Axelssönerna (Tott)
Ett ekonomiskt imperium inom gränsadeln i 1400-talets Norden
This essay explores the economical and social paradigms surrounding one of the most influentialNordic border dynastic noble families in the second half of the fifteenth century - the AxelssonTotts. How mercantile possibilities and opportunities offered to them, reflected on their politicalactions and social bands. The Axelsson brothers of the Tott Dynasty would become of one of themost powerful noble families within the Nordic Union between 1444 och 1487.Axel Pedersen (Tott) would through well chosen marriage alliances into the noble families of bothDenmark and Sweden, and with political prowess lay the foundation for one of the most dynamicfamily empires of the fifteenth century. In the year 1442, the Axelsson brothers swore loyalty toeach other; to protect and defend their mercantile and economical interests in Denmark andSweden. They would eventually control the trading routes in the border areas of the Union, and byexploiting the political chaos within the Union they would gain access and influence to the landtrading routes for export and import within the Union and the shipping export routes in the BalticSea allowing them access to the Russian market through Finland and Estonia.The island of Gotland, with its tactical and important geographical position in the Baltic Seabecame the key to the Nordic Union. Olof Axelsson (Tott) sailing under the Danish flag tookpossession of Gotland in 1449. Although technically a part of the Danish kingdom, in practice theisland would remain independent and under the control of the Axelsson brothers until 1487 whenthe last surviving brother, Sir Ivar relinquished his rights to Gotland in favor of the Danishmonarch, King Hans.The Axelsson brothers (Tott) would hold the key to The Nordic Union for almost four decades.Thus controlling the future of the union within the family by marriage, by political associationswithin and outside of the Union and most importantly by creating an economical empire based onpersonal family politics and border gentry aspirations.