Chapter I: Preface

In preparing this volume it has been my aim to omit as few important events as possible without making the book a mere enumeration of names and dates. Above all, I have tried to be accurate. Among the works which I have used as sources, the first one to be mentioned is the great work of Snorre Sturlason: "The Heimskringla, or The Sagas of the Norse Kings," and I have used the English translation of the same by Samuel Laing, Esq., revised edition by Rasmus B. Anderson (Scribner & Welford, New York, 1889). I have also found much assistance in O. A. Överland's "Norges Historie." Among many other works used as sources or consulted, are: J. E. Sars's "Udsigt over den Norske Historie"; Jacob Aall's "Erindringer"; F. Winkel Horn's "History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North," translated by R. B. Anderson (S. C. Griggs & Co, Chicago, 1895). The Constitution of Norway, the most liberal Constitution of Europe, appeared to me to be an appropriate closing chapter in a History of Norway. This interesting document has been translated into English by the Honorable Knute Nelson, United States Senator from Minnesota, to whom I am under obligation for permission to use his translation. S. S. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., 1899.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

THE NORTHMEN

PAGE

The Ancestors of the Present Norwegians--Early Social Conditions--Independence and Self-government of the People--The Kings of the old Northmen 15

CHAPTER II

THE RELIGION OF THE NORTHMEN

The Creation of the World--Ask and Embla, the first Human Couple--Asgard, the Dwelling of the Gods--The Struggle between Good and Evil--The End of the World--A new Race 18

CHAPTER III

THE VIKING AGE

The three Stages of the Viking Age--Cruises to Scotland, Ireland, England and other Countries--Norse Kingdom in Ireland 26

CHAPTER IV

THE YNGLING FAMILY--HALFDAN THE SWARTHY

Beginning of Authentic History--Olaf the Tree-feller--Halfdan Whiteleg--Gudrod the Hunter--Halfdan the Swarthy gives the Eidsiva Law--Queen Ragnhild's Dream 29

CHAPTER V

HARALD THE FAIRHAIRED (860-930)--NORWAY UNITED

King Harald's Courtship--The Battle of Hafrsfjord--Norway United under one King--Emigration of the Discontented--Settlement in Iceland--The Cruise of Gange-Rolf--Northmen settle in Normandy--King Harald's Sons--Death of King Harald 31

CHAPTER VI

BIRTH OF HAAKON THE GOOD--ERIK BLOOD-AXE (930-935)

Sigurd Ladejarl--Erik and Queen Gunhild--Haakon, Athelstan's Foster-son, proclaimed King--Erik Blood-Axe exiled and killed in a Battle in England 36

CHAPTER VII

HAAKON THE GOOD (935-961)

The Laws Improved--Other Reforms--First Attempts to Introduce Christianity--Norway attacked by the Gunhild-sons--Battle of Fitje--Death of Haakon 39

CHAPTER VIII

HARALD GRAYFELL AND HIS BROTHERS (961-970)

Return of the Gunhild-sons--Earl Sigurd of Lade killed--The Murder of Trygve Olafson and Gudrod Biornson--Earl Haakon--Harald Grayfell killed in Denmark 42

CHAPTER IX

EARL HAAKON (970-995)

Attacks by the Danish King, Harald Bluetooth--The Joms-vikings--Sigvalde Jarl makes War on Haakon--The Battle in Hjorungavaag--Revolt against Earl Haakon--Olaf Trygvason arrives in Norway--Earl Haakon killed by his Slave 45

CHAPTER X

THE YOUTH OF OLAF TRYGVASON

The Birth of Olaf--Flight to Sweden and Russia--Olaf sold as a Slave--Freed by his Uncle--Viking Cruises to Vendland, England and other Countries--Return to Norway 51

CHAPTER XI

OLAF TRYGVASON (995-1000)

Christianity Introduced in Viken--Erling Skialgson of Sole--Great Opposition to Christianity--Founding of the Town of Nidaros--Olaf woos Queen Sigrid the Haughty--He marries Thyra from Denmark-- Building of the "Long Serpent"--Einar Thambaskelfer--Expedition to Vendland--Battle of Svolder--Death of Olaf Trygvason 54

