In 1599, the political landscape in Sweden was marked by significant turmoil as different factions rallied around opposing royal claims. Duke Charles acquired the throne amid growing tensions with supporters of Sigismund, the king in Poland and Sweden. A group of fourteen noblemen who aligned themselves with Sigismund confronted Duke Charles, whose consolidation of power led to rising tensions. On November 10, these noblemen were publicly executed in Turku's Old Great Square. The graphic and public nature of their decapitation was a crucial maneuver to demonstrate the Duke's authority and decisiveness in quashing rebellion. Their execution served as a poignant reminder of the precariousness surrounding allegiance within the nobility during this era.

As the noblemen gathered in Turku, it became apparent that Charles saw this as an opportunity to reinforce his power by eliminating any potential threats. Captured and brought to trial, the noblemen were unable to mount an effective defense. The sentence was pressed to illustrate an enduring message to the populace and the nobility alike: dissent against the Duke would not be tolerated. This brutal tactic of public execution echoed through the region, instigating fear while also polarizing the loyalties of noble families within Sweden and beyond its borders.

Historically, this event marked a shift in Duke Charles' reign and solidified his standing as a ruler unafraid to assert his power through violent means. The ramifications of these executions extended well beyond the borders of Sweden, influencing the political climate in Northern Europe as noble families recalibrated their alliances in response to the Duke’s authoritarian approach.