The idea is what would happen if a modern person (with impressive knowledge of history, technology, and somewhat decent diplomatic skills) was put into the role of Eric of Pomerania who was the first ruler of the Kalmar Union. This story will not focus much on day by day but will work more as a history reading mixed in with in-time retelling of his story. The story is set in 1397 and onwards as that is the year the Kalmar Union was created. Before hand let me also say I am not a historian, but a simple student who found this time period interesting, if I get anything wrong historically let me know but alot of things change as this is an alternate history. I will research names but I will be honest sometimes specific names of dukes or counts aren't given and I will therefore name them myself.
The story will go through the economic ramifications of the introduction of radical new technological advancements, the unity of an empire that was meant to be divided, the colonisation of the new world, the rise of the Nordic church as the predominant faith in the north, and much more.
Background info:
The Kalmar-Union was a personal union between the then countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. This included Finland, oversee territories such as Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, and finally the vassal of Schleswig. The Union was in purpose to unify the three countries to combat the rising influence of the Hanseatic league, while still keeping the cultural and political seperations between each country. The first king of the unified Kalmar Union was Eric of Pomerania who was proclaimed king in 1397 of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, however, it was very much Queen Margaret that remained the defacto ruler of the Union until her death in 1412. The story will start as mentioned earlier in 1397 where Eric the VII (he technically was known as Eric III King of Norway, Eric VII King of Denmark, and Eric XIII King of Sweden but that is simply too long) will be elected king of the Union, but still under his mother. The SI will of course work to be autonomous while fixing the internal issues of the Union. Furthermore, he will work towards integrating a unified cultural atmosphere and language so that the people and nobility feels as one people. With all that in mind let us start the story.
Whilst Northern Europe today is mostly comprised of a single sovereign empire, that was not always the case. Indeed most of Northern Europe throughout most of history was separated into many smaller states and countries that all spoke different languages, had different political structures, and was in general different people. Many a historian would argue this started to change during the rule of Eric the VII, who many consider to be the father of what is now today known as the Unified Nordic Empire, or for short The North. This historian would argue that while indeed under Eric the VII rule the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway was unified, it wasn't until his later predecessors that the empire would truly expand into the new world and institute what would become the Grand Duchy of Vinland. As a matter of fact many of todays historians consider Eric the VII to be a very much domestic focused king as many of his policies, laws, ideas, and inventions saw the consolidation of different people under a unified ideal of one nation. With the introduction of regional and national anthems, the unified code of laws, and creation of the small council the idea of nationalism was slowly being introduced into the Union for both commoner and nobility alike. That is not to say this was an instantaneous ideal, indeed it took many years under the first kings rule to convince his people they were stronger as one instead of many. Many today still wonder how the young king came up with many of his legislations as they were considered quite different from what was considered normal of the time.
One of the first regulations created by Eric the VII was the creation of the small council. While many Swedish nobels, especially those of the swedish privy council, were hesitant with this development as it seemed at first to be danish rule that threatened Swedish self-government, that changed after the announcement of who were to be appointed to such prestigious positions of councillors to the king. It is important to note that the small councils purpose was indeed that, a council to advise the king, but it was still ultimately the king that would rule and elect his councillors, that is not to say their only duty was to advise the king as several of the positions were also to execute the will and rule of the king.
The first position that was established was that of Lord High Steward (Riksdots) who many today consider the right hand man of the king. The purpose of this office was to secure the kings rule was obeyed both by commoner and nobility alike. This role would be the highest in term of rank inside the small council and was often a close confidant and supporter of the king. The first noble appointed to this position was that of Axel Bjelke a Swedish noble man who was known to be for the Kalmar Union.
The second position that was created was Lord High Constable (Riksmark) who was also sometimes would be referred as the Master of War. This position was traditionally held by a noble who had participated in war and who was known to be strategically savvy when it came to warfare. The position held the responsibility of securing the efficiency and capability of the Unions army. This was both important for securing an army to defend the nation but also to ensure competent officers, generals, and commanders were trained from the noble families. The first noble to be appointed to this position was the Danish noble man Christian Krogh who both was a stout loyal dane but also a highly capable commander of the old danish army.
