← Table of contents
History of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, Vol. 2 (of 2)

HISTORY OF DENMARK, SWEDEN AND NORWAY,

Reading edition

BY

S. A. DUNHAM,

Author of “The History of Spain & Portugal”

VOL. II.

Illustration from History of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, Vol. 2 (of 2)

Copenhagen. E. Finden sc

London:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS, PATERNOSTER-ROW

AND JOHN TAYLOR, UPPER GOWER STREET.

1839.

vTABLE,

ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL,

TO THE SECOND VOLUME OF

THE HISTORY OF SCANDINAVIA.

CHAPTER IV.—continued.

MARITIME EXPEDITIONS OF THE NORTHMEN DURING THE

PAGAN TIMES.

SECTION II.

IN THE ORKNEYS, THE HEBRIDES, ICELAND, GREENLAND, NORTH

AMERICA, RUSSIA, ETC.

795–1026.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNMENT IN THE ORKNEYS.—SUCCESSION OF JARLS, ROGNEVALD, SIGURD, HALLAD, EINAR, SIGURD II., ETC.—DISCOVERY AND COLONIZATION OF ICELAND.—DISCOVERY AND COLONIZATION OF GREENLAND.—ALLEGED DISCOVERY OF NORTH AMERICA.—STATEMENT OF FACTS CONNECTED WITH IT.—FOUNDATION OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE BY THE SCANDINAVIAN RURIC.

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888. Establishment of a Government in the Orkneys by Harald Harfagre; Sigurd, the first Jarl 1

889–892. Able Administration of Sigurd; he is succeeded by Einar 2

893–936. Administration of Einar 4

936–943. Of Arnkel and Erlend, the Sons of Einar 5

946–980. Succession of Jarls 5

vi980–1014. Sigurd, the next Jarl, compelled to embrace Christianity; Legend 6

Piratical Depredations on the neighbouring Islands 8

861, &c. Iceland Discovered by the Norwegian Naddod, who is followed by other Navigators 9

874. Iceland first colonised by Ingulf; Fate of Jorleif 10

884. Other Colonists, especially Thorolf, the Priest of Thor; Manner in which he established the new Colony 11

874–936. Progress of the new Colonies 13

Formation of a Northern Code 14

930. Internal Economy of this important Island; the great Chief of the Law 15

Circumstances which led to the Discovery of Greenland by Eric the Red 16

Christianity Introduced into Greenland by Leif, the Son of Eric 17

1001. Alleged Discovery of North America by Biarn, a Descendant of Ingulf 17

The newly-discovered Country visited by Leif, the Son of Eric 18

Remarks on this Relation 19

1004–1008. Voyage of Thorwald, who dies in the Country called Vinland 19

1009. Thorfin, a Norwegian Chief, makes the first Attempt at Colonisation 20

1026–1121. The Country visited by other People, especially by the Missionaries 21

The Balance of Evidence decidedly in favour of the alleged Discovery of the American Continent many Ages before Columbus 22

862. A Scandinavian Dynasty founded in Russia by Ruric 23

Circumstances connected with that memorable Event; how far probable 24

861, 862. Novogrod the Seat of the new Dynasty 25

The Domination of the Strangers extended to Kief; two Governments 26

882. Evils arising from the Creation of two States; Kief subdued by the Regent of Novogrod 27

Maritime Expeditions of the Northmen into Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Greece, &c. 27

CHAP. V.

COSMOGONY AND RELIGION OF SCANDINAVIA.

INTRODUCTION.

THE TWO EDDAS, THE ELDER AND THE YOUNGER, THE POETIC AND THE PROSE.—CONTENTS OF THE FORMER.—DIVISION INTO viiCLASSES. 1. THE MYSTICAL. 2. THE MYTHIC-DIDACTIC. 3. THE PURELY MYTHOLOGICAL. 4. THE MYTHIC-HISTORICAL.—POEMS OF EACH CLASS.—THE PROSE EDDA.—SNORRO STURLESON.

