| Swedish-novgorodian Wars |
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The Republic Of Novgorod and medieval Sweden waged a number of wars for control of the Gulf Of Finland , an area vital for the lucrative Hanseatic trade. The Novgorod ians launched Pirate raids against mainland Sweden as early as the 12th Century . During one of such raids, they brought to Novgorod the doors of the Sigtuna cathedral as a prize. It is now part of the Saint Sophia Cathedral In Novgorod . In 1240 , at the Pope 's instigation, Birger Jarl undertook a " Northern Crusade " against Russians. Soon after his fleet entered the mouth of the Neva River , the Swedes were roundly defeated in the famous Battle Of The Neva by a young prince, Alexander Of Novgorod , who would later be given the epithet "Nevsky" to memorialize this victory. From 1283 onward, Swedish fleets would systematically venture into the Lake Ladoga , looting Novgorod merchants. In order to counter such raids, the Novgorodians set out building strong fortresses in Koporye , Ladoga , and Korela . In the early 14th Century , military tensions escalated and the two powers were continually at war. In 1311 , the Novgorodians devastated Finland , which the Swedes regarded as their own possession. In response, a Swedish fleet embarked towards Old Ladoga and set this trade emporium on fire. Three years later, the Karelian s' discontent with Novgorod's rule broke out into the open, as they killed Russian governors and sought for help in Sweden. After several months of hostilities, Karelia submitted to Novgorod'a authority again. Peace treaties — such as the famous Treaty Of Nöteborg with the Swedes (August 12, 1323) or the Treaty Of Novgorod with the Norwegians (June 3, 1326) — provided but a temporary palliative. In 1318 , the Novgorodians sacked Åbo . Four years later, they besieged Vyborg and founded Oreshek , an important fortress dominating the entrance to the Ladoga Lake. In 1348 , king Magnus Eriksson set out on a new "crusade" against Novgorod. He set Oreshek ablaze and converted the neighbourhood into Roman Catholicism. In the next year, the Russians recovered lost ground and devastated the locality of Vyborg . Hostilities between the two powers were renewed in 1392 and 1411 . Increasingly, trade interests in the White Sea were at stake. The last conflict ensued in 1445 , several decades before Novgorod was absorbed into Muscovy . REFERENCES |
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