Sidsel Norby

some say that it was this female child for whom Bernt von Mehlen stood as godfather in 1524. It seems to be beyond dispute that Sören Norby in fact had a daughter. The issues of her birth year and whether von Mehlen stood as her godfather are unsettled. However, it is more likely than not that this female child was born in about 1524 and that von Mehlen was in fact her godfather.

The mother (or mothers) of Sören Norby's children is unknown. His only reported romantic interest was with Kristina Gyllenstierna, the young widow of the Swedish regent, Sten Sture. Sture was killed by the Danes in early 1520. Kristina Gyllenstierna, after surrendering Stockholm Castle to the Danes in late 1520, was transported to Denmark where she was held until early 1524. It is reported that during her captivity, Sören Norby was a frequent visitor. It is likely that the relationship between these two was more a matter of political expediency than of romance. Legend suggests that the mother of Norby’s children might be Margit Christensdatter, who was in charge of housekeeping at Visborgs Castle. 28/ The relationship between Sören Norby and Kristina Gyllenstierna is discussed in more detail in the “Ancestry of Pehr Bengtsson Norby” report.

Immediately upon her release in early 1524, Kristina proceeded to Gotland or to Kalmar Castle in Kalmar. Kalmar Castle was held at the time by Sören Norby's good friend Bernt von Mehlen. It seems that Kristina was intent on unseating King Gustav Vasa and gaining the Swedish throne on behalf of her young son, Nils Stensson Sture. Bernt von Mehlen and Sören Norby were probably willing to assist her in this endeavor, as King Gustav Vasa was a common enemy and would eventually present an obstacle to their plan to recapture the Danish throne on behalf of exiled King Christian II, or for themselves.

In July, 1525, while von Mehlen and Kristina were in Bleking with Sören Norby, King Gustav Vasa's forces attacked and captured Kalmar Castle, which at the time was held by von Mehlen. Among the castle's occupants were Nils Stensson Sture, Kristina Gyllenstierna's young son. Sometime after July and before the end of November, Leonard or Leonardus Norby (a servant and/or son of Sören Norby), Sören Norby's young daughter, and Severin Brun, a Sören Norby aid, fell into Gustav Vasa's hands when the ship transporting them from Visby to Blekinge ran aground and was captured near Kalmar.

It has been reported that every last person at Kalmar Castle, except Nils Stensson Sture, was killed. This exception may have been influenced by the fact that King Gustav Vasa was Kristina's sister's husband. Sören Norby's daughter was never seen again by her father. The fate of Leonardus Norby is unknown. Söffuerin Brun, the Norby aide, was executed in the Stockholm Market in February, 1527.