Gribshunden – the Danish King Hans’ flagship – sank in 1495 after a fire outside Ronneby in Blekinge. For the Danish king, it was a difficult loss, because on board were large treasures, which the king had intended to use to persuade the Swedish regent to re-establish the Kalmar Union.
New investigations of the cargo show that one of the things the king wanted to impress with was large quantities of spices. Two historians at Lund University have taken samples of the 3,097 plant parts from 40 different plants that were found in the wreck of Gribshunden. As much as 86 percent turns out to come from spices that were extremely sought after at the time.
The charm offensive failed
Among the spices on board Gribshunden saffron and black pepper were among others. They were spices that were so expensive that only the absolute elite could afford them.
“Remains of saffron, almonds and hazelnuts prove that the king often ate these extravagant foodstuffs while at sea and probably also on land,” the historians note in their study.
If it was the loss of the spices and Gribshunden which was decisive we do not know for sure. But King Hans’ charm offensive in Sweden in 1495 failed. A few years later, however, the Danish king returned and re-established the Kalmar Union by force of arms.
