Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One of the best places to learn about the Stone Age in Finland is the Kierikkikeskus mu-
seum near Oulu.
Swedish Rule
The nascent kingdom of Sweden saw Finland as a natural direction for extending its influ-
ence in the Baltic and countering the growing power of Novgorod (later to become Russia)
in the east. Missionary activity began in the 12th century, and legend tells of an English-
man, Bishop Henry, leading an expedition of baptism that ended stickily when he was
murdered by Lalli, a disgruntled peasant.
Things started to heat up in the 13th century. The Pope called a crusade against the
Häme tribe, which was increasingly influenced both religiously and politically from
Novgorod, and Russian and Swedish forces clashed several times in the first battles of an
ongoing saga.
Swedish settlement began in earnest around the middle of the century when Birger Jarl
established fortifications at Häme and Turku, among other places. The cathedral at Turku
was also under construction and this city was to be Finland's pre-eminent centre for most
of its history. The Swedish knights and nobles in charge of these operations set a pattern
for a Swedish-speaking bourgeoisie in Finland, which lasted well into the 20th century.
Other Swedes, including farmers and fishers, gradually settled, mainly along Finland's
Baltic coast. A number of incentives such as land grants and tax concessions were given to
encourage new settlers, many of whom were veterans of the Swedish army.
Sweden's squabbles with Novgorod continued for two centuries. Treaties drawn up by
the two powers defined the spheres of influence, with Sweden gaining control of southw-
est Finland and much of the west coast, while Novgorod controlled Karelia, spreading the
Orthodox faith and Byzantine culture in the region.
In 1527 King Gustav Vasa of Sweden adopted the Lutheran faith and confiscated much
of the property of the Catholic Church. The Finnish Reformation was ushered in by
Mikael Agricola, who studied with Luther in Germany, and returned to Finland in 1539 to
translate parts of the Bible into Finnish. His hard-line Protestant attitudes meant that most
of the frescoes in medieval churches were whitewashed (to be rediscovered some 400
years later in relatively good condition).
