101. Gustav Vasa's New Kingdom
Becoming King after a couple of decades of civil war, you can forgive Gustav Vasa for maybe needing a bit of a recap about what kind of country he had just become the King of and what state it was in. So, in this episode, we step into the eyes of Gustav Vasa as he takes a look around to see what Sweden looked like in 1523, and what problems he has to deal with first!
5 Maj 202454min
S10. The Drama of 1973
To celebrate our 100th regular episode, here's Special Episode 10! This time we cover just a couple of weeks in 1973. There's a big hostage situation in a bank, royal drama and a General Election! Somehow Swedes managed to process all these dramatic events over one late summer in the early 1970s. Thank you to everyone for being on this journey with us!
21 Apr 202453min
100. Gustav Vasa Becomes King
In our 100th regular episode, Gustav Vasa and his merry band of Swedish rebels take on King Kristian and the Danes in a war that will see shifting allegiances, the nobility and peasants fighting side by side once more, and eventually even the birth of the Swedish Navy. King Kristian on the other hand, faces troubles on all fronts and eventually Gustav will take the throne. Is this what spells the end of the Kalmar Union once and for all? To celebrate the 100th episode, there's a particularly funny blooper left in at the end.
7 Apr 202454min
99. Gustav Vasa's University Reunion
The dust has settled on the Stockholm Bloodbath and King Kristian continues his early reign with more bloodshed. He thinks he has Sweden under his thumb but he has hasn't counted on the return of one young nobleman. After escaping custody thanks to a sneaky ruse, Gustav Vasa tries to gather support for a rebellion by visiting his old uni friends and even has to escape through a toilet at one point to avoid the King's men. But will the peasants of Sweden unite behind this ambitious, snowshoe-wearing rebel leader? Here is the painting we mention in the episode. And here is the museum we mention that is older than the USA!
24 Mars 202451min
98. The Stockholm Bloodbath
After King Kristian II takes over Sweden, he goes a bit cray-cray... That means we have reached one of the most famous events of Swedish history; A vengeful King and an angry Archbishop combine to put the Swedish nobility to the sword. But why, and how?
10 Mars 202448min
97. Kristian vs Sten, Again
We ended last episode with King Kristian II of Denmark sailing away with some Swedish hostages. This time he returns to Sweden to do more battle, during a cold winter, and he even brings some Scottish mercenaries along for the ride. Sten Sture and his wife lead the fight for the Swedes, with a bit of help from the Devil's Mother!
25 Feb 202446min
96. Removing the Archbishop
One of the biggest political showdowns in Swedish history begins this week, and it is all to do with the Archbishop! The King of Denmark, the Regent of Sweden and the Archbishop himself all clash over the powers and property of the office. It's going to be dramatic...
11 Feb 202447min
95. The Liz Truss of Medieval Sweden
Sweden seems to be stuck in a loop in the early 1500s: there's internal conflict, and there's conflict with Denmark. After their villages have been ravaged by Danish troops, a group of peasants writes to the regent saying "such fire and plunder was not useful", which is the understatement of the age. We also see someone get a new job, but not for long... Meanwhile, we also address the confusion around Sweden and Switzerland - here's a link to the video we mention in the episode! And for those of you who want to check out the wreck of the Gribshunden ship that we mention in the episode, you can find that here.
28 Jan 202441min