In modern
Swedish, Folkung has two meanings, which appear to be opposites:
# The
medieval
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...
"
House of Bjälbo" in
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...
, which produced several Swedish statesmen and kings.
# A group of people (singular ''Folkunge'', plural ''Folkungar''), who were at times in political opposition to the same House of Bjälbo. This "political party" fought for the ancient right of free men to elect the kings in Sweden.
[
Until the 17th century, ''Folkunge'' was used only with the second meaning. However, many of these political opponents were also said to have been descendants of Jarl Folke the Fat (from the House of Bjälbo), who lived before the family became royal. Hence, in the 17th century, the whole family, then already extinct and without any established name, became known as the House of Folkung (''Folkungaätten'' in Swedish).
Later research, though, showed that the political Folkungs were not just descendants of Jarl Folke—instead, they belonged to different Swedish noble families, united by the ambition to fight against a central ruler of Sweden. According to one theory, Folkungs wanted to keep the old "freedom" of the petty kingdoms, including the election of kings, and to retain local power in their own control.]
See also
* Battle of Sparrsätra
* Second Folkung Uprising
* Third Folkung Uprising
* Consolidation of Sweden
References
Bibliography
*{{Citation, surname=Kari, given=Risto, year=2004, title=Suomalaisten keskiaika, publisher=WSOY, isbn=951-0-28321-5
13th century in Sweden
Norse clans
pl:Folkungowie