This is the first Imaginary Map I created, I used IBIS Paint X for it, if there's anything that looks bad, please make sure to tell me.

TRANSLATION: After a long time being a pain in the ass, Morroco suffered the anger of the Spanish people. The Spanish State started a blitzkierg against Morroco next to EU members, Algeria and Saharaui rebels. Morroco ended defeated and balkanized into 4 independent states and 1 Spanish autonomous region.

Does anyone need a zombie infested city filled with plague and death for Halloween?

Well the City of Sestia could be just what you need :D.

The last survivors are hold up in the Cauldron but their time is running out.

www.patreon.com/thereclusivecartographer/posts/city-of-sestia-171909559

Cheers!

George

Map of Lunar Exclusive zones (each space agency has exclusive economic rights to resources of the area) and Lunar cities

Amazon© Lunar Stadium

US poster for the LC final

LC 2180 logo

Format and history of the LC

LC 2180 results

Columbia was formed as a new state surrounding the Potomac River in 1790, and meant to hold the Nation's new Capital, Washington. While the original partition of land for the Capital was meant to be significantly smaller, both Virginia and Maryland offered their land surrounding the Potomac River in exchange for economic incentives and the promise, (which was not upheld,) to permanently legalize slavery within Virginia and Maryland. During the civil war Columbia was a slave state that did not attempt to leave the union. After reunification of the country, Virginia appealed to the US government to have its portion of the state of Columbia be returned to it because of the broken promise of legalized slavery. This was struck down by the Supreme Court, and a state rivalry between Columbia and Virginia remains to this day. 

Hey guys! This is pretty much my first proper AH map, so I would be glad for some feedback or constructive criticism.

This is the first installment from my Europa Bohemica timeline, which I have thought about quite thoroughly. I am definitely going to explore this timeline further with more maps, and I am already halfway done with my map of Prague set in the 16th/17th century, which I will post here within a week (at least I hope so). Also, I may take this map and do some nationality/religion/elections etc. thingy with it, as I love map like those on this sub. I have several smaller and bigger maps in mind already, so I will definitely post more until Christmas.

In the map you can see borders of each of the 6 regions (black), rivers (blue), territory of the Lands (yellow) and urban areas (purple). I have picked 111 biggest cities in the Lands and named them, while the 30 biggest of those 111 have distinctively bigger name, the biggest being obviously Prague.

And about the languages, Czech is an official language in all of the regions, Slovak, Silesian and Sorbian in their respective ones and German only in Egerland and Lusatia.

I am not really feeling like writing down the whole lore now, so if you have any questions about the timeline itself, or the map and choices I have made, feel free to ask. I hope you will enjoy it!

Map of Europe during the equivalent of the second century BCE in an alternate timeline where Indo-European people doesn't exists

Names illustrated in the map came from reconstructed pre-IE roots from various cultural regions, however due to the lack of historical linguistic information about pre-IE languages, some things here could be potentially anachronistic

The script used is the Linear b syllabary used in our history for Greek Archaic but in this timeline was spread on most of Europe, the other scripts are the phoenician abjad and the sumerian cuneiform

Urilurma could be translated to "The vaste land of cities"

Talaka is the word used for "water area" and most of culturs don't make differencies between an Ocean and a Sea

Usili is the sun and Tiur is the moon ; 95 053 Tiur means its the 95053th moon cycle since the start of the Urilurmian Calendar

There is no capital cities illustrated because societies are here centered across decentralized areas of influence or by scattered tribal communities

The Mediterranean Sea is here divided between the phoenician world and the Shardanian world, where Rhaetic people forms a large territory around the Danubian River and works as a cultural bridge between southern Europe and nothern Europe

This is a sequel to my previous post on the topography of the Republic of Australia

Post can be found here

The Ardavanid dynasty was the fourth great native Iranian dynasty, rising to power after two centuries of division and conflict following the Arab invasions of Iran.

In the 9th century AD a Zoroastrian noble from the region of Herat launched a major uprising in eastern Iran, winning several stunning victories against Islamic forces. This man, Ardavan, belonged to a minor and small noble family that was later named after him: the Ardavanid dynasty.

Ardavan I managed to liberate much of eastern Iran in the following decades, eventually moving his capital to Nishapur. After defeating the Samanids he forced them to convert to Zoroastrianism and installed them as the guardians of Sogdia to guard Iran from any nomad incursions. In 912 AD Ardavan was formally crowned as shahanshah of Iran, although western Iran remained under Arab control.

