Narke, Orebro, Sweden
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Närke is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated in Svealand in south central Sweden. It is bordered by Västmanland to the north, Södermanland to the east, Östergötland to the southeast, Västergötland to the southwest, and Värmland to the northwest. The exiled Norwegian King Olaf the Holy, stayed in Närke for some time, 1028–1029, with Sigtrygg, before departing for Kievan Rus' and its ruler Yaroslav I the Wise. Olaf may have initiated the Christianization of the province (see also Culture of Närke). In the year 1170, Närke was incorporated into the diocese of Strängnäs. |
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In around 1200 A.D., the Castle of Örebro was built to protect the bridge crossing the ford (öre means "sand bank" and bro means "bridge"), as well as the borough on the south side of the bridge. It was to withstand many sieges, and acquired a reputation for being impregnable.
In 1316 the future Saint Birgitta of Sweden, known outside of Sweden as Princess of Nericia, was married to Ulf Gudmarson, Lord of Närke, to whom she bore eight children, one of whom was St Catherine of Sweden.
In 1435, Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, the leader of a popular uprising against the German sheriffs, was given the castle of Örebro as a fief. In the following year he was assassinated.
From 1525 to 1554, it was a fiefdom belonging to Lars Siggesson Sparre. Later in belonged to Duke Charles from 1560 to 1598 and to his son Duke Charles Philip from 1611 to 1622.
During the 16th and 17th centuries the territory was under a number of fiefs where iron bars were manufactured. As the farming activities gave very little, the iron manufacturing became even more attractive to the farmers, as well as trade with oxen. The oxen were sold in Bergslagen as well as Dalarna, where the skin of the oxen were important items in the mines.
In 1653, it was the scene of the Morning Star Rebellion.
The surplus of oxen was also one of the reasons why the shoe-making business took shape and became a most important industry in Närke up until the middle of the 20th century.
Närke was renowned for its warlike peasants and when coat-of-arms for the province was granted for the funeral of King Gustav Vasa in 1560 two crossbow darts was the central symbol - the crossbow being the favourite weapon of the peasants.
In Närke there are also a number of ancient castles. The most important and best preserved one is located in Tarsta at Sköllersta.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as nominally in more recent times, the title of Duke of Närke has been in use.
In 1316 the future Saint Birgitta of Sweden, known outside of Sweden as Princess of Nericia, was married to Ulf Gudmarson, Lord of Närke, to whom she bore eight children, one of whom was St Catherine of Sweden.
In 1435, Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, the leader of a popular uprising against the German sheriffs, was given the castle of Örebro as a fief. In the following year he was assassinated.
From 1525 to 1554, it was a fiefdom belonging to Lars Siggesson Sparre. Later in belonged to Duke Charles from 1560 to 1598 and to his son Duke Charles Philip from 1611 to 1622.
During the 16th and 17th centuries the territory was under a number of fiefs where iron bars were manufactured. As the farming activities gave very little, the iron manufacturing became even more attractive to the farmers, as well as trade with oxen. The oxen were sold in Bergslagen as well as Dalarna, where the skin of the oxen were important items in the mines.
In 1653, it was the scene of the Morning Star Rebellion.
The surplus of oxen was also one of the reasons why the shoe-making business took shape and became a most important industry in Närke up until the middle of the 20th century.
Närke was renowned for its warlike peasants and when coat-of-arms for the province was granted for the funeral of King Gustav Vasa in 1560 two crossbow darts was the central symbol - the crossbow being the favourite weapon of the peasants.
In Närke there are also a number of ancient castles. The most important and best preserved one is located in Tarsta at Sköllersta.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as nominally in more recent times, the title of Duke of Närke has been in use.
