Confederation of Svitjod

The Confederation of Svitjod (Svitjodian Norse: *Bandalag af Svíþóð*) is a Norse monarchy. The Confederation of Svitjod is often considered to be the first Norse sovereign nation. Despite being called the Confederation of Svitjod, it is actually a federation. (De jure: Confederacy; De facto: Federacy)

### State Religion

OdinismNorse Paganism (Predominantly Aesir)

## History

Around 700 AD, Jarl Ingvar "Ironheart" (Svitjodian Norse: *Jarl Ingvarr Járnhjarta*), sometimes "the Unifier" (Svitjodian Norse: *Jarl Ingvarr Bindiefnið*) or both, had created the Confederation of Svitjod. The Confederation was created through diplomacy and a little bit of conquering. In 718, the steward of House Járnhjarta, Estrid Úlfhildur, began establishing a trade network between Svitjod and Avjljíírland. This trade route had a positive impact on the Svitjodian economy. In 737, Norse Paganism had started to become more organized and eventually developed into Odinism.

The end of the Confederation happened when Jarl Þórrún Þorsteinsdóttir Járnhjarta took over in 749, after the end of the Baltic War when Jarl Erik (Svitjodian Norse: *Jarl Erikr*) was slain by Grandmaster Schnell Wallenstein (Old High German: *Grozmeistar Schnell Wallenstein*) in a duel between the two after a stalemate in the war. The confederation was succeeded by the Jarldom of Svitjod.

## Culture & Language

The Confederation of Svitjod is a multicultural state consisting of Norse, Baltic, Balto-Finnic, and various other cultures. The official language of Svitjod is Svitjodian Norse.

## Religion

For the majority of the Confederation of Svitjod's existence, it had followed Norse Paganism, but during its end, Odinism was the official language of the Confederation.

## Administration

The Confederation of Svitjod is a highly federative kingdom of autonomous administrations lead by trusted chiefdoms, lords, and ladies all answering to the Great Council lead by the Jarl. The Jarl holds all the power in the realm, but local decisions are made semi-democratically by peasant unions. Regions are free to administer on their own, but when the Jarl calls, they are to answer to his majesty who is seated in the capital of Siþuna that lies on the coast of Lake Mälaren.

## Military

The Confederation of Svitjod boasts an impressive standing naval force protecting the country's claim on the Baltic Sea. The men and women serving in the naval force are well trained, living their lives upon the waves. On the other hand, the armies of the Confederation consists of men and women either drafted or from standing armies that live for war. Due to the diversity of those serving in the military, each person serve under an army amassed in their local region to maximize capabilities on the field of battle. Last of all, the Jarl of Svitjod has his own personal guard of highly trained soldiers who have proved themselves in the eyes of Odin. These soldiers must be of Nordic descent and followers of the Aesir faiths (Odinism in the late years of the Confederation.

## Economy

Most of the economy is based around agriculture, logging, fishing, and trade with neighboring states with differing industries depending on the region.