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Religion of the Pagan Northmen an interesting Subject of Inquiry 30

The Two Eddas 30

I. Sæmund, reputed Compiler of the Poetic Edda; its slow Publication 31

Poems included in the Elder Edda divisible into four Classes 31

1. The Mystic Class:—

The Voluspa 32

The Grougaldor 32

The Magic of Odin similar in many Respects to that of Zoroaster 33

2. The Mytho-didactic Class:—

The Vafthrudnis-mâl 34

Grimnis-mâl 34

Other Pieces of this Class 36

The Hava-mâl 36

3. The purely Mythologic Class:—

The Hymis-guida 37

The Hamars-heimt 37

The Rafna-galdur Odins 37

The Skirnirs-for 37

The Vegtams-Quida 38

Undoubted Antiquity of the preceding Poems 38

4. The Mytho-historical Class 38

II. The Prose or Younger Edda, usually ascribed to Snorro Sturleson 39

Some Account of that celebrated Man 40

Sources from which he drew 42

SECTION I.

THE SCANDINAVIAN UNIVERSE, ITS WORLDS, AND THEIR INHABITANTS IN GENERAL, WITH THE PHYSICAL INTERPRETATION.

CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE.—YMER.—THE GIANTS.—THE GODS.—OTHER BEINGS.—THE NINE WORLDS, WITH THEIR POSITION AND PHYSICAL INTERPRETATION.—THE TWELVE HOUSES OF ASGARD.—SWARTALFAHEIM.—INHABITANTS OF THE NINE WORLDS.—THE ASER.—THE VEVER, ETC.

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Progress of Creation according to that venerable Authority, the Elder Edda 43

The Waters of Nifleheim flow into the Abyss and freeze 43

But they are thawed by the Fires of Muspelheim 44

viiiTo the Operation of Cold and Heat on the Waters of Nifleheim must be ascribed the Origin of this visible Universe 44

Generation of Ymer, the Patriarch of the Frost Giants 44

Creation of the Cow Andumbla, which calls Burè into Existence 45

From this new Being, half Deity, half Giant, arose Odin, Vilè, and Vè 45

Ymer destroyed, and the Universe formed from his Body 45

Affinities between the Scandinavian and other Systems of Mythology 46

The Cow, as a Symbol, very generally diffused 47

Physical Interpretation of the Mythos 47

Physical Interpretation of another Mythos, the Destruction of Ymer and his Offspring 48

Notions concerning a Supreme, Eternal Being entertained by the Scandinavians 49

Creation of other Beings, especially the Dwarfs 50

Creation of Man 51

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The Nine Worlds.

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Gimlè and Muspelheim 53

Midgard and Utgard 53

Asgard 55

Divine Residences in Asgard:—

1. Ydale 56

2. Alfheim 57

3. Valaskialf 57

4. Soequabeck 58

5. Gladsheim 58

6. Thrymheim 58

7. Breidablik 59

8. Himmelbierg 60

9. Folkvangur 60

10. Glitner 61

11. Noatun 61

12. Landvide 61

Residences of Odin 62

Diversions of the Einheriar 62

Ascent of slain Heroes from Earth to Heaven 63

Bloodthirsty Character of the Odinists 63

Swartalfaheim 64

Residences of the Alfs or Elves 64

Their Nature according to Thorlacius 64

Origin of the Word 65

Universality of the Word 66

Traditions still rife respecting them 67

Scandinavian Dwarfs 69

Two Legends respecting them 70

Their wondrous Manufactures at the Instance of Loke 70

Physical Interpretation 72

Thorston and the Dwarf 73

Helheim and Nifleheim 74

ixThe Yggdrasil 75

Explanation of this Mythos 77

Races which inhabited the Scandinavian Universe 78

Were the Aser Gods, or Mortals only, or deified Mortals? 79

Some Reasons for the Inference that Odin and his Followers really existed 80

Hypothesis of two Odins, how far reconcileable with Facts 81

Did Odin, in his own Case, inculcate the Doctrine of Metempsychosis? 82

Conclusion that Odin and his Companions actually existed on Earth; but how account for the divine Attributes claimed by them? still more, how account for the extraordinary Diffusion of their Worship? 82

Their Policy in the North 83

Two distinct Systems of Religion evidently prevalent in the North,—the Native and the Foreign,—that of Thor, and that of Odin 84

And also two distinct Systems of Magic 85

Another Argument for this Distinction 86

Progress of Odin and his Companions towards Deification 88

Geographical Position of the Aser and Vanir led to their celestial Location 89

The Union of two Systems—the Native and the Foreign, the Finnish and the Gothic—every where discernible in the Eddas 91

SECTION II.

