In the first millennium we have very little knowledge of Svealand and the Suiones. We do know that there was a migration of major population centers in the area and this is traditionally where we find the Danes, Goths and Lombards moving off from.

After migrations and invasions had stabilized between 500 and 800 AD, a center of power was emerging from the Lake Mälaren region in Svealand. Helgö and Birka were becoming areas of commerce and trade was conducted from as far way as the British Isles to the Middle East.



Erik the Victorious VI, also called Erik Segersäll (985 - 995), was king of the Svears and his rule included the Svealand heartland around lake Mälaren and may have extended as far down as the Baltic Sea. It is claimed that he defeated a major Danish army under the command of his nephew Styrbjörn Starke at the Fyris Wolds at Old Uppsala, from which his accolade "the victorious" stems. It was Erik Segersäll who founded the town of Sigtuna.

Sigtuna was also the site of the first Swedish mint; coins were stamped for Erik's son and successor Olof Skötkonung. Archaeological evidence also shows that Sigtuna had close western connections in its first phases of existence.