How likely is a medieval Finnic kingdom centered around the Gulf of Finland? POD after 800 AD. The area was strategically important as it was close to the Russian rivers were the Vikings OTL went towards Constantinople and founded Kievan Rus. The kingdom could have its origin in Swedish Vikings, but, if so, the elite should gradually become Finnic-speaking, like the founders of Kievan Rus became Slavic speakers in OTL, and the kingdom should remain an independent Finnic-speaking kingdom for at least 300 years after 1000 AD.
Finnic kingdom by 1000 AD
- Thread starter Eivind
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- estonia finland middle ages
Maybe it gets formed by a bunch of Swedish Vikings, who decide to form their own state separate from Sweden/Gothland etc. It remains Finnic-speaking, and eventually the Vikings assimilate with the local elites?
OTL Finland formed around Swedish control of Bothnia.
TTL if we keep the Swedes/Swearland separate from the Geats/Goetarland then Estonia/Gulf of Finland could be a target by the Geats in opposition to Swedish Bothnia.
TTL if we keep the Swedes/Swearland separate from the Geats/Goetarland then Estonia/Gulf of Finland could be a target by the Geats in opposition to Swedish Bothnia.