Karl V of Gothenland (The Kalmar Union)

Reigning for eight years, mostly as a minor, Karl V had little direct involvement in the shape and direction Gothenland was taking and in fact its foreign activities were purely the result of outside influence.

In 1330 Cnut VII finally 'paid off' the debt Denmark owed to the Papacy and began campaigning in Pomerania once more. John III had been constrained by his nobility in the final years of his reign but the resumption of Danish activity gave the Gothenlanders a renewed sense of purpose. This was especially timely as Wladyslaw I of Poland was facing defeat in the 2nd Polish-Teutonic War. Under the direction of Earl Eric of Finnvaden Poland paid for several seasons of campaigning, which resulted in the capture of Gdansk, which the Teutonic Knights had held for four years. Wladyslaw's son Casimir III would therefore begin his reign in 1333 with a peace treaty. Gothenland demanded Gdansk which was refused but it had retaken Hel which it refused to give up, and indeed would soon be turned into a formidable fortress.

Meanwhile to the North ...

Karl was paid off by Polish agents in late 1339 and wintered in Gotland where he would die. His younger brother Premyslas would succeed.