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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers

@flatpacksweden.bsky.social
1K followers 1.2K following 437 posts

A Brit (Chris) and a Swede (Åsa) chronologically chart Swedish history, currently covering the 17th Century. Also ranking all the rulers of Sweden in Kingdom: Swedish Rulers! #RexyPod

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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 7h
Following the Swedish election two weekends ago, this week we've seen the quite dramatic re-election of Andreas Norlén as the Speaker of the Swedish parliament! It was expected that another candidate would win the election, but instead the sitting Speaker won a third term.
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Unlike what we've been covering on Flatpack, today Sweden and Poland mainly fight it out during sporting events. We saw Sweden beat Poland (again!) in football tonight 🥳 ⚽️🏟
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Today we cover the man between two Sten Stures! How will Svante Nilsson succeed Sten Sture the Elder and what was the crazy plan to make sure it all went off without a hitch? There's also more fighting with Denmark before our craziest Carving their Runestone round ever, looking at this seal!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Listen to the latest episode of @presidencies.bsky.social to hear your favourite Swedish history podcasters provide this episode's intro quotes!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Whilst away on Bornholm without Chris, Åsa took the opportunity to enjoy some food that she knows he won't like, namely a buffet of exclusively smoked and picked fish, predominantly herring, but also some eel 🐟🐠 Åsa was in heaven, Chris was glad he didn't come 😄
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Whilst away on Bornholm without Chris, Åsa took the opportunity to enjoy some food that she knows he won't like, namely a buffet of exclusively smoked and picked fish, predominantly herring, but also some eel 🐟🐠 Åsa was in heaven, Chris was glad he didn't come 😄
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Today is release day and Åsa is celebrating by visiting the Danish island of Bornholm, where she happened upon Denmark's largest rock carving site, full of Bronze Age rock carvings. They look pretty cool!!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Yesterday was no ordinary Sunday here in Sweden. It was a general election, for Parliament, county councils and municipalities 🗳 Åsa was a poll worker and got to spend the night counting the slips of different coloured paper that Swedes use to indicate their voting choice.
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Earlier this week Åsa went to the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm. Opened in 1788, it's been in its current gold decorated building since 1908. Its permanent ensemble puts on a range of plays each season, including Shakespeare's Taming of a Shrew, which is what Åsa watched.
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Yesterday, King Harald V of Norway was laid to rest. King Carl Gustaf of Sweden is to the left, behind Haakon VIII, his godson and the new monarch of Norway, as they salute the coffin. To the right is Frederik X of Denmark. This wouldn't be a typical image from the 14 or 1500s!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
In today's episode of Flatpack we turn from the rulers to the people. We look at the lives of 17th century Swedes from a collective level. What were guilds, what role did the church play (spoiler: a big one) and how did they try to dodge the dreaded taxes? That and much more in today's episode.
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Chris has been in Linköping and went by the cathedral. It's a great building that is having some work done to preserve it for the future. Bishops there have played important roles in history; Kettil Karlsson Vasa went as far as becoming Regent in the 1460s. We of course ranked him on Kingdom!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
If you're lucky when you're travelling on the Stockholm underground you can "win" the Three Crowns 👑 👑👑 Or at least sit down on a seat where they are set into the air vent 😊 They are one of several symbols in the vents that you can have fun trying to find while travelling.
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Sunday means Flatpack! Today we deep dive into what Axel Oxenstierna and Gustaf Adolf do with the Polish problem. The king has a lot of rules his army has to follow, but will some of his cavalry be able to keep some small cows they found on the battlefield? All this and more! 🐄
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Tomorrow it is time for the epic finale of the story of longstanding podcast frenemy, KKB! We'll cover his second and third terms as king and see what he'll receive as a score, as well as a grand total for his entire life. It's going to be fun!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
398 years ago today, Sweden's most famous ship became Sweden's most famous shipwreck, and then eventually Sweden's most famous museum... We'll be telling the full story of the Vasa on the podcast quite soon. Keep your eyes out!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Pack your bags, we're off to create a new settlement called Gothenburg! It has taken a while for one of Sweden's most famous places to be founded, but it has now happened. Let's learn all about the rough start the town had and see what role the Dutch had to play. Out now!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Incredibly we're now a fair bit over halfway through our ranking of all the Swedish kings, queens and regents! Do you have a favourite person or a favourite story from those we've covered so far? Åsa's is Margareta's life story and Chris really enjoys Jons Bengtsson Oxenstierna!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Stockholm City Museum, we're ashamed to say we have only just visited you! But you made up for it. A super interesting place, all about the city's history from the middle ages onwards. Åsa even tried on some hats in one exhibition on department store! 👒
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
We know you're hungry for more Swedish ruler content, so here is EAT! Erik Axelsson Tott is here and ready to make the border nobility proud. But how will he try to succeed where so many others have failed in the recent past? Find out now!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Åsa joined the Stockholm Pride parade today 🏳️‍🌈 As a designated Pride parade it dates back to 1998 when the city hosted Europride for the first time. However, its roots are longer than that. Since the late 1970s there's been an LGBTQI+ parade/march in the city in some form.
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Happy Birthday to half of Flatpack and Kingdom, Åsa! An excellent co-producer, co-host, travel buddy and excellent napper 🥳
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Axel Oxenstierna is here, perhaps Sweden's most famous bureaucrat. But he's much more than just that. Here we look at how he begins to reshape the way Sweden functions as a country, from the courts to economic policies. He even hosts Sweden's first ever "trade show" in an attempt to spark new ideas!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Tomorrow on Kingdom, we're going to look into the fascinating life and rule of Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna, one of the most momentous characters of this part of Swedish history. Most importantly though, we'll see if Åsa is going soft on torture the further we get... Tune in to find out!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
