Between the bays
The Östergötland plain is like a wedge extending from Lake Vättern to the Vikbolandet peninsula. There are about 130 known hillforts in Östergötland, and about 100 of them are in Vikbolandet – serving both as refuges and fortified settlements. Clearly this part of the province was in an exposed location and was heavily populated. Eastern Östergötland, including Vikbolandet was subject to invasion and other misfortunes in the Migration Age, a process that took place simultaneously on the islands of Gotland, Öland and Bornholm. It affected at least half the settlements and is believed to have caused a general migration towards the central part of the province.
The ruined church at Å. It is situated between the old hollow way and the stream after which the parish was named (Å=stream).
It has not been definitely determined which way the Royal Route followed “inter vikas” (between the bays). The most probable alternative is that the crossing from Kolmården landed in Svensksund in the parish of Konungsund or at the ferry terminal in Östra Husby, and the route then continued to Söderköping.
After Svensksund, the Royal Route went on towards Dagsberg, and then turned off to Furingstad. There are five rune stones and some pot-marks on the Furingstad church green. The oldest part of the church is from the 12th century. After Furingstad, the route passes one of the grandest barrows in Östergötland – (the Great Green Barrow) – and some rune stones.
The neighbouring parishes of Östra Husby, Kuddby and Tåby have the richest pre-historic remains in Östergötland. There are hollow way structures which might have been part of the Royal Route, extensive and well-preserved stone enclosures, and vast grave-fields.
The oldest path the Royal Route took was probably from Kuddby church via Snörom - Hjärterum - Odenstomta/Å - Skällvik to Söderköping, to the south of the Slätbaken bay. At Hjärterum, there is a large grave-field from the early Iron Age near the road. It has menhirs, barrows and flat graves of different shapes. The oldest graves are closest to the roadway. Sepulchral monuments were also placed near roads in the Roman Empire. A route from Hjärterum directly to Söderköping via the Odenstomta cult site and Gnestad can be seen on 17th century maps. Probably this was the very oldest Royal Route, now completely obliterated.