CHAPTER XII

THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA

Erik the Red finds Greenland--Christianity Introduced--Biarne Heriulfson sees Strange Lands--Leif Erikson, the Discoverer of America--The new Country is called Vinland--Subsequent Journeys to Vinland--Thorfin Karlsefne 65

CHAPTER XIII

THE EARLS ERIK AND SVEIN, SONS OF HAAKON (1000-1015)

Norway Divided between the Victors at Svolder--Erling Skialgson of Sole--Earl Erik leaves for England 70

CHAPTER XIV

THE YOUTH OF OLAF HARALDSON

Olaf's Childhood--Olaf on his Viking Expeditions--Battles in England 73

CHAPTER XV

OLAF THE SAINT (1015-1028)

Return to Norway--Capture of Earl Haakon--The Earl vows never to fight King Olaf--Olaf's Reception by his Mother and Father-in-law, Sigurd Syr--Meeting of the District Kings--Olaf driven away from Nidaros--Battle of Nesje--Death of Earl Svein--Trouble with the Swedish King--Thorgny Lagman dictates to the King--Enforcing Christianity--Conspiracy against the King--Olaf's Half-brothers--The Peace of Konungahella--Dale-Gudbrand--Canute the Great claims Norway--Battle of Helge-Aa--Killing of Erling Skialgson--Olaf's Flight to Russia 75

CHAPTER XVI

THE BATTLE OF STIKLESTAD (1030)

Biorn Stallare's Visit to Olaf in Russia--King Olaf returns to Norway--His Vision--Thormod Kolbrunarskald--Battle Of Stiklestad --King Olaf's Death--Olaf Sigurdson leaves Norway 99

CHAPTER XVII

KING SVEIN ALFIFUSON (1030-1035)

The Rule of Alfifa--Attempt to introduce Feudal Laws--The Sanctity of King Olaf--Rumors of Miracles--Olaf declared the National Saint--Trygve Olafson--Magnus Olafson returns to Norway--Alfifa and Svein flee to Denmark 105

CHAPTER XVIII

MAGNUS THE GOOD (1035-1047)

Magnus's Birth and Baptism--Agreement with the Danish King, Hardeknut--Magnus and Kalf Arneson on the Battlefield of Stiklestad--Warning to the King--The Gray Goose--Magnus claims the Danish Throne--Svein Estridson appointed Earl--Battle at Lyrskog Heath--Battles at Aaros and Helganes--Return of Harald Sigurdson--Death of King Magnus 109

CHAPTER XIX

HARALD HAARDRAADE (1047-1066)

Harald's Adventures in Southern Cities--Conflicts with Svein Estridson--Quarrels with Einar Thambaskelfer--Murder of Einar and his Son--Agreement with Haakon Ivarson--Treachery to Kalf Arneson--Battle of Nis-Aa--Peace Meeting at Gaut River--Earl Toste arrives in Norway--The Battle at Stanford Bridge--Death of King Harald--The Founding of Oslo 116

CHAPTER XX

OLAF KYRRE (1066-1093)

Magnus and Olaf divide the Power--Peace made with Svein Estridson--Death of Magnus--The Founding of Bergen--Guild-brethren--Skule, Toste's Son--Changes in Court Customs--Death of Olaf Kyrre 127

CHAPTER XXI

MAGNUS BAREFOOT (1093-1103)

Haakon Proclaimed King in Throndhjem--Haakon dies on the Dovre Mountain--Rebellion led by Thorer of Steig--Expedition to the Western Isles--War with Sweden--Peace Meeting at Konungahella-- Second Expedition Westward--Death of King Magnus in Ulster 131

CHAPTER XXII

SIGURD THE CRUSADER (1103-1130) AND HIS BROTHERS, EYSTEIN AND OLAF

Division of the Country between the Brothers--Sigurd's Crusade--Visit to Jerusalem--Return to Norway--King Eystein's Peaceful Work at Home--Annexation of Jemteland--King Sigurd and Borghild of Dal--The "Man-measuring"--Death of Eystein--The Kalmar Levy--Sigurd shows Signs of Insanity--Ottar Birting--Sigurd marries Cecilia--Death of Sigurd 136

CHAPTER XXIII

MAGNUS THE BLIND AND HARALD GILLE (1130-1136)

