Neo Westphalian Europe Part 42: Kingdom Of Sweden

Sweden will be one of the last of the remnant monarchies that exist on the continent, following the great geopolitical shake up that is looming. Sweden is another nation that has a number of territories it must cede back to neighbouring states, in the interests of a decentralised future. It will of course need to end the debate with neighbouring Denmark over the Skaneland issue. It will ease tensions with Norway by allowing an independent Jamtland to exist as a buffer between them. It also has a Sami minority in the north, which will have lands returned to them. 

This will leave a remaining Sweden made up of the Angermanland, Bohuslan, Dalarna, Dalsland, Gotland, Gastrikland, Halsingland, Harjedalen, Medelpad, Norrbotten, Narke, Oland, Ostergotland, Smaland, Sodermanland, Uppland, Varmland, Vastmanland, Vasterbotten and Vastergotland Provinces, currently part of Sweden.

The flag of Sweden is another in the Nordic Cross family of flags. It began like other flags of the region, with its cross in the centre of the flag as modelled after the Holy Roman Empire battle flag. It shifted its cross when the Danish flag had to move its cross, so it was not confused with the Knights of Malta flag. The colours of the flag come from the coat of arms of the Swedish monarch. This flag existed from the 1500’s. The Swedish East India Company also flew this early variant of the flag, when it became a sea faring force in later centuries.

The modern version of the flag began to take shape during the Swedish and Norwegian union of the 1800’s. The union flag was similar to the modern flag, with the union cross positioned in its canton. Finally the union cross was removed after the union with Norway had dissolved. This left the current flag being in use officially since 1905.

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