Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
c 800
Birka, founded on Björkö (an island in Mälaren lake), becomes a powerful Svea trading centre.
Byzantine and Arab coins have been found here, confirming the existence of trade routes.
1008
Sweden's first Christian king, Olof Skötkonung, is baptised at St Sigfrid's Well in Husaby, but wor-
ship continues in Uppsala's pagan temple until at least 1090.
1160
King Erik Jedvarsson destroys the last remnants of paganism in Sweden. The pagan temple at
Uppsala is replaced with a Christian church.
1252
The city of Stockholm is founded by king's statesman Birger Jarl, who has been running the coun-
try since 1229.
1350s
Following the Black Death scourge, St Birgitta (1303-73) founds a nunnery and cathedral in Vad-
stena, which becomes Sweden's most important pilgrimage site.
1434
High taxation imposed by the Kalmar Union to fund wars against the Hanseatic League make Erik
of Pomerania deeply unpopular; the peasantry rise in the Engelbrekt revolt.
1439-70
Following the short-lived replacement of Erik of Pomerania, succession struggles begin again: two
powerful Swedish families, the unionist Oxenstiernas and the nationalist Stures, fight for suprem-
acy.
1520
