Erik Klasson
1492 ᛦ
Erik Klasson, a Swedish Ásatrúar, was executed for sorcery, theft, and heresy in 1492. Other than his willingness to die rather than renounce his allegiance and loyalty to Alföðr Óðinn, we know very little about him. This came only eight years after the trial and execution of another of our AFA Heilagmaðr, Ragnvald Odiakarl, so we know that the Alföðr was stirring the souls of his Folk in Sweden around that time.
Klasson is said to have worked as a servant for a man named Hans Persson on the island of Värmdõ. During his time as Hans’s servant, he had stolen from him many times. He had also allegedly sworn himself to Óðinn so as to escape poverty.
He went to trial for this in 1492, at the court in Stockholm. He confessed to the thefts, as well as his allegiance to Lord Óðinn. Since Sweden was under the sway of the Catholic Church at this time, the court accused him of worshipping the Satan, since all of the Æsir were considered demons or aspects of Satan by the Christians.
He was sentenced to death by hanging for the thefts, but also sentenced to be burned at the stake for his loyalty to Lord Óðinn instead of the Abrahamic god.
He was executed, but he died a follower of the Alföðr, rather than betraying his Gods in the end. Even the guarantee of a gruesome death did not sway him, and he crossed beyond the veil a true Ásatrúar!
May we all find the steadfastness to stand tall for our Gods and our Folk!
Hail Erik Klasson!