In today's episode Flatpack goes to Stegeborg castle 🏰 It's featured several times in the podcast and played an important part in Swedish history. We recorded on-site and learned lots about the castle that we wanted to share with you. Listen out for a special flyby as well 🛩️
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Tomorrow is a new episode of Flatpack but here's something unrelated! Last week we visited Ireland and enjoyed plenty of history, just nothing to do with Sweden. We saw several castles and old ruins, as well as some great scenery. What a lovely place!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
This week's episode of Kingdom covered our first religious figure, as we saw how Bishop of Linköping Kettil Karlsson Vasa led two revolts and kicked out two kings before eventually becoming Riksföreståndare himself. But how will we rank his time as regent?
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
To finish off our recent Gotland theme, here's a short video Chris made a few years ago about the Battle of Visby in 1361! youtu.be/mJw0M1-uTcg?...
youtu.be
Flatpack Visits Visby
YouTube video by A Flatpack History of Sweden
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Happy Birthday to the Swedish Air Force who turn 100 today! They were even kind enough to ensure the big flypast flew literally above our flat. Congratulations 🎊
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
A trip to Gotland isn't complete without a visit to Visby; where the middle ages feel closer than ever, thanks to the preserved town planning, old houses, ruins & not least the ring wall. Åsa's plans to become a pirate queen on Gotland having failed, she's returned to Flatpack HQ 😆
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Gotlandic farms are a bit different from those on the mainland. The iconic farm houses are made of locally quarried limestone. Åsa stopped in Bottarve on southern Gotland, where the local village preserve a farm from the 1700s. Well worth a visit if you're ever on Gotland!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
It's Sunday and time for a new episode of Flatpack. Gustav Adolf (yes, that's what we're calling him 😂) is off to deal with Sweden's enemies in turn; first Denmark and then the big mess in Russia. Let's see how it goes, who wins and who loses, and at what cost...
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Åsa's Gotlandic exploration continues! For centuries quarrying stones, in particular the island's characteristic limestone, was a major, but often small scale, industry on the island. Here's some pictures from what an old stone cutting place looked like!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Åsa has given up her plans for a hostile medieval style take over of Gotland. Because when she arrived in Visby the annual Almedalsveckan was ongoing.
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Åsa is on her way to Gotland! Inspired by Erik of Pomerania she has decided to set up as a pirate queen and harass the Swedish and Danish kingdoms from her castle in Visby ☠️ 👸🏼 😂
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Why read the same book once, when you can read it in two different languages??!! 😂 We're beginning research on one of Sweden's most interesting characters. This man is coming to your ears at the end of July!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Karl Knutsson Bonde gives up the rule in Sweden to the German born King of Denmark Kristian I and the Kalmar Union is once again ruled by the same monarch. But will Kristian be able to keep this unstable union together and will he follow our two simple rules for success?
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Today is Midsummer Day and Åsa has woken up after part taking in a Swedish tradition/superstition. Having picked 7 different types of flower on Midsummer's Eve, she slept with them under her pillow, in the belief that it'll make her dream of her one true love ❤️ 🌼😄
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Glad Midsommar / Happy Midsummer! The most Swedish of Swedish holidays is here and Åsa is enjoying her herring and schnapps! 🐟 💐 Tonight the sun will barely set and a lot of Swedes will be out dancing around the maypole. Cheers to everyone celebrating! 🥳
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
It's Sunday, time for a new episode and a new king on the throne of Sweden 👑 Who is young Gustav Adolf, the man who will go down in history as the Lion from the North, and how will he deal with the three wars that his dad left behind for Sweden to deal with?
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Up the road from Stegeborg is the town of Söderköping, a quaint little palce near the end of the Göta canal. It has also seen coronations and drama throughout history, including meetings of the Riksdag and the first coronation of a Swedish queen! Well worth a visit 😃
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
A pretty cool tomb!!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
One of the coolest things about Stegeborg Castle is the herb garden! First created by King Sigismund's sister Anna, it's been recreated to show what it used to look like. Whilst the formal garden disappeared over the centuries, the herbs themselves continued to spread and grow wildly!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Today we continue to look at KKB and see him become King of Sweden. We'll judge him all the way up until the end of this part of his life and see how he manages to negotiate his way through this turbulent period of Swedish politics, with kings, regents and noblemen all vying for power!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Happy National Day Sweden! 🥳 We visited Stegeborg castle, a medieval ruin that featured a few times on the pod. We explored the ruins and listened to a great audio guide whilst enjoying the sunshine. More content, including some on-site recording, will be coming in a special epsiode soon 😉
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Give the latest episode of Rex Factor a listen to hear a mention of Sweden's first king, Olof Skötkonung! It's a great episode, as always 😊
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Reposted by A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers
A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
A new episode is here and things are getting tough for Karl, with three separate wars on his plate. But, he does have a great commander in Jacob de la Gardie and a fancy new weapon from France...!
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
A new episode is here and things are getting tough for Karl, with three separate wars on his plate. But, he does have a great commander in Jacob de la Gardie and a fancy new weapon from France...!
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Reposted by A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers
A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Åsa was at Uppsala University a few weeks ago and in one of their main meeting rooms, it turned out the entire line up of Kingdom, past and future contestants, were looking down on you 😄 The perfect interior decoration for any meeting room, in our opinion 😂
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A Flatpack History of Sweden Podcast / Kingdom: Swedish Rulers @flatpacksweden.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Åsa was at Uppsala University a few weeks ago and in one of their main meeting rooms, it turned out the entire line up of Kingdom, past and future contestants, were looking down on you 😄 The perfect interior decoration for any meeting room, in our opinion 😂
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