Swedish Empire Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
the years 1611–1721 in the history of Sweden
About Swedish Empire
—Lord High Chancellor of Sweden Axel Oxenstierna in a 1612 letter to dowager Queen Christina of Holstein-Gottorp The term "Swedish Empire" is not universally defined, but usually seen as equivalent with the Great Power era (stormaktstiden), from 1611 (Gustavus Adolphus' ascension to the throne) to 1718 (death of Charles XII), when Sweden was as its height of power and land area. In Swedish, Sweden was at the time calledKonungariket Sverige(the Kingdom of Sweden). A much more modern term isÖstersjöväldet, "the Baltic Sea realm". European provinces with non-Swedish population, such as those in Finland and the Baltic states, were not colonies, but formally on par with the Swedish provinces, with extensive autonomy for the estates (stånd), who consisted of nobles, clergy, burghers, and land-ow
Swedish Empire Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 3 sections including: