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
| PAGE | |
| CHAPTER I THE NORTHMEN | |
| The Ancestors of the Present Norwegians—Early Social Conditions—Independenceand Self-government of the People—The Kingsof the old Northmen | [15] |
| CHAPTER II THE RELIGION OF THE NORTHMEN | |
| The Creation of the World—Ask and Embla, the first HumanCouple—Asgard, the Dwelling of the Gods—The Struggle betweenGood 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—HalfdanWhiteleg—Gudrod the Hunter—Halfdan the Swarthy givesthe 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 Unitedunder one King—Emigration of the Discontented—Settlementin Iceland—The Cruise of Gange-Rolf—Northmen settle in Normandy—KingHarald’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’sFoster-son, proclaimed King—Erik Blood-Axe exiled and killedin a Battle in England | [36] |
| CHAPTER VII HAAKON THE GOOD (935-961) | |
| The Laws Improved—Other Reforms—First Attempts to IntroduceChristianity—Norway attacked by the Gunhild-sons—Battle ofFitje—Death of Haakon | [39] |
| CHAPTER VIII HARALD GRAYFELL AND HIS BROTHERS (961-970) | |
| Return of the Gunhild-sons—Earl Sigurd of Lade killed—The Murderof Trygve Olafson and Gudrod Biornson—Earl Haakon—HaraldGrayfell killed in Denmark | [42] |
| CHAPTER IX HARALD GRAYFELL AND HIS BROTHERS (961-970) | |
| Attacks by the Danish King, Harald Bluetooth—The Joms-vikings—SigvaldeJarl makes War on Haakon—The Battle in Hjorungavaag—Revoltagainst Earl Haakon—Olaf Trygvason arrivesin 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 aSlave—Freed by his Uncle—Viking Cruises to Vendland, Englandand other Countries—Return to Norway | [51] |
| CHAPTER XI OLAF TRYGVASON (995-1000) | |
| Christianity Introduced in Viken—Erling Skialgson of Sole—GreatOpposition to Christianity—Founding of the Town of Nidaros—Olafwoos Queen Sigrid the Haughty—He marries Thyra fromDenmark—Building of the "Long Serpent"—Einar Thambaskelfer—Expeditionto Vendland—Battle of Svolder—Deathof Olaf Trygvason | [54] |
| CHAPTER XII THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA | |
| Erik the Red finds Greenland—Christianity Introduced—BiarneHeriulfson sees Strange Lands—Leif Erikson, the Discoverer ofAmerica—The new Country is called Vinland—Subsequent Journeysto Vinland—Thorfin Karlsefne | [65] |
| CHAPTER XIII THE EARLS ERIK AND SVEIN, SONS OF HAAKON (1000-1015) | |
| Norway Divided between the Victors at Svolder—Erling Skialgsonof 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 neverto fight King Olaf—Olaf’s Reception by his Mother and Father-in-law,Sigurd Syr—Meeting of the District Kings—Olaf drivenaway from Nidaros—Battle of Nesje—Death of Earl Svein—Troublewith the Swedish King—Thorgny Lagman dictates tothe King—Enforcing Christianity—Conspiracy against the King—Olaf’sHalf-brothers—The Peace of Konungahella—Dale-Gudbrand—Canutethe Great claims Norway—Battle of Helge-Aa—Killingof 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—HisVision—Thormod Kolbrunarskald—Battle Of Stiklestad—KingOlaf’s Death—Olaf Sigurdson leaves Norway | [99] |
| CHAPTER XVII KING SVEIN ALFIFUSON (1030-1035) | |
| The Rule of Alfifa—Attempt to introduce Feudal Laws—TheSanctity of King Olaf—Rumors of Miracles—Olaf declared theNational Saint—Trygve Olafson—Magnus Olafson returns toNorway—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 ofStiklestad—Warning to the King—The Gray Goose—Magnusclaims the Danish Throne—Svein Estridson appointed Earl—Battleat Lyrskog Heath—Battles at Aaros and Helganes—Returnof Harald Sigurdson—Death of King Magnus | [109] |
| CHAPTER XIX HARALD HAARDRAADE (1047-1066) | |
