When was Christianity introduced in Scandinavia?
Christianization of Scandinavia
The Christianization of Scandinavia as well as other Nordic countries and the Baltic countries, took place between the 8th and the 12th centuries. The realms of Scandinavia proper, Denmark, Norway and Sweden (Sweden is an 11th or 12th century merger of the former countries Götaland and Svealand[1]), established their own Archdioceses, responsible directly to the Pope, in 1104, 1154 and 1164, respectively. The conversion to Christianity of the Scandinavian people required more time, since it took additional efforts to establish a network of churches. The Sami remained unconverted until the 18th century.[2] Newer archaeological research suggests there were Christians in Götaland already during the 9th century, it is further believed Christianity came from the southwest and moved towards the north.[3]
Christianization of Scandinavia
The supporters of the cult at Uppsala drew a mutual agreement of toleration[28] with Olof Skötkonung, the first Christian king of Sweden, who ascended to the throne in the 990s. Presumably Olof Skötkonung was not in a powerful enough position to violently enforce the observance of Christianity in Uppland.[30] Instead he established an episcopal see at Skara in Västergötland, near his own stronghold at Husaby around 1000.[30] Another episcopal see was established at Sigtuna in the 1060s[30] by King Stenkil, according to Adam of Bremen.[31] This seat was moved to Gamla Uppsala probably some time between 1134 and 1140.[31] This might have been because of Uppsala's importance as an old royal residence and thing site, but it may also have been inspired by a desire to show that the resistance to Christianity in Uppland had been defeated.[31] By papal initiative an archdiocese for Sweden was established at Uppsala in 1164.[31][32]