The great reforms of Engelbrekt I.
The great reforms of Engelbrekt I belong to the most important transformations of the entire rendering era. The emperor unified the mining taxation system, modernized the army, reorganized the empire into 48 provinces, and introduced practical measures to reduce famines and improve village defenses. His rule reshaped the empire not only militarily, but also on a daily basis and rightly so.
State controlled wealth
Engelbrekt realized that the mining era opened up enormous possibilities, but without clear rules it could also upset the balance between the throne and the nobility. Therefore, he introduced laws according to which each gram of mined precious metal or stone was subject to a precisely determined tax value. This system was not built against mining, but on the contrary, it directed it so that both families and the imperial treasury profited from it. This created a more solid financial framework for the empire. It was not a flamboyant reform, but one of those steps that subtly strengthen the power of the state long after the death of its author.
The army of the new age
Engelbrekt well understood that the empire had suffered too many humiliating defeats in recent centuries. He therefore decided to fundamentally change the army. He encouraged the wider use of crossbows, more consistently promoted fighting in formations, and had the army divided into five main components: heavy, light, archers, support units, and cavalry. This change was not only organizational. It led to the emergence of a new style of training, new military manuals and a more accurate understanding of combat. The empire began to learn not only from tradition, but also from its defeats. It was through this that Engelbrekt gave the army a shape that went beyond the mere improvisation of individual commanders.
An empire divided but stronger
Another crucial step was the administrative reform. Engelbrekt had the empire divided into 48 provinces, each with its own capital and its own viceroy or governor. This led to an equalization of the size and weight of individual parts of the country after earlier territorial losses and disparate development. Practical reforms for the common people were also part of his rule. Each village was supposed to have a granary and an alarm device, which reduced the risk of famine and sudden ambush. In doing so, Engelbrekt showed that government need not be just a matter of courts and armies. It can also decide whether people will survive the winter and hear in time that the enemy is approaching.