Våld i Strängnäs stads tänkebok 1590-1599 : Våldsmål i Strängnäs rådstuga under 1590-talet

Sammanfattning: The Middle Ages and the 1600th century is often portrayed as a dark time in history, associated with violence and death. That has led to the common conclusion that it was a time when people, usually men, used violence to solve disputes and that it often led to manslaughter. Violence was an acknowledged part of the everyday life in a time when honour and reputation was crucial in the hierarchy of society. By the lake Mälaren in the middle of Sweden is Strängnäs, an old diocese town, that rouse up around the cathedral and monastery in the 1300th century. In 1523 a crucial event took place in Strängnäs, one that would change not only Strängnäs but the whole of Sweden for ever. Gustav Vasa was elected new king of Sweden and the reformation began. The church lost its power and was no longer a threat to the crown for the power of the realm. During this time the power of the king strengthened and the countrys administration developed.   But society is regulated by laws and the development of society shines trough in the enforcement of these laws. By studying the records from the courts you get a direct insight to how the law was practised in reality. In this study I am going to examine the records from the municipal court of Strängnäs during 1590-1599 to see how the enforcement of law and order was followed in a small Swedish town during the 1590s.