- 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.
ACT FIRST.
The churchyard of Christ Church, Bergen. At the back rises the church, the main portal of which faces the spectators. In front, on the left, stands Håkon Håkonsson, with Dagfinn the Peasant, Vegard of Væradal, Ivar Bodde, and several other nobles and chieftains. Opposite to him stand Earl Skule, Gregorius Jonsson, Paul Flida, and others of the Earl’s men. Further back on the same side are seen Sigurd Ribbung and his followers, and a little way from him Guthorm Ingesson, with several chiefs. Men-at-arms line the approaches to the church; the common people fill the churchyard; many are perched in the trees and seated on the walls; all seem to await, in suspense, the occurrence of some event. All the church bells of the town are ringing far and near.
Earl Skule.
[Softly and impatiently, to Gregorius Jonsson.] Why tarry they so long in there?