‘The Battle of Gotland 1361’ Exhibit

On July 22, 1361, 1,800 Gotland farmers were killed in a brutal clash with Danish troops. King Valdemar had commanded his forces to conquer parts of southern Sweden, landing there with an army of mounted knights and German foot mercenaries. The invaders faced off against the poorly equipped locals, whose ranks included children and the elderly.

The ensuing battle was a devastating blow to the local farming community, with more than half of Gotland’s farmers slain in the fight. The dead fighters were buried in mass graves alongside their chainmail shirts and gloves and weapons.