Harald Gille comes to Norway as a Pretender--Harald and Magnus divide the Kingdom--Battle between the two Kings at Fyrileif--Harald takes Magnus prisoner at Bergen--Magnus maimed--Sigurd Slembe arrives in Norway--Harald Gille murdered--Konungahella destroyed 147

CHAPTER XXIV

SIGURD MUND, EYSTEIN, AND INGE KROKRYG, THE SONS OF HARALD GILLE (1136-1161)

Sigurd and Inge proclaimed Kings--Sigurd Slembe supports Magnus the Blind--Battles at Minne and Krokaskog--Battle at Holmengraa--Magnus and Sigurd Slembe killed--Eystein proclaimed King--Ottar Birting assassinated--King Sigurd slain--Death of Eystein--Haakon, Sigurd Mund's Son, given Title of King--Fall of King Inge at Oslo 151

CHAPTER XXV

THE CHURCH

Visit of Cardinal Nicholas--An Archbishopric established at Nidaros--Cloisters in Norway 159

CHAPTER XXVI

HAAKON HERDEBRED (1161-1162)--ERLING SKAKKE

Erling Skakke has his Son Magnus proclaimed King--He seeks aid in Denmark--Defeats Haakon at Tunsberg--Battle of Sekken--Haakon killed 161

CHAPTER XXVII

MAGNUS ERLINGSON (1162-1184)--THE BIRCHLEGS

Sigurd Markusfostre--Battle of Ree--Magnus Crowned--Norway attacked by the Danish King--Rebellion of the Hat-Swains--Peace with Denmark--Erling made Earl of Viken--Harald Sigurdson Beheaded--Eystein Meyla--The Birchlegs--Eystein killed--The Youth of Sverre Sigurdson--Sverre Proclaimed King at the Oere-Thing--Battle at Kalveskindet--The fall of Erling Skakke--Battle of the Ilevolds--Battle at Nordnes--Erik Sigurdson (King's-son)--Battle of Fimreite--Fall of King Magnus 163

CHAPTER XXVIII

SVERRE SIGURDSON (1184-1202)

Sverre appoints Lawmen and Prefects--A new Pretender--The Kuvlung Party--The Varbelgs--Rebellion of the Oyskeggs--Battle of Florevaag--Sverre's Struggle with the Hierarchy--Bishop Nicholas Arneson--Sverre Excommunicated--Sverre Crowned in Bergen--Organization of the Bagler Party--Burning of Bergen--Papal Interdict against Norway--The Baglers Defeated at Strindsö--Uprising in Viken--The Siege at Tunsberg--Sverre's Sickness and Death 178

CHAPTER XXIX

HAAKON SVERRESON (1202-1204), GUTHORM SIGURDSON (1204), AND INGE BAARDSON (1204-1217)

Reconciliation with the Church--Inge Magnusson Killed--Death of King Haakon--Election of Guthorm Sigurdson--The Pretender Erling Steinvegg--Death of Guthorm Sigurdson--Inge Baardson Proclaimed King--Birth of Haakon Haakonson--His Journey across the Mountains --The Baglers visit Nidaros--Death of Erling Steinvegg--Philip made King of the Baglers--Compromise at Hvitings Island--Jealousy of Haakon Galen--Young Haakon Disinherited--Death of King Inge 190

CHAPTER XXX

HAAKON HAAKONSON THE OLD (1217-1263)

Haakon Proclaimed King--Earl Skule's Demands--Rebellion of the Slitungs--The Ribbungs--Treachery of Earl Skule--State Meeting in Bergen--King Haakon Married--Death of Bishop Nicholas and Sigurd Ribbung--Skule Raised to the Rank of Duke--Duke Skule Proclaimed King--Battles at Laaka and Oslo--Duke Skule Killed--Coronation of Haakon--King Haakon's Fame Abroad--Expedition to Scotland--Haakon's Death 199

CHAPTER XXXI

SNORRE STURLASON

The Family of Snorre Sturlason--The Snorrelaug--Visit to Norway--Snorre Murdered--"The Heimskringla"--"The Edda" 209

CHAPTER XXXII

MAGNUS LAW-MENDER (1263-1280)

Peace Concluded with Scotland--Magnus as a Law-Giver--Privileges Granted to the Hanseatic League--The First Nobility--Death of King Magnus 212

