The Tree of Europe · Person

Charles VIII of Sweden

Charles Knutsson, of the House of Bonde, alternated periods as King of Sweden with exile and restoration. He also claimed and briefly exercised kingship in Norway in opposition to Christian I.

1408 – 1470KingBonde · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Historical portraitPolychrome bust of Charles Knutsson (photograph by Jacob Truedson Demitz)Unknown sculptor · Fifteenth century (sculpture); 2019 (photograph)Public domain · PD-Art / PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1408 Documented

Death: 15 May 1470 Documented

Role: King

Dynasty: Bonde · ES

Territories: Sweden (ES) · Norway (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Regent · Sweden · Regency Documented1436–1437RegencyElection in February 1436 and government initially shared with Engelbrekt. The reviewed jurisdiction does not establish uniform control of every fortress.

Regent · Sweden · Regency Documented1438–1440RegencyRegent during the break with Eric; an office preceding and separate from his later kingship.

King · Sweden · Reign Documented1448–1457Effective rule

King · Sweden · Reign Documented1464–1465Effective rule

King · Sweden · Reign Documented1467–1470Effective rule

King · Norway · Reign Pending review1449–1450DisputedKingship contested by Christian I; he renounced the Norwegian crown in 1450.

Family network

Recorded relationships

No direct relationships are recorded for this person.

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Charles VIII of Sweden. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1436

SwedenRegent
View titles and jurisdictions
- Sweden · ESRegent · Regency1436–1437 · Election in February 1436 and government initially shared with Engelbrekt. The reviewed jurisdiction does not establish uniform control of every fortress.

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

8 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
1408
The authority record gives the birth as 1408.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Karl VIII., Schweden, König · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
15 May 1470
The authority record gives the death as 1470-05-15.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Karl VIII., Schweden, König · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Governments (5/6 with a precise source)

GovernmentDocumented
Regent · Sweden · 1436–1437
The source distinguishes the office of regent from the later reign.
Riksarkivet · Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson · Election in February 1436; Karl Knutsson shared the office and retained it after Engelbrekt’s death.
Reviewed on 2026-10-05 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentDocumented
Regent · Sweden · 1438–1440
The source distinguishes the office of regent from the later reign.
Riksantikvarieämbetet · Syna staden · Chronology: Karl Knutsson, regent, 1438–1440.
Reviewed on 2026-10-05 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentDocumented
King · Sweden · 1448–1457
The authority record dates this office to 1448–1457.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Karl VIII., Schweden, König · Biographical data: King of Sweden, 1448–1457, 1464–1465 and 1467–1470.
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentDocumented
King · Sweden · 1464–1465
The authority record dates this office to 1464–1465.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Karl VIII., Schweden, König · Biographical data: King of Sweden, 1448–1457, 1464–1465 and 1467–1470.
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentDocumented
King · Sweden · 1467–1470
The authority record dates this office to 1467–1470.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Karl VIII., Schweden, König · Biographical data: King of Sweden, 1448–1457, 1464–1465 and 1467–1470.
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
GovernmentPending review
King · Norway · 1449–1450
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (4)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.