It all started when the Danish King Erik I realised that his old unlanded uncle Asbjörn stood as successor to the Swedish Duchy of Uppland. Upon investigating it turned out that Uppland was under elective law and that the reigning duke, Emund II, also belonged to the House of Munsö. Not exactly close relatives though as can be seen in this dynasty tree:
But apparently Emund felt strongly about his relatives. Two problems stood in Erik's way to exploit this however. First of all, since uncle Asbjörn was unlanded he would become a Swedish duke of Uppland. Second of all, Asbjörn was quite old and would most likely die long before the very young Emund.
The solution to the first problem was to be found in Prussia. The provinces of Marienburg and Sambia belonged to the King's half-brother Svend, who himself was already imprisoned due to an earlier plot attempt to take the crown. Perfect. He was quickly bannished and the two provinces redistributed to Asbjörn. Next King Erik created the duchy of Prussia and handed the title to his uncle. Erik's spymaster was dispatched to Uppland to increase the chance of assassination which now hit 35%. Still not good, but Erik decided to gamble. The assassin succeded and was luckily not discovered. The duchy of Uppland was transferd to Asbjörn and the Kingdom of Denmark grew by seven provinces.
The cherry on top of the cake is that Asbjörn will pass the duchy on to another member of Munsö: King Erik's cousin Margrete, who happens to be married with the King's half-brother Harald. And Harald? He of course happens to be King Erik's heir...
But apparently Emund felt strongly about his relatives. Two problems stood in Erik's way to exploit this however. First of all, since uncle Asbjörn was unlanded he would become a Swedish duke of Uppland. Second of all, Asbjörn was quite old and would most likely die long before the very young Emund.
The solution to the first problem was to be found in Prussia. The provinces of Marienburg and Sambia belonged to the King's half-brother Svend, who himself was already imprisoned due to an earlier plot attempt to take the crown. Perfect. He was quickly bannished and the two provinces redistributed to Asbjörn. Next King Erik created the duchy of Prussia and handed the title to his uncle. Erik's spymaster was dispatched to Uppland to increase the chance of assassination which now hit 35%. Still not good, but Erik decided to gamble. The assassin succeded and was luckily not discovered. The duchy of Uppland was transferd to Asbjörn and the Kingdom of Denmark grew by seven provinces.
The cherry on top of the cake is that Asbjörn will pass the duchy on to another member of Munsö: King Erik's cousin Margrete, who happens to be married with the King's half-brother Harald. And Harald? He of course happens to be King Erik's heir...
