Falkenberg (fort)
Falkenberg was a fort in Falkenberg, Sweden. It was first mentioned in 1298. It would later give the town, which was previously known as Ätraby, its name. The fort was the location for several Nordic treaties during the fourteenth century. It was burnt down by count Erik in 1356, but was thereafter rebuilt.
The army of Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson did, under the leadership of Herman Berman besiege the town in 1434. The defenders managed the first attack successfully. They did however realise that they would not be able to continue to hold the fort. Therefore, they choose to put the fort on fire and leave it by water.
The fort was located on the south strand of river Ätran, about 60 m (200 ft) from the southern abutment of Falkenberg Bridge. Excavations took place in 1885, as a railway was run through the area. The fort consisted of a tower. It had an inner area of 5.5 by 5.5 m (18 by 18 ft), while the outer area was 15.5 by 15.5 m (50 by 50 ft) at the base. The walls are at the thickest at the base, and becomes thinner towards the top. Above the lower, partially intact, parts were brick walls. The group which performed the excavations found remains of brick all over the excavated area. The group also found some loose remains, such as a golden finger ring and a silver coin.
No remains of any other buildings were found. The fort was most likely only used in combat.
People mentioned as ruling from the fort
- 1344 Trotte Petersson
- 1356 Bengt Algotsson
- 1384 Eskil Brahe
- 1433-1434 Åke Axelsson (Tott)
Sources
- Falkenbergs museum/Carl Estmar (1998). Borgen Falkenberg i källskrifterna.
Coordinates: 56°55′N 12°26′E / 56.917°N 12.433°E