Ardavan's son and heir, Shapur IV, spent his entire reign conquering western Iran from various muslim dynasties. In 935 he moved the capital to the city of Spahan, which would remain the Ardavanid capital for centuries.

The next Ardavanid shahanshah was Darius I, known as Anushirvan. Under his reign the empire launched invasions of Mesopotamia and once and for all defeated the Abbasid caliphate. Darius ordered his armies to spare Baghdad from destruction and made it the capital of the newly established province of Asoristan. The imperial capital remained Spahan, mainly because it was much easier to defend and the Ardavanids had learned from past mistakes made by their Sassanid predecessors.

Ardavan II would take over from his father in 988 AD. The empire at that point had become the dominant power in the region and was stable and prosperous. Trade flourished and cities began to rise throughout Iran. In 1027 the empire reached its greatest extent as the cousin of Ardavan II, Kavus the Conqueror, finished his conquest of northern India. The Indian territories, however, would never be fully integrated into the empire proper as they were under firm control of the Maziarid family, a cadet branch of the Ardavanids. The Indo-Iranian realm of the Maziarids would lead to the rise of the Parsi community.

Following the death of Ardavan II the empire would continue to exist for several more centuries but would start to decline due to continued nomadic invasions, civil wars and a large religious conflict within the Zoroastrian faith.

THE ALTERNATE LORE (2008–2026)

Part I: The 2008 Economic Collapse & "The Friday Manifesto"

In this timeline, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis triggered an immediate liquidity freeze in Turkey due to extreme current account deficits and foreign debt exposure. The Turkish Lira collapsed, purchasing power eroded by 40%, and the working-class backbone of the nation faced severe austerity. Popular disillusionment with Erdoğan's neoliberal policies and the stalled EU accession process reached a boiling point.

Enter İsmet Özel—Turkey’s premier avant-garde poet and a legendary intellectual who transitioned from radical Marxism in his youth to a fiercely anti-imperialist, Islamic-Nationalist worldview (Ghaza / Müslüman-Türk doctrine).

In October 2008, after witnessing the sheer economic devastation of working-class families, Özel reorganized the İstiklal Marşı Derneği (Independence Hymn Society) into a formidable political force: the İstiklal Partisi (İP). On a fateful Friday night, Özel published his famous manifesto on the party’s website:

"Stand up, we are not leaving—because our path has just begun. The Western economic reform imposed on us has impoverished our people, and this government has deceived us. Political struggle is no longer a choice; it is a duty to turn Turkey once again into a Ghaza Principality (Ghaza Beyliği)."

1. THE MARCH 2009 LOCAL ELECTIONS: THE FIRST SHOCKWAVE

Despite having only five months to organize, İP entered the March 29, 2009 Local Elections and delivered an unprecedented shock to the political establishment.

Metropolitan Breakthrough: İP captured Bursa by a hairbreadth and narrowly missed mayoralties in Kayseri and Sakarya. In Istanbul, İP swept working-class and conservative strongholds: Fatih, Eyüpsultan, Gaziosmanpaşa, Sultanbeyli, Güngören, Ümraniye, and Kağıthane.

Anatolian Heartlands: İP won 149 municipalities nationwide, becoming the #1 party in 10 provinces (Bursa, Yozgat, Kahramanmaraş, Tokat, Niğde, Çankırı, Karaman, Bayburt, Kastamonu, Çorum) along with 113 districts and 36 towns.

Political Impact: The local elections proved that İP was not an ideological fringe group, but an unstoppable grassroots movement eating away at AKP's core Anatolian base.

1. SUPPORT, THE INTELLECTUAL ALLIANCE, AND AKP'S DECAY

MEDIA

İsmet Özel’s rise was propelled by a unique convergence of media backing and intellectual realignments:

Conservative Media Endorsement: Channels like Kanal 7 (where Özel was historically an iconic screen personality) alongside newspapers like Yeni Şafak, Akit, and Milli Gazete began exposing AKP corruption. They provided prime-time coverage for Özel’s electrifying speeches and highlighted the achievements of newly won İP municipalities.

The Anti-System Intellectual Alliance: Disillusioned by Erdoğan's authoritarian turn and economic failure, liberal and conservative intellectuals abandoned the AKP. Recognizing that the AKP was using the Ergenekon trials merely to consolidate power rather than democratize, these intellectuals formed a tacit truce with anti-imperialist thinkers, legitimizing Özel's candidacy.

