Eric, Duke of Mecklenburg | |
|---|---|
| Born | probably in 1365, definitely after 1359 |
| Died | 26 July 1397 Klintehamn south of Visby[1] |
| Noble family | House of Mecklenburg |
| Spouse(s) | Sophie of Pomerania-Wolgast |
| Father | Albert III, Duke of Mecklenburg |
| Mother | Richardis of Schwerin |
Eric I, Duke of Mecklenburg (after 1359, probably in 1365 – 26 July 1397) was the eldest son of Albert, King of Sweden and heir to the throne of Sweden.[2] Eric played a significant role in his father's attempts to secure and reclaim the Swedish throne. Eric and Albert were defeated in battle of Åsle in 1389 and imprisoned by the Danish Queen Margaret I of Denmark. They were released in 1395 against a ransom guaranteed by the Hanseatic league.
Albert tried to regain the Swedish crown by sending Eric to conquer Gotland in 1396. Eric briefly became the ruler of Gotland. Eric died in 1397, and his death led to the loss of Gotland from Mecklenburg to pirates, who were later conquered by the Teutonic Order.