A few miles west of Karlstad, on a little island near Slottsbrosund,
was located, in former days, an old fortress called Asa, or Edsholm
Castle, otherwise notorious as the residence of the cruel stewards of
Vestersysslet.
A niggardly and cruel woman, Lady Rangela, for a time owned Edsholm and
all the land thereabout. She soon made herself bitterly hated by the
peasantry because of the oppressions she heaped upon them, and
especially because of the unreasonable toll she demanded every time
they crossed the castle bridge.
According to agreement, two peasants went one day, the one to the top
of Edsholm Mountain and the second to a mountain on the other side of
the sound near the castle, whereupon the following conversation was
carried on between them, in a loud voice:
“My dear neighbor, lend me your large kettle.”
“What do you want with it?”
“I want to cook Lady Rangela of Edsholm Castle, because she demands too
high toll from passers over the bridge.”
“You shall have it gladly.”
This was heard at the castle, and Lady Rangela, believing it to be the
Trolls planning her destruction, hurriedly packed her treasures and
deserted Edsholm. She had, however, gone no further than to Rangelsund,
or Ransund, which is named after her, when a severe storm overtook her
and sunk the boat, with people, treasure and all.
When the peasantry learned what had happened, they poured into the
castle and razed it to the ground, since when there has been nothing to
indicate its existence more than a few heaps of gravel.