CHAPTER XXXIII

ERIK PRIEST-HATER (1280-1299)

New Struggle with the Church--War with Denmark--The Peace of Kalmar--Earl Alf Erlingson executed--The Maid from Norway--Death of King Erik 214

CHAPTER XXXIV

HAAKON V. MAGNUSSON (1299-1319)

Audun Hugleikson Condemned for Treason--The false "Maid from Norway"--The Peace of Copenhagen, 1309--New Law of Succession--Death of King Haakon 217

CHAPTER XXXV

MAGNUS ERIKSON SMEK (1319-1374)--HAAKON VI. MAGNUSSON (1355-1380)

Magnus Smek Becomes King of Norway and Sweden--Erling Vidkunson Appointed Regent--Haakon Magnusson Acknowledged as King of Norway--Battle at Enköping--Death of Magnus--Flood in the Gaula Valley--The Black Death 219

CHAPTER XXXVI

OLAF HAAKONSON THE YOUNG (1381-1387)

Olaf Becomes King of Denmark and Norway--The first Union with Denmark--A Pretender Executed 223

CHAPTER XXXVII

MARGARET (1387-1389)--ERIK OF POMERANIA (1389-1442)--THE KALMAR UNION (1397)

Margaret Acknowledged as Ruler of Norway--Erik of Pomerania Chosen as King--The three Countries United--The Kalmar Union--Death of Queen Margaret--The Victualia Brethren--Bergen Plundered--Revolt of Amund Bolt--Erik of Pomerania Deposed in Denmark 224

CHAPTER XXXVIII

CHRISTOPHER OF BAVARIA (1442-1448)

Norway at first Loyal to Erik--Christopher Finally Accepted--Restrictions of the Hansa Privileges 229

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE UNION WITH DENMARK--CHRISTIAN I. (1450-1481)

Christian Elected by one Party and Carl Knutsson by Another--Christian Crowned--Closer Union with Denmark--The first of the Oldenborgs--War with Sweden--War with the Hansa--Christian Pawns the Norwegian Possessions 231

CHAPTER XL

HANS (1483-1513)

King Hans Crowned in Throndhjem--The Victory of the Ditmarshers--Revolt of Knut Alfson--Prince Christian as Regent --War with the Hansa Towns 235

CHAPTER XLI

CHRISTIAN II. (1513-1523)

The Lovely Dyveke and her Mother--The King's Marriage--The Death of Dyveke--Torben Ox Executed--Christian Crowned as King of Sweden--The Carnage of Stockholm--Gustavus Wasa--The Flight of Christian II 239

CHAPTER XLII

FREDERICK I. (1524-1533)

Lady Inger of Oestraat--The King's Recess--Attempt of Christian II. to Recover Norway--Christian Imprisoned 243

CHAPTER XLIII

INTERREGNUM (1533-1537)

The Count's Feud--King Christian Recognized--Revolt of the Archbishop--The Flight of Olaf Engelbrektson 247

CHAPTER XLIV

CHRISTIAN III. (1537-1559)--THE REFORMATION INTRODUCED

The Catholic Faith Abolished--The Church Ordinance--Norway declared a Danish Province--Robbing the Norwegian Churches 250

CHAPTER XLV

FREDERICK II. (1559-1588)

The Northern Seven Years' War--Battle of Svarteraa--Throndhjem taken by the Swedes--Burning of Oslo--Sarpsborg Burned--Peace at Stettin--Misrule in Norway--Erik Munk Deposed and Imprisoned--City of Fredericksstad Founded 252

CHAPTER XLVI

CHRISTIAN IV. (1588-1648)

The Popular King--Frequent Visits to Norway--The Laws Improved--War with Sweden--The Scotch War--Colonel Sinclair Killed--Peace at Knaeröd--The Peace of Lubeck--Second War with Sweden--Peace at Bromsebro--The Hannibal's Feud--The City of Christiania 255

CHAPTER XLVII

FREDERICK III. (1648-1670)--ABSOLUTISM INTRODUCED (1660)

The last Royal Charter--War with Sweden--The Krabbe War--Peace at Roskilde--The Peace broken by the Swedish King--Siege of Halden--Peace of Copenhagen--The King's Revolution--Absolutism Introduced--Kort Adeler 261

CHAPTER XLVIII

CHRISTIAN V. (1670-1699)

Extravagance at Court--German Manners Introduced--A new Nobility--Peter (Schumacher) Griffenfeld--The Scania War--The Gyldenlöve Feud--A new Code of Laws 267

CHAPTER XLIX

FREDERICK IV. (1699-1730)

War with the Duke of Holstein--The Great Northern War (1709-1720)--Naval Battle in Kjögebugt--Charles XII. Invades Norway--The Heroic Anna Kolbjörnsdatter--King Charles at Frederickshald--Peter and Hans Kolbjörnson--Peter Wessel Tordenskiold--The Battle of Dynekilen--King Charles XII. Killed before Frederickssteen--The Peace of Fredericksborg--The Sale of Norwegian Church Property--Hans Egede, Greenland's Apostle 272

CHAPTER L

CHRISTIAN VI. (1730-1746)

Pietism and Hypocrisy--Confirmation Introduced--Improvement in Popular Education--Famine in Norway--Ludvig Holberg--Erik Pontoppidan 281

CHAPTER LI

FREDERICK V. (1746-1766)

More Liberal Christianity--Luxury at Court--An "Extra Tax"--Revolt in Bergen--Promotion of Science and Art 284

CHAPTER LII

CHRISTIAN VII. (1766-1808)

Johan Frederick Struensee--Reforms without Preparation--Struensee Executed--The Guldberg Period--Prosperity in Norway--Crown Prince Frederick as Regent--The Bernstorf Ministry--The "Armed Neutrality"--Naval Battle at Copenhagen, 1801--The Peace of Tilsit--Bombardment of Copenhagen, 1807--The Norwegian "Government Commission" 286

CHAPTER LIII

FREDERICK VI. (1808-1814)

War with Sweden--Battles at Lier, Toverud, Trangen, and Prestebakke--Armistice, December, 1808--Gustavus IV. Deposed--Christian August becomes Crown Prince of Sweden--Peace of Jönköping--The Society for Norway's Welfare--The University of Norway--Famine and Distress in Norway 293

CHAPTER LIV

MARSHAL BERNADOTTE

Candidates for the Swedish Succession--Baron Mörner goes to Paris--Marshal Bernadotte--Crown Prince Charles John--Rupture with Napoleon--Agreement with Russia--Norway Promised to Sweden--Treaty of Kiel--Norway ceded to the Swedish King 298

CHAPTER LV

NORWAY DECLARES HER INDEPENDENCE

Norwegians Refuse to Recognize the Treaty of Kiel--Christian Frederick as Regent--The Constitutional Convention at Eidsvold--Constitution of May 17, 1814--Christian Frederick elected King of Norway 302

CHAPTER LVI

WAR WITH SWEDEN--UNION OF NOVEMBER 14, 1814

The Powers demand Acceptance of the Treaty of Kiel--War breaks out--Surrender of Fredericksstad--Siege of Frederickssteen--The Swedes defeated at Lier and Matrand--Convention at Moss--The Storthing Convened--Christian Frederick Abdicates-Union with Sweden --Charles XIII. elected King of Norway 306

CHAPTER LVII

THE UNION WITH SWEDEN

The Rigsakt of 1815--Charles XIV. John ascends the Throne--Nobility Abolished--The Storthing rejects the King's Propositions--Independence Day--The Storthing Dissolved in 1836--Minister Lövenskiold Impeached--Oscar I. becomes King--Norway gets her own Flag--The German-Danish War--Charles XV.--Norway Prosperous--A Union Committee--Oscar II. ascends the Throne--The Office of Statholder Abolished--Conflict between King and Storthing--Parliamentarism Adopted--The Absolute Veto--The Resolution of June 9, 1880--Selmer Ministry Impeached--The April Ministry--Johan Sverdrup forms a Ministry--Trial by Jury Introduced--Emil Stang--Rector Steen's Ministry--The Consular Question--Stang again--Hagerup's Ministry--Negotiations with Sweden--Steen's Second Ministry--Universal Suffrage--The Norwegian Flag 310

CHAPTER LVIII

NORWEGIAN LITERATURE 318

CHAPTER LIX

THE CONSTITUTION OF NORWAY 325

HISTORY OF NORWAY