Lars (bishop)

Lars was the name of the Archbishop of Sweden 1255–1267.

Lars is a Swedish form for the Latin name Laurentius, which in English is Lawrence. This was the name Lars used as an archbishop. His birthname is unknown.

Lars was recruited from the recently established Franciscan monastery in Enköping. Since the monastery is unlikely to have had time to recruit Swedish monks, it is possible that he was foreign.

In 1255, when Lars had just recently been ordained (which he was in the primate Lund), a papal letter arrived. The Pope expressed his belief in the Swedish monarch Birger Jarl. The situation in Sweden was still shaky. There was an ongoing struggle for the throne, which later forced the antagonists to tax the clergies to support their war.

Another papal letter in 1257 expressed the Pope's support for crusades to the east, towards the Swedish parts of Finland that were either not yet Christianized, or had turned apostate. The inspiration came from the crusades to Jerusalem.

Lars was dedicated to enforcing celibacy among priests. This was a problem that had still not been solved in Sweden, despite papal efforts and threats. The usual reason given was the low population in Sweden, which made it necessary for priests to marry and have children. Even though Lars was known for trying to uphold celibacy, in 1258 he had to send a request to the Pope about not having to excommunicate those who broke the rule. We can imagine how common it was since this was necessary.

In 1258 the move of the archbishopric to its present location was decided. It would, however, not be realized for another decade. The reason was that the present location Östra Aros had grown in significance.

When Lars died in early March 1267, he was buried among his brothers at the monastery in Enköping.

References

• Svea Rikes Ärkesbiskopar, Uppsala, 1935

Archbishops of Uppsala 12th century Stefan Johannes Petrus 13th century Olov Lambatunga Valerius Olov Basatömer Jarler Lars Folke Johansson Ängel Jakob Israelsson Johan Odulfsson Magnus Bosson Johan Nils Allesson 14th century Nils Kettilsson Olov Björnsson Petrus Filipsson Hemming Nilsson Petrus Torkilsson Birger Gregersson Henrik Karlsson 15th–16th century Jöns Gerekesson Johan Håkansson Olov Larsson Arnold of Bergen Nicolaus Ragvaldi Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna Tord Pedersson (Bonde) Jakob Ulvsson Gustav Trolle Reformation Johannes Magnus Olaus Magnus Post-Reformation Laurentius Petri (Nericius) Laurentius Petri Gothus Andreas Laurentii Björnram Abraham Angermannus Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis 17th century Olaus Martini Petrus Kenicius Laurentius Paulinus Gothus Johannes Canuti Lenaeus Lars Stigzelius Johan Baazius the younger Olov Svebilius 18th century Erik Benzelius the elder Haquin Spegel Mathias Steuchius Johannes Steuchius Erik Benzelius the younger Jakob Benzelius Henric Benzelius Samuel Troilius Magnus Beronius Carl Fredrik Mennander Uno von Troil 19th century Jakob Axelsson Lindblom Carl von Rosenstein Johan Olof Wallin Carl Fredrik af Wingård Hans Olof Holmström Anton Niklas Sundberg 20th century Johan August Ekman Nathan Söderblom Erling Eidem Yngve Brilioth Gunnar Hultgren Ruben Josefson Olof Sundby Bertil Werkström Gunnar Weman Karl Gustav Hammar 21st century Anders Wejryd Antje Jackelén