Battles & Campaigns · 1471
Battle of Brunkeberg
Stockholm, Sweden
What happened
Christian camped on the Brunkeberg ridge north of Stockholm. Sture's forces attacked from the west, his cousin's from the east, and troops from the city joined in. Christian was wounded and retreated, and his escape route was cut when a makeshift bridge was destroyed.
Why it matters
It weakened the Kalmar Union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden and secured Sture's power as regent for the rest of his life. Most fighters on both sides were Swedes.
What came next
Sture paid for a famous statue of Saint George and the Dragon in Stockholm's great church, set up in 1489.
Did you know?
According to legend, Sture prayed to Saint George before the battle.
Timeline
- 10 Oct 1471Battle of Brunkeberg.
- 1489The Saint George statue is set up in Storkyrkan.
- 10 Oct 1912A second Saint George statue is unveiled in Stockholm.