Charles VIII of Sweden

King of Sweden and Norway (1409-1470)

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Lived 1409–1470, aged 61Sweden

Sweden PoliticiansPolitician

Wikipedia
46 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1409–1470
Aged 61

Summary

Updated 2026-06-21

A Swedish noble who couldn't hold the throne. Karl Knutsson became king three separate times and lost the crown twice before dying in office — dethroned by rebellions each time he consolidated too much power.

Biography

About

Karl Knutsson Bonde rose through Swedish politics around 1435 as Erik of Pomerania's grip weakened, becoming regent after Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson's rebellion. He built a power base in Finland, where he governed semi-independently, then won election as King of Sweden in 1448 after Christopher's death. He briefly held Norway's crown too (1449–1450) before Christian I of Denmark forced him out. War with Denmark began in 1451, and his efforts to tighten control turned the nobility and church against him — the Oxenstierna and Vasa families led the resistance. He was overthrown in 1457, returned i…

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