Finnish Crusades [top] -

Led by Birger Jarl, this campaign consolidated Swedish power in the central regions. The Tavastian tribe in central Finland.

During the early Middle Ages, Finland was inhabited by distinct pagan tribes. The primary groups were the Finns proper, the Tavastians, and the Karelians. finnish crusades

This is where history begins to solidify. The Papal curia had, in 1237, authorized a crusade to defend the fledgling Finnish church against "barbarians"—likely the pagan Tavastians, who were rebelling. But the real strategic push came from Birger Jarl, the de facto ruler of Sweden. Led by Birger Jarl, this campaign consolidated Swedish