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Vendel era sword from Valsgärde

In Swedish prehistory, the Vendel era (550-793) is the name given to a part of the Germanic Iron Age (or, more generally, the Age of Migrations).

The migrations and the upheaval in Central Europe had lessened somewhat, and two power regions had appeared in Europe: the Merovingian kingdom and the Slavic princedoms in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. A third power, the Catholic Church, had begun to expand its influence.

In Scandinavia, the Germanic clan society was still very much alive. In Uppland in what today is the east-central part of Sweden, Old Uppsala was probably the centre of religious and political life. It had both a well-known sacred grove and great Royal Mounds.

There were lively contacts with Central Europe, and the Scandinavians continued to export iron, fur and slaves; in return they acquired art and new innovations, such as the stirrup.

Vendel era helmet, at the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities.

The finds in Vendel and Valsgärde show that Uppland was an important and powerful area consistent with the sagas' account of a Swedish kingdom. Some of the riches were probably acquired through the control of mining districts and the production of iron. The rulers had troops of mounted elite warriors with costly armour. Graves of mounted warriors have been found with stirrups and saddle ornaments of birds of prey in gilded bronze with incrusted garnets.

These mounted elite warriors are mentioned in the work of the 6th century Goth scholar Jordanes, who wrote that the Swedes had the best horses beside the Thuringians. They also echo much later in the Norse sagas, where king Adils is always described as fighting on horseback (both against Áli and Hrólf Kraki). Snorri Sturluson wrote that Adils had the best horses of his days.

Games were popular, as is shown in finds of tafl games, including pawns and dice.

This is the time when Swedish pillaging expeditions start to explore the waterways of what was to become Russia.

• Battle on the Ice of Lake Vänern
• Ship burial
• Stone ship

• A discussion presented at the website of Historiska muséet