A Weakened AKP & Ergenekon Debacle: In mid-2009, judicial scandals revealed the AKP's direct political manipulation of the Ergenekon trials, shattering its legitimacy among educated classes. Combined with economic collapse, the AKP’s polling dropped below 20%. Panicked, Erdoğan called for Snap Elections in November 2009, hoping to crush İP before it could fully consolidate

3.DEEP STATE PRESSURES, CULT ENMITY, AND AYM CLOSURE ATTEMPTS

As İP’s momentum surged, the party faced intense hostility from entrenched power centers:

Gülenist / Cult Hostility: Powerful religious cults fiercely opposed by Özel—specifically the Gülen Movement (FETÖ) and Süleymancılar—launched smear campaigns, funded rival candidates, and even orchestrated assassination attempts against Özel, forcing him to travel with a heavy security detail.

Secular Media & Bourgeois Panic: Secular mainstream media routinely broadcasted provocative, out-of-context quotes from Özel’s poetry and essays, attempting to incite moral panic among urban middle classes in Kadıköy and Çankaya.

The Constitutional Court (AYM) Standoff: The Chief Public Prosecutor opened a closure case against İP for "violating Atatürk’s principles." However, facing massive working-class street mobilizations and realizing that banning İP would cause an uncontrollable national uprising without restoring the old order, the Constitutional Court backed down.

1. Why Did Right and Left Align Behind İsmet Özel?

Despite rival right-wing parties (AKP, MHP, SP) collectively holding ~32.5% of the vote, Özel broke through to win a 43.2% single-party majority due to two decisive factors:

1. Massive Working-Class Left Realignment: Having a legendary Marxist past, Özel used sharp anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist, and class-conscious (müstaz'af vs. müstekbir) rhetoric. Disillusioned working-class left-wing voters—seeing the CHP as an elitist coastal party incapable of economic radicalism—voted en masse for Özel’s promise of a People's Public Economy (Kamucu Ekonomi), zero tax on minimum wage, and free healthcare/education.
2. The Poet's Unrivaled Oratory: Özel’s poetic, uncompromising, and deeply authentic campaign speeches magnetized millions of Anatolians who were weary of bureaucratic doublespeak and Western servility.

On November 30, 2009, İsmet Özel and the İstiklal Partisi assumed single-party control of Turkey, marking the end of the neoliberal era and the dawn of the Millî Ahit (National Covenant) state.

Part II: The National Covenant (Milli Ahit) Era (2009–2026)

1. Autarkic Economy & Wealth Redistribution

Upon taking power, the İP administration enacted the Millî Ahit (National Covenant) Reforms:

Abolition of Speculative Finance: Stock market speculation was heavily taxed, and interest-bearing banking was severely constrained. Foreign trade shifted toward national currencies and strategic barter agreements (e.g., Turkish agricultural goods and machinery in exchange for crude oil and gas).

Social State & Zero-Tax Essentials: Value-Added Tax (VAT) on basic food, fuel, and healthcare was reduced to 0%. Public healthcare became 100% free, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mega-projects contracted to global consortia were nationalized.

Wealth Tax & Income Equality: High progressive wealth taxes on corporations and real estate moguls brought Turkey’s Gini Coefficient down to 0.26 by 2026—one of the lowest in the world.

2.Urbanism and "Reverse Migration"

Rejecting neoliberal skyscraper urbanism, İP halted vertical construction in major cities and instituted strict zoning laws emphasizing Yatay Mimari (Horizontal Ottoman-Turkish Wood/Stone Architecture).

The railway revolution: To eliminate private vehicular dominance, a nationwide railway construction campaign was launched by the government. Between 2009 and 2026, 22,500 kilometers of railways were constructed (92% electrified), and subway systems expanded rapidly in major cities like İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, Adana, and Antalya. To eliminate traffic congestion in Istanbul, the HIZRAY mega-project was constructed. Construction began in 2015 on the HIZRAY Express Metro, connecting Beylikdüzü–Küçükçekmece–Yeşilköy (renamed from Atatürk Airport in 2018)–Nişanca (Eyüpsultan)–4. Levent–Ümraniye–Sancaktepe–Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 140 km/h in just 45 minutes. Historical districts like Eyüpsultan, Fatih, Beşiktaş, Taksim, Kadıköy, and Üsküdar were entirely pedestrianized.

Reverse Migration (Köye Dönüş): Subsidies, land grants, and organic farming cooperatives drew millions out of crowded metropolises. Istanbul’s population shrank from 15 million down to 11.2 million, reviving Anatolian agricultural towns.

3.Cultural Memory & Education

Dual-Script Literacy: While the Latin alphabet remained official for state administration, Ottoman-Turkish (Quranic-script Turkish) was introduced as a mandatory curriculum subject from primary school onward, restoring historic literacy.

Domestic Secular Response: Rather than protesting commercial developments, urban secular populations organized large-scale protests in 2012–2013 over lifestyle regulations, alcohol restrictions, and public "decency" laws. The İP government suppressed riots while maintaining a firm cultural boundary, avoiding police-state tyranny while enforcing public modesty.

PART III: THE GREAT PURGE & THE CREATION OF THE İMD FOUNDATION

1. Preemptive Neutralization of the Gülenist Movement (FETÖ)

Unlike in the historical timeline, the AKP-FETÖ alliance never matured into a decade-long state monopoly. When İP took power in 2009, Gülenist infiltration within the military (TSK) had not reached critical mass at the general staff level.

İsmet Özel, having long identified the Gülen movement as an "American-sponsored Protestant-Islamist proxy," launched an immediate purge:

2010–2012 Judicial Crises: FETÖ networks in the judiciary attempted to frame İP leadership with fabricated corruption and "theocratic dictatorship" dossiers. İP countered by allying with traditional secular-nationalist officers within the TSK to expose the conspiracies.

Financial & Institutional Seizure: By 2014, Bank Asya, TUSKON, and all Gülen-affiliated private schools, dormitories, and media networks were nationalized or transferred without a single shot fired.

1. The İMD Foundation & Global Lobbying Strategy

Recognizing that Turkish foreign policy had historically suffered from a lack of sophisticated international influence, İsmet Özel transferred seized FETÖ educational institutions and overseas assets directly to the İstiklal Marşı Derneği (İMD) Vakfı (Foundation).

• Institutional Legacy: İMD transformed from a small literary association into a massive, autonomous deep-culture foundation with its own universities, research centers, and agricultural communes.
• The "Ghaza Lobby" in the West: Former Gülenist and missionary schools were repurposed into elite academies. Youth were trained in fluent English, French, German, and Hebrew—not to assimilate into Western ideals, but to master Western rhetoric and build an aggressive, independent Turkish-Muslim Lobby in Washington, Brussels, and London.

PART IV: DIPLOMATIC DOSSIER: THE PRESIDENCY OF ALEV ALATLI (2009–2014)

The Intellectual Shield of the Sovereign Public Republic

I. THE MASTERSTROKE OF 2009: A BRIDGE OF LEGITIMACY

When İsmet Özel’s İstiklal Partisi (İP) achieved its historic electoral victory in November 2009, Western capitals and domestic secular elites braced for a total institutional rupture. Western media predicted the immediate installation of an insular, anti-Western clerical regime.

Instead, İsmet Özel executed a political masterstroke that completely neutralized domestic opposition and paralyzed Atlantic diplomatic narratives: nominating renowned philosopher, sociologist, and economist Alev Alatlı as President of the Republic.

Educated at Middle East Technical University (METU) and Vanderbilt University, Alatlı possessed unrivaled intellectual authority across both secular academic circles and anti-imperialist traditionalist factions. Her elevation to the presidency—becoming Turkey's First Female Head of State—sent shockwaves through the international diplomatic corps.

II. THE DUAL-POWER DYNAMIC: "THE SHIELD AND THE SWORD" (2009–2014)

During her five-year term, the Turkish executive operated on an unprecedented Dual-Power System (İkili Devlet Aklı):

While Prime Minister İsmet Özel executed the rigid, autarkic restructuring of the domestic economy and dismantled NATO base integrations, President Alev Alatlı served as the Intellectual Shield of the Republic.

Her famous philosophical doctrine—"Not everything that is legal is halal (just); righteousness precedes Rome-derived law"—became the foundational ethical text of the new Ahi-Ghaza state model during these critical transition years.

III. FOREIGN RELATIONS & THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSES

On the world stage, President Alatlı dismantled Western diplomatic traps by engaging Western leaders in their own philosophical language.

