Siege of Stegeborg (1543)

The siege of Stegeborg (Swedish: belägringen av Stegeborg) occurred in February 1543 during the Dacke War. In February, Småland peasants numbering 700 under the command of Erik Ölänning and Per Djup departed from Tjust, marching towards Stegeborg. When they arrived, they besieged it from both land and sea but faced heavy resistance from its commander, Svante Sture. Eventually, however, the peasants were able to capture several guns from the fortress. Unexpectedly, however, Erik Ölänning defected for unknown reasons, and sent the majority of his men home. The ones who remained were soon killed by the Swedish relief force under Johan Turesson and Joakim Bulgrin.