Page 7 - Handout

Prelude to Swedish Kingdom’s Great Power Era The early wars that made Sweden to a Great Power in Central & Northern Europe 1582 - 1629 In late 16 century the Swedish Kings´ interest change Other reasons for the early wars in 17 century were th th from only domestic matters to Sweden's neighbours also. the complicated situation of the rights to the Swedish Sweden try to extend its territory east of the Baltic Sea. throne and different religion. The Sw. King Gustav II One major reason was to control more of the trade from Adolf was Protestant and his cousin Sigismund was the eastern Baltic area, thus generated more income of King of Poland, former King of Sweden and Catholic. taxes and duty to the Government. The officers and soldiers in the Swedish army these years were A long war could have periods with armistices and mercenaries and were all to be paid, thus the need of little fighting, because everything one wish to do with income. the army was dependent on one's ability to raise the money. The Twenty five years War against Russia 1570-1595 Russia and Poland signed an armistice in 1570 Proposed Peace Treaty in Teusina May 18, 1595. resulting in the start of war against Sweden. The Sweden got Narva and the whole of Estonia in- aim for the Russians in the war was to capture the cluding the city of Reval. Russia kept the major Swedish Estonia in the Baltic region. part of Ingria and Kexholms län. 1582 Official letter by courier from the Sw. commander at Coporie, Russia - Finland... …and the Swedish treasurer for Finland Lasse Holgersson. FINLAND (Sweden) uu Sent from the Swedish field camp at Coporie by riding Åbo military courier. Dated and signed by Field Marshal Helsinki uu Pontus De la Gardie March 9, 1582. uu Coporie The commander of the Swedish forces (1580-1585) Field uu Reval Marshal Pontus De la Gardie began in August 1581 an Baltic Sea Narva offensive campaign on the Russian soil. Narva was taken ESTONIA Sept. 6, 1581 and Coporie in early October 1581. (Sweden) uu RUSSIA Armistice was signed Aug. 10, 1583 and lasted to 1590. Earliest known cover related to any Swedish war ! uu POLAND The letter route Duration: Aug. 21, 1570 - May 18, 1595 uu Main area: Estonia, Sweden & Ingria, western Russia Enemy 1570-(1581) Enemy: Russia Riga Sw. forces 1581-1583