• The UN General Assembly Speeches (2010 & 2013): Addressing the United Nations in flawless English, Alatlı delivered scathing critiques of Atlantic financial capitalism and the moral decay of Enlightenment universalism. Her speeches galvanized the Global South, positioning Turkey not as an isolated Middle Eastern state, but as the vanguard of a non-aligned, sovereign Eurasian bloc.
• Neutralizing Western Propaganda: When Washington or Brussels attempted to label Ankara a "rogue dictatorship," they were met at summit tables by an internationally respected female sociologist who systematically dissected Western foreign policy hypocrisy with academic precision.

IV. DOMESTIC LEGACY & SUCCESSION (2014)

Domestically, President Alatlı’s five-year tenure guaranteed that the transition to the Sovereign Public Republic (Kamucu Meşveret Cumhuriyeti) maintained deep continuity with the intellectual heritage of the Republic. She personally oversaw the restructuring of higher education, prioritizing dual-script literacy (Latin & Ottoman Turkish) and the revival of traditional Ahi guild ethics.

Upon completing her constitutional term in December 2014, Alatlı chose not to seek re-election, stepping back into an emeritus advisory role as the "Wise Elder of the Republic" (Devletin Bilge Anası). The Grand National Assembly subsequently elected constitutional scholar Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Hatemi as the 12th President, maintaining the tradition of non-partisan, intellectually formidable Heads of State.

PART V: GEOPOLITICS, THE NATO SCHISM, AND THE 2026 WORLD

1. Geopolitical Crises (2010–2026)

Mavi Marmara (2010): Constrained by the lingering 2008 crisis and active NATO obligations, Turkey issued severe diplomatic condemnations, downgraded ties, and halted military exercises with Israel, reserving full economic warfare for later years when autarky was fully achieved.

Syrian Civil War & The Northern Security Zone: Rejecting Western "regime change" plans, Turkish forces crossed into Northern Syria in 2012 to prevent the rise of hostile statelets, directly annexing the Northern Aleppo and Euphrates corridors as "Türkeli Special Administrative Provinces."

COVID-19 Pandemic: Rejecting global lockdowns and international pharmaceutical mandates, Turkey relied on its Millî İlaç Kurumu (National Pharmaceutical Institute) for domestic vaccine production (TURKOVAC), implementing flexible, sector-based public health measures while keeping factories and agriculture running.

2nd Karabakh War & Zengezur: Turkish direct military logistics enabled Azerbaijan to liberate Karabakh rapidly, forcing the immediate opening of the Zengezur Corridor to connect Turkey directly with the Turkic world.

The NATO Schism & The Mediterranean Balance: By the late 2010s, Turkey suspended its military participation in NATO to pursue an independent Ghaza strategy in Palestine and establish a tactical defense pact with Iran. However, losing NATO’s security umbrella created severe vulnerabilities: Greece escalated maritime border disputes in the Aegean with French/US backing, while Russia asserted intense naval pressure in the Black Sea.

2.The Cyprus (KKTC) Doctrine

Rejecting total annexation—which would trigger unnecessary global isolation—İP preserved the independent statehood of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). However, the island’s casino and nightclub economies were eradicated, transforming Cyprus into a dignified naval fortress, university hub, and maritime trade sanctuary in the Eastern Mediterranean.

PART VI: THE PRESIDENCY OF TÜRKELİ: STATE HEADS & CONSTITUTIONAL GUARDIANS (2009–2026)

Under the 2009 constitutional reorganization, İsmet Özel retained executive control as Prime Minister & Chief Executive of the Sovereign Public Economy. The Presidency (Head of State) was structured as an elevated 5-year constitutional guardianship, held by prominent intellectuals, legal scholars, and defense figures to balance state institutions:

1. Alev Alatlı (2009–2014) — The Civilian Transition & Cultural Diplomacy

Profile: Renowned Turkish philosopher, sociologist, and essayist.

Lore Contribution: Following the 2009 electoral landslide, Alatlı was elected by the TBMM as the 11th President—and the first female President of the Republic of Turkey—to lead the cultural and civil transition. Managing relations with secular Kemalist officer corps while providing global intellectual legitimacy to İsmet Özel’s SWIFT detachment and autarkic trade pivot, Alatlı was known for her critique of Western enlightenment ("Orada Kimse Var Mı?"). She spearheaded the "Anatolian Cultural Renaissance" programs, protecting native heritage and restructuring national education away from Western consumerist models.

