Kingdom of Sweden

Sweden, 800 CE–1521. Draft, not yet reviewed

Swedish pre-history ends around 800 AD, when the Viking Age begins and written sources are available. Scandinavia was formally Christianized by 1100 AD. The Kalmar Union between the Scandinavian countries was established in 1397 and lasted until King Gustav Vasa ended it upon seizing power during the Swedish War of Liberation, which concluded in 1523.

Seat of power: Uppsala

Rulers

Eric the Victorious

Monarch of Sweden, 970 CE–995 CE

He is the first Swedish king in a consecutive regnal succession who is attested in sources independent of each other. He earned the name Victorious by defeating an invasion force from the south in the Battle of Fýrisvellir near Uppsala.

Portrait of Eric the Victorious: Jenny Nyström, Public domain, file

Olof Skötkonung

Monarch of Sweden, 995 CE–1022

He is regarded as the first king known to have ruled both the Swedes and the Geats, and the first king in Sweden to have minted coins. He was the first Christian king in central Sweden.

Portrait of Olof Skötkonung: Unknown 11th century mintmaster; photo/scan by unknown, Public domain, file

Anund Jacob

Monarch of Sweden, 1022–1050

His long reign saw the spread of Christianity and repeated attempts to influence the balance of power in Scandinavia. He tried to undermine the rising Danish dominance in Scandinavia by supporting the Norwegian monarchy.

Portrait of Anund Jacob: Ola Myrin, CC BY-SA 4.0, file

Blot-Sweyn

Monarch of Sweden, 1084–1118

He was said to have replaced his Christian brother-in-law Inge as king when Inge refused to hold the pagan sacrifices at the Temple at Uppsala. His historicity is disputed.

Portrait of Blot-Sweyn: Berig, CC BY 2.5, file

Inge the Younger

Monarch of Sweden, 1105–1125

Some sources say that after the death of Philip in 1118, Inge the Younger was the sole king of Sweden. His death was the end of the House of Stenkil.

Portrait of Inge the Younger: Unknown sculptor (photo scanned by Ristesson Ent.), Public domain, file

Philip of Sweden

Monarch of Sweden, 1105–1118

He ruled together with his brother Inge the Younger as a successor of their uncle King Inge the Elder. The records of the Westrogothic law describe him as a good king.

Portrait of Philip of Sweden: Anna Björklund for Jacob Truedson Demitz and Ristesson, Public domain, file

Canute I of Sweden

Monarch of Sweden, 1173–1196

The long reign of Knut brought Sweden closer to a Catholic-European state model. He also issued royal coins after c. 1180.

Portrait of Canute I of Sweden: Unknown painter (at Old Dädesjö Church), Public domain, file

Eric XI of Sweden

Monarch of Sweden, 1234–1250

Being the last ruler of the House of Erik, he stood in the shadow of a succession of powerful jarls, especially his brother-in-law Birger Jarl.

Portrait of Eric XI of Sweden: Jacob Truedson Demitz for Ristesson., Public domain, file

Valdemar

Monarch of Sweden, 1250–1275

Birger Jarl was the effective ruler of the kingdom until his death in 1266, even after Valdemar reached adulthood. He was deposed in 1275 by his younger brother Magnus Ladulås.

Portrait of Valdemar: Ragnar Sigsjö for Southerly Clubs, Public domain, file

Magnus III of Sweden

Monarch of Sweden, 1275–1290

He became king after he and his brother Erik rebelled against their elder brother, King Valdemar, in 1275. He promoted the formation of separate estates and extended the privileges of the clergy.

Portrait of Magnus III of Sweden: Ragnar Sigsjö for Southerly Clubs, Public domain, file

Birger, King of Sweden

Monarch of Sweden, 1290–1319

His reign was dominated by conflict with his younger brothers, Dukes Erik and Valdemar. He was deposed and forced to flee to Denmark in 1318.

Portrait of Birger, King of Sweden: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file

Magnus IV of Sweden

Monarch of Sweden, 1319–1364

His long reign saw major legal and administrative reforms, including a law code intended to apply throughout the Swedish countryside. He was also King of Norway from 1319 to 1355.

Portrait of Magnus IV of Sweden: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file

Albert, King of Sweden

Monarch of Sweden, 1364–1389

At the nobles' request, Albert launched an invasion of Sweden supported by several German dukes and counts and several Hanseatic cities in Northern Germany. In 1371 he was forced to take the first coronation oath, in which he swore to concede many of his powers to the nobility.

Portrait of Albert, King of Sweden: Jacob Truedson Demitz for Ristesson., Public domain, file

Margaret I of Denmark

Monarch of Sweden, 1389–1412

She founded the Kalmar Union, which joined the Scandinavian kingdoms together for over a century. She was known as a wise, energetic and capable leader.

Portrait of Margaret I of Denmark: Jacob Truedson Demitz assisted by Emil Eikner for Ristesson, Public domain, file

Eric of Pomerania

Monarch of Sweden, 1396–1439

He ruled over the Kalmar Union from 1396 until 1439. He was ultimately deposed from all three kingdoms of the union.

Portrait of Eric of Pomerania: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file

Culture

The Swedes took part in many Western raids against England alongside the Danes and Norwegians. The Swedes were also very active traders and raiders in the eastern and southeastern parts of Europe.
However, the last king who followed the old Norse religion was Blot-Sweyn, who reigned 1084–87.
Birger Jarl practically ruled the land from 1248 to 1266 and is revered as the founder of Stockholm.
In 1359 the king summoned the first Swedish Riksdag, and representatives from the towns were invited to appear along with the nobles and clergy.

Picture

Birka was founded around AD 750 and flourished for more than 200 years as an important Viking Age trading center.

Image: Holger.Ellgaard, CC BY-SA 3.0, file

Sources

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.