The Swedish Crusade of 1293

By 1293, favorable conditions had formed in Sweden for launching a major military conquest. After King Magnus Ladulås’s death in 1290, secular feudal lords dominated the royal council, and Torgils Knutsson stood out in particular.

Two years earlier, in 1288, Torgils had been knighted and, it is believed, as early as the following year, took one of the highest state offices — that of marshal. Over the following years, his influence grew significantly, and he effectively became the country’s ruler.

The Swedish conquest campaigns in the 1290s were a continuation of the “crusade” led by Jarl Birger, which had ended in the conquest of the central part of Southern Finland — the land of the Häme (Tavastians). This became the next stage of Swedish expansion along the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea.

The situation in the Russian lands in 1293 also favored the success of the Swedish government’s expansionist plans. That year saw a sharp intensification of internecine warfare caused by the rivalry between the sons of Alexander Nevsky — Dmitry of Pereyaslavl and Andrey of Gorodets — competing for Vladimir’s Grand Principality. The khan awarded the grand princely title to Andrey and sent his brother Dyuden with an army to Rus’ to drive Dmitry from the throne.