The Engelbrekt rebellion, which took place between 1434 and 1436, was a significant event in Swedish history, highlighting the growing tensions within the Kalmar Union. Sweden, along with Denmark and Norway, had been part of the union under King Eric of Pomerania. However, dissatisfaction was mounting among the Swedish population due to Denmark's frequent wars, which disrupted Swedish exports, particularly iron. The imposition of taxes despite the economic hardship enraged Swedish peasants and miners, leading to widespread unrest.
At the forefront of the rebellion was Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, a miner and nobleman from the Bergslagen region. Engelbrekt’s leadership was spurred by the failure of King Eric to address grievances about corrupt officials, particularly Jens Eriksen, the local bailiff. When negotiations with the king failed, Engelbrekt mobilized miners and peasants, leading to a series of castle burnings, which spread the rebellion across Sweden.
In 1435, Engelbrekt convened a Diet in Arboga, which is sometimes referred to as Sweden’s first Riksdag. This gathering, which may or may not have included peasants, marked a pivotal moment in Swedish political history. Engelbrekt was elected Captain of Sweden, but internal divisions within the rebellion soon surfaced. The nobility, seeking to protect their own interests, supported Karl Knutsson Bonde, who eventually rose to power after Engelbrekt’s assassination in 1436.
The rebellion caused a temporary expulsion of Danish forces from Sweden, weakening the Kalmar Union’s hold over the kingdom. Although Denmark would later regain influence, the rebellion set the stage for Sweden’s future sovereignty and marked the beginning of peasant involvement in Swedish politics, influencing the development of the Riksdag as a democratic institution.