Holmger Knutsson

Who was Holmger Knutsson?

Holmger Knutsson was a Swedish nobleman and a claimant to the Swedish throne during the reign of King Eric XI of Sweden.

Holmger Knutsson was the eldest son of King Canute II of Sweden and Helena Pedersdatter Strange. At his father's death in 1234, Holmger seems to have been on his way to be the new king, but he was side-tracked by Jarl Ulf Fase and earlier King Eric XI who had been exiled in Denmark since 1229. Holmger's whereabouts after that are not known, but it has been speculated that he held Gästrikland north of Uppland for the next thirteen years.

Together with folkungs, Holmger made an unsuccessful attempt for the crown in 1247. The Battle of Sparrsätra took place in Uppland north of Enköping between forces led Birger Jarl and rebels led by Holmger Knutsson. According to Erikskrönikan, after defeat in the battle Holmger fled to Gästrikland but was captured and beheaded in 1248. Quickly brought to trial, he was beheaded.

There seems to have been a widespread attempt to have Holmger established as a saint, but that was eventually suppressed. The later manuscripts show that a special chapel was built to consecrate Holmger Knutsson in Björklinge, Norunda härad, in Uppland. He lies buried next to his father in Skokloster Church in Håbo, near Uppsala. Holmger was married to Helena Philipsdotter. They had no known children.