In 1449 Karl Knutsson invaded from Sweden and proceeded to Hamar, where he called a thing, and was elected king by Archbishop Bolt, Erik Saemundsson and others who assembled there.

Ultimately Saemundsson was killed by Krummedige, the leading pro-Swedish advocates fled to Sweden, and Karl Knutsson renounced his claim to the throne, in 1450.

Hartvig Krummedige proceeded north, expelled the Swedish forces, and killed many of them, including members of the Tre Rosor family.

With this act, as well as his previous involvement in the death of Saemundsson, Krummerige earned the lasting enmity of pro-Swedish Alv Knutsson of Tre Rosor.

In 1500 King Hans of Denmark, Sweden and Norway made an ill-fated attempt to conquer the Ditmarshes (Dithmarschen) in Northern Germany.

Knut Alvsson, who had married the granddaughter of Karl Knutsson, and was involved with the Swedish Independence Party, concluded it was time to act.

[6] During his administration of Norway, he attempted to deprive the Norwegian nobility of its traditional influence exercised through the Rigsraadet (privy council).