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[[Image:Scandinavia-12th century.png|right|thumb|Approximate borders of Sweden in the 12th century before the incorporation of [[Finland]] during the 13th century. Blue and yellow represents the [[Geats]] (from [[Götaland]]) and [[Suiones]] (from [[Svealand]]) tribes; their previous unification marks the consolidation of Sweden (in one commonly held view).]]
In modern [[Swedish language|Swedish]], '''Folkung''' has two meanings, which appear to be opposites:

# The [[medieval]] "[[House of Bjälbo]]" in [[Sweden]], which produced several Swedish statesmen and kings.<ref name="FolkungaättenABC">{{citation |first=Lars O. |last=Lagerqvist |contribution=Folkungaätten |url=http://histvarld.historiska.se/histvarld/sok/artikel.asp?id=20491 |title=Medeltidens ABC |publisher=[[Swedish Museum of National Antiquities]] |isbn=9151839261 |year=2001 |access-date=2007-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725213352/http://histvarld.historiska.se/histvarld/sok/artikel.asp?id=20491 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
# A group of people (singular ''Folkunge'', plural ''Folkungar''), who were at times in political opposition to the same House of Bjälbo. This "political party" fought for the ancient right of free men to elect the kings in Sweden.<ref name=folkung_party/>

Until the 17th century, ''Folkunge'' was used only with the second meaning. However, many of these political opponents were also said to have been descendants of [[jarl in Sweden|Jarl]] [[Folke the Fat]] (from the House of Bjälbo), who lived before the family became royal. Hence, in the 17th century, the whole family, then already extinct and without any established name, became known as the House of Folkung (''Folkungaätten'' in Swedish).

Later research, though, showed that the political Folkungs were not just descendants of Jarl Folke—instead, they belonged to different Swedish noble families, united by the ambition to fight against a central ruler of Sweden. According to one theory, Folkungs wanted to keep the old "freedom" of the [[petty kingdom]]s, including the election of kings, and to retain local power in their own control.<ref name=folkung_party>{{Harvnb|Kari|2004|p=117}}</ref> Many Folkungs came from the ancient provinces of [[Svealand]], opposing the ruling families of the time that were mostly from [[Götaland]]. The first Folkung uprising in 1229 was successful, elevating [[Canute II of Sweden|Canute II]] onto the throne. Later developments were less promising, and the centralized system eventually suppressed their resistance.

==See also==
* [[Battle of Sparrsätra]]
* [[Second Folkung Uprising]]
* [[Third Folkung Uprising]]
* [[Consolidation of Sweden]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{Citation|surname=Kari|given=Risto|year=2004|title=Suomalaisten keskiaika|publisher=WSOY|isbn=951-0-28321-5}}

[[Category:13th century in Sweden]]
[[Category:Norse clans]]

[[pl:Folkungowie]]