Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - First part - II. The Swedish People - 1. Survey of its History. By E. Svensén, Author, Stockholm - The Viking Period (A.D. 700/1060)
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SURVEY OF ITS HISTORY.
71
Nearly two hundred years passed away ere Christianity once more gained a secure
foothold in Sweden, by way of the more favourably situated province of
Vestergötland.
During this time, the northern kingdoms grew in power, and there was
temporarily formed, in northern and eastern Europe, a highly developed political
system, somewhat resembling that of modern days.
About the year 1000 Sweden got its first Christian king, who bore the
name of Olof. After this time Christianity gained a firm footing in the country,
and never more suffered itself to be expelled from the land. But, as a-
consequence, the king was placed in a false position. The basis of his power was
his quality of being the one who had to direct the sacrifices at Uppsala. It is
uncertain whether the king ceased to direct these sacrifices, or continued to do
so, in spite of his baptism. But in the former case his position must have been
threatened among the pagan, in the latter among the increasing Christian
population. The old Uppsala race of kings died out with the sons of Olof — after the
year 1050. Its last ruler, Emund Gammal, vigorously tried to defend his position
against ecclesiastical pretensions, which grew in the same degree as the power of
Christianity increased; but during this struggle he could not prevent the province
of Blekinge being wrenched from Sweden — to which it had belonged of old —
in order to be united with Denmark.
The Viking Period gives one the impression of having been one of real
greatness, but its enormous display of strength had really sapped the power of
the nation to a high degree, the numbers of which had diminished, not least owing
to emigration to the tributary states in the east. The encounter with Christianity,
which after the time of Charlemagne had spread through northern Europe with
irresistible power, had had a disastrous influence upon primitive northern culture.
The belief in the Asar (the old northern gods) had died out in many minds, without
being replaced by any Christian belief. But, at the very moment of its death,
the ancient belief evolved a poetic conception of transcendent beauty. In
resemblance to earthly conditions, the ancient Odin was imagined as enthroned in
Valhalla, a celestial Grand Monarch with his counsellors and his court. But in
the end, this Odin and his fellow-gods did not satisfy the moral demands of their
worshippers, and were therefore doomed to downfall.
A Viking ship.
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