-
Neolithic Era, Bronze Age, and Early Iron Age
-
During the time of the Ice Age, the Scandinavian region was completely covered in ice. About 12,000 years ago, hunter-gatherers chased and hunted reindeer, following them to the now uncovered Scandinavian region. The hunter-gatherers settled here in pursuit of the reindeer. In about 2500 BC, Megalithic immigrants arrived in Scandinavia brought ideas of burial monuments, agriculture, and animal breeding.
-
The Nordic Bronze Age was when rock carving started to become a prominent activity. Petroglyphs would show important aspects of the Norse society. Most would show beauty and power, with many showing some sort of weapon from the Bronze Age. Some of the rock carvings also show a large trumpet-like instrument called a lum. One of the most important finds of the Bronze Age is the Trundholm Sun Chariot, which is a statue of a horse drawing the sun in a chariot
-
The Norse during this time would sacrifice weapons and more (humans) in a sacred bog. One good example is the Tollund Man, a well preserved body with a rope around his neck. Also during this time, it is seen that society was organized by ranks, with the elite wearing large bronze neck rings. Cauldrons, wagons, and weapons were a big part of this age. There was also an issue with population decline due to the climate becoming wetter and cooler.
-
Includes the Roman Age in Scandinavia
-
This period is when the Romans truly influenced the tribes in Scandinavia. There was an incredible amount of imported goods that looked Roman, included coins, glass and metal vessels, and weapons. Sacrificial offerings still continued in this time, but more focused on objects than humans at least.
-
The migration period can be divided into two phases. The first phase, between 300-500 AD, involved the Germanic people taking control of most areas of the former Western Roman Empire, with the Visigoths starting it off by being the first tribe to entire the Roman Empire. The second phase, between 500-800 AD, resulted in Slavic tribes settling in Eastern and Central Europe. Most of these migrations were due to poverty, but it did change near the later end of the period to be more political.
-
-
Vikings from Scandinavia made the region no longer isolated. The Viking cultured encouraged the desire to venture abroad and plunder. They profited from the raids and trade with Britain, as shown by the large coin hoards found. Viking also found usage in runes (modified Roman letters), which were the Scandinavians highest level of literacy in the time. They also had many myths and legends, including giants, elves, dwarfs, serpents, and their gods Odin, his wife Friga, and their son Thor.
-
The Danish King Hemming and the Frank King Charlemagne, signed a treaty called the Treaty of Heiligen. This treaty detailed the southern borders of Denmark to be the Eider river. This was the frontier until 1864, when Schleswig-Holstein was established by Germany who took over most of southern Denmark.
-
Erik the Red is known for establish the first continuous settlement in Greenland. As a child, Erik went with his father to explore Iceland. Erik was exiled from Iceland in 980, so he decided to explore the land to the west (Greenland). They rounded the tip, and decided to head back to Iceland in 986 and make a colony there. Fun Fact: One of the four sons Erik the Red had was Leif Eriksson.
-
Scandinavian “pirates” had taken over England, Scotland, Ireland, and large parts of France and Germany. This even allowed for a Denmark King to become the King of England for a short time. This indirectly caused the development of Scandinavia being involved in British affairs.
-
Harald was King of Norway from 1046 until he died in 1066. Harald had a ‘military-first’ approach to ruling, which gave him the tag Hardrada, or ‘hard ruler.’ Harald thought in 1042, when the King of England died, that he could have claim to the throne. Instead, it went to Harold Godwinson, so Harald set to invade England.
He and Harold had a battle on Stamford Bridge, where Harold Godwinson defeated Harald Hardrada, but lost soon after to William the Conqueror (leaving England to the Normans). -
-
The Prose Edda contained lore that any Skald (poet) would have had to know at the time. The narrative included in the book depict the many plot lines of Norse mythology.
Part of the Prose Edda describes a visit by Gylfi, a Swedish King, to the home of the gods in Asgard. There, the kings would question the gods on their historic adventures and their fate.
Although Snorri was Christian, he still treated the ancient Pagan mythology with respect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WbGEXzZgbY -
The Poetic Edda’s are the oral literature or Iceland. They hold most of the information for ancient Norse pagan beliefs. The poems were great tragic literature, with vivid imagery of the emotional states of the protagonists.
It also includes the Voluspa, which is an overview of the creation to the final destruction battle of the world, Ragnarok. It is assumed that all the materials in the Edda were compiled around 1270, but it is still unknown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLd28m-ltM4&t=7s -
Queen Margaret, the daughter of the King of Denmark and the wife of the King of Norway, made use of Norweigain’s claim on the Swedish throne and became queen of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. She let her grandnephew and heir, Erik, become king of all three countries after her reign was finished. Acting on Margaret’s advice, he implemented a 123 year period of political unity that acknowledged Denmark as the political capital of Scandinavia, called the Kalmar Union
-
Gustavus Vasa, the King of Sweden, revolted against the throne. This destroyed the union that was created in 1380s, as Sweden did not comply to the union or peace anymore with Denmark or Norway. This led to an establishment of an autonomous Swedish/Finnish monarch. Despite Sweden always conquering Finland, there was little to no conflict between them.
-
The Napoleonic Wars proved to be damaging to some of the countries in Scandinavia, as Norway was forced to cede to Sweden. The Treaty of Kiel was signed, which was a peace treaty ending the hostility and war between Denmark and Sweden. Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden in this treaty, thus officially ending the union created in the 1300s.
-
While Sweden did gain Norway due to the treaty, they also lost Finland to Russia later on. Russia obtained all of Finland, but today only has Karelia, which is now a republic in Russia. Finland wasn’t a thing back then, so technically Sweden just ceded some land over to Russia, which later on became Finland.
-
When Norway was first ceded to Sweden, they declared their independence, but it was not given. It was almost 100 years later when Norway gained its independence with their union between Sweden being severed. Today, Norway is seen as one of the greatest places to live according to studies with how happy people are.
-
Finland were able to gain their independence by catching Russia when their were at the weakest. After the war, Russia was weakened and recovering, which is when Finland decided to strike and gain their independence.
As you can tell, since they are a country today, they did gain their independence. They did lose Karelia to Russia, but what mattered was that they were independent.
Along with Norway, most Scandinavian countries are seen as the nicest places to live.
