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THE WORLD’S BEST HISTORIES
NORWAY
BY
SIGVART SÖRENSEN
EDITOR “MINNEAPOLIS TIDENDE”
WITH FRONTISPIECE
THE CO-OPERATIVE PUBLICATION SