Some Aspects of the Lithuanian–Swedish Historical Relations (until the Beginning of the 17th Century)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present article analyses the historical relations between the peoples who inhabited the territories of today’s Lithuania and Sweden during the longue durée period from the first contacts until the beginning of the 17th century. The study, based on a rich historiography, provides a synthetic view of the issue, emphasizing the “Lithuanian perspective” – mutual communication on the present-day territory of Lithuania and the reflection of this communication in Lithuanian historical culture. The article discusses the most important political, economic and cultural aspects of communication, and the exchange of cultural innovations. Two periods are distinguished: an early period with a special focus on the Viking Age, and a later period of contacts during the 13th–16th centuries.