2.Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Hatemi (2014–2019) — The Constitutional Reform & Legal Pillar

Profile: Esteemed professor of jurisprudence, constitutional scholar, and advocate of Islamic/Anatolian justice ethics.

Lore Contribution: Elected in 2014 during the restructuring of the judiciary. Hatemi drafted the "Meşveret & Public Law Charter of 2015", replacing neoliberal commercial law with strict anti-usury, anti-speculation, and public trust (Vakıf/Kamucu) legal frameworks. His tenure solidified the Constitutional Court's independence while ensuring that natural resources and heavy industry remained permanently inalienable state assets.

3.Gen. (Ret.) Zekai Aksakallı (2019–2024) — The Border Integrity & Defense Era

Profile: Distinguished military commander and former head of Special Forces Command.

Lore Contribution: Elected in 2019 during escalating regional turmoil and NATO operational friction. Aksakallı’s presidency symbolized military-civilian harmony under İsmet Özel’s doctrine. He directly oversaw the operationalization of the Northern Syria Special Administrative Zones (Türkeli Buffer Belt) and established the Musul-Kerkük Protection Corridor, ensuring defense self-reliance without subjecting the nation to imperialist alliances.

4.H.E. Gen. (Ret.) Mehmet Selim Doğan (2024–Present) — Symbol of Military-Civic Harmony

Profile: Veteran commander of the Türkeli Security & Defense Belt.

Lore Contribution: Elected in 2024 as the 14th President. Represents the contemporary stability of Türkeli, coordinating national defense readiness, border security in the Special Administrative Provinces, and state-backed agrarian reconstruction alongside Prime Minister İsmet Özel.

Note: The irredentalist claims of Istiklal(Independence) Party wasn't an official state policy, they were a secret plan and strategic plans for protecting the turkish presence at this zones. Please don't comment "HoW NaTo DiDn'T TrIGgRrEd? or another versions of this comment. In IRL, Ismet Ozel and his foundation IMD supports the claim of "Türkeli" and i wanted to give a real world reference. Thank you for giving attention at this post.

Alternate history of Finland featuring fictional rulers and saint (Saint Aiha)

More lore:

Toivo:

He is considered the first king of Finland. He was born around 1121. He was probably a pagan, even though he ruled the most Christian part of Finland. During the Swedish invasion in the late 1140s, he managed to unite a large part of the Finnish elites to fight against Eric IX. In the 1150s, he managed to drive Sweden out of the occupied Finnish lands. This victory greatly increased his position among the elites. He then encouraged them to maintain their alliance in case of another Swedish invasion. As a result, an opposition group appeared, trying to reduce Toivo's influence. Despite this, he was probably an excellent warrior and leader, which helped him keep his strong position after the war. He probably did not think much about his actions as part of building a new state until the end of his life, when he agreed to have his son Vilja baptized. He died around 1172.

Vilja I:

He was the son of Toivo and took power in 1172. At around the age of 30, he converted to Christianity. The beginning of his reign was very difficult. The opposition united against him again and wanted to remove him from power completely. After about seven years, he reached an agreement with the elites. He agreed to share power and grant privileges to the nobles. This contributed to the emergence of a later royal council, similar to those in Sweden and Denmark. During most of his reign, he mainly focused on developing the lands he already controlled. However, he also led military campaigns. Probably in the late 1180s, he launched an offensive into the northern and southern Finnish lands. When his territory became large enough, he decided to establish a church administration. Around 1191, the first bishopric was created in Vanhalinna. However it was under the control of Uppsala. This situation encouraged the Finns to work towards creating their own church province. He also tried to expand his influence into the region of Häme. Vilja I died in 1198. His son Kauko succeeded him.

Kauko I the Pious:

Kauko was the eldest son of Vilja I. In 1198, he was elected King of Finland by an assembly of nobles. He was famous for his great piety and support for the Catholic Church in his lands. However, he lacked experience in governing the state. As a result, he depended heavily on the elites and, most importantly, on his brother Vilja. Kauko's closest ally was Olaf. At the beginning of the 13th century, Kauko began to strongly support missionary work in Häme. He sent the Bishop of Vanhalinna, Aiha (Iha), to spread Christianity. Aiha achieved some success, as the people of this region were already familiar with the religion. Kauko tried to establish another bishopric in the eastern lands, but the conditions were not yet suitable. Around 1210, Aiha died as a martyr. Kauko then began working to have him declared a saint. This finally happened towards the end of the 13th century. During Kauko's reign, the Benedictine Order was also brought to Finland, although its activities were mainly limited to Vanhalinna. Both the king and the nobles supported missionary work. For the king, it was a way to fulfil his religious duties, while the nobles gained greater influence. Kauko probably did not take part in any major conflicts. He also left no children because he lived a life of celibacy. He died in 1221 at the age of about 49. His brother Vilja II succeeded him.

