Draft:Treaty of Kolsäter

The Treaty of Kolsäter was signed at the Kolsäter farm inEhdssokn in Dalsland, near the border to Bohuslän, on 15 February 1305 between Birger Magnusson, the king of Sweden, and his two brothers, dukes Eric and Valdemar. The outcome of the treat was that the dukes had to submit to the king, swear fealty to him, and to promise not to attack him again.

In the beginning of 1304, Eric's and Valdemar's goal to take the throne from their brother Birger had led to open warfare, and with support of the Norwegian king Haakon V they had succeeded in conquering Västergötland and Dalsland.

At the same time, Torkel Knutsson, Birger's marshal, had seized the dukes' estates. Birger had amassed a large army, up to 10 000 man. With this force he marched toward Västergötland. Since the dukes' armed forces could not match those of Birger, they retired toward Norway for reinforcements. However, Birger caught up with them at the Norwegian border, but no fighting broke out since the dukes' forces were so outnumbered.

Birger's overpowring army combined with Norway already being involved in warfare with Denmark left the dukes with no other choice than peace negotiations. These began in Kolsäter farm in Dalsland, where, apart from Birger, Eric, Valdemar and Torkel Knutsson, a large number of magnates were present.

In the treaty, Valdemar and Eric admit to their crimes, submit to the mercy of the king, and swear him fealty. The also promise never to exact revenge on Torkel Knutsson and others faithful to king Birger.

The agreement was likely induced by compulsion, and wasn't sincerely entered by the dukes.

The kings of Norway and Denmarks let it be known that they would not grant the dukes safe quarter in their countries should they break the terms of the treaty.

Memorials
The exact location of the meeting is disputed. There are two memorial stones erected over the treaty in Kolsäter.

The first stone was erected 2005 next to an Iron Age burial field at the Djupedalen farm (coordinates 58°46'17"N 11°48'0.7"E).

The second stone was erected 1958 on a hill near the country road leading to the Djupedalen farm (coordinates 58°46'10.2"N 11°48'35.9"E).