CHIEF MYTHOLOGICAL PERSONAGES OF SCANDINAVIA.

ODIN, THOR, AND LOKE.—THEIR CHARACTERS PHYSICALLY INTERPRETED.—THEIR WIVES AND OFFSPRING.—THE THREE DEMON CHILDREN OF LOKE.—INFLUENCE OF THIS DEITY OVER THE FATE OF THE UNIVERSE.—HE IS PRESENT IN EVERY GREAT MYTHOS.—RAPE OF IDUNA.—THOR’S VISITS TO JOTUNHEIM.—THOR AND THE GIANT HYMIR.—THOR AND THE GIANT THRYM.—NIVOD, FREYR, FREYA.—EXPEDITION OF SKIRNIR-ÆGIR AND RAN.—OTHER DEITIES.—BALDER.—PUNISHMENT OF LOKE.—RAGNAROK.—RECOGNITION OF A GREAT FIRST CAUSE BY THE PAGAN SCANDINAVIANS.

Odin, Thor, Loke.

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Wives and Sons of Odin 92

His Functions, Abodes, and Ministers 93

The three Valkyrs 93

Legend of Odin and Sterkodder 94

This Legend furnishes another Proof of the Fact that Odin was a foreign Deity 95

Thor, his Superiority over Odin in the more ancient System of the North, and his three Treasures 96

xMythical Interpretation 97

Thor peculiarly worshipped in Norway 97

The Giants, the everlasting Enemies of Thor 98

This Article of popular Belief essentially Celtic 98

Loke 99

His Description 100

His Offspring three:—

1. The Great Serpent 101

2. Hela, Queen of Death 101

3. The Wolf Fenris 102

Manner in which the last-named Demon was bound by the Gods 102

Loke originally the same with Utgardelok, and the Personification of Evil in the Celtic Creed 103

Mythological Fables in which Loke is concerned 104

Rape of Iduna.

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Odin, Hoenir, and Loke visit Utgard 105

Loke compelled to promise that he will deliver Iduna into the Power of Thiasse 105

He performs his Promise 106

Consequent Wrath of the Gods, who compel him to restore her 106

Interpretation of this Mythos 107

Thor’s Visits to Utgard.

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Loke, taken by the Giants, is compelled to promise that he will bring Thor without Belt or Hammer 108

Thor accordingly undertakes the Journey; his Punishment of Geyruth, and the Daughters of that Giant 109

Second Journey of Thor to Utgard, accompanied by Loke 110

Adventure in the Cottage 110

Dreary Wastes through which the Travellers passed 111

Adventure in the desert Heath 112

Adventures in Utgard itself 113

Thor and the Giant Hymir.

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Banquet of the Sea-god Ægir 114

Thor and Tyr proceed to Giant-land to steal a Caldron 114

Adventures at the House of Hymir 115

Physical Meaning of this Mythos 116

The same Adventures paraphrased by the Danish Poet Ohlenschlager 117

Thor and the Giant Thrym.

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Thor loses Miölner 124

Loke discovers the Thief, who is the Giant Thrym 125

Thrym will not restore it, unless he have Freya to Wife 125

xiWhen Freya refuses, Thor is persuaded to assume Female Apparel, and go to Jotunheim 126

Adventures there 127

Metrical Version of this Legend 128

Magnussen’s Interpretation 129

Sif, the Wife of Thor 131

Niord, Freyr, Freya.

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Niord, Lord of the Vaner, and a God 132

His second Wife is Skada, from whom he separates 133

Freyr, the Son of Niord, in love with a Giant Maiden 133

Skirnir, his Attendant, goes to Jotunheim and wins her 134

Metrical Version of Skirnir’s Expedition 135

Freya, the Daughter of Niord, and the Goddess of Love 136

Her Functions and Authority in Asgard 140

Ægir and Ran.

