Hans Kruckow

Hans Kruckow was mentioned for the first time in 1442, when he was in Oslo to proclaim Christopher of Bavaria as the new King of Norway.

[1] In 1444 Hans was asked by the King to devise countermeasures against foreigners in Bergen – that is, the members of the Hanseatic League.

In February 1447, the German merchants of Bergen presented a letter of complaint to the befalingsman [ commander ] of the Bergenhus about Hans Kruckow.

Soon afterwards, Hans Kruckow and six other prominent men were at the Bohus Fortress in Båhuslen, near the Swedish border.

The coronation was contrary to the majority decision of the Riksråd and a clear challenge from the Archbishop and King Charles.

Hans Kruckow then switched sides to support the decision of the Royal Council but he, together with the Archbishop, wrote and sealed several letters.

His acts may be interpreted to mean that, while he did not accept the decision, he was reconciled with the fact that King Christian was legally elected.

On 1 August 1450 24 members of the Riksråd, including Hans Kruckow, declared that Christian, not Karl Knutsson, was the lawful King of Norway.

On 25 April 1453 the new Archbishop of Nidaros, Henrik Kalteisen, traveled with companions, including Hans Kruckow, from Bergen to Trondheim.

[10] In Trondheim Kruckow was one of the members of the Frostating who signed the letter of proclamation of King Christian.

It is possible that his support of the Swedish King and the Hanseatic League’s growing military might made it too dangerous for him to stay in Bergen.