| Harald’s Adventures in Southern Cities—Conflicts with Svein Estridson—Quarrelswith Einar Thambaskelfer—Murder of Einarand his Son—Agreement with Haakon Ivarson—Treachery toKalf Arneson—Battle of Nis-Aa—Peace Meeting at Gaut River—EarlToste arrives in Norway—The Battle at Stanford Bridge—Deathof King Harald—The Founding of Oslo | [116] |
| CHAPTER XX OLAF KYRRE (1066-1093) | |
| Magnus and Olaf divide the Power—Peace made with Svein Estridson—Deathof Magnus—The Founding of Bergen—Guild-brethren—Skule,Toste’s Son—Changes in Court Customs—Deathof Olaf Kyrre | [127] |
| CHAPTER XXI MAGNUS BAREFOOT (1093-1103) | |
| Haakon Proclaimed King in Throndhjem—Haakon dies on theDovre Mountain—Rebellion led by Thorer of Steig—Expeditionto the Western Isles—War with Sweden—Peace Meeting atKonungahella—Second Expedition Westward—Death of KingMagnus 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—Visitto Jerusalem—Return to Norway—King Eystein’s PeacefulWork at Home—Annexation of Jemteland—King Sigurdand Borghild of Dal—The "Man-measuring"—Death of Eystein—TheKalmar Levy—Sigurd shows Signs of Insanity—OttarBirting—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 Magnusdivide the Kingdom—Battle between the two Kings at Fyrileif—Haraldtakes Magnus prisoner at Bergen—Magnus maimed—SigurdSlembe arrives in Norway—Harald Gille murdered—Konungahelladestroyed | [147] |
| CHAPTER XXIV SIGURD MUND, EYSTEIN, AND INGE KROKRYG, THE SONS OF HARALDGILLE (1136-1161) | |
| Sigurd and Inge proclaimed Kings—Sigurd Slembe supportsMagnus the Blind—Battles at Minne and Krokaskog—Battle atHolmengraa—Magnus and Sigurd Slembe killed—Eystein proclaimedKing—Ottar Birting assassinated—King Sigurd slain—Deathof Eystein—Haakon, Sigurd Mund’s Son, given Titleof King—Fall of King Inge at Oslo | [151] |
| CHAPTER XXV THE CHURCH | |
| Visit of Cardinal Nicholas—An Archbishopric established at Nidaros—Cloistersin Norway | [159] |
| CHAPTER XXVI HAAKON HERDEBRED (1161-1162)—ERLING SKAKKE | |
| Erling Skakke has his Son Magnus proclaimed King—He seeksaid in Denmark—Defeats Haakon at Tunsberg—Battle ofSekken—Haakon killed | [161] |
| CHAPTER XXVII MAGNUS ERLINGSON (1162-1184)—THE BIRCHLEGS | |
| Sigurd Markusfostre—Battle of Ree—Magnus Crowned—Norwayattacked by the Danish King—Rebellion of the Hat-Swains—Peacewith Denmark—Erling made Earl of Viken—HaraldSigurdson Beheaded—Eystein Meyla—The Birchlegs—Eysteinkilled—The Youth of Sverre Sigurdson—Sverre ProclaimedKing at the Oere-Thing—Battle at Kalveskindet—The fall ofErling Skakke—Battle of the Ilevolds—Battle at Nordnes—ErikSigurdson (King’s-son)—Battle of Fimreite—Fall of KingMagnus | [163] |
| CHAPTER XXVIII SVERRE SIGURDSON (1184-1202) | |
| Sverre appoints Lawmen and Prefects—A new Pretender—TheKuvlung Party—The Varbelgs—Rebellion of the Oyskeggs—Battleof Florevaag—Sverre’s Struggle with the Hierarchy—BishopNicholas Arneson—Sverre Excommunicated—SverreCrowned in Bergen—Organization of the Bagler Party—Burningof Bergen—Papal Interdict against Norway—The BaglersDefeated at Strindsö—Uprising in Viken—The Siege at Tunsberg—Sverre’sSickness and Death | [178] |
| CHAPTER XXIX HAAKON SVERRESON (1202-1204), GUTHORM SIGURDSON (1204), AND INGEBAARDSON (1204-1217) | |
| Reconciliation with the Church—Inge Magnusson Killed—Death ofKing Haakon—Election of Guthorm Sigurdson—The PretenderErling Steinvegg—Death of Guthorm Sigurdson—Inge BaardsonProclaimed King—Birth of Haakon Haakonson—His Journeyacross the Mountains—The Baglers visit Nidaros—Death ofErling Steinvegg—Philip made King of the Baglers—Compromiseat Hvitings Island—Jealousy of Haakon Galen—YoungHaakon Disinherited—Death of King Inge | [190] |