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Ægir, the God of the Deep, more clement than Ran, his Queen 141

Another Feast given by the Sea-god, in which Loke is abusive 142

Other Deities.

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The Nornies 143

Night and Day 143

The Giant of Winter 144

Balder.

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His Fate connected with that of the Universe; his Dreams, and consequent Anxiety of the Gods 145

Interpretation of the Mythos 146

Punishment of Loke.

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He is bound, like Prometheus, to the Flinty Rock; Poison; Fidelity of his Wife 146

Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Gods.

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Account of that great Consummation extracted from the Prose Edda 147

Corroborated by the Voluspa 150

xiiSECTION III.

INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY INTO DENMARK AND

SWEDEN.

OBSCURE EFFORTS OF THE ANGLO-SAXON MISSIONARIES TO CHRISTIANISE FRISIA AND DENMARK.—VICTORIES OF CHARLEMAGNE PREPARE THE WAY FOR A WIDER DIFFUSION OF CHRISTIANITY.—FEALTY OF HARALD KLAK.—MISSIONARIES SENT INTO THE NORTH.—ST. ANSCAR.—CREATION OF AN ARCHBISHOPRIC.—ST. REMBERT.—SUCCEEDING ARCHBISHOPS.—FLUCTUATIONS IN THE STATE OF THE NEW RELIGION.—ITS ULTIMATE ESTABLISHMENT IN THE KINGDOMS OF THE NORTH.

A. D. Page

Early Efforts of the Anglo-Saxon Missionaries to Christianise the North; very little effected in the Eighth Century 151

822. But in the Ninth there is more Success 152

826–830. St. Anscar, Monk of Corbey 153

He repairs first to Denmark, and next to Sweden 154

His Reception by the Swedish King, and his Return to Germany 155

830–852. He is made Archbishop of Hamburg, with the Primacy over the North 155

Difficulties of his Position 156

852. He goes Ambassador to the North; Opposition to him in Sweden 157

853–865. But that Opposition he overcomes through the royal Aid 158

865–889. St. Rembert, his Biographer and Successor 160

Adalgar, his Coadjutor 160

889–936. Adalgar and Hoger, in succession Archbishops of Bremen, have no great Zeal for the Cause 161

But Unnus has; his Success 161

936–988. Progress of Christianity in Denmark under Adalrag; Erection of four Episcopal Sees 162

988–1026. Pontificate of Libentis 163

xiiiBOOK II.

THE MIDDLE AGE.

CHAPTER I.

DENMARK.

1014–1387.

CANUTE THE GREAT.—HARDA-CANUTE.—MAGNUS.—ROMANTIC ADVENTURES OF HARALD HARDRADE.—SWEYN II.—HARALD III.—CANUTE IV.—OLAF II.—ERIC III.—NICHOLAS.—ERIC IV.—ERIC V.—CANUTE V. AND SWEYN III.—VALDEMAR I.—HIS ABLE REIGN.—ARCHBISHOPS ESKIL AND ABSALOM.—CANUTE VI.—VALDEMAR II.—DECLINE OF THE DANISH POWER AND THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO IT.—ERIC VI.—ABEL.—CHRISTOPHER I.—ERIC VII.—ERIC VIII.—CHRISTOPHER II.—INTERREGNUM.—VALDEMAR III.—MEMORABLE TRANSACTIONS WITH NORWAY AND SWEDEN.—OLAF III.—UNION OF DENMARK AND NORWAY.

Canute the Great.

1015–1035.

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1014. Canute the Great succeeds his Father Sweyn in both Denmark and England 165

1016–1028. He conquers Norway 167

1028–1035. Character of his Administration 167

His personal Character 167

He divides his Dominions among his Sons 168

Harda-Canute.

1035–1042.

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1035–1040. Loses Denmark by the Usurpation of his Brother Harald, but recovers it on that Prince’s Death 171

1040–1042. His Administration of England 171

1035–1042. And of Denmark 171

His Compact with Magnus, King of Norway 172

xiv

Magnus I.

