Conquest of Kalmar

Conquest of Kalmar
Part of Swedish War of Liberation
Date May 27, 1523 Location Kalmar, Sweden Result Swedish victory, Kalmar captured by Swedish forces
Belligerents
Sweden	Denmark
Commanders and leaders
Arvid Västgöte Peder Hansson
Strength
At least two Fähnlein of German mercenaries	German mercenaries

The Conquest of Kalmar (Swedish: Erövringen av Kalmar) took place on May 27 1523 during the Swedish War of Liberation (1521-1523). In the beginning of 1523, Kalmar and Stockholm remained as the only real Danish strongholds in Sweden. The situation in Kalmar was tense, with many German Landsknechte mercenaries in Danish hire stationed in the city. They were under orders that, if the city were to be attacked, they should kill all burghers of Swedish origin, burn the city and castle, retreat and regroup in Visby, Gotland.

When this order became known in the city, the inhabitants quickly made contact with the commanders of the besieging Swedish forces, Arvid Västgöte and Peder Hansson. An agreement was made, that the burghers would leave the northern city gate open on the night before May 27. This was done, and the attack began. Before dawn, the city was in Swedish hands. Eight days later Kalmar Castle surrendered as well, and Arvid Västgöte continued on to cleanse Öland of Danish troops.

References

• Sundberg, Ulf (1998). "Befrielsekriget 1521-1523". Svenskt Militärhistoriskt Bibliotek (in Swedish). Retrieved 2011-11-20.