This is a list of rulers of Finland, that is, the Kings, ruling Dukes and Queen of Sweden with Regents and Viceroys of the Kalmar Union, the Grand Dukes of Finland (identical with the Tsars of Russia), up to the brief Kingdom of Finland at independence in 1918. This includes:
The kingdom was superseded by the Republic of Finland with the republican constitution of 17 July, 1919.
Swedish rulers
Swedish influence in Finland was considerable in pre-Christian times. The Vikings were known to Finns both due to their participation in commerce and plundering. Finland's nearly 700-year association with the Kingdom of Sweden began in 1154 with the introduction of Christianity by King Eric IX of Sweden (Saint Eric).
The Houses of Sverker and Eric
The House of Folkung
Regents of the Kalmar Union and Viceroys (Riksföreståndare)
The House of Vasa
The House of Palatinate
The House of Hesse
The House of Holstein-Gottorp
Russian rulers
Grand Dukes of Finland (Suomen suuriruhtinas)
The House of Romanov
Independence
Acting Heads of State
(Regents or Protectors of State (Suomen valtionhoitaja) are listed under Presidents of Finland)
The House of Hesse
See also