1042–1047.

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1042–1044. Succeeds in virtue of his Compact with Harda-Canute, and is well received in Denmark 172

His Impolicy in regard to Sweyn, the Nephew of Canute the Great, whom he makes Viceroy of Denmark 173

The Viceroy rebels, and is vanquished 173

1044, 1045. Magnus triumphs over the Pirates 173

1045. A new Enemy appears in Harald Hardrade; his romantic Adventures 174

1045, 1046. Harald allies with Sweyn, but Magnus dissolves the Alliance by his Policy 177

1047. Magnus leaves the Danish Crown to Sweyn 178

Sweyn II.

1047–1076.

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1048–1070. Transactions with Norway, England, &c. 178

1066–1070. And with the Church, which his Incontinence provokes 179

1070. He commits Murder also, and does Penance for it 180

1070–1076. Character of this Monarch, and Description of Denmark, by Adam, Canon of Bremen 181

Harald III.

SURNAMED HEIN, OR THE GENTLE.

1076–1080.

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1076. Harald, a Bastard Son of Sweyn II, is elected by the States 183

1076–1080. His Reign affords no Materials for History 183

Canute IV.

SURNAMED THE SAINT.

1080–1086.

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1080–1085. His foreign Preparations 184

1080–1086. His vigorous Administration 184

His impolitic Indulgence to the Church 185

His Enforcement of the Tithe 186

1086. His tragical End 186

His Semi-deification 187

He is succeeded by Olaf, Duke of Sleswic 187

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Olaf II.

SURNAMED FAMELICUS, OR THE HUNGRY.

1087–1095.

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1087–1095. During his Reign, the Realm wasted by Famine 187

Eric III.

SURNAMED THE GOOD.

1095–1103.

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1095, 1096. His vigorous Administration 188

1097–1103. Lund erected into a Metropolis independent of Bremen 189

His Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 189

1103. His Death and Character 190

Nicholas.

1105–1134.

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1103–1105. Interregnum of two Years, when Nicholas is elected 190

1105–1126. His Jealousy of his Nephew Canute 191

1126–1132. Civil Wars 192

1132–1134. Civil Wars continued; Murder of Nicholas 193

Eric IV.

SURNAMED EMUND.

1134–1137.

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1131–1137. His Reign has no Materials for History 193

Eric V.

SURNAMED THE LAME.

1137–1147.

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1137–1147. Vanquishes a Competitor for the Throne, and retires to the Cloister 194

Double Election 195

Canute V.

1147–1156.

Sweyn III.

1147–1157.

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1147–1152. Civil Wars 195

1152–1156. Continued; Actions of Prince Valdemar 196

1156, 1157. After the Death of Canute, Sweyn contends with Valdemar 197

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Valdemar I.

SURNAMED THE GREAT.

1157–1182.

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1157–1169. Valdemar, Monarch of Denmark, destroys the Pirates of Rugen 198

1169–1175. Other Transactions with the Pagans of Vandalia 200

Archbishop Eskil, Primate 202

1175–1179. Archbishop Absalom, the Successor of Eskil 203

1176–1179. Valdemar exacts the Tithe; Disturbances in consequence 205

1180. His Transactions with the Empire 206

1182. His Character and Administration 207

Canute VI.

1182–1202.

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1182–1189. Prosperity of this Monarch 208

1183–1188. He quarrels with the Emperor 209

1191–1202. His Troubles through Bishop Valdemar 209

Flourishing State of Denmark in his Reign 211

Valdemar II.

SURNAMED THE VICTORIOUS.

1202–1241.

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1202–1204. His early Transactions with Holstein 212

1204–1210. His Expedition against the Livonians 212

1205–1218. His Disputes with the Empire 213

1219–1223. His Transactions with Esthonia 214

1223. He is made Prisoner by one of his Vassals 215

1223–1226. Negotiations for his Ransom, which is at length effected 216

1226–1238. His unfortunate Projects 216

1238–1241. His internal Administration 217

1240. His Character as a Legislator 217

Eric VI.

