Gotland as a State

Gotland: An Independent State Until the 14th Century

Gotland's historical status as a self-governing entity remains a subject of interest, even though it’s widely accepted that the island operated largely as a republic until 1361. For centuries, the people of Gotland, known as gutar, had their own laws, Allthing (assembly), and minted their own coins.

Who Really Governed Gotland?

For those curious about Gotland's practical governance, it’s useful to explore its organizational structure. This article, however, focuses on the overarching question of Gotland’s autonomy. A passage from the Gutalagen illustrates this well:

"It is agreed that the law written here shall be followed by all men. If an issue arises that is not covered in this law, it shall be decided by the judge's word, and they shall swear that it is consistent with the law of the gutar, after which it shall be written down."

This passage clearly shows that the gutar governed themselves. While debates over which kingdom "owned" Gotland until the 1300s exist, the practical reality was that the gutar created and enforced their own laws. They determined their government and appointed their own officials, solidifying Gotland’s self-rule (see also Government on Gotland).

According to the Gutalagen, Gotland functioned as a republic until 1361, when King Valdemar Atterdag of Denmark conquered the island. Prior to this, Gutasagan mentions an earlier allegiance to the Swedish king (svia konung), though the gutar had the final say in whether they accepted any royal influence. The king was far from able to impose laws or decrees without their consent.

A Questionable Claim

One recurring statement in literature about Gotland, notably made by Wessén in a series on regional laws, is worth reconsidering. In Svenska Landskapslagar (Holmbäck & Wessén, 1979), Wessén describes Gutasagan as a "historically reliable source." This appears reasonable, as even gutar in the 15th century referred to Gutasagan as a chronicle, though the name "saga" may mislead modern readers into thinking it's purely a fictional narrative.

Wessén also asserts that Gutasagan tends to emphasize Gotland’s independence and autonomy. This is a curious observation, as Gutasagan explicitly states that the gutar voluntarily submitted to the Swedish king, adopted Christianity, and chose their bishop—all seemingly without coercion. It’s perplexing to suggest that this reflects tendencies of independence, as the gutar voluntarily accepted these conditions.

Wessén also says that Gutasagan strongly emphasizes the independence and autonomy of the Gutes—and that is curious. The problem, as I understand it, is that Gutasagan states that the gutar voluntarily came under the Swedish king, accepted Christianity of their own accord, and chose their own bishop. This level of voluntary submission seems contradictory to the idea of independence.

Other writers lend support to Wessén's claim. For instance, in Gotländskt Arkiv (2013), Stobaeus asserts: “Gutasagan’s purpose was to show that the gutar were always a free and independent people.” How Stobaeus arrives at this conclusion is unclear, especially given the text’s explicit mention of submission to external authority.

If the gutar willingly submitted to a king, Christianity, and a bishop, it’s difficult to argue that these actions reflect an increase in independence.

Wessén assumes that Gotland was a Swedish protectorate, with the military power of the Swedish kingdom ensuring its protection. However, this interpretation makes it harder to see how Gotland could be described as independent (for more on this, see the section Trade Agreement under Local Patriotism).

The Nature of Voluntary Submission

Perhaps Wessén’s idea of Gotland’s autonomy stems from the fact that the gutar undertook these actions voluntarily. But if Gotland was truly forced into submission, as some claim, why did the Gutalagen continue to govern the island throughout the medieval period?

Regarding the Christianization of Gotland, Gutasagan clearly states that the gutar adopted Christianity of their own free will. This is no longer contested, though Strelow in 1633 suggested otherwise. The selection of a bishop by the gutar is also no longer questioned, as it is now understood that the process indeed took place according to their wishes.

Was Gotland Always Part of Sweden?

Over the centuries, both Denmark and Sweden have made grand claims about Gotland. In Swedish schools, it is still taught that Gotland has always been part of Sweden. However, modern researchers, free from nationalistic bias, take a different view. Much of this debate hinges on how one interprets Gutasagan, which has been used both to support and challenge the idea of Gotland’s independence.

An intriguing thought, proposed by Erik Nylén in Arkeologi på Gotland (1975), suggests that, at least on paper, Gotland’s ancient republic existed until the early 1600s, when a Danish decree formally dissolved it—something Nylén describes as illegal from Gotland’s perspective. Given today’s political climate and the resurgence of various independence movements, Gotland might be one of the few regions that could make a legal claim for independence.

In conclusion, based on available evidence, Gotland was indeed its own country, at least until 1361.