Eric I, Duke of Mecklenburg

Death and burial

In 1397, Duke Erik suddenly died of an illness at his fortress, called Landeskrone or Klinteholm, located close to the port of Klintehamn, south of Visby in Gotland. He was buried at St. Mary's Church (Visby Cathedral), where part of his original tomb is on display. Notably, he was not buried in a prestigious place within the choir of the church, but was instead buried in the churchyard. According to German historian (d. 1525), this was because he died of plague. However, there are no records of a plague outbreak at that time.

After Erik's death, the dukes of Mecklenburg lost control of the island to the pirates, and had to withdraw from the island in April 1398 with Erik's widow Sophie and 400 men. The fortress of Landeskrona was destroyed in 1398 when the Teutonic Order and the leading Prussian cities conquered the island to put an end to piracy.