All these names were changed after the Vatican’s Swiss guards & rulers had invaded Finland at 1050, why?

Question

All these names were changed after the
Vatican’s Swiss guards, and swedish rulers
had invaded Finland at 1050, why?

Former names first;
King’s Island, (Kuninkaansaari) in which
was the tower of Seppo Ilmarinen, the RA
Now Big Black Island (Iso Mustasaari)

Uden’s Island, (Udenin Saari) in which was the
tower and seat of Väinämöinen himself
as well as the North Pole.
Now Wolf Island (Susisaari)

Sampo’s Island, (Sammonluoto) in which was the
Tower of Lemminkäinen.
Now Kustaanmiekka.

Bock Island (Pukkisaari)
Now Bulwark Island (Vallisaari)

Hawk Island (Haukkasaari)
Now Särkkä

Answers could be found from the archives of Vatican, perhaps.

Finland, and finnish people, do not have any official history prior to the 11th century

Pope’s mercenary army

Answer 1

I guess they wanted to get rid of the old finnish heathen gods (many of those places were named after them) and bring the christian religion to Finland that way too.

Answer 2

Same reason it was done elsewhere, to obscure and help the local population forget their folklore, deities, heroes, and other non-Christian beliefs.

Still, some things survive. You may have Irish Christian monks to thank for some of that, as they preserved, even hide, many ancient texts of many cultures deliberately while others where burning them. Not all of Christianity was quick to destroy back then, and they have now accepted religious tolerance.


Now, if we can get Islam to do it as well... .

The Kalevala is still around, as are many of the legends and stories. I am familiar with many of them myself, having a bit of Finnish blood in my veins. Nice to meet someone so familiar with the traditions. I have a great love for the stories and use them in my D&D game, working toward accuracy in weaving the legends into my story/game, as well as trying to create an accurate representation of the people/culture. Your post just changed the names back for my game, giving those places BACK their traditional names in my "world". Thank you.

Answer 3

>>after the Vatican’s Swiss guards, and swedish rulers
had invaded Finland at 1050<<

That must have been quite a trick, since the Swiss Guard didn't exist until 1506.
http://europeanhistory.about.com/b/a/237573.htm

Answer 4

Because.

Answer 5

Maybe they found it easier to pronounce.