In
Swedish prehistory, the
Vendel era (550-793) is the name given to a part of the
Germanic Iron Age (or, more generally, the
Migration Period).
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.
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 encrusted 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 expeditions start to explore the waterways of what was to become
Russia.
See also
