Medieval slave trade in nord-east Europe

[amorfius (imported)]

Couple years ago it was published a study in form of book concerning east european slave trade in territory of current Finland, Baltic countries and Russia. Start point for this study was letters written in 14th century by swedish citizen living in cities of Oulu and Kajaani, which belongs today to area of norden Finland. In the letters the people ask help from Swedish king against robbery of young girls and boys. The cities Oulu (Uleåborg as written in swedish) and Kajan was too far a way from Stockholm to get any help. The raiders came from city of Veliky Novgorod, which is located about 200 km south of current Saint Petersburg. The Novgorod was estabilished by Vikings in 9th Century, but at 13th century they spoke russian like Normans spoke french after living several generations in current French territory. Novgorod was also trade city of the Hanseatic League. South from Novgorod is the city of Smolensk at river Dnieper, which goes to Kiev and Black Sea and that is the route to the big slave market in Constantinople, the richest city at that time. The price of blond slaves was so high, that the robbers from Novgorod travelled about 1000 km north to find route to cities of Oulu and Kajaani. The robbers probably utilized the lakes Ladoga and Saimaa. Slaves were sold many times on the trip to south and every time the price arised. Near Smolensk start also rivers Volga leading to Kaspian Sea and river Daugava to Baltic Sea. River Volga was on other route to transport slaves to muslim markets.

More about this issue can be read from these links:

http://www.medievalists.net/2014/04/med ... o-finland/

https://mikedashhistory.com/2015/01/15/ ... al-crimea/

[Magician (imported)]

Thanks for the links.