Realm of Sweden

The term Svenska väldet ("Swedish dominion", as opposed to the name of Sweden Sverige, lit. "realm of the Swedes") is a term that historically was used to comprise all the territories under the control of the Swedish monarchs.

Researchers from the 19th century have suggested that in the 9th century Svealand, which they claimed was the historical core region of Sweden, expanded southwards, conquering Gothia. Little is known however from this time and more contemporary researchers have suggested that Gothia might as well have been the core region, or the two region were joined through a union.

In the latter part of 13th century Sweden expanded to the east conquering the parts which came to be called Österland, present-day Finland, through second and third crusades against Tavastians and Karelians. Norrland was made a part of the kingdom in the 16th century. In the 17th century the kingdom expanded to the south and east, except for short-period holdings in Norway, incorporating Scania, Blekinge, Halland and Bohuslän as well as Pomerania. On the other side of the Baltic Sea Kexholm County, Ingria and present day Latvia was also incorporated.

The four Swedish lands were in turn divided into separate Provinces or Landskap, which were governed by their own laws under the rule of a Ting. The monarchs would gradually strengthen their authority at the expense of the provinces, and in the 15th century the provincial laws were replaced by a single law for the entire kingdom.

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