Into Östergötland
The medieval Swedish kings rode on horseback, through the forest of Kolmården (the black forest) after their election on the traditional stone in Mora near Uppsala. They were obliged to visit the court meetings (he hundred court = Ting), to be sworn in as kings, and in their turn, to swear to respect the provincial laws.
Rock inscription at Björnsnäs where remnants of the original road can still be traced. The Royal Route passed by Björnsnäs. Text: “Harde and Sigrev had this rock carved and this bridge made in memory of their brother Nan”.
The impressive boundary stones at the entry point to the province of Östergötland, were made by David Stenhuggare (David the Mason) of the Marmorbruket quarry in 1684, according to local oral tradition.
The original medieval bridleway can be seen to the right of the modern road. The Krokbäcken, which today is just a rivulet, is the border for the realms of Götaland and Svealand. It is a very ancient boundary. The abbey near the border is said to be named after a twisted oak (Krokek), which grew on the boundary and defined it.
What happened when the kings and their escorts arrived in Krokek and were met by the yeomen of Östergötland and the appointed surety? Did they sound a fanfare? Did they kneel for prayer? Did they eat together?
It is uncertain which kings actually governed the whole realm of Sweden in the early Middle Ages. Here are the names of those who were in power at least for a few years:
| Olov Skötkonung Anund Jacob Emund Gamle Stenkil Halsten Inge d.ä. Inge d.y. Ragvald Knaphövde Sverker d.ä. Erik den helige Karl Sverkersson Knut Eriksson Sverker d.y. Erik Knutsson Johan Sverkersson Knut Långe Erik Eriksson |
995-1022 1022-50 1050-61 1061-66 1067-84 1079-1110 1110-25 1125-30 1130-56 1156-60 1160-67 1167-95 1195-1208 1208-16 1216-22 1229-34 1222-1249 |
|---|
The bridle path which formed the Royal Route continued through the forest and passed the grave-field at Ektorp´s sandy heath, and then to the keep at Uttersberg. When the road reached the Bråviken shore, the route went either via Bodaviken across the bay to Vikbolandet or turned west towards Norrköping.
The land rises 15-20 centimetres per century here, and the ground where the shore road is today, was under the water until about 1250. The area along the Motala Ström river between Bråviken and Lake Glan was heavily populated in prehistoric times.
When the king had made his ceremonial journey he was "the lawful king". He could not be crowned by the archbishop until this process was completed. The first known coronation took place in 1208.