Battle of the Neva
Pope Honorius III received petitions regarding new crusades in the early 1230s. He declared an embargo against trade with pagans in the region. Swedish Archbishop reported difficulties with their mission in Finland. Sweden received papal authorization to launch a crusade in 1237. They made a successful campaign into Tavastia in Finland around 1238 or 1239. This became known as the Second Swedish Crusade in later historiography. New campaigns began in the easternmost part of the Baltic region in 1240. The Swedes advanced further east toward Novgorod territory. Karelians had been allies and tributaries of Novgorod since the mid-12th century. Novgorod held monopoly over the Karelian fur trade. Swedish expansion led directly to clash between Sweden and Novgorod.
Prince Alexander Yaroslavich was only nineteen years old when he moved his small army. He faced the enemy before they reached Lake Ladoga on the 15th of July 1240. The Novgorodian First Chronicle described how Swedes came with a great army. Norwegians and Finns and Tavastians arrived with ships in great numbers. Their leader called Spiridon was killed there according to the chronicle. Some claimed that even the bishop was slain though no Scandinavian bishop is known to have died in 1240. A great number of them fell during the fighting. When they loaded two ships with bodies of high-born men they let them sail to sea. Others were cast into pits for burial. That same night they fled without waiting for Monday light. Only Konstantin Lugotinitch and Gyuryata Pinyashchinich and Namest and Drochilo Nezdylov son of tanner fell from Novgorod side. Twenty men or less including people of Ladoga died total.
The existence of the battle is known only from Russian sources. The first source to mention it appeared in the Novgorod First Chronicle from the 14th century. There is no reference to this battle in Swedish sources at all. Two years later Alexander stalled an invasion by Teutonic Order during Battle on Ice. Despite victories there were no Novgorodian advances further west to Finland or Estonia. John H. Lind finds it unlikely Norwegians could have joined the expedition. King Haakon Haakonsson of Norway was occupied suppressing uprising of Skule Bårdsson at the time. This casts doubt on participation of Finns and Tavastians as well. The list of enemies may have been exaggerated by duplicating names from later entries. Great symbolic significance was ascribed to the Battle of Neva.
Recent research has fundamentally questioned importance of the battle. Some see it as ordinary border skirmish that was exaggerated for political purposes. This explains its absence from Swedish and other western sources. Dating of Swedish Crusade to Tavastia remains controversial. Traditionally dated to 1249-1250 based on chronology of Erikskrönikan. Many scholars now consider more likely that expedition took place in 1238-1239. Swedish forces at Neva may have been led by Birger Magnusson eight years before his appointment as jarl. Even if Spiridon said to have died in battle some historians still associate him with Birger. Scholars suggest Swedish expedition may have been indirect result of papal letter sent to Archbishop of Uppsala in 1237. Letter called for crusade not against Novgorod but against Tavastians in Finland.
All first known Swedish military expedition against Novgorod after events at Neva took place in 1256. This followed folkungs demise and peace with Norway plus conquest of Finland. If battle had any long-term consequences it was Sweden determination to take over Finland first. They attempted to proceed further east only after securing Finland. King of Norway approached his Swedish counterpart for peace talks in 1241. He was turned down at the time. Relations improved only after Treaty of Lödöse in 1249 which was forged by newly empowered Birger Jarl. Official Sweden was on brink of war with Norway ever since Norwegians infamous Värmland expedition in 1225. Unrest continued due to struggle between those who wanted keep old tribal structure and king assisted by church.
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Common questions
When did the Battle of Neva take place?
The Battle of Neva took place on the 15th of July 1240. Prince Alexander Yaroslavich faced the Swedish enemy before they reached Lake Ladoga on that date.
Who led the Swedish forces at the Battle of Neva in 1240?
Swedish forces at the Battle of Neva may have been led by Birger Magnusson eight years before his appointment as jarl. Some historians associate a leader named Spiridon with Birger, though no Scandinavian bishop is known to have died in 1240.
Why does the Battle of Neva not appear in Swedish sources?
The existence of the battle is known only from Russian sources and there is no reference to this battle in Swedish sources at all. Recent research suggests some see it as an ordinary border skirmish that was exaggerated for political purposes.
How many people died during the Battle of Neva?
Only Konstantin Lugotinitch and Gyuryata Pinyashchinich and Namest and Drochilo Nezdylov son of tanner fell from Novgorod side. Twenty men or less including people of Ladoga died total.
What was the result of the Battle of Neva for Sweden and Novgorod?
Despite victories there were no Novgorodian advances further west to Finland or Estonia. The battle resulted in Sweden determination to take over Finland first before attempting to proceed further east.