Swedish sources Battle of the Neva

1 swedish sources

1.1 situation in sweden
1.2 theories
1.3 consequences

swedish sources

there no reference battle of neva in swedish sources.

situation in sweden

since death of king john in 1222, sweden in de facto state of civil war until 1248 when birger jarl managed seize power in kingdom. unrest due struggle between wanted keep old tribal structure, folkung party, , king, assisted church. folkungs, uppland, heavily resisted centralization of power, taxation of swedes of uppland, , church privileges. had temporarily succeeded in deposing king in 1229, forced give in 5 years later, far defeated yet. uppland remained largely independent of king, , northern areas continued in folkung hands. uneasy truce continued until 1247, when folkung rebellion put end @ battle of sparrsätra , leader beheaded year later.

furthermore, official sweden on brink of war norway ever since norwegians infamous värmland expedition in 1225. relations improved after treaty of lödöse in 1249, forged newly empowered birger jarl. before treaty, norway remained ally of folkungs, giving them refuge , providing men , arms.

in situation, seems unlikely sweden have been able organize major expedition against novgorod. swedes not known have carried out other military campaigns between 1222 , 1249, making claims forceful appearance @ neva norwegians allies seem questionable.

theories

taking these facts consideration, has been suggested in recent book aimed @ wide readership, swedish expedition may have been indirect result of papal letter in 1237 sent swedish archbishop of uppsala. letter eloquently called crusade, not against novgorod, against tavastians in finland, had allegedly started hostilities against church. in defunct position, king may not have been willing or able act, letter may have provided frustrated folkungs opportunity regain part of viking age glory. free act without interference king, folkungs have been able raise army of own, volunteers norway , assistance thomas, independent bishop of finland, needed worry attacks east. instead of tavastia, mixed set of interests , nationalities have headed more lucrative neva , there met fate @ hands of alexander. in possible aftermath of said battle, king of norway approached swedish counterpart peace talks in 1241, turned down @ time.

however, recent research has fundamentally questioned importance of battle, seeing ordinary border skirmish exaggerated political purposes, explaining absence swedish , other western sources.

additional theories numerous. historians have suggested swedish army under command of young birger jarl, 8 years before appointment position of jarl. has been suggested suspicious information on norwegians , finns , tavastians participation made in 14th century, time of writing of first novgorod chronicle, when sweden in control of norway, finland , tavastia.

consequences

all in all, first known swedish military expedition against novgorod after events @ neva took place in 1256, following folkungs demise, peace norway , conquest of finland. if battle of neva had long-term consequences, in sweden s determination take on finland first before attempting proceed further east.