| CHAPTER XXX HAAKON HAAKONSON THE OLD (1217-1263) | |
| Haakon Proclaimed King—Earl Skule’s Demands—Rebellion of theSlitungs—The Ribbungs—Treachery of Earl Skule—State Meetingin Bergen—King Haakon Married—Death of Bishop Nicholasand Sigurd Ribbung—Skule Raised to the Rank of Duke—DukeSkule Proclaimed King—Battles at Laaka and Oslo—DukeSkule Killed—Coronation of Haakon—King Haakon’s FameAbroad—Expedition to Scotland—Haakon’s Death | [199] |
| CHAPTER XXXI SNORRE STURLASON | |
| The Family of Snorre Sturlason—The Snorrelaug—Visit to Norway—SnorreMurdered—“The Heimskringla”—“The Edda” | [209] |
| CHAPTER XXXII MAGNUS LAW-MENDER (1263-1280) | |
| Peace Concluded with Scotland—Magnus as a Law-Giver—PrivilegesGranted to the Hanseatic League—The First Nobility—Deathof King Magnus | [212] |
| CHAPTER XXXIII ERIK PRIEST-HATER (1280-1299) | |
| New Struggle with the Church—War with Denmark—The Peace ofKalmar—Earl Alf Erlingson executed—The Maid from Norway—Deathof King Erik | [214] |
| CHAPTER XXXIV HAAKON V. MAGNUSSON (1299-1319) | |
| Audun Hugleikson Condemned for Treason—The false “Maid fromNorway”—The Peace of Copenhagen, 1309—New Law of Succession—Deathof King Haakon | [217] |
| CHAPTER XXXV MAGNUS ERIKSON SMEK (1319-1374)—HAAKON VI. MAGNUSSON (1355-1380) | |
| Magnus Smek Becomes King of Norway and Sweden—Erling VidkunsonAppointed Regent—Haakon Magnusson Acknowledgedas King of Norway—Battle at Enköping—Death of Magnus—Floodin 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 withDenmark—A Pretender Executed | [223] |
| CHAPTER XXXVII MARGARET (1387-1389)—ERIK OF POMERANIA (1389-1442)—THE KALMARUNION (1397) | |
| Margaret Acknowledged as Ruler of Norway—Erik of PomeraniaChosen as King—The three Countries United—The KalmarUnion—Death of Queen Margaret—The Victualia Brethren—BergenPlundered—Revolt of Amund Bolt—Erik of PomeraniaDeposed in Denmark | [224] |
| CHAPTER XXXVIII CHRISTOPHER OF BAVARIA (1442-1448) | |
| Norway at first Loyal to Erik—Christopher Finally Accepted—Restrictionsof the Hansa Privileges | [229] |
| CHAPTER XXXIX THE UNION WITH DENMARK—CHRISTIAN I. (1450-1481) | |
| Christian Elected by one Party and Carl Knutsson by Another—ChristianCrowned—Closer Union with Denmark—The first ofthe Oldenborgs—War with Sweden—War with the Hansa—ChristianPawns the Norwegian Possessions | [231] |
| CHAPTER XL HANS (1483-1513) | |
| King Hans Crowned in Throndhjem—The Victory of the Ditmarshers—Revoltof Knut Alfson—Prince Christian as Regent—Warwith the Hansa Towns | [235] |
| CHAPTER XLI CHRISTIAN II. (1513-1523) | |
| The Lovely Dyveke and her Mother—The King’s Marriage—TheDeath of Dyveke—Torben Ox Executed—Christian Crowned asKing of Sweden—The Carnage of Stockholm—Gustavus Wasa—TheFlight of Christian II | [239] |
| CHAPTER XLII FREDERICK I. (1524-1533) | |
| Lady Inger of Oestraat—The King’s Recess—Attempt of ChristianII. to Recover Norway—Christian Imprisoned | [243] |
| CHAPTER XLIII INTERREGNUM (1533-1537) | |
| The Count’s Feud—King Christian Recognized—Revolt of the Archbishop—TheFlight of Olaf Engelbrektson | [247] |
| CHAPTER XLIV CHRISTIAN III. (1537-1559)—THE REFORMATION INTRODUCED | |
| The Catholic Faith Abolished—The Church Ordinance—Norway declareda Danish Province—Robbing the Norwegian Churches | [250] |
| CHAPTER XLV FREDERICK II. (1559-1588) | |
| The Northern Seven Years’ War—Battle of Svarteraa—Throndhjemtaken by the Swedes—Burning of Oslo—Sarpsborg Burned—Peaceat Stettin—Misrule in Norway—Erik Munk Deposed andImprisoned—City of Fredericksstad Founded | [252] |
| CHAPTER XLVI CHRISTIAN IV. (1588-1648) | |
