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---
title: Sweden in 1220
categories: setting
---
Scandinavia is a more egalitarian community than we know from French
and English feudalism. Thralls (slaves) still exist, as a legacy from
pagan times, but under the disapproval of the Church, it is declining.
Many lords have freed their thralls upon accepting Christ, and some
thralls have been allowed to buy their freedom. Withing the raiding of
the viking era, there are few opportunities to take new thralls.
Apart from the thralls, all men are free, and farmers tend to own their
land. Former thralls who have been freed may rent their land, but they
are not bound to the land like French and English serfs. Manorial lords
gain their power from their inherited property more than from vassalage.
The kingdom is fragile in the 1220s, to be consolidated as centralised
monarchy only towards 1250. There is long-standing rivalry between the
lines of Erik and of Sverker. In 1222/23,
[Erik Eriksson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_XI_of_Sweden)
is elected king
only 6-7 years old. Erik is ousted in 1229, but reinstated 1234 and
rules until his death in 1250. During Erik's minority, Sweden was ruled
by a council, who also gave the power to Knut Lange in 1229. The royal
seat is at Visingsö, an island in the inland lake of Vättern.
# Mälaren
Mälaren is an interesting location. It is a large lake, and Stockholm
marks its gate towards the seabound waterways.
I reckon that these significant cities have about 1000 inhabitants.
Sigtuna may have as many as 2000, but is declining.
Stockholm may grow to about 2000 towards the end of the century.
New and Old Uppsala may have 1500 combined. This is mainly
guesswork though.
## Sigtuna
[Sigtuna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigtuna)
is one of the oldest cities in Sweden (the oldest which still exist
in our time). He has been a royal centre for centuries. In 1220 it
is still significant, but it looses it significance during the 13th century
as post-glacial rebound makes navigation increasingly difficult.
## Gamle Uppsala (Old Uppsala)
Gamle Uppsala is the religious centre of Sweden.
The cathedral burnt down in 1252 and rebuilt in Uppsala.
The see does not officially move until 1273.
Gamle Uppsala is declining in favour of Uppsala which is 5km downriver.
The river is navigable only to Uppsala.
## Uppsala
Uppsala is a mere village in 1220, but is growing.
## Stockholm
Stockholm is little more than a village in 1220, but will
grow and becomes a city by about 1250.
## Ismantorp Fortress
Ismantorp Fortress in Öland is one of the places Artal explored. The place is a ruined ringfort, located almost at the center of the island, and has nine gates in it's ruined walls. The place seems to be avoided by the people, and Artal has discovered a few things about it:
1. The few people who spoke to Artal, or whom he could listen in in Eagle form, seem to suggest that the tales of the place talk about a creature bound beneath the castle, though whether it was to stop it's rampage, or to siphon it's power, is unclear.
2. Mundane fires cannot be lit there. If asked whether his own Ignem spells work properly there or not, Artal will just say that he has experienced a reduction in efficiency.
