Page "History of Finland" Paragraph 41

According to the archaeological finds, Christianity gained a foothold in Finland during the 11th century.

According to the very few written documents that have survived, the church in Finland was still in its early development in the 12th century.

Later medieval legends describe Swedish attempts to conquer and Christianize Finland sometime in the mid-1150s.

In the early 13th century, Bishop Thomas became the first bishop of Finland.

There were several secular powers who aimed to bring the Finns under their rule.

These were Sweden, Denmark, the Republic of Novgorod in Northwestern Russia and probably the German crusading orders as well.

Finns had their own chiefs, but most probably no central authority.

Russian chronicles indicate there were conflict between Novgorod and the Finnic tribes from the 11th or 12th century to the early 13th century.