Scandinavian History
All contributors in Scandinavian History
Scandinavia has several distinct holiday traditions which make Christmas different from the rest of Western Europe. more...
Viking society was made up of three distinct classes- landowning nobles, freeman and slaves. Vikings warriors came mainly from the noble and freeman classes. more...
The Vikings of Scandinavia attacked and colonized many parts of Europe, as well expanding settlements to the New World. more...
The Union of Kalmar united Sweden, Denmark and Norway under one ruler, Queen Margrethe. Formed to challenge the Hanseatic League, the union lasted 126 years. more...
With long winter nights and short days, it is no wonder that the celebration of St. Lucia, the patron saint of light, is an important part of Christmas in Sweden. more...
Christmas in Sweden goes back to pagan festivals relating to Thor and Saint Lucia. Sweden has developed many holiday traditions, many of which are still practiced today. more...
All feature articles in Scandinavian History
The First Bernadotte King of Sweden
By: Emily Chauviere
King Carl XIII was the last Holstein-Gottorp ruler of Sweden, and was succeeded by Jean Baptiste Bernadotte as King Carl XIV Johann, beginning a new royal dynasty. more...
How Finland Almost Became a Monarchy
By: Emily Chauviere
Finland asked Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse to be its king once it gained independence from Russia, but eventually decided to become a republic. more...
The End of the Oldenburg Dynasty in Denmark
By: Emily Chauviere
King Frederick VII was the last Oldenburg king of Denmark, and was succeeded by King Christian IX who began the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg dynasty. more...
Protestant Roots in the Danish West Indies
By: Adam C'DeBaca
Danish merchants first colonized the islands now known as St. Thomas and St. John in 1672, and created colonies for various denominations of Protestants, among others. more...
Company Rule in the Danish West Indies
By: Adam C'DeBaca
Denmark, along with many other European nations during the 17th and 18th century, worked with regaled charter companies to operate their Caribbean colonies. more...
The Founding of the Danish West Indies
By: Adam C'DeBaca
By the late 18th century, the Danish West Indies included what is now commonly referred to as the Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. more...
The Emancipation of the Virgin Islands in 1848
By: Adam C'DeBaca
In comparison to South America, North America, and other Caribbean islands, the Virgin Islands' shift from slavery to emancipation was a meek and almost bloodless affair. more...
All contributing articles in Scandinavian History