Swedish Crusades
As Swedish Crusades, the Swedish policy of expansion to Finland is called. These Crusades were conquering of Sweden with the aim performed Finland. These companies also had the purpose to push back the supremacy of the Republic of Novgorod in the Baltic Sea region.
First Swedish Crusade
The First Swedish Crusade was allegedly held in the 1150s years, its historicity is doubted in History often. With the expedition Sweden Finland is said to have conquered and have converted the pagan Finns to Christianity.
The Crusade is the later canonized King Erik IX. attributed by Sweden. Bishop Henry of Uppsala is said to have accompanied the king on this train, to build a church organization in Finland. After his violent death, he was canonized as martyrs.
It is possible that the first Swedish Crusade in reality a dispute between Sweden and the Republic of Novgorod. It is also believed that it is simply a back-projection of the Second Crusade to bring in the compound had become a national hero of the Swedish royal order.
Second Swedish Crusade
The Second Swedish Crusade took place in the years 1249-1250 probably. Here, too, are not fully aware of the historical background. This crusade was led by Birger Jarl.
Several castles in Finland to have been established in the framework of this crusade. They include: Häme Castle ( Tavastehus ), Castle Hakoinen ( Janakkala ) and Turku Castle ( Åbo ). Thus, the Swedish kings of Folkunger wanted to strengthen the rule of Finland, whose coastal region became an integral part of Sweden.
The Christianization of Finland was formally concluded with the establishment of the chapter Turku 1276.
Third Swedish Crusade
The Third Swedish Crusade was a Swedish military expedition to Karelia in 1293 under the leadership of Torgils Knutsson, which was ruled by the Novgorod Republic. As part of the expedition castle Vyborg ( Viipuri ) was built and western Karelia remained until the Peace of Nystad in 1721 under Swedish rule.
The border between the two powers, and thus the eastern border of Finland was first established in 1323 in the Treaty of Nöteborg. It was also understood by 1721 as a landscape border and functioned after the establishment of the Russian Grand Duchy of Finland in turn as its eastern border. Only in 1944, this limit has been moved to the west.