor Eva ÖSterberg
• Translators’ Remarks
• The Chronicle of Duke Erik
  • 1. Prologue
  • 2. Erik the Lisper and Stumbler
  • 3. Crusade against the Tavasts
  • 4. Earl Birger and Joar Blå
  • 5. Earl Birger’s Sons
  • 6. The Folkung Rebellion
  • 7. Young Lord Karl – the Knight of God
  • 8. Valdemar Marries Sophia of Denmark
  • 9. Earl Birger’s Laws
  • 10. The Founding of Stockholm
  • 11. Earl Birger’s Death
  • 12. Valdemar Succeeds to the Throne
  • 13. The Murder of King Erik Ploughpenny
  • 14. King Valdemar Och Jutta
  • 15. Valdemar’s Children
  • 16. Discord Between Valdemar and His Brothers
  • 17. The Battle of Hova
  • 18. Valdemar Loses Half His Kingdom
  • 19. Duke Magnus’ Wedding
  • 20. Erik Klipping, Magnus and Valdemar
  • 21. The Battle of Ettak
  • 22. Duke Magnus is Elected King
  • 23. Magnus’ Foreign Favourites
  • 24. Magnus Suppresses the Folkungs
  • 25. Danes and Swedes Joust
  • 26. Valdemar’s Wives
  • 27. King Magnus – Benefactor of the Church
  • 28. Prince Birger Betrothed
  • 29. King Magnus’ Death
  • 30. Tyrgils Knutsson
  • 31. Valdemar and His Son in Captivity
  • 32. Battles with the Heathen
  • 33. King Birger’s Wedding
  • 34. New Battles in the East
  • 35. Mats Kettilmundsson Challenges the Russians
  • 36. Truce
  • 37. The Defeat of the Swedes at Landskrona
  • 38. Coronation Festivities at SöDerköPing
  • 39. Duke Erik at the Court in Oslo
  • 40. Tyrgils Knutsson’s Wedding
  • 41. Tyrgils Knutsson Leaves the Service of the Dukes
  • 42. King Birger Accuses the Dukes
  • 43. The Dukes Visit King Erik of Denmark
  • 44. The Court at Fagradal
  • 45. Duke Erik Goes to Norway
  • 46. Birger’s Struggle against the Dukes and King HåKan
  • 47. Duke Erik Receives Varberg
  • 48. Duke Valdemar’s Divorce
  • 49. Tyrgils Knutsson is Imprisoned
  • 50. Tyrgils is Executed
  • 51. A Court at BjäLbo
  • 52. The HåTuna Game
  • 53. King Birger in Captivity
  • 54. A Danish Army in VäStergöTland
  • 55. Duke Erik and King HåKan Fall out
  • 56. The Dukes Harry in SkåNe
  • 57. German Mercenaries on the Rampage 155
  • 58. Birger Perfidiously Swears Himself Free
  • 59. The Dukes Battle with the Norwegians
  • 60. Naval Battles
  • 61. Duke Erik Invades Norway
  • 62. Kings Erik Menved and Birger against the Dukes
  • 63. The Dukes Capture KungahäLla
  • 64. Reconciliation
  • 65. A Court at LöDöSe
  • 66. Peaceful Times
  • 67. Birger Demands Tax From the Gotlanders
  • 68. The Weddings of the Dukes in Oslo
  • 69. The Banqueting Hall at LöDöSe
  • 70. Festive Days in LöDöSe
  • 71. Duke Valdemar Visits NyköPing
  • 72. The Journey of the Dukes to NyköPing
  • 73. The Banquet at NyköPing
  • 74. The Dukes’ Men Are Seized
  • 75. Birger Triumphs
  • 76. The Captivity of the Dukes
  • 77. Birger Attempts to Recover the Whole Kingdom
  • 78. The Death of the Dukes
  • 79. The Campaign against King Birger and His Son
  • 80. The Siege of Stegeborg
  • 81. Mats Kettilmundsson Becomes Chamberlain
  • 82. The Funeral of the Dukes
  • 83. NyköPing Falls
  • 84. Magnus Birgersson is Handed over
  • 85. Battles in SkåNe
  • 86. Birger’s Henchmen Are Punished
  • 87. The Royal Pair Flee to Denmark
  • 88. Magnus Birgersson is Executed
  • 89. Magnus Eriksson is Elected King
  • 90. Magnus as King of Two Realms
• Commentary
• The BjäLbo Dynasty and Biographical Details
• Index of Persons
• Index of Place Names