[Who shot Erik XIV?].
Though Sweden was still at war with Denmark a revolution took place in 1568 and King Erik XIV was dethroned by his brothers Johan (John) and Karl (Charles). The situation was chaotic and the brothers didn't know how to dispose of the King. To execute or to expatriate him was far too dangerous, consequently remained to keep him imprisoned. This solution to the problem was not without hazards since Erik had many friends who repeatedly tried to free him. The former king, however, also had many enemies, one of whom was Olof Gustafsson Stenbock a man who was responsible for the guarding of Erik. Olof Gustafsson had himself been sentenced to death by King Erik but been reprieved. His brother Abraham Gustafsson Stenbock was on the other hand executed on the order of the King. On the 19th September 1569 Olof Gustafsson visited the imprisoned king, who rushed to his feet, attacking Olof Gustafsson. Olof retreated, took out his gun and shot the King in his left forearm. The King survived 8 years with a badly wounded arm which probably was of no use to him. In this article I have tried to put together all pieces of evidence to prove that the King really was shot. This includes old tales as well as written evidence and facts brought to light during the latest examination of King Erik's remains. This investigation was done in 1958 by professor Carl-Herman Hjortsjö and his collaborators. At the opening of the sarcophagi a defect healed fracture on the left humerus was still clearly visible. Many facts in this article originate from works by L.-I. Jönsson who in a very thorough and accurate way tried to reconstruct this interesting and exciting historical crime.
Hallbäck
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Med. klin., Karlskoga lasarett, Karlskoga.
D005197:Famous Persons; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D013548:Sweden; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000266:history*
Vem sköt Erik XIV?