SURNAMED PLOGPENNING, OR PLOUGHPENNY.

1241–1250.

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1241. Eric, prior to his Accession, had been Duke of Sleswic 218

1241–1248. His unfortunate Dispute with his Brother Abel, and its Results 218

xvii1249. His Expedition into Livonia 219

1250. His War with the Count of Holstein led to his Murder by his Brother Abel 220

Abel.

1250–1252.

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1250–1252. The royal Fratricide undertakes an Expedition against the Frisians, and is slain in a Morass 221

1252. In the popular Creed he becomes a Vampire 222

Christopher I.

1252–1259.

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1252–1258. Troubled Reign of this Prince 223

1256–1257. His Disputes with the Church, especially with Jacob Erlandsen, Bishop of Roskild 224

1257. Violent Measures of the King 225

1258, 1259. To sustain the Vengeance of the Church, he allies himself with his royal Neighbours, but dies 226

1259. Was his Death natural? 227

Eric VII.

SURNAMED GLIPPING.

1259–1286.

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1259–1263. Troubles during the Minority of this King 227

1261–1264. He and his Mother Prisoners, but both eventually released 229

1272–1275. He is reconciled with the Church 230

1280–1286. But he is embroiled with other Enemies, who deprive him of Life 231

His Reign disastrous 231

Eric VIII.

SURNAMED MOENVED.

1286–1319.

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1286–1308. Troubles of the Minority; Efforts to recal the Murderers of the late King 232

1292–1299. The King embroiled with the Church 233

1299–1319. Other Troubles; Eric a Legislator; before his Death (without Issue) he advises the States not to elect his turbulent Brother 234

1310. But that Brother procures the Crown 235

xviii

Christopher II.

1320–1334.

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1320–1323. Prodigality of the new King to secure himself on the Throne 236

1324, 1325. He violates his Pledges 236

1325. Dissatisfaction of his People, who expel him 237

1326–1328. Rapacity of the Nobles during his Exile; he returns 238

1329–1331. His ruinous Promises 239

1331, 1332. Proceedings in regard to Scania, which becomes the Prize of Sweden 240

1332, 1333. Last Days of Christopher 241

Interregnum.

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1333, 1334. State of the Country 241

1334–1340. Rapacity of the Regents, especially Count Gerard, who is murdered 242

1340. Election of a new King 243

Valdemar IV.

SURNAMED ATTERDAG.

1340–1375.

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1340. State of the Kingdom on the Accession of Valdemar 244

His vigilant Administration 244

1344. He sells Scania, but redeems many other Places 245

1345–1348. He sells Esthenia, and makes good Use of the Money 245

1348–1350. He obtains Money from another Quarter 246

1351–1357. His Rigour occasions Rebellion, which, however, he suppresses 247

1357–1360. He recovers Scania 247

1360–1363. By helping Magnus of Sweden, he offends the Hanse Towns 248

1362, 1363. His artful Policy in regard to the Union of his Daughter with Hako of Norway 250

1363. Important Consequences of this Union 250

1364, 1365. Valdemar abroad 251

1367–1370. Again. Why? 251

1370–1375. Closing Years of his Reign 252

Olaf III.

1376–1387.

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1375, 1376. Olaf, Son of Hako, elected; his Mother Regent 253

1373. Lavish Promises of Margaret 254

xix Opinion respecting them 255

1376–1380. She triumphs over all Competitors 255

1380–1386. Olaf becomes King of Norway; ambitious Policy of the Queen-Mother 256

1386. Transactions with the House of Holstein 257

1387. Sudden Death of Olaf 258

CHAP. II.

NORWAY.

1030–1387.

CANUTE THE GREAT.—SWEYN.—MAGNUS I.—HARALD HARDRADE.—OLAF III.—MAGNUS II.—MAGNUS BAREFOOT.—EVILS OF A DIVIDED SOVEREIGNTY.—ROMANTIC ADVENTURES OF SIGURD I.—MAGNUS IV.—CIVIL WARS.—EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF SWERRO.—HAKO IV.—MAGNUS VI.—ERIC II.—HAKO V.—OTHER SOVEREIGNS.—UNION OF NORWAY WITH DENMARK.

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1030–1035. Canute the Great.—Sweyn 260

1035. The Norwegians look to Magnus, a bastard Son of St. Olaf 261

1035, 1036. Magnus I. enters into a Treaty with the King of Denmark 262

1038–1040. His Mother and Stepmother 262

1042–1046. He becomes King of Denmark 262

1047. Last Days of this Monarch 263

1047–1064. Harald Hardrade 263

1066. He falls in England 264

1066–1069. Two Kings in Norway 264

1069–1093. Olaf alone 264

1093–1095. Magnus Barefoot 265

1096–1099. His Expedition to the British Isles 265

1099–1101. His War with Sweden 266

1102–1103. His second Expedition to these Islands, and his Death in Ireland 266

1103. Partition of the Sovereignty between his three Sons 267

1103–1122. Fate of two of them 268

1107–1111. Romantic Adventures of the third Son, Sigurd I. 268

1111–1123. His Severity against Idolaters 269

1124–1130. His strange Conduct 270

1130. Magnus IV. compelled to share the Kingdom with an Adventurer 271

1130–1152. Harald IV.—Sigurd II., &c. 272

1152. Arrival of a Papal Legate 273

1153–1161. Internal Troubles 274

xx1161–1164. Continued 275

1164–1170. Transactions with Denmark 276

1166–1169. Troubles; Rival for the Throne 276

1173–1177. A second Rival 277

1174–1178. A third, the celebrated Swerro 277

1178–1186. His romantic Adventures 278

1186–1194. Swerro’s vigorous Rule 280

1194–1200. His unscrupulous Conduct 282

1194–1202. Internal Troubles 283

1202. His Death and Character 283

1202–1204. Hako III. 284

1204–1207. Guthrum 284

1207. Ordeal to prove the Descent of Hako from King Swerro 284

1208–1241. Hako IV.; his troubled Minority 285

1242–1260. Internal Events of his Reign 286

1263. His Transactions with the Scots 287

His famous Expedition 288

1263–1266. Magnus VI. 289

1263–1280. Internal Changes during this Reign 290

1280–1289. Eric II. 291

1289–1299. Transactions with Scotland 292

1299–1319. Hako V. 292

1319. Under this Prince, Norway declines 293

1319–1387. Succeeding Kings 294

CHAP. III.

SWEDEN.

1001–1389.

OLAF.—EMUND I.—EMUND II.—STENKILL.—INGE I.—PHILIP.—INGE II.—SWERKER I.—CHARLES.—ST. ERIC.—INTERNAL TROUBLES.—BIRGER JARL.—VALDEMAR I.—MAGNUS I.—BIRGER.—MAGNUS II.—ERIC IV.—ALBERT OF MECKLENBURG.—UNION OF SWEDEN WITH DENMARK.

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Chronological Difficulties 295

1001–1026. Olaf Skatkonung 295

1026–1051. Emund I. 296

1051–1148. Emund II., and succeeding Kings 296

1148–1154. Swerker I.; double Election 298

1155–1167. St. Eric and Charles 299

1161–1167. Charles the sole King 300

1167–1192. Canute 301

xxi1192–1210. Swerker II. 301

1210–1250. Other Rulers 302

1250. Valdemar I. 303

1251–1266. Regency of Birger 303

1266–1276. Troubled Reign of Valdemar 304

1276–1279. He is compelled to resign the Throne of Sweden 305

1279, 1280. Magnus I. 305

1281–1290. His internal Administration 306

1290–1305. Birger; his guilty Impudence 307

1305–1319. He is exiled 308

1319–1320. And his Son Beheaded 309

1319–1354. Magnus II.; his Minority, and subsequent Actions 310

1354–1357. His Weakness 311

1357–1363. His Unpopularity 312

1363. Election of Albert 313

1364–1371. Actions of this Prince 313

1371–1376. He too is unpopular 314

1377–1387. He quarrels with his Diet 314

1388, 1389. He is defeated and captured by Margaret of Denmark 315

APPENDIX.

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St. Canute, King of Denmark 317

xxiii

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