Snapphaneeken - Sölvesborg, Sweden - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

Information sign at the Snapphane Oak.



Den kanske mest betydelsefulla perioden i Ryssbergets kulturhistoria under 1600-talet lämnade inga synliga spår efter sig. Den har däremot satt sin outplånliga prägel på den lokala berättartraditionen. Det var här på Ryssberget snapphanarna tog sin tillflykt medan den svenska hären sakta men säkert intog bit för bit av såodra Sverige. Fredlösa och i strid mot den svenska kungamakten var de - ungefär som i legenden om Robin Hood, men utan en tydlig ledargestalt. Apropå spor finns det faktiskt ett synligt än så länge: Snapphaneeken. Titta noga så se du ansiktet av en av dessa beryktade snapphanar på ekens stam.

Legenden säger att inte mindre än 20 snapphanar blev tillfängatagna troligen omkring 1660 och dömdes till hängning i eken. En av dem benådades mot att han åtog sig att hänga alla de övriga. Efter hängningen sa en av åskådarne sarkastiskt: "Jag har aldrig sett så stora ekollon".

Snapphanar var det skällsord den svenska staten på 1600-tallet använde om stråtrövare, bönder och styrkor som stödde eller deltog på den danska sidan i de dansk-svenska krigen under perioden, inte minst under Skånska kriget 1675-1679 i de tidigare danska landskapen Skåne, Blekinge och Halland det vill säga Skåneland. Termen användes även av Kristian IV som den 20 augusti 1645 påbjöd undersåtarna i Danmark att "fred slutis med drottningen av Sverige och att snapphanar, fribytare, dragoner med flera skall avhålla sig från all fientlighet mot de svenske". 1658 nämnde Ove Juel också termen då han tvingades att inhysa svenske kungens soldater på sin gård på Själland då svenskarna hyste "fryckt for snapphaner".






Perhaps the most significant period in Ryssberget's cultural history during the 17th century left no visible traces. It has, however, left its indelible mark on the local storytelling tradition. It was here on Ryssberget that the Snapphans took refuge while the Swedish army slowly but surely took over piece by piece of southern Sweden. They were outlawed and in conflict with the Swedish monarchy - much like in the legend of Robin Hood, but without a clear leadership. Speaking of tracks, there is actually one visible so far: the Snapphane oak. Look closely and you will see the face of one of these infamous snapphaner on the oak trunk.

Legend has it that no less than 20 snapphaner were captured probably around 1660 and sentenced to be hanged in the oak. One of them was pardoned for committing to hang all the others. After the hanging, one of the spectators said sarcastically: "I have never seen such big acorns".

Snapphanar was an insult word used by the Swedish state in the 17th century about straw robbers, farmers and forces that supported or participated on the Danish side in the Danish-Swedish wars during the period, not least during the Scanian War 1675-1679 in the former Danish provinces of Skåne, Blekinge and Halland, ie Skåneland. The term was also used by Christian IV, who on August 20, 1645, ordered the subjects in Denmark that "peace be made with the queen of Sweden and that snapphaner, free traders, dragoons and more shall refrain from all hostility towards the Swedes". In 1658, Ove Juel also mentioned the term when he was forced to house the Swedish king's soldiers on his farm on Zealand when the Swedes were "afraid of snapphaner".

Group that erected the marker: Ysane-Norje Hembygdsförening, Sölvesbors Kommun Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: Snapphanegatan 40 Sölvesborg, 294 31 URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed

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