The Hervarar saga tells that Inge died of old age and that he ruled until his death.

The exact date of his death is not known, but he probably died around 1105.

Inge’s grave is most likely a set of remains found in Vreta Abbey in a section of the abbey church that was erected by Inges son Ragnvald.

All skeletons that are likely to be that of Inge are very tall, about two meters in length, suggesting that Snorri's description was accurate.

As Inge's son, Ragnvald, had died before he could succeed his father on the throne, Inge is succeeded by his two nephews, Philip Halstensson and Inge the Younger, who are the sons of his elder brother Halsten Stenkilsson.

Northeast Europe (1108–1119 CE): Crusades, Kingdom Building, and Early Consolidation

Introduction

The era from 1108 to 1119 CE in Northeast Europe was characterized by intensified missionary activity, initial phases of political consolidation, and the early emergence of fortified urban centers. The period laid critical foundations for later developments across Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and the Baltic lands.

Crusading and Missionary Activities

During this period, Danish and Swedish rulers significantly increased their efforts to convert pagan communities along the Baltic shores. The Danish king Niels (r. 1104–1134) continued his predecessors' missionary policies, consolidating Christianity in his realms and setting his sights further eastward. At the same time, Sweden under the rule of King Inge the Younger (r. 1110–1125) intensified its Christianization efforts along its eastern borders, laying the groundwork for the later famed expeditions into Finland.

Political Consolidation and Territorial Control

In Denmark, King Niels sought to consolidate royal authority amidst the complexities of noble rivalries. While his reign faced internal strife, notably from ambitious regional nobles, his efforts significantly stabilized central royal authority in Denmark.

Sweden experienced internal struggles and continued to witness power struggles between the Sverker and Erik dynasties. Despite these internal divisions, efforts towards strengthening monarchical authority continued, setting the stage for later unified governance.

Early Development of Trade and Towns

The early twelfth century marked continued growth in trade and urbanization in Northeast Europe. Towns like Roskilde in Denmark, Visby on Gotland, and emerging trade hubs in Sweden gradually expanded their influence through increased commerce, linking Baltic regions more closely with Western European trade networks.

The Hanseatic League had not yet officially formed but preliminary merchant networks and guild systems laid groundwork during this period, enhancing regional trade integration and facilitating cultural exchanges.

Baltic Peoples and Early Resistance

Baltic tribes in what are now Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania maintained their fiercely independent stance, responding to external pressures with intensified fortification of settlements and intermittent resistance against incursions. While significant crusading attempts had yet to reach these regions fully, early interactions during this period set the tone for later intensified crusades and conflicts.

Cultural Developments and Early Ecclesiastical Organization

Throughout Denmark and Sweden, the early twelfth century saw the further establishment of ecclesiastical institutions, such as monastic communities, that would significantly influence cultural and educational life. The Church continued to consolidate its local organizational structures, promoting Latin literacy and ecclesiastical reform that increasingly shaped societal norms and governance.

Legacy of the Era

The brief but crucial era from 1108 to 1119 CE set important foundations for Northeast Europe's future trajectory. Increased missionary activity, initial political consolidation, early urban development, and ongoing regional resistance shaped subsequent centuries. The incremental establishment of ecclesiastical influence and royal authority during these formative years contributed significantly to the region's later integration into broader European cultural, political, and economic frameworks.

Northeast Europe (1120–1131 CE): Strengthening Monarchies and Early Crusades

Introduction

Between 1120 and 1131 CE, Northeast Europe witnessed continued efforts toward political centralization, emerging patterns of regional power, and increasingly organized missionary activity. This period saw both internal consolidation and external expansion efforts, notably through early crusading activities targeting the pagan populations around the Baltic.

Consolidation of Royal Authority

In Denmark, King Niels (r. 1104–1134) continued his efforts to reinforce central authority despite ongoing resistance from regional noble factions. His reign featured enhanced administrative structures and strengthened alliances, which bolstered his position and laid a foundation for increased royal influence.

In Sweden, the ongoing struggle between competing dynastic factions—particularly between the Sverker and Erik dynasties—shaped internal politics. King Inge the Younger (r. 1110–1125) faced internal dissent but managed to retain authority, allowing for a degree of stability that facilitated early expansion and missionary activities eastward.

Early Crusading and Missionary Efforts

During this era, increased missionary zeal motivated Danish and Swedish rulers to undertake early expeditions targeting pagan populations in neighboring territories, notably in Finland and the eastern Baltic coast. Though full-scale crusades would not be realized until later in the century, these preliminary missionary efforts laid important groundwork, gradually extending Christian influence.

