Search
Search Results
Definition
Gustavus Adolphus
Gustavus Adolphus (l. 1594-1632; r. 1611-1632) was the King of Sweden who elevated his country to a major power in the 17th century. He also is traditionally recognized as the "Father of Modern Warfare" for his military innovations and his...
Definition
Great Northern War
The Great Northern War took place from 1700 to 1721 and was fought between Russia and Sweden during the reign of Peter I of Russia (Peter the Great). One of the key causes of the war was Peter the Great’s desire to have territory on the Baltic...
Definition
Bjorn Ironside
Bjorn Ironside (also spelt Björn Ironside; Old Norse Bjǫrn Járnsíða) is a legendary Viking who in the stories surrounding him raids alongside his brothers and his father, the Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok. While the legends mentioning...
Image
Viking Rune Stone (Sanda, Sweden)
Top part of a rune stone found at Sanda, Gotland, Sweden, dating to the Viking Age, thought to depict Odin, Thor and Freyr. The runic inscription reads: 'Rodvisl and Farbjörn and Gunbjörn' (The Swedish History Museum/Historiska Museet, Stockholm...
Image
Runestone from Hagby, Sweden
Runestone U 152 inscribed in the Younger Futhark runic script (c. 700-c. 1200 CE, in Scandinavia), found at the Hagby farm in Uppland, Sweden. It is decorated in the Urnes style. It reads "Holmfríðr had this stone raised in memory of Bjôrn...
Image
Saint Bridget of Sweden
Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373), Saint Bridget on an Altar Piece, Hermann Rode, late 15th century. Taken from "The Swedish people through the ages. Our country's cultural history in descriptions and images. The second volume. The medieval...
Definition
Viking Art
Art made by Scandinavians during the Viking Age (c. 790-1100 CE) mostly encompassed the decoration of functional objects made of wood, metal, stone, textile and other materials with relief carvings, engravings of animal shapes and abstract...
Definition
Catherine the Great
Catherine II of Russia (Catherine the Great) was empress regent of Russia from 1762-1796. She was born in Prussia to Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst (1690-1747) and Princess Johanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp (1712-1760), and...
Definition
Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) was a Danish nobleman who made the most significant contribution to our knowledge of astronomy before the telescope arrived. He discovered a supernova, observed the elliptical interplanetary orbit of a comet, updated...
Definition
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was an Enlightenment philosopher who, as author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, is widely credited as the founder of feminism. Wollstonecraft called for equal education opportunities for men and women...