Swedish: Sverige
Sweben, Swetherwike, Swethland
Sweden is a Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe.
According to Der Pleier and the Alliterative Morte Arthure, Sweden was part of Arthur’s kingdom.
Frederick de Telramund had a reputation to have killed a dragon in Stockholm.
In the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, Other is named as the king of Sweden.
Sweden | 0 to 9th century AD
Prehistoric Period
Before recorded history, Sweden was inhabited by various indigenous groups, and evidence of their presence dates back thousands of years.
Early Kingdoms | 6th – 9th centuries
The establishment of the first kingdoms in what is now Sweden is a complex and somewhat legendary part of its early history. While the exact timing and details are not well-documented, it is believed that the first kingdoms in Sweden emerged during the early medieval period. A few key points are:
- Svear and Götar
The people who would later form the early Swedish kingdoms were divided into two main groups, the Svear (Svealand) and the Götar (Götaland). Svealand and Götaland were two distinct regions in what is now modern Sweden. - Legendary Kings
The establishment of the early Swedish kingdoms is often associated with legendary figures and early kings. Some of these legendary kings, such as Yngvi-Frey and Olof Trätälja, are mentioned in medieval sagas and legends. - Birka and Uppsala
Birka, a major trading center and settlement, is often associated with the early Swedish kingdoms. Uppsala was another significant center, known for its religious and political importance. - Viking Age
The Viking Age, which began in the late eighth century and continued into the late eleventh century, was a time of considerable activity for the early Swedish kingdoms. During this period, the Viking kings and chieftains in Sweden played a role in regional politics and conflicts. - Olof Skötkonung
One of the earliest known Swedish kings is Olof Skötkonung, who ruled in the late tenth century. He is notable for being baptized as a Christian, marking the beginning of Christianization in Sweden.
Viking Age | Late 8th to late 11th centuries
During the Viking Age, the region was home to various Germanic tribes. This was a significant period in which Viking expeditions, exploration, and settlement took place. During the Viking Age, Swedish Vikings established relations with neighboring regions, including the Finnish tribes to the east and the Norse kingdoms to the west, which later became part of the medieval Kingdom of Norway.
Swedish Vikings, like their Norwegian and Danish counterparts, conducted raids and established settlements in various parts of Europe, including the British Isles and the Baltic region. These Viking expeditions contributed to the broader Viking Age.
See also
Denmark | The Legend of King Arthur
Gothland | The Legend of King Arthur
Goths | The Legend of King Arthur
Lapland | The Legend of King Arthur
Llychlyn | The Legend of King Arthur
Norway | The Legend of King Arthur
Ohter | The Legend of King Arthur
Sources
Tandareis and Flordibel | Der Pleier, 1240-1270
Alliterative Morte Arthure | c. 1400