Dacke War
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Dackefejden (The Dacke feud; also known as the Dacke War) is named after Nils Dacke. He was a peasant leader from Torsås in southern Småland. In 1542 he and his men revolted against the newly ascended king Gustav Vasa. The reasons for the revolt were dissatisfaction with the new king's taxes, bans on trade over the Danish border and the Church policy. The revolt quickly spread over Småland and Östergötland. In November 1542, Gustav Vasa made peace with Dacke, who by that won command over Småland. During the winter Dacke carried out several reforms, for example he reintroduced the Catholic order for divine service. In March 1543 Gustav Vasa commanded mercenaries to attack Småland. Dacke's forces were beaten and Dacke himself was wounded. The same year in August he was surrounded and shot in Rödeby in Blekinge. Gustav Vasa carried through harsh punishments for the uprising. Dacke's home district was plundered and all his family members were executed or deported.
