Svenska städer under tidigmodern tid

Swedish towns in early modern times This paper offers an introduction to Swedish urban history, focusing on the period 1500–1800, encompassing both towns in Sweden and its provinces. It describes urban development since the Middle Ages, in particular urban demography and the economy, as well as the social aspects. It also offers an introduction to previous and current research debates, as well as the most important sources for the history of pre-modern Swedish towns. This overall picture is necessary in order to respond to the editor’s interest in different urban settings, especially the ways in which towns were governed socially and politically in early modern times. However, the current state of research on Swedish urban history does not provide answers to this question in general terms. Instead, Sweden’s urban history is traditionally perceived in an entirely different setting, where the state exerted a strong influence over Swedish towns due to a specific understanding of the advantages of urban settlements. Although these urban policies were never explicitly spelled out, a distinct urban norm is still in place today. As a consequence, the early modern state controlled both existing as well as newly founded towns in many ways. The state was particularly interested in their economic functions, their legal system and their capacity to administer their inhabitants and the surrounding countryside. This state policy did not meet the interests of the towns themselves and caused considerable conflict in the 17th century, not least in relation to the towns in the Baltic and German provinces. These former Hansa towns were accustomed to a more autonomous position within their respective hinterlands. There is reason to assume that this state policy affected urban development negatively, both in Sweden and its provinces, delaying Sweden’s urbanization considerably. Since the early 16th century, Swedish towns have not been perceived as political players within a highly centralized state organization.