Jöran Persson

Jöran Persson was a Swedish statesman. In the early 1550s he studied law at the University of Wittenberg and returned to Sweden with a letter of recommendation from the German theologian and reformer Philipp Melanchton. He quickly distinguished himself and rose to become King Eric XIV's most trusted councilor as well as head of the King's network of spies. Persson also acted as the King's prosecutor and was responsible for a large number of the three hundred death sentences handed down by the High Court. He was widely seen as a Machiavellian figure, holding too much influence over Eric. After King Eric was removed from power, Persson was arrested by the nobility and executed. After the decapitation his dismembered body was displayed at Brunkeberg square.