During the Viking Age (roughly 800-1050 CE), the geographical area we now recognize as Sweden was not a unified kingdom with a single, overarching name like "Sweden" in the modern sense. Instead, it comprised various independent or semi-independent lands and tribal territories.
The formation of a unified Swedish kingdom was a gradual process that largely concluded after the main Viking Age, with the formal consolidation occurring in the first half of the 12th century.
The Lands that Formed Sweden
The core regions that would eventually coalesce into the kingdom of Sweden were primarily:
- Svealand (Swedeland): This was the land of the Svear (Swedes), centered around Lake Mälaren, including important sites like Uppsala and Birka. The Old Norse term for this region, and sometimes the broader area inhabited by the Svear, was Svíþjóð (meaning "Swede People's Land" or "Sweden").
- Götaland (Gothland): This was the land of the Götar (Geats/Goths), located south of Svealand. These two powerful groups, the Svear and the Götar, eventually united to form the foundation of the Swedish kingdom.
The unification of Svealand and Götaland into a single kingdom was a pivotal moment in the formation of Sweden, occurring in the 12th century.
Regional Divisions and Allegiances
While Svealand and Götaland were moving towards unification, other territories that are now part of modern Sweden had different affiliations during the Viking Age and the early medieval period:
| Region | Affiliation (Viking/Early Medieval Period) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Skåne | Denmark | Southern province, culturally and politically tied to Denmark. |
| Halland | Denmark | West coast province, often disputed but primarily under Danish rule. |
| Blekinge | Denmark | Southeastern coastal province, historically Danish. |
| Bohuslän | Norway | Western coastal region, forming part of Norway. |
| Jämtland | Norway | Northern inland region, also part of Norway. |
| Härjedalen | Norway | North-central region, historically tied to Norway. |
These territorial divisions highlight that the modern boundaries of Sweden were not fixed during the Viking Age. The concept of "Sweden" as a cohesive national entity was still evolving from distinct tribal lands and regional powers.
The Evolution of the Name
The name "Sweden" itself is derived from the Old English Sweoðeod (from Old Norse Svíþjóð), referring to the people and land of the Svear. As the Svear gained prominence and their realm expanded to encompass other regions like Götaland, the name gradually came to refer to the larger, unified kingdom. Therefore, while Svíþjóð was the closest term for the heartland of what would become Sweden, a unified "Sweden" as a single nation did not exist under that name for the entire geographical area during the Viking Age.
