Erik Axelsson Tott

Biography

Born in Scania during the reign of Eric of Pomerania, as the son of Axel Pedersen Thott, Lord of Herlev and Lilloe, and his second wife Ingeborg Ivarsdotter of a noble Sudermannian family. Entered the service of King Charles VIII of Sweden (c. 1408–1470), his mother's first cousin, at an early age, already when Charles was just a Lord High Constable and castellan.

Lord Eric was the "Swedish anchor" of his family, of whom most regarded themselves as Danish subjects. His father's first wife, who had produced four of the nine sons, was Danish, for starters. In two generations during the latter half of the 15th century, the nine Thott brothers, also known as "Axelssöner", and additionally some sons of Aage, a senior in the brotherly brood, held high and mighty positions just when Denmark and Sweden were opposing nations, however trying to preserve their own family's position and often act in concert. A few of them changed sides in certain occasions, but mostly each of them aligned according to their most important personal landholdings. Eric was always in "Swedish" side, accepting the Danish monarch when Swedish nobility wanted that, and supported separate state/monarchy when the Swedes wanted that, i.e. most of the time. Of his brothers, Iver Axelsen Thott established a veritable principality for himself by taking the island of Gotland, and sometimes surrounding regions.

Eric opposed his older kinsman the king in 1457 when he as king had gathered much dissatisfaction among Swedish high nobility. In 1467 Eric yet again supported King Charles VIII, in his third election. Acquired the Swedish estates of the Sword Brethren in 1467, including Årsta Castle. As overlord of Finland he initiated the construction of the border fortress Olavinlinna in Savonlinna and the Vyborg town wall, both in the 1470s.

Lord Eric Axelsson died childless. His full brothers Ivar Thott and Lawrence Thott survived him, inheriting most of his properties. Some were inherited by his various nephews and nieces.