Vilja II:

He was the younger brother of Kauko I. When he took power, the former faction that had supported Kauko began plotting against him. Vilja ruled for only three years. To strengthen his position, he organised military campaigns deeper into Häme in order to bring the local peoples under his control. During one of these campaigns, he was murdered likely with a dagger in his tent. Historians still debate whether Olaf or someone else was behind the attack. However, most opinions support the theory that Olaf was responsible. Vilja II was succeeded by Olaf, who later became known as "the Good King" or "the Old".

Olaf I the Good:

After Vilja's death, Olaf was elected King of Finland. During the next five years, he continued the campaign started by his predecessor. This led to the further incorporation of eastern lands into the kingdom. As a result, a second bishopric was established in Sääksmäki around 1229. During his reign, Olaf tried to develop the royal administration, towns, the army, shipping and, above all, Christianity in the conquered lands. In the 1230s he brought the Dominicans and Cistercians (even though they operated there before) to Finland. However, he did not rule for long because of his age. He became king when he was over fifty and died at around 66. According to the information available, he had few children. He is believed to have had a son who died during childbirth and several daughters. He decided to marry his eldest daughter, Catherine, to Magnus, the younger son of the King of Sweden. He probably believed that this would increase the kingdom's prestige, prevent another civil war and secure his daughter's right to the throne. As we know, he was wrong.

Magnus the Swede + Catherine:

Magnus took the Finnish throne together with Catherine. In theory, the power belonged to her, but her husband became a despot. He also led a very pleasure-seeking lifestyle. The Finnish elites were unhappy with having a Swede on the throne from the very beginning. As a result, another civil war broke out. The Finns forced the couple to abdicate. A relative of Olaf I, known as Olaf II, was declared king. Magnus was promised safe passage back to his homeland, while Catherine was expected to enter a convent.

Olaf II:

The rise of the young Olaf gave the nobles hope for better rule. Unfortunately for them, they were greatly disappointed. According to the sources, Olaf was unable to handle the role of king because of the pressure and fear he felt. At the same time, the Swedes decided to finance a military expedition for Magnus to help him regain the Finnish throne. This led to a Finno-Swedish war. Although the conflict seemed serious, the King of Sweden was mainly interested in weakening the Finns. Magnus had very little support among the Finnish elites. However, the situation was extremely difficult for Olaf. In 1242, he was probably poisoned at the castle in Vanhalinna. In historiography, he is sometimes given the nickname "the Unlucky".

Andrew I the Great:

The new king, Andrew, tried to restore order in the country. He began a counteroffensive to drive the enemy out of Finnish lands. By the middle of 1243, he had achieved his goal. He then began testing a new fleet, which had mixed results. Finally, in 1244, a peace treaty was signed, ending the three-year war. He had to accept Swedish influence over parts of the Åland Islands. After the conflict, he began reforming the country. The most important reform was the codification of the law in 1248. Its purpose was to limit the influence of tribes on the state administration. He also introduced royal offices that operated in larger and more powerful administrative units. He improved the royal treasury and the financial system. A relatively large number of coins from his reign have survived compared to those of his predecessors. His expansion was the greatest in Finnish history up to that point. He brought most of Häme under his control and collected taxes from lands even further to the east and north. This situation led to conflicts with the Republic of Novgorod, and several border clashes took place. During this relatively peaceful period, he finally decided to make the Finnish Church independent of the Swedish Church. Around 1255, he established a bishopric in Närvipää. In 1261, the first archbishopric was established in Vanhalinna. For the first time, it officially crowned his son Olaf III as King of Finland. He also brought the Franciscan Order to his kingdom in the 1250s. He married the daughter of the Duke of Pomerania, with whom he had five children. Three of them reached adulthood: his daughter Christina, his eldest son Olaf and John. All of Andrew I's achievements earned him the nickname "the Great".

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