Tavastians
The Tavastians or Häme Finns were an ancient Finnish tribe that inhabited the historical province of Tavastia. In Russian sources, they are called yem or yam, but the term later disappeared from the Russian language after Finland was incorporated into the Swedish realm. The Tavastians are often noted for their conflicts with Novgorod.
History
has been inhabited since the early Stone Age. The core area of ancient Tavastia was formed around Lake Vanajavesi. Example of organized cooperation of iron age Tavastians are the hillforts that form a clear line in south-north direction around Hämeenlinna. Most remarkable from these hillforts is the Rapola Castle which is the biggest hillfort found in Finland, but also Tenhola hillfort in Hattula and Hakoinen Castle were important fortresses. Villages were often developed around the fortresses and for example Hattula and Vanaja-Janakkala had their beginning in this way.Russian chronicles, including the Novgorod First Chronicle, describe the Tavastians as being in frequent conflict with Novgorod. They are first mentioned in 1042, when Vladimir of Novgorod attacked them. The Novgorodians and Karelians proceeded to launch raids against the Tavastians, who in turn carried out counterattacks. The Tavastians are also recorded as having fought against the Votians. Yaroslav Vsevolodovich is recorded as having launched a raid in 1226 and having reached farther than any previous Russian prince. The 1256 raid by Alexander Nevsky is also mentioned. The Russian term yamskaya zemlya is first mentioned in sources in 1292, which implies a distinct region and stresses otherness compared to Novgorodskaya zemlya or Russkaya zemlya, but the term was short-lived as by 1311, the area was referred to as nemetskaya zemlya and its inhabitants as nemtsy. The concept of the Tavastians disappears from Russian sources following the signing of the Treaty of Nöteborg in 1323.
Possibly the oldest known road of Finland, Hämeen härkätie connected Tavastia with the western coast of Finland. The first signs of Christianity can be dated to the 11th century.