Henrik Wanberg Finnish peasant Date of Birth: 01.01.1630 Country: Finland

1. A Finnish Peasant with Exceptional Influence
2. A Literate Peasant in the 17th Century
3. A Representative in Riksdag and Finnish Diets
4. Controversies and Accusations
5. Personal Flaws and Dismissal from Office
6. Marriages and Family

A Finnish Peasant with Exceptional Influence

Henrik Henrikinpoika, a Finnish peasant, held the highest positions ever attained by a peasant during Sweden's rule of Finland. As a member of the Swedish parliament (Riksdag), a royal gamekeeper (jägmästare-fogde), and a district sheriff (lensman), he achieved unprecedented influence for a person of his social standing.

A Literate Peasant in the 17th Century

Henrikinpoika's father, Heikki Paavonpoika, was a church warden and a judicial assessor. Unlike most Finnish peasants of his time, Henrikinpoika was literate, a rare accomplishment for someone of his background.

A Representative in Riksdag and Finnish Diets

From 1664 to 1682, Henrikinpoika represented the province of Raasepori, including the district of Hattula, in numerous sessions of the Swedish Riksdag in Stockholm. He also represented his province in the Finnish Diet in Turku (1676) and in the provincial diet in Helsinki (1677). Notably, he served as the chairman of the peasant estate during the 1676 session of the Diet in Turku and several meetings of the Riksdag in 1680.

Controversies and Accusations

Henrikinpoika's final appearance at the Riksdag was in 1682. Members of his estate accused him of acting independently, "running to the king and agreeing to things without their knowledge, and retelling the king everything they discussed among themselves." As a result, they considered severe punishment but ultimately spared him. His failure to secure tax relief for peasants following a crop failure in 1693 likely contributed to his exclusion from the next Riksdag session.

Personal Flaws and Dismissal from Office

Henrikinpoika's personal life was marred by excessive drinking, a fiery temper, and an arrogant attitude towards his subordinates. Throughout the 1690s, he frequently appeared in court proceedings, both as a plaintiff and a defendant. His misconduct and arbitrary actions ultimately led to his dismissal from his positions as royal gamekeeper (1701) and district sheriff (1708).

Marriages and Family

Henrikinpoika married twice. His first marriage, around 1655, was to Kaarina Niilontytär. In 1691, he married Karin Juhanintytär, the daughter of a soldier.