Eric the Stuttering and Lame
Eric XI of Sweden’s rather unflattering nickname came out of no real fault of his own. He was born the son of Eric Knutsson of Sweden and Richeza of Denmark and he was partially lame. Which is the reason for part of his nickname. Eric was born after the death of his father and during the time between his father’s death and his birth John I of Sweden had taken the throne.
King John I died in 1222, which left an opening for the then six-year-old Eric to claim his rightful throne. Being that he was only six, he ruled with the help of a regent council led by his cousin Knut Holmgersson. As Eric grew older, Knut became co-regent until the boy king reached the age of 13. It was in 1229 that Knut overthrew his cousin at the battle of Olustra.
Being a boy king was likely difficult for young Eric and losing his throne in battle at the mere age of 13 would not have been easy either. Having a very obvious stutter did not help the boy present the strong presence of a king that he needed. After being overthrown, he fled to Denmark, which was under the rule of his uncle.
Knut was crowned King Canute II of Sweden in 1231 and died in 1234. The death allowed Eric to once again reclaim his throne and this time he held it until his own death in 1250. He never made a strong impression as King, likely seen as weak being both lame and speaking with a stutter, but he still managed to twice reclaim his throne even if he never could overcome his nickname.