Bo Jonsson (Grip)
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Bo Jonsson (Grip) (b. in the early 1330s, died 20 August 1386) was head of the royal council and marshal under the regency of Magnus II of Sweden. Also in the council was his friend and colleague, Karl Ulfsson av Ulvåsa, eldest son of Saint Birgitta.
Bo Jonsson dominated the political life of Sweden for decades. Jonsson was the most influential representative to the council of aristocracy that deposed Magnus Eriksson in 1365 and installed Albert of Sweden to the Swedish throne. In 1369 Bo Jonsson became Sweden's Officialis Generalis (highest official). The family name, Grip, is Swedish for "Griffin".
Advancement
Through inheritance and unprejudiced methods, Jonsson came to control the largest wealth Sweden has ever seen. The lord usurped 1,500 farms in 350 parishes throughout Sweden, from Kalmar to Falun, through economic and political means. The quantity of land under his control exceeded 1/3 the entirety of Sweden, surpassing even the ruling king's national land holdings, which made him Sweden's largest landowner. He is the largest non-royal landowner in Sweden's history.Authority
From the Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, which he founded, Bo Jonsson governed the entire valley of Lake Mälaren, Hälsingland, all of Finland, large parts of Västergötland, Eastern Östergötland, and the Småland coast, including the city of Kalmar.Bo Jonsson Grip controlled a dozen fortresses, among which were Finnish Åbo Castle, Tavastehus and Viborg, Swedish Kalmar Castle and Nyköping Castle, in addition to ones built under his own direction: Bjärkaholm, Ringstaholm, and his most prized holding, Gripsholm.
As the head of the governing council, Jonsson was the most important and influential man in the struggle against German influence in Sweden.
Marriage
Bo Jonsson married twice during his life. His first marriage took place with the wealthy Margareta Porse, who died shortly thereafter while undergoing childbirth. Jonsson allowed the baby to be delivered, though it died but one day later. Rumours held that Jonsson allowed the procedure to ensue in order to receive the inheritance right of his wife.His second wife was the beautiful German Margareta Dume, who had many admirers. One of her many suitors was Karl Nilsson, a nobleman from Södermanland. Nilsson was stabbed in front of the high altar at the Church of gray brothers in Stockholm, Sweden. It was rumoured that Bo Jonsson Grip was guilty, although Jonsson maintained witnessed testimonies swearing his presence to have been elsewhere at the time. Nine days later, however, the estate formerly belonging to Karl Nilsson fell into the hands of Jonsson.
Progeny
Bo had one child, Knut Bosson Grip.
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