Bones of the Swedish king, Magnus Ladulås, are not what they seem to be…
Last year archaeologists and osteologists from The University of Stockholm were given permission to open one of the royal graves in Riddarholmskyrkan in order to study the remains of what was presumed to be Magnus Ladulås and some of his relatives. Magnus Ladulås was king of Sweeden from 1275 – 1290. He was born around 1240 as son of a magnate, Birger Jarl, and a sister to the Swedish king, Erik III. He died childless and Valdemar, a brother to Magnus Ladulås was, although minor, chosen as king in 1250. In 1274 his two younger brothers (among them Magnus) rebelled. Valdemar was beaten at Hova and ended up signing his kingdom over to Magnus, who was crowned at Uppsala in 1275. When he died in 1290 he was buried in the Greyfriars church at Riddarholmen. In 1573 the Swedish King, Johan III erected a renaissance sarcophagus with an effigy on top.
The opening of the grave was turned into a media-show and the national television recently broadcast a presentation of the preliminary studies, where any number of excited results were presented amongst others his sickly disposition. Unfortunately C14 assays now show that the bones, which were so intensely studied, cannot be those of the king and his family, as they have been dated to the 15th century. The researchers have now applied for permission to open the neighbouring sarcophagus, which has hitherto been presumed to contain the bones of a later king, Karl Knuttson Bonde.
Portraits
The scientists claim that they wish to open the graves in order to establish the exact kinship between Magnus Ladulås and the presumed bones of his father and brother, which were digged up in 2002. Another reason stated is to get a proper knowledge about the nutrition of a royal family at that time. Finally the goal is probably also to recreate the face of the king; a procedure, which is apparently a smart way to make museum exhibitions more entertaining and thus alluring.
But first they have to find him…
Se the film about the opening of the supposed grave of Magnus Ladulås