The third position that was introduced was that of Lord Admiral (Riksamiral) who was also known as the Master of Ships. This office, like its counterpart the Master of War, was held by a noble who had participated in war on the seas. This role would entirely focus on maintenance of the integrity of the Unions navy, this meant both that there were capable sailors to man the ships but also to ensure naval commanders would be up to the standard required to lead their fellows in war or protection of union land. The first noble to be appointed to this position was the Norwegian noble man Ludwig Henriksson who had long been part of the Norwegian fleet and had gained prestige in the years leading up to the unions formation by privateering against the Hanseatic League.
The fourth position Lord High Chancellor (Rikskansler), who by todays standards operated much like a minister of foreign affairs. This position was vital in ensuring the relation with foreign powers were either favorable towards the Union or to gain information on those nations that potentially threatened the state. This position also administrated the many embassy's around europe to ensure only loyal servants of the crown could be elevated to the status of ambassador. The first noble man to be elevated to this position was that of the Danish Hans Løvenskiold, who had many ties and connections both within and outside the realm through marriage, trade, or other diplomatic means.
The fifth position instated was that of Lord High Treasurer (Riksskattmästere) who held the responsibility of controlling the state treasury, but also to promote domestic economy so that the coffers of the state would grow. This office was known to aid the king in setting the budget of each of the different officers within the state, this was done to ensure the state would not become bankrupt. The first raised to this position was the Swedish Noble man Knud Trolle who by this time was one of the richest Swedish nobles due to his prowess of controlling the economic growth inside of his county.
The sixth position created was that of the Lord High of Commerce who would work closely with the Lord High Treasurer but would focus on foreign and domestic trade. The main focus of this office was to ensure Union income would not falter and would be upheld to safeguard the economy. This would be done by coordinating the burghers for optimal trade efficiency and to create certain centers of trade within the Union, but also to work with the Lord High Admiral to ensure ships were available for both trading and protecting that trade. This office was first held by the Danish noble man Karl Gyldenfelt who came from a more recent noble family, who a century ago had bought their elevation from merchant to noble through money they earned from trade.
The seventh position of the small council was that of the Lord High of Agriculture who would make certain the Unions food supply was well maintained and that the harvest was adequately collected, stored, and transferred within the realm. The position was also later responsible for the stimulation of agricultural growth as per following several of the kings inovations and ideas. This was very important as most peasants of the time were hesitant to change their proven agricultural ways and did not want to risk starving. The first person to be elevated to this position was the Danish noble Heinrich Lindholm, who was a count from the region of Lund who had long been known for the fertile soil of the region but also for the fisheries along the coast that contributed vastly to the food supply.
The eighth position of the small council was that of Lord High of Justice who also was referred to as the Master of Laws. This office was famously known to unify the first code of laws that standardised the laws of the land. That is to say no matter where one lived within the state the laws were the same, which before hand was certainly not the case. Beside the creation of laws, the office was also to limit corruption of judges so that justice was truly carried out. The first person of this office was the Swedish noble Peder Porse who was known within Sweden to be incorruptible and fair.
The ninth position of the small council was The Lord High of Infrastructure and Architecture. With a state so large as the Union proper infrastructure was sorely needed for shipment of goods and served to ensure that each country within the union could transfer adequately goods that was produced within their respective lands. This was seen properly as iron, copper, and wood was transported from Sweden and Norway, while food and goods from central Europe would go through Denmark. The first person to hold this office was the Danish noble Gustav Oxholm.
The tenth and last position of the small council was the only position not directly chosen by the king himself but rather the clergy of the realm would nominate a priest to the council who then would be known as the Grand priest of the faith. This position was to ensure the religious unity of the land, however, it should be noted this position was first created by the king to pacify the Pope after the king had confistigated church land. The first Grand Priest was the Archbishop of Lund Jakob Gertsen.
The opinion of the council's formation was very split, the Danish nobility was snubbed that a good part of the council was made up of Swedish nobility, while the Swedish grumbling about not having as many positions as the Danish. The norwegian nobility was content with its one appointment as Erik VII was popular within the Norwegian nobility. Most, however, found it difficult to publicly talk against the council as the Pope himself had selected one of the positions of said council. This not only brought prestige but also legitimacy to the appointments of the council members, as in a way if the Pope approved that meant God approved.
The formation of the small council was only the first of the legislations that was created by Erik the VII. In the next chapter some of the inventions of the king and their implementation will be explained, furthermore, the unified code of laws impact and challenges will be discussed.