CHARACTERS.
- Håkon Håkonsson, the King elected by the Birchlegs.
- Inga of Varteig, his mother.
- Earl Skule.
- Lady Ragnhild, his wife.
- Sigrid, his sister.
- Margrete, his daughter.
- Guthorm Ingesson.
- Sigurd Ribbung.
- Nicholas Arnesson, Bishop of Oslo.
- Dagfinn the Peasant, Håkon’s[Håkon’s] marshal.
- Ivar Bodde, his chaplain.
- Vegard Væradal, one of his guard.
- Gregorius Jonsson, a nobleman.
- Paul Flida, a nobleman.
- Ingeborg, Andres Skialdarband’s wife.
- Peter, her son, a young priest.
- Sira Viliam, Bishop Nicholas’s chaplain.
- Master Sigard of Brabant, a physician.
- Jatgeir Skald, an Icelander.
- Bård Bratte, a chieftain from the Trondhiem district.
- Populace and Citizens of Bergen, Oslo, and Nidaros.
- Priests, Monks, and Nuns.
- Guests, Guards, and Ladies.
- Men-at-Arms, etc. etc.
The action passes in the first half of the Thirteenth Century.
Pronunciation of Names: Håkon=Hoakoon (“oa” as in “board”); Skule=Skoolë; Margrete=Margraytë; Guthorm=Gootorm; Sigurd Ribbung=Sigoord Ribboong; Dagfinn (“a” as in “hard”); Ivar Bodde=Eevar Boddë; Vegard=Vaygard; Jonsson=Yoonson; Flida=Fleeda; Ingeborg=Ingheborg; Jatgeir=Yatgheir; Bård Bratte=Board Brattë. The name “Ingeborg” appears as “Ingebjörg” in Ibsen’s text. The form I have substituted is equally current in Norway, and less troublesome to pronounce.
THE PRETENDERS.
HISTORIC PLAY IN FIVE ACTS.