In Denmark, King Niels supported ecclesiastical expansion through missionary bishops and monastic settlements, preparing the terrain for subsequent crusading missions to the southern and eastern Baltic coasts.

Development of Urban Centers and Trade

Urban growth accelerated during this period, particularly in emerging trade centers. Visby, on the island of Gotland, increasingly became a prominent trading hub, connecting northern Europe to the broader European trade networks. Roskilde and other Danish towns similarly saw steady growth, driven by expanding trade and early guild activity.

Although formal Hanseatic League structures had yet to form, merchant guilds in Northeast European towns laid vital foundations for future regional economic cooperation.

Baltic Peoples and Early Resistance

The Baltic peoples, including the ancestors of modern Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians, actively resisted external pressures from increasingly aggressive Scandinavian kingdoms. Fortified settlements multiplied, signaling early organized resistance to encroachment by Christian missionaries and regional powers. These communities prepared the foundations for extended resistance efforts, culminating in later centuries.

Cultural and Ecclesiastical Expansion

Cultural life was notably enhanced through the establishment and expansion of monastic institutions. The Church consolidated its local authority by reinforcing episcopal structures and supporting literacy and education, predominantly through Latin ecclesiastical scholarship. This period marked the continued integration of Scandinavian and Baltic societies into broader European religious and cultural frameworks.

Legacy of the Era

The era of 1120–1131 CE significantly shaped Northeast Europe's subsequent development. Increased royal authority, preliminary missionary activities, early urbanization, and persistent regional resistance were foundational to later historical trajectories. These efforts set the stage for extensive crusading movements and provided crucial foundations for the region's cultural and political integration into European Christendom.

Northeast Europe (1132–1143 CE): Internal Struggles and Expansion of Christian Influence

Introduction

From 1132 to 1143 CE, Northeast Europe experienced significant internal political strife, further expansion of Christian missionary influence, and incremental urban growth. The period was marked by heightened dynastic rivalry, notably within Denmark and Sweden, alongside growing interactions—often conflictual—with neighboring Baltic populations.

Dynastic Struggles and Monarchical Consolidation

In Denmark, King Niels faced escalating internal opposition from rival claimants to the throne, particularly from his nephew, Erik Emune. The rivalry culminated in a destructive civil conflict, weakening central authority and contributing to internal instability that persisted throughout the era.

In Sweden, dynastic disputes intensified between the Sverker and Erik families. King Sverker I (ascended ca. 1130) sought to strengthen royal authority amid considerable internal tensions. His reign was characterized by efforts to unify disparate territories, thus laying foundations for subsequent stable rule.

Early Baltic Crusades and Christianization Efforts

Danish and Swedish missionary efforts intensified along the Baltic coasts during this period, serving as precursors to the later, full-scale crusades of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. These missions primarily targeted pagan populations, notably in areas that would become Estonia and Finland. Initial contacts, though often hostile, gradually increased Scandinavian presence and cultural influence along Baltic shores.

Urban and Economic Development

The era witnessed further growth of emerging urban centers. Visby on Gotland continued to solidify its status as a pivotal Baltic trade hub, facilitating commerce between Scandinavia, the Baltic peoples, and the broader European continent. Similarly, towns such as Roskilde and early iterations of Stockholm and Lund saw modest but steady development, influenced by expanding regional trade networks and local artisan guilds.

Resistance and Fortification among the Baltic Tribes

Baltic tribes intensified defensive efforts against expanding Scandinavian incursions. Ancestors of the Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians fortified settlements and increasingly organized resistance. Early Scandinavian attempts to penetrate these regions, though limited in scope, fostered a tradition of fierce resistance among local populations, laying the groundwork for more structured resistance in subsequent decades.

Ecclesiastical Expansion and Cultural Influence

The growth of ecclesiastical institutions continued, particularly through monastic foundations such as Benedictine and early Cistercian monasteries. These institutions played central roles in local education, Latin literacy, and ecclesiastical governance. Christianity gradually permeated deeper into social life, influencing legal practices, cultural norms, and regional governance.

Legacy of the Era

The era from 1132 to 1143 CE significantly shaped Northeast Europe's future through intensified dynastic conflicts, preliminary missionary activities, and growing urban centers. It marked the gradual extension of Christian influence and set foundational precedents for intensified regional interactions, conflicts, and crusading efforts that would decisively shape the historical trajectory of the Baltic and Scandinavian lands.