In 1362 the Finns from ancient times had the right to participate in the choice of a king belonging to the indigenous Swedes; thus, from the conquered area, the country became a full part of the Swedish state (the later conquered Baltic provinces did not exercise this right). Due to the remoteness of the country, the weakness of the Swedish government and the chaotic state of government in the era preceding the conclusion of the Kalmar Union and following it, the Swedish grandees, who owned the fiefs in Finland, managed their regions almost independently. Such an independent ruler was, for example, under Albert, King of Sweden (1363–1389) who received almost all of Finland for life-long fledgling possession. He imposed feudal order there, but they did not take root in this country.
Margarita of Denmark , who concluded the Kalmar Union, was recognized in Finland as a queen in 1398, that is, 9 years later than in Sweden. Her successor, Eric XIII of Pomerania (1412-1439), managed to temporarily raise the importance of royal power; he streamlined court proceedings in Finland, dividing the country into two judicial districts, the southern and the northern. In Finland, Eric enjoyed the love of the people, but in Sweden he was not loved because he distributed the most important posts to the Danes and Germans, who oppressed the population. This caused an uprising of the Dalecarlians. In Sweden, a period of anarchy began, marked by the struggle of the adherents of Denmark, or the unionists (the clergy and the higher nobility), with the patriotic party (the lower nobility and the peasantry). The fight was reflected in Finland. Engelbrehtson stood at the head of the patriotic party, then Karl, a Finnish by birth, was elected three times to be the state regent.
During the regency, war broke out with the Rus (1495-1497). The Russians laid siege to Vyborg, where the governor Knut Posse was locked up, but suddenly retreated, frightened, probably by the explosion of a mine. Sture, engaged in fighting with his opponents, could not help the Finnish army; the war ended with a truce advantageous for Russia in Novgorod.
When Gustav Vasa rebelled against Christian II, the Danes stayed in Finland longer than in Sweden, as a result of which the war of liberation dragged on for several months.
Since the time of the peace, the country has been divided into the following provinces: Alandia, actually Finland, Satakunta, Nyulandia, Tavastlandia and West Karelia. The most important castles that served as the residence of the Swedish nobles were Abo (first mentioned in 1198), Vyborg and Tavastgus (Kronoborg). The castles served as the residences of the Swedish nobles, who owned in Finland extensive fiefs, which, however, were not hereditary. In the hands of the Swedes were all the highest administrative and judicial positions. Subsequently, local nobles began to appoint lower positions. Until 1435, only the nobles had the right to send deputies to the parliament, which are called the “master’s days” (herredagorna). The language of the administration was Swedish, but the population continued to speak Finnish. Swedish manners spread from the castle, but slowly.
Until the end of the Middle Ages, the Finns were little penetrated by Swedish culture, retaining the coarseness of morals and pagan customs. The clergy enjoyed greater influence than secular power. In his hands accumulated considerable wealth. Not only clergymen, but also secular ones, were taken to the court of secular power, for wrongdoing against ecclesiastical decency. Aboski bishops were powerful masters and at the same time the first pioneers of culture. The most remarkable of them, besides those mentioned above: Gemming (1338–1366), Bero Balk (1385–1412), Magnus Tavast (1412–1450). Despite the jealousy of the bishops, Christianity did not manage to put deep roots in that period. The introduction of Protestantism under Gustav Vasa and his successors was not met with any resistance. Trade was in the hands of the Hanseatic. Cities were arranged according to the German model.
Sources:
Essays on the history of Finland from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century
Brief history of Finland
The history of the Finnish people
Historiallinen Arkisto (“Historical Archive”) // Periodicals of the Finnish Historical Society.