History of Öland
The first time Öland is mentioned in a source is in Wulfstan's travelogue from the end of the 800th century. In it, Öland ("Eowland") is depicted together with Blekinge Möre and Gotland as lands that belonged to the Swedes.
However, this has not prevented one historian from claiming that Öland did not become part of Sweden until the end of the 1100th century. Before that, Öland would have been independent or perhaps obeyed Denmark or some Wendish prince in what is now northern Germany. However, neither historical nor archaeological sources provide any support for these thoughts. Despite its location in the middle of the Baltic Sea, it is clearly the cultural influence from Svealand that has dominated Öland. That the island would have belonged to Denmark is also contradicted by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus, who around the year 1200 wrote a comprehensive and very patriotic work about his country's history.
The idea that Öland would have been independent during historical times is also not very likely. This island flourished already during the Iron Age thanks to its central location along the trade routes of the Baltic Sea. But the prosperity and the central location also meant that Öland was very exposed to the extensive piracy that was the scourge of the Baltic Sea right up until the 1200th century. A narrow and flat island like Öland offered the population very little protection and that is why this landscape has such a remarkably high concentration of ancient castles, of which Eketorp is the most famous. The islanders thus belonged to those who had a lot to gain from a strong royal power that could fight the pirates, and conversely, the strategically and economically important Öland should have been high on the list of lands that a nation-builder would like to subjugate.
The main trading place on Öland was Köpingsvik, and its urban development that existed between the years 750 and 1250 has been compared to Birka. An inhibiting factor, however, was the lack of a deep harbor and after Kalmar had been founded on the other side of the strait at the end of the 1100th century, Köpingsvik receded and it therefore never developed into a city. In the vicinity of Köpingsvik, Borgholm Castle was built at the end of the 1200th century, which in the Middle Ages was one of Sweden's most important castles. However, it would take until 1816 before Borgholm became Öland's first and only city.
In connection with the Håtunaleken in 1306, Sweden was divided in 1310 between King Birger and his brothers Dukes Erik and Valdemar. Öland fell to the lot of the dukes, and when they divided the lands between them in 1315, Valdemar received this landscape and moved his residence to Borgholm. Until 1356, Öland was then maintenance land for Valdemar's widow Ingeborg, who titled herself "Duchess of Öland". Denmark's king Valdemar Atterdag conquered Öland and Gotland in 1361 but his bailiffs were beaten to death by the commoners after his departure. During the 1400th century union battles, Öland with Borgholm castle was the landscape that was controlled for the longest time by the union kings. Erik of Pomerania only lost Öland in 1440. Even in modern times, Öland was a theater of war and several naval battles were fought in its waters.
The 1800th century was a more peaceful period characterized by a sharp increase in population. However, the agricultural crisis from the 1880s meant a mass migration to America. Until 1930, 18 islanders emigrated and the population decreased from 000 to 38. The island's economy continued to stagnate even after the mass migration stopped, which contributed strongly to the decision to build the Öland Bridge, which was inaugurated in 000.
The idea that Öland would have been independent during historical times is also not very likely. This island flourished already during the Iron Age thanks to its central location along the trade routes of the Baltic Sea. But the prosperity and the central location also meant that Öland was very exposed to the extensive piracy that was the scourge of the Baltic Sea right up until the 1200th century. A narrow and flat island like Öland offered the population very little protection and that is why this landscape has such a remarkably high concentration of ancient castles, of which Eketorp is the most famous. The islanders thus belonged to those who had a lot to gain from a strong royal power that could fight the pirates, and conversely, the strategically and economically important Öland should have been high on the list of lands that a nation-builder would like to subjugate.
The main trading place on Öland was Köpingsvik, and its urban development that existed between the years 750 and 1250 has been compared to Birka. An inhibiting factor, however, was the lack of a deep harbor and after Kalmar had been founded on the other side of the strait at the end of the 1100th century, Köpingsvik receded and it therefore never developed into a city. In the vicinity of Köpingsvik, Borgholm Castle was built at the end of the 1200th century, which in the Middle Ages was one of Sweden's most important castles. However, it would take until 1816 before Borgholm became Öland's first and only city.
In connection with the Håtunaleken in 1306, Sweden was divided in 1310 between King Birger and his brothers Dukes Erik and Valdemar. Öland fell to the lot of the dukes, and when they divided the lands between them in 1315, Valdemar received this landscape and moved his residence to Borgholm. Until 1356, Öland was then maintenance land for Valdemar's widow Ingeborg, who titled herself "Duchess of Öland". Denmark's king Valdemar Atterdag conquered Öland and Gotland in 1361 but his bailiffs were beaten to death by the commoners after his departure. During the 1400th century union battles, Öland with Borgholm castle was the landscape that was controlled for the longest time by the union kings. Erik of Pomerania only lost Öland in 1440. Even in modern times, Öland was a theater of war and several naval battles were fought in its waters.
The 1800th century was a more peaceful period characterized by a sharp increase in population. However, the agricultural crisis from the 1880s meant a mass migration to America. Until 1930, 18 islanders emigrated and the population decreased from 000 to 38. The island's economy continued to stagnate even after the mass migration stopped, which contributed strongly to the decision to build the Öland Bridge, which was inaugurated in 000.