Ancient kings of Finland
Encyclopedia
Almost nothing is known about the Ancient kings of Finland. Even though no record of ancient kings in Finland exists, prehistoric Finland
probably had chieftains called "kings", as the loanword kuningas, "king", has existed in the same meaning in the Finnish language
since early Germanic times, when it was borrowed. Such kings were most probably not kings of Finland, but kings in Finland, as the area at that time was divided between several tribes and communications necessary for the upkeep of a common rule would have been hard to establish. It is also worth noting that Finland only at a much later time come to refer to more than Finland Proper
.
A few sagas briefly mention some of the legendary kings that were said to have also ruled Finland (Fornjot
, Snaer, Thorri). Several unhistorical sagas talk about the kings of "Finns", as Örvar-Odds saga, the Wayland-Dietrich Saga, the Saga of Halfdan Eysteinsson, and Völundarkviða
. However, the name Finn usually refers to Sami people
in Norse sagas. Saxo Grammaticus
once refers to the king of Finland in a very convoluted context. Some possible indirect references to the kings of Finns or Finland also exist in various sources as Völundarkviða, Widsith
, Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum
, and the Wayland-Dietrich saga.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
probably had chieftains called "kings", as the loanword kuningas, "king", has existed in the same meaning in the Finnish language
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
since early Germanic times, when it was borrowed. Such kings were most probably not kings of Finland, but kings in Finland, as the area at that time was divided between several tribes and communications necessary for the upkeep of a common rule would have been hard to establish. It is also worth noting that Finland only at a much later time come to refer to more than Finland Proper
Finland Proper
Finland Proper or Southwest Finland , is a region in south-western Finland. It borders the regions of Satakunta, Tavastia Proper, Ahvenanmaa and Uusimaa.- Municipalities :...
.
A few sagas briefly mention some of the legendary kings that were said to have also ruled Finland (Fornjot
Fornjót
Fornjót was an ancient giant in Norse mythology and a king of Finland. His children are Ægir , Logi and Kári ....
, Snaer, Thorri). Several unhistorical sagas talk about the kings of "Finns", as Örvar-Odds saga, the Wayland-Dietrich Saga, the Saga of Halfdan Eysteinsson, and Völundarkviða
Völundarkviða
Völundarkviða is one of the mythological poems of the Poetic Edda...
. However, the name Finn usually refers to Sami people
Sami people
The Sami people, also spelled Sámi, or Saami, are the arctic indigenous people inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Kola Peninsula of Russia, and the border area between south and middle Sweden and Norway. The Sámi are Europe’s northernmost...
in Norse sagas. Saxo Grammaticus
Saxo Grammaticus
Saxo Grammaticus also known as Saxo cognomine Longus was a Danish historian, thought to have been a secular clerk or secretary to Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, foremost advisor to Valdemar I of Denmark. He is the author of the first full history of Denmark.- Life :The Jutland Chronicle gives...
once refers to the king of Finland in a very convoluted context. Some possible indirect references to the kings of Finns or Finland also exist in various sources as Völundarkviða, Widsith
Widsith
Widsith is an Old English poem of 144 lines that appears to date from the 9th century, drawing on earlier oral traditions of Anglo-Saxon tale singing. The only text of the fragment is copied in the Exeter Book, a manuscript of Old English poetry compiled in the late 10th century containing...
, Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum
Gesta Danorum
Gesta Danorum is a patriotic work of Danish history, by the 12th century author Saxo Grammaticus . It is the most ambitious literary undertaking of medieval Denmark and is an essential source for the nation's early history...
, and the Wayland-Dietrich saga.