On this day, according to legend, the English Bishop Henry of Uppsala (Sweden) was axed to death by Lalli during the alleged first crusade of Sweden against raids by pagans from Finland. During the journey, Henry stopped at a house to ask for food for his men and hay for his horses. When the matron of the house, Kerttu, refused him, Henry took the food and hay by force and left a payment before continuing on his way. On his return to the house, Lalli, Kerttu’s husband, found out what had happened and, enraged, chased after Henry and axed him to death on a frozen lake. Today, Lalli’s axe and Bishop Henry’s mitre feature in the coat of arms of the municipality of Säkylä.
Bishop Henry of Uppsala Murdered
20th January 1156