Second Swedish Crusade
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Second Swedish Crusade | |||||||||
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Part of the Northern Crusades | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Sweden |
Tavastians Novgorod[1] | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Eric XI of Sweden Birger Jarl | Unknown |
The Second Swedish Crusade was a military expedition by the Kingdom of Sweden into
Background
Sweden had held a foothold within Finland, specifically
Sources
All details of the crusade are from
The Chronicle also mentioned that a castle called taffwesta borg was established after the war. The Chronicle also linked the Crusade to a contest with the Orthodox Russians, making a point of the fact that the "Russian king" had now lost the conquered land.
The so-called "Detmar Chronicle" of Lübeck from around 1340 confirmed the expedition with a short note that Birger Jarl submitted Finland under Swedish rule.[7]
Interpretations
Unlike the dubious
Nature of the Crusade
Although the Chronicles attempted to paint the Crusade as a war of conquest, it was likely more of an unusually bloody phase in the ongoing process by which Finland was incorporated in the Swedish state. Sweden had a central government and a strong ideological force in the form of the Catholic church. The Finnish chieftains who joined gained power and prestige.[8]
Dating
The dating of the Crusade has been somewhat disputed. In addition to the 1247–1250 date given in "Eric's Chronicle", proposals have been made to date the attack to either 1238–1239 or 1256. Neither of the latter dates has received wide acceptance.[9] Swedish historian Dick Harrison finds the theory of an early crusade most probable, based on the papal letter, which would also make the war a properly sanctioned crusade, and the fact that Sweden was otherwise peaceful during that period.[10]
Taffwesta borg
The Chronicle mentioned an impressive castle that was built by the Swedes, taffwesta borg. This has been interpreted as either Häme Castle (Swedish Tavastehus) or the nearby Hakoinen Castle, but there is no archaeological evidence at either site to support such an early dating.
Christianization of Finland | ||||||||
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People | ||||||||
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Locations | ||||||||
Kokemäki ● Köyliö ● Nousiainen ● Koroinen ● Turku Cathedral | ||||||||
Events | ||||||||
Aftermath
Church reaction and reorganization
Probably in an effort to prevent other parties from getting involved in the conflict,
Bero was eventually appointed as the new bishop in 1248/9, presumably soon after William's visit to Sweden for an important church meeting at Skänninge that ended on 1 March 1248. The so-called "Palmsköld booklet" from 1448 noted that it was Bero who gave the Finns' tax to the Swedish king.[13] Bero came directly from the Swedish court, like his two successors. It seems that Swedish bishops also held all secular power in Finland until the 1280s, when the position of the Duke of Finland was established.
In 1249, the situation was also seen clear enough[further explanation needed] to establish the first monastery in Finland, a Dominican convent.[14] The convent was next to the bishop's fortification in Koroinen until the end of the century.
Swedish succession
Eric's Chronicle tells of how, as an unexpected side effect, the expedition seems to have cost Birger the Swedish crown. When King Eric died in 1250, Birger was absent from Sweden. The Swedish lords, led by
Swedish rule in Finland
From 1249 onwards, sources generally regard
Eric's Chronicle: "Crusade against Tavastians"
King Erik then sent out a call
to knights and to their equals all, to peasants and to fighting men, – as ruler still do now, as then, to notify their men before they send them off to fight a war – he sent them thus to heathen land and chose his in-law to take in hand to lead them all upon that quest, for him of all he trusted best. His son-in-law was eager to go, keen his honour there to show. Then arms and armour were prepared by warriors brave, who nothing feared. Helmets and body-armour burnished were in demand, and more were furnished. Each in his district did his best, ready to heed the king`s request, and warships and transport set afloat.
Many a money-bag was brought out, its contents did those men receive who now their homes were due to leave not knowing where their journey led Hands were wrung and tears were shed by many a wife left on her own. Yet they rejoiced that God`s renown would grow and He be more adored. Many an old ancestral sword was then from nails unslung where it for many a day had hung. Their friends them followed to the strand to bid farewell and clasp their hand Many a red mouth was kissed that day that never again was kissed that way, for some never more would each other see such can the outcome of such partings be.
Fair winds arose, the sails were set. The heathen, too, foresaw the threat they well knew that their coming would be to their harm and not their good. There the Christians a harbour did find. Innumerable gilded prows aligned the heathen men saw lying there, causing them less to laugh than fear. They took their banners and went ashore. Fate then favored the Christians more: their bright shields there and helmets they throughout that country did display. They eager were to try their swords upon the Heathen Tavast hordes, which I expect is what occurred.
With gold and silver and many a herd of cattle the Tavasts away did run. The heathen lost, the Christians won. Whoever would this them agree to become a Christian and baptised be, him they allowed both goods and life and peace to live withour further strife. The heathen who would them gainsay they did mercilessly slay. The Christians there a fortress did build, which they with friend and kinsmen filled. That castle they Tavasteborg did call; it to this day does the heathen gall. With Christian men they settled that land, a deed, I think, that does yet stand.
That land became Christian through and through the Russian king its loss must rue.
See also
- Early Finnish wars
- First Swedish Crusade
- Third Swedish Crusade
- Northern Crusades
- Battle of Lihula
- Battle of the Neva
References
- ISBN 978-0-19-754003-9.
- ISBN 9189080262.
- ^ Harrison, Dick (10 January 2019). "Svenskt korståg kuvade det finska motståndet". Svenska Dagbladet.
- ISBN 978-91-85509-57-7.
- ^ Harrison (2005), p.425-426
- ^ Description of the crusade. Original text.
- ISBN 951-96006-1-2. See page 7.
- ^ Harrison (2005), p 425; Tarkiainen (2008), p. 101
- ^ Finnish Antiquarian Society, Suomen Museo 2002, page 66
- ^ Harrison (2005), p 427
- ^ "Letter by Innocentius IV to the diocese of Finland and its people". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. In Latin.
- ^ "Wilhelm of Sabina's letter to the priests of Finland in 1248". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. In Latin.
- ISBN 951-96006-1-2. Page 7.
- ^ "Convent established in Finland". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. In Latin.
- ^ Surviving lists from 1241 and 1248 still did not include Finland.
- ^ "Novgorod First Chronicle entry about the Swedish attack to Novgorod and Novgorodian counterattack to Finland". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.. In Swedish.
- ISBN 978-91-85509-57-7.
Sources
- Harrison, Dick (2005). Gud vill det! (in Swedish). Ordfront. ISBN 91-7037-119-9.
- Tarkiainen, Kari (2008). Sveriges Österland (in Swedish). Atlantis. ISBN 978-91-7353-227-3.