Second Swedish Crusade
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The Second Swedish Crusade was a military expedition by the Kingdom of Sweden into Tavastia in southern Finland described by Erik's Chronicle. According to the chronicle, the Swedes defeated the pagan
Conquest of Häme by Joseph Alanen (1912)
A sculpted head in Varnhem Church, identified as the likeness of Birger Jarl, leader of the Crusade
Birger Jarl
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Birger Jarl or Birger Magnusson was a Swedish statesman and regent, jarl, and a member of the House of Bjälbo, who played a pivotal role in consolidating Sweden after the civil wars between the House
Second Swedish Crusade
…Häme) in southern Finland described by Erik's Chronicle. According to the chronicle, the Swedes defeated the pagan Tavastians under the leadership of Birger Jarl, and started building a castle in Tavastia. The expedition has traditionally been dated to 1249–1250 based on the chronology of the chronicle. However…
The 17th-century engraving of Birger Jarl by Erik Dahlberg is based on a fresco from Häme Castle, depicting Christ with a scourge and a birch rod.
Grave of Birger Jarl, his second wife Mechtilde and Birger's son Duke Erik.
Statue of Birger Jarl (1854) by Bengt Erland Fogelberg in Stockholm