Vendel Period

In Scandinavian prehistory, especially in Swedish prehistory, the Vendel Period, also called the Vendel Age (Swedish: Vendeltiden), lasted from about 550 to 800 AD. It came after the Migration Period and before the Viking Age, beginning after the Volcanic winter of 536. The period gets its name from a rich burial site found near Vendel parish church in Uppland.

During this time, people left behind many beautiful artworks made from copper, especially designs of animals. They also created tiny gold foil pictures called guldgubbar and made elaborate helmets decorated with designs, similar to ones found at Sutton Hoo in England.

People from Sweden began traveling through rivers and lands that later became Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. They stopped using the old Elder Futhark writing system and started using the Younger Futhark instead. Although there are not many written records from this time, some runestones survive, like the ones at Rök and Sparlösa, made around 800 AD. Other sources include a few Icelandic stories, the tale of Beowulf, and writings from southern Europe, but these are difficult to understand.

Background

The Germanic Iron Age is split into two parts: the Early and the Late. In Sweden, the Late Germanic Iron Age from about 550 to 800 AD is called the Vendel era. In Norway, people often call this time the Merovingian Age, and in Denmark, it is known as the Younger Germanic Iron Age.

This period started after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and saw new kingdoms rise in Europe, such as those of the Franks, Lombards, and Avar Khaganate. Because gold became hard to find, Scandinavian artists began using bronze and decorating their work with animal designs. Over time, these designs became more detailed and abstract, with shapes that twist and overlap.

During this time, places like Old Uppsala in Sweden were important centers for religion and leadership, featuring sacred groves and large royal burial mounds.

Burial customs

Several areas with rich burial gifts, showing high status or royalty, have been found. These include well-preserved boat graves at Vendel and Valsgärde, and large mounds at Gamla Uppsala. These graves were used for many generations.

Some of the treasures likely came from controlling mining areas and making iron. The leaders had groups of skilled warriors on horseback with expensive armor. Their graves contain items like stirrups and saddle decorations made of gilded bronze with shiny stones. Chess pieces made of ivory in the Roman style were found, along with three Middle Eastern cameos and buttons made of gold. Clothes made of gold thread from the Frankish people were also discovered. Games were popular, as shown by finds of tafl games, including pieces and dice.

The Sutton Hoo helmet looks very similar to helmets found in Gamla Uppsala, Vendel, and Valsgärde. They share features like boar imagery and special foil decoration, indicating that the Anglo-Saxon leaders had strong connections with Swedish leaders.

Written sources

Mounted elite warriors appear in stories from the 6th century. The Goth scholar Jordanes wrote that the Swedes had excellent horses, almost as good as the Thuringians. Later tales, like those written by Snorri Sturluson, describe a king named Adils as a great horse fighter. He battled against warriors like Áli and Hrólf Kraki. The famous story of Beowulf also tells of big wars, known as the Swedish-Geatish wars, between two royal families: the Scylfling family of the Swedes and the Wulfling family of the Geats.

Some of these Swedish legends might be based on real people. The Geats may have been part of the group that helped settle Britain with the Anglo-Saxons. They might be the people the English called the Jutes. The Wulfling dynasty from Geatland could be linked to another royal family called the Wuffingas.

Timeline of Swedish history

The Vendel Period, also called the Vendel Age, was a time in Scandinavian history between about 550 and 800 AD. It came after a big change in the climate and before the Viking Age. This period is named after a place called Vendel, where important old burial sites were found. During this time, people didn't leave behind many shiny metal objects or writings, but they did create beautiful animal designs on copper items.