The Battle of Brunnbäck's Ferry War of Liberation 1521 - 1523

The battle at Brunnbäck's ferry was a battle during Gustav Vasa's war of liberation, the first major clash between Gustav Vasa's rebel troops, who mostly marched down from the occupied Falun, and Union loyalist, mainly Danish, troops from Västerås. The battle took place at the village of Brunnbäck in the vicinity of the ferry place across the Dalälven which was then on the site during the first half of April 1521.
The Danes under Henrik Slagheck, brother of Didrik Slagheck, marched from Västerås towards the Dalälven, and encamped when it reached Brunnbäck and the ford or ferry landing there. Shortly afterwards, Peder Svensson arrived with a force, mainly consisting of valley men, on the other side of the river. The valley men began to shoot the Danes with arrows from the shore; the rain of arrows was intense and these were soon forced to retreat. However, Peder Svensson had already taken part of his force and led it across the river out of sight.

When the Danes left the camp, he went to attack, while the remaining Swedish force crossed the river. The battle took place at an open place called Sonnbohed. The Danes resisted, but the attack was both surprising and violent. The Danes were cut down or escaped by throwing themselves into the river. Those who fled by land were chased far into Västmanland. The battle ended as a great Swedish victory.