| The Popular King—Frequent Visits to Norway—The Laws Improved—Warwith Sweden—The Scotch War—Colonel SinclairKilled—Peace at Knaeröd—The Peace of Lubeck—Second Warwith Sweden—Peace at Bromsebro—The Hannibal’s Feud—TheCity of Christiania | [255] |
| CHAPTER XLVII FREDERICK III. (1648-1670)—ABSOLUTISM INTRODUCED (1660) | |
| The last Royal Charter—War with Sweden—The Krabbe War—Peaceat Roskilde—The Peace broken by the Swedish King—Siegeof Halden—Peace of Copenhagen—The King’s Revolution—AbsolutismIntroduced—Kort Adeler | [261] |
| CHAPTER XLVIII CHRISTIAN V. (1670-1699) | |
| Extravagance at Court—German Manners Introduced—A newNobility—Peter (Schumacher) Griffenfeld—The Scania War—TheGyldenlöve 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)—NavalBattle in Kjögebugt—Charles XII. Invades Norway—TheHeroic Anna Kolbjörnsdatter—King Charles atFrederickshald—Peter and Hans Kolbjörnson—Peter WesselTordenskiold—The Battle of Dynekilen—King Charles XII.Killed before Frederickssteen—The Peace of Fredericksborg—TheSale of Norwegian Church Property—Hans Egede, Greenland’sApostle | [272] |
| CHAPTER L CHRISTIAN VI. (1730-1746) | |
| Pietism and Hypocrisy—Confirmation Introduced—Improvementin Popular Education—Famine in Norway—Ludvig Holberg—ErikPontoppidan | [281] |
| CHAPTER LI FREDERICK V. (1746-1766) | |
| More Liberal Christianity—Luxury at Court—An “Extra Tax”—Revoltin Bergen—Promotion of Science and Art | [284] |
| CHAPTER LII CHRISTIAN VII. (1766-1808) | |
| Johan Frederick Struensee—Reforms without Preparation—StruenseeExecuted—The Guldberg Period—Prosperity in Norway—CrownPrince Frederick as Regent—The Bernstorf Ministry—The“Armed Neutrality”—Naval Battle at Copenhagen, 1801—ThePeace of Tilsit—Bombardment of Copenhagen, 1807—TheNorwegian “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—ChristianAugust becomes Crown Prince of Sweden—Peace ofJönköping—The Society for Norway’s Welfare—The Universityof Norway—Famine and Distress in Norway | [293] |
| CHAPTER LIV MARSHAL BERNADOTTE | |
| Candidates for the Swedish Succession—Baron Mörner goes to Paris—MarshalBernadotte—Crown Prince Charles John—Rupturewith Napoleon—Agreement with Russia—Norway Promised toSweden—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 Frederickas Regent—The Constitutional Convention at Eidsvold—Constitutionof May 17, 1814—Christian Frederick elected Kingof Norway | [302] |
| CHAPTER LVI WAR WITH SWEDEN—UNION OF NOVEMBER 14, 1814 | |
| The Powers demand Acceptance of the Treaty of Kiel—War breaksout—Surrender of Fredericksstad—Siege of Frederickssteen—TheSwedes defeated at Lier and Matrand—Convention atMoss—The Storthing Convened—Christian Frederick Abdicates-Unionwith Sweden—Charles XIII. elected King of Norway | [306] |
| CHAPTER LVII THE UNION WITH SWEDEN | |
| The Rigsakt of 1815—Charles XIV. John ascends the Throne—NobilityAbolished—The Storthing rejects the King’s Propositions—IndependenceDay—The Storthing Dissolved in 1836—MinisterLövenskiold Impeached—Oscar I. becomes King—Norwaygets her own Flag—The German-Danish War—Charles XV.—NorwayProsperous—A Union Committee—Oscar II. ascendsthe Throne—The Office of Statholder Abolished—Conflict betweenKing and Storthing—Parliamentarism Adopted—TheAbsolute Veto—The Resolution of June 9, 1880—Selmer MinistryImpeached—The April Ministry—Johan Sverdrup formsa Ministry—Trial by Jury Introduced—Emil Stang—RectorSteen’s Ministry—The Consular Question—Stang again—Hagerup’sMinistry—Negotiations with Sweden—Steen’s SecondMinistry—Universal Suffrage—The Norwegian Flag | [310] |
| CHAPTER LVIII NORWEGIAN LITERATURE | [318] |
| CHAPTER LIX THE CONSTITUTION OF NORWAY | [325] |
HISTORY OF NORWAY