Realm of Sweden
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The Realm of Sweden or Svenska väldet is a term that historically was used to comprise all the territories under the control of the Swedish monarchs.
 History of Sweden series |
| Pre-history |
| Viking Age |
| Early History |
| Kalmar Union |
| Modern Sweden |
| A New Great Power |
| The Swedish Empire |
| The Great War |
| Absolute Monarchy |
| Union with Norway |
| Modernization |
| Industrialization |
| World War II |
| Realm of Sweden |
| List of monarchs |
| List of wars |
Lands of Sweden
Main article: Lands of Sweden
As the kingdom expanded to the east, Österland, present-day Finland, and Norrland were also made part of the kingdom in the 14th century. In the 17th century the kingdom expanded to the south, incorporating Terra Scania (Skåneland) and other territories.
Provinces of Sweden
Main article: Provinces of Sweden
The four Swedish lands were in turn divided into separate Provinces or Landskap, which were governed by their own laws under the rule of a Ting. The monarchs would gradually strengthen their authority at the expense of the provinces, and in the 15th century the provincial laws were replaced by a single law for the entire kingdom.
Counties of Sweden
Main article: Counties of Sweden
The Counties were established in 1634 to supersede the Provinces and to introduce a modern administration. The most significant change to the County system took place when Sweden was forced to cede the Finnish Counties to Russia in 1809. Despite this the County reform survived in Finland until 1997 and is still in force in Sweden today.
Dominions of Sweden
Main article: Dominions of Sweden
The Counties and Provinces represent territories that were fully integrated into the Swedish kingdom. Apart from this there also existed Dominions that were under Swedish rule, sometimes for centuries, that for various reasons weren't fully integrated.
Possesions of Sweden
Main article: Possessions of Sweden
The Swedish Crown also exercised control over various territories during shorter periods of time. These included time-limited fiefs, colonies and conquered territories under Swedish government.
Unions of Sweden
Main article: Unions of Sweden
Sweden has for political and dynastic reasons been in union with other kingdoms and princely states, ostensibly personal unions.
Structure of the Swedish Realm
| Century | Swedish Realm | ||||||
| 20th | Sweden proper | Finland | Estonia | Latvia | Germany | ||
| 19th | GD of Finland | Russia | Prussia | ||||
| 18th | Sweden proper | Pomerania¹ | |||||
| 17th | Terra Scania | Bahusia | Sweden proper | Estonia | Livonia | ||
| 16th | Denmark-Norway | Poland | Pomerania | ||||
| 15th | Kalmar Union | Sword Brethren | |||||
| 14th | Denmark Blechingia Hallandia Scania | Norway Bahusia Herdalia Jemtia | Sweden proper | ||||
| 13th | |||||||
| 12th | |||||||
| Peoples | Danes | Norwegians | Swedes | Finns | Estonians | Livonians | Germans |
1/ German dominions also include Bremen-Verden, Wismar, etc. Claims to Wismar finally renounced in 1903.pt:Reino da Suécia