Sweden

The Swedish flag

**Sweden** is a country located in Northern Europe.

## History

*Main article: History of Sweden*
Swedish history is the same as in real life until 1444. Swedish nobles, tired of Danish interference in their affairs, declared the Swedish War for Independence with the aid of England and Lithuania. Gustav I Drake, a noble from Osterbotten, was chosen as the next king. Shortly after, to strengthen Swedish control of Baltic Trade, the Novgorod War broke out and many lands were taken from Novgorod, including the highly developed city of Gustavstad. In 1454, the Estonian War broke out for the same reasons; Gustav I died during this war and his wife Christina I then took over as Regent. The war was won, with the conquered lands being turned into the Swedish fief of Estonia.

Christina I's son Gustav II took over in 1461, and declared the War of the Lakes and vassalized Novgorod. He also centralized the country during this time, though this decision would later be partially reversed. He conquered Scania from Denmark in 1476 to end the Sound Toll, then seized Riga in the Rigan War just six years later. The nation's ally Poland brought the country into the Tambov War against Muscovy, which began Muscovy's fall from greatness.

## Administration

### The Monarchy

*Main article: List of Swedish monarchs*
Sweden is a monarchy, having been so since medieval times. They fell under the Kalmar Union under Denmark for a long time but broke free in the Swedish War for Independence. The first ruling dynasty since the end of the union was the Drake family, hailing from Osterbotten. However, the family eventually went extinct, and were replaced by the Yorks from England.

### Government Reforms

Sweden has developed their government many times, evolving from a simple feudal state like all other medieval states to a truly modern country.

* On 13 June 1459, for their loyalty to the state, Queen-Consort Regent Christina I strengthened the nobles' privileges.

* On 14 October 1478, King Gustav II decided to establish a decentralized bureaucracy.
* On 9 August 1506, King Gustav II prioritized clergy for government positions, to balance out the power of the nobles.
* On 3 October 1537, King Charles I established the Riksdag (Parliament) in order to end traditional noble control of the countryside.
* On 23 April 1578, Charles II declared that the King (or Queen) would have ultimate control over the country, and that the Riksdag would still be empowered to pass laws but that they could be vetoed by the monarch.

### Territorial Governance

Sweden is rather decentralized; nobles and clergymen have control over much of Sweden proper and Finland, and even wealthy traders control Elfsborg.

Sweden adopts two strategies for newly conquered lands. The first strategy is to integrate these territories as quickly as possible - for instance, the lands gained following the Novgorod War were considered core Swedish lands by 1453. The other strategy is to grant them to vassal lords, as was the case for Estonia.

## Economy

The Swedish economy initially made a profit, but following the Novgorod War, the country had a rather large deficit and needed to debase its currency multiple times.

## Military

### Army

In 1444, the army completely consisted of recruited regiments. During the war for independence, a few mercenary regiments were hired, but this put a strain on the budget and they were dismissed in 1450.

On 9 December 1455, the Swedish nobles presented an army reform to outperform Livonian troops during the Estonian War. A regional conscription method was devised, in which regiments would be composed of men coming from the same geographical area to boost morale.

### Navy

While considered important, the Swedish fleet was not given much attention until 1451, when three new galleys were constructed.