Mornay Plot
Royal Assassination Conspiracy
CLASSIFICATION: Assassination
LOCATION
Stockholm, Sweden
TIME PERIOD
1574
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
In 1574, a conspiracy known as the Mornay Plot was devised to assassinate King John III of Sweden, liberate the imprisoned Eric XIV, and potentially place either Eric or Charles IX on the throne. The plot was orchestrated by Charles de Mornay, a French Huguenot courtier in Sweden, who collaborated with various Swedish aristocrats and received support from Christina of Denmark. The assassination was to occur during a sword dance performed by Scottish mercenaries in October 1573; however, the plot was ultimately thwarted when de Mornay hesitated to signal the attack. The conspiracy was exposed when Scottish mercenary captain Hugh Cahun reported the plan to the king, leading to Cahun's execution for perjury, while de Mornay and his co-conspirators faced no immediate repercussions as the plot failed to materialize. The case remains historically significant as one of several attempts to alter the Swedish monarchy during this tumultuous period.
Charles de Mornay aimed to assassinate John III of Sweden and either reinstate the imprisoned Eric XIV or place Duke Charles on the throne. The plot involved secret negotiations with Swedish aristocrats and financial support from Christina of Denmark, indicating a broader conspiracy with international implications. Some believe that Duke Charles was aware of parts of the plot and that Mornay promised him access to Eric's hidden gold reserves as part of the plan.
The Mornay Plot: A 16th-Century Conspiracy
In the shadowy corridors of power in 1574, a daring plot unfolded, aiming to shake the very foundations of the Swedish monarchy. This was the Mornay Plot, a scheme entangled with ambition, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of power. It sought not only to assassinate John III of Sweden but also to free the imprisoned Eric XIV and install either him or Charles IX on the Swedish throne.
The Origins of a Conspiracy
The seeds of this conspiracy were sown in the summer of 1572, within the clandestine confines of diplomatic discussions. Charles de Dançay, the French envoy to Denmark, engaged in secret negotiations with unnamed Swedish aristocrats. Their audacious plan was to dethrone John III, with the future Henry III of France – then a candidate for the Polish throne – considered a potential ruler for Sweden. However, when Henry ascended to the Polish throne in June 1573, this particular thread of the plot unraveled. Yet, the desire to unseat John III persisted.
Enter Charles de Mornay, a courtier with French Huguenot roots and international connections, who became a pivotal figure in the conspiracy. Acting as Dançay's agent in Sweden, Mornay reached out to Christina of Denmark, the titular Queen of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Through her messenger, Monsieur La Garde, and funds channeled via the Netherlands, Mornay was equipped to overthrow John III. The aim was twofold: to liberate Eric XIV and, according to some accounts, possibly place Duke Charles upon the throne.
The Plot Unfolds
Charles de Mornay, once a favored confidant of Eric XIV, used his influence to promise Duke Charles the revelation of Eric's hidden gold reserves, contingent upon better conditions for the imprisoned king. Among the conspirators was Jean Allard, Eric XIV’s French gardener, underscoring the diverse cast involved in this treacherous drama.
The assassination of John III was to be a dramatic affair. Scottish mercenaries, under the command of Archibald Ruthwen and Gilbert Balfour, were to perform a sword dance at a party in October 1573, concealing their deadly intent beneath the guise of entertainment. However, as the mercenaries arrived in Stockholm in September 1573, Charles de Mornay hesitated. His nerve faltered, and the signal to strike was never given. By October, the plot lay in ruins, exposed by the mercenary captain Hugh Cahun, who paid with his life for his revelations, executed under charges of perjury.
The Unraveling and Trial
The conspiracy's unmasking continued in early 1574, amid conflicts between Scottish and German mercenaries in Swedish service in Estonia. Under duress, the plot was laid bare. Gilbert Balfour detailed Mornay's negotiations, while Pontus De la Gardie relayed the information to the king, prompting a warrant for Mornay's arrest. Although Mornay sought refuge in the Duchy of Duke Charles, his flight ended in August 1574 when he was apprehended trying to escape Sweden by ship from Nyköping.
Mornay's trial in Stockholm on August 11 was fraught with tension, implicating powerful figures, including Duke Charles himself. Although Charles was never summoned, he provided a written testimony that incriminated Mornay while carefully exonerating himself. Testimonies from Duke Charles's English servant, Sigfrid Preston, and Scottish mercenaries, particularly Gilbert Balfour, further incriminated Mornay, who ultimately confessed his guilt.
A Web of Intrigue
The full extent of the conspiracy's participants remained shrouded in mystery. However, suspicions lingered over Hogenskild Bielke, Gustaf Banér, and Pontus De la Gardie, who frequently met in the apartments of Princess Elizabeth of Sweden. These gatherings, also attended by Princess Cecilia of Sweden, cast a shadow over the siblings, though no formal accusations were made. Mornay's confession included a plan to raise Elizabeth’s dowry, potentially facilitating a prestigious marriage. This scheme hinted at informal matchmaking efforts with Henry III of France, who had expressed interest in Elizabeth, albeit with reservations about her dowry.
John III's suspicions extended to Cecilia, evidenced by orders in 1573 to bar her from Stockholm Castle during his absences and subsequent instructions to monitor her movements closely after the plot's exposure.
Judgement and Execution
On August 29, Charles de Mornay was found guilty of treason against John III, his actions indirectly leading to the execution of the innocent Hugh Cahun. Despite Duke Charles's involvement, the king silenced any acknowledgment of his brother's complicity. Even Duke Charles’s appeals for clemency, on behalf of Mornay's wife's nephews, Erik and Johan Sparre, fell on deaf ears. Mornay met his fate on September 4, 1574, executed in Stockholm alongside Archibald Ruthwen and Gilbert Balfour, closing a dark chapter in Swedish history.
Sources
For further reading, visit the original Wikipedia article: Mornay Plot.
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Initial Negotiations
Charles de Dançay conducts secret talks to depose John III of Sweden.
Mornay Joins Plot
Charles de Mornay confirmed as agent in the plot against John III.
Scottish Mercenaries Arrive
Scottish mercenaries arrive in Stockholm to support the plot.
Plot Exposed
Scottish captain Hugh Cahun informs the king about the assassination plot.
Conflict Reveals Plot
Conflict among mercenaries leads to the exposure of the assassination plot.
Mornay Arrested
Charles de Mornay is arrested while attempting to flee Sweden.
Trial Begins
Charles de Mornay's trial for treason begins in Stockholm.
Mornay Found Guilty
Charles de Mornay is found guilty of treason and conspiracy.
Mornay Executed
Charles de Mornay is executed for his role in the assassination plot.
In 1574, a conspiracy known as the Mornay Plot was devised to assassinate King John III of Sweden, liberate the imprisoned Eric XIV, and potentially place either Eric or Charles IX on the throne. The plot was orchestrated by Charles de Mornay, a French Huguenot courtier in Sweden, who collaborated with various Swedish aristocrats and received support from Christina of Denmark. The assassination was to occur during a sword dance performed by Scottish mercenaries in October 1573; however, the plot was ultimately thwarted when de Mornay hesitated to signal the attack. The conspiracy was exposed when Scottish mercenary captain Hugh Cahun reported the plan to the king, leading to Cahun's execution for perjury, while de Mornay and his co-conspirators faced no immediate repercussions as the plot failed to materialize. The case remains historically significant as one of several attempts to alter the Swedish monarchy during this tumultuous period.
Charles de Mornay aimed to assassinate John III of Sweden and either reinstate the imprisoned Eric XIV or place Duke Charles on the throne. The plot involved secret negotiations with Swedish aristocrats and financial support from Christina of Denmark, indicating a broader conspiracy with international implications. Some believe that Duke Charles was aware of parts of the plot and that Mornay promised him access to Eric's hidden gold reserves as part of the plan.
The Mornay Plot: A 16th-Century Conspiracy
In the shadowy corridors of power in 1574, a daring plot unfolded, aiming to shake the very foundations of the Swedish monarchy. This was the Mornay Plot, a scheme entangled with ambition, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of power. It sought not only to assassinate John III of Sweden but also to free the imprisoned Eric XIV and install either him or Charles IX on the Swedish throne.
The Origins of a Conspiracy
The seeds of this conspiracy were sown in the summer of 1572, within the clandestine confines of diplomatic discussions. Charles de Dançay, the French envoy to Denmark, engaged in secret negotiations with unnamed Swedish aristocrats. Their audacious plan was to dethrone John III, with the future Henry III of France – then a candidate for the Polish throne – considered a potential ruler for Sweden. However, when Henry ascended to the Polish throne in June 1573, this particular thread of the plot unraveled. Yet, the desire to unseat John III persisted.
Enter Charles de Mornay, a courtier with French Huguenot roots and international connections, who became a pivotal figure in the conspiracy. Acting as Dançay's agent in Sweden, Mornay reached out to Christina of Denmark, the titular Queen of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Through her messenger, Monsieur La Garde, and funds channeled via the Netherlands, Mornay was equipped to overthrow John III. The aim was twofold: to liberate Eric XIV and, according to some accounts, possibly place Duke Charles upon the throne.
The Plot Unfolds
Charles de Mornay, once a favored confidant of Eric XIV, used his influence to promise Duke Charles the revelation of Eric's hidden gold reserves, contingent upon better conditions for the imprisoned king. Among the conspirators was Jean Allard, Eric XIV’s French gardener, underscoring the diverse cast involved in this treacherous drama.
The assassination of John III was to be a dramatic affair. Scottish mercenaries, under the command of Archibald Ruthwen and Gilbert Balfour, were to perform a sword dance at a party in October 1573, concealing their deadly intent beneath the guise of entertainment. However, as the mercenaries arrived in Stockholm in September 1573, Charles de Mornay hesitated. His nerve faltered, and the signal to strike was never given. By October, the plot lay in ruins, exposed by the mercenary captain Hugh Cahun, who paid with his life for his revelations, executed under charges of perjury.
The Unraveling and Trial
The conspiracy's unmasking continued in early 1574, amid conflicts between Scottish and German mercenaries in Swedish service in Estonia. Under duress, the plot was laid bare. Gilbert Balfour detailed Mornay's negotiations, while Pontus De la Gardie relayed the information to the king, prompting a warrant for Mornay's arrest. Although Mornay sought refuge in the Duchy of Duke Charles, his flight ended in August 1574 when he was apprehended trying to escape Sweden by ship from Nyköping.
Mornay's trial in Stockholm on August 11 was fraught with tension, implicating powerful figures, including Duke Charles himself. Although Charles was never summoned, he provided a written testimony that incriminated Mornay while carefully exonerating himself. Testimonies from Duke Charles's English servant, Sigfrid Preston, and Scottish mercenaries, particularly Gilbert Balfour, further incriminated Mornay, who ultimately confessed his guilt.
A Web of Intrigue
The full extent of the conspiracy's participants remained shrouded in mystery. However, suspicions lingered over Hogenskild Bielke, Gustaf Banér, and Pontus De la Gardie, who frequently met in the apartments of Princess Elizabeth of Sweden. These gatherings, also attended by Princess Cecilia of Sweden, cast a shadow over the siblings, though no formal accusations were made. Mornay's confession included a plan to raise Elizabeth’s dowry, potentially facilitating a prestigious marriage. This scheme hinted at informal matchmaking efforts with Henry III of France, who had expressed interest in Elizabeth, albeit with reservations about her dowry.
John III's suspicions extended to Cecilia, evidenced by orders in 1573 to bar her from Stockholm Castle during his absences and subsequent instructions to monitor her movements closely after the plot's exposure.
Judgement and Execution
On August 29, Charles de Mornay was found guilty of treason against John III, his actions indirectly leading to the execution of the innocent Hugh Cahun. Despite Duke Charles's involvement, the king silenced any acknowledgment of his brother's complicity. Even Duke Charles’s appeals for clemency, on behalf of Mornay's wife's nephews, Erik and Johan Sparre, fell on deaf ears. Mornay met his fate on September 4, 1574, executed in Stockholm alongside Archibald Ruthwen and Gilbert Balfour, closing a dark chapter in Swedish history.
Sources
For further reading, visit the original Wikipedia article: Mornay Plot.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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Initial Negotiations
Charles de Dançay conducts secret talks to depose John III of Sweden.
Mornay Joins Plot
Charles de Mornay confirmed as agent in the plot against John III.
Scottish Mercenaries Arrive
Scottish mercenaries arrive in Stockholm to support the plot.
Plot Exposed
Scottish captain Hugh Cahun informs the king about the assassination plot.
Conflict Reveals Plot
Conflict among mercenaries leads to the exposure of the assassination plot.
Mornay Arrested
Charles de Mornay is arrested while attempting to flee Sweden.
Trial Begins
Charles de Mornay's trial for treason begins in Stockholm.
Mornay Found Guilty
Charles de Mornay is found guilty of treason and conspiracy.
Mornay Executed
Charles de Mornay is executed for his role in the assassination plot.