Bjorn III of Arendaal

Bjorn III of Arendaal 	Bjorn III of Arendaal
By the Grace of God, King of all Arendaal 	By the Grace of God, King of all Arendaal
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King of Arendaal 	King of Arendaal
Reign 	1554 - 1560
Coronation 	December 1554, Kronstad
Predecessor 	Queen Katherine I
Successor 	King Kristian II
 	
Consort 	Sophie of Eiffelland
Birth 	8 February 1520, Lulea
Death 	13 March 1560, Leuven
Father 	King Frederik II of Arendaal
Mother 	Helena of Franken
Issue 	Matthias, Grand Duke of Hainaut
Royal House 	Kapétien Dynasty House of Norregaard
Full Name 	Bjorn der Norregaard-Kapét
Religion 	Christian (Catholic)
Buried 	Saint Chapelle, Emyn Arnen
Bjorn III of Arendaal ("Bjorn the Bloody") (1520 - 1560) was the King of Arendaal between 1554 and 1560. He was the second son of King Frederik II of Arendaal and Helena of Franken. He came to the throne after the death of his sister, Queen Katherine I, who in turn had come to power by deposing the heir to the throne, Kristian II. The Catholic and keenly pragmatic Bjorn is remembered for his role in the persecution of Protestants during the Wars of Religion. 
These violent struggles between rival Catholic and Protestant forces in mid-sixteenth century Arendaal only came to an end in 1560, once Bjorn III was defeated in battle by Kristian II, and the latter upheld legislation to allow for religious freedom in the country. Lingering tensions would not be completely resolved until late in the 17th century.
Although he has been viewed in a negative light by posterity, especially since Arendaal became a majority Protestant nation, Bjorn III was in many ways a complex figure. His mother Queen Helena remarked that he was "a true son of his father, through and through", the formidable and imposing Frederik II. In his youth he seems to have considered joining the Catholic clergy. He was known as a witty figure at his father's court, well versed in poetry, philosophy and rhetoric and with a "tongue as sharp as any". Like his siblings, Bjorn was possessed of great intelligence, and unlike his elder brother Johannes he was adept at acting decisively, even rashly, to solve problems. 
During his reign Bjorn III was often opportunistic and was determined to do almost anything to achieve his ends. He was determined to keep Arendaal a Catholic nation, and was convinced (as his sister Katherine I had been) that the only way to ensure this, and thereby to ensure stability, was to stamp out the Protestant heresy. He was vicious to Protestant ministers who he saw as agents of unrest, but granted pardons on a wide scale to communities which surrendered to his forces, so long as they converted to Catholicism.
Bjorn III's forces were defeated by those of his nephew Kristian II at the Battle of the Cross in 1560. Bjorn was injured during the fighting, and he died a few days later. 
Poison is suspected as having caused his ultimate demise. By this point many key nobles had defected to Kristian's side, given the harsh measures Bjorn employed against Protestant communities, such as burning them to the ground. 
After his own coronation in 1560, Kristian had his uncle buried in Saint Chapelle in Emyn Arnen, as a gesture of reconciliation. Bjorn's widow, Sophie of Eiffelland was invited to court and all of his children by her became prolific members of the courts of Kristian II and Queen Adeliza I.
==Family, Marriage and Children==
King Bjorn III of Arendaal married Princess Sophie of Eiffelland in 1552. Their children included:
* Matthias, Grand Duke of Hainaut (b. 1564)
===Siblings===
*Johannes I of Arendaal - brother
*Katherine I of Arendaal - sister
===Other Royal RelationS===
*Kristian II of Arendaal - nephew, whose throne was usurped by Katherine and Bjorn because of his Protestant faith
*Adele of Arendaal, Empress of the Talemantine Empire - niece. Consort to Isacco V of the Talemantine Empire
*Elisa of Arendaal, Queen of Anglyn - niece. Consort to Harold II of Anglyn
*Malena of Arendaal, Holy Germanic Empress - aunt. Consort to Emperor Georg II Wilhelm von Thießen
*Gisela of Arendaal, Queen of Franken - aunt. Consort of Sebastian III von Franken
*Blanche of Montelimar, Queen of Arendaal - sister-in-law. (Johannes I's wife)
*Matthieu of Lorraine, Prince Consort of Arendaal - brother-in-law (Katherine I's husband)
*Rurik II of Arendaal - greatuncle
*Adeliza I of Arendaal - greatniece
*Frederika of Suionia, Queen of Arendaal - Kristian II's wife
==Ancestors==
's ancestors in four generations:
==See Also==
*Monarchs of Arendaal
*Royal Consorts of Arendaal
*History of Arendaal
*Royal Marriages of Arendaal
*Aristocracy and Royalty of Arendaal
*House of Nareath
*Arendaal
Kapétien Dynasty House of Norregaard 	Kapétien Dynasty House of Norregaard 	Kapétien Dynasty House of Norregaard
Regnal Titles 	Regnal Titles 	Regnal Titles
Preceded by Queen Katherine I 1550 – 1554	King of Arendaal 1554 - 1560 	Succeeded by King Kristian II 1560 – 1570
Preceded by Queen Katherine I 1550 – 1554	Prince of Norseberg 1554 - 1560 	Succeeded by King Kristian II 1560 – 1570
Preceded by Queen Katherine I 1550 – 1554	Grand Duke of Emyn Arnen 1554 - 1560 	Succeeded by King Kristian II 1560 – 1570
Aren Royalty 	Aren Royalty 	Aren Royalty
Preceded by Queen Katherine I 	Crown Prince of ArendaalPrince of Fjordholm 1550 - 1554	Succeeded by King Kristian II
Category: Historical Royals of Arendaal
Category: Historical Figures