15th-Century Uprising: The Battle for Ragnhildsborg

15th-Century Uprising: The Battle for Ragnhildsborg

Uncover the thrilling tale of Ragnhildsborg, a medieval fortress involved in the 15th-century uprising against the Kalmar Union, and what happened when it became the target of a betrayer.

Ragnhildsborg, known as Tälje hus, is an ancient medieval castle situated on Slottsholmen, a small island in Linasundet, north of Södertälje in Södermanland, Sweden. Between 1434 and 1436, Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson and Karl Knutsson (Bonde) led an uprising against the Kalmar Union and King Erik of Pommern, with Ragnhildsborg playing a significant role. However, it was set on fire by Erik Puke, one of Engelbrekt’s closest men, leading to its abandonment.

Today, the site comprises the ruins of a stone house, a house foundation, and several terraces and ditches. Despite the area being often called Ragnhildsborg since the 1700s, it is associated with Södertälje’s patron saint Ragnhild of Tälje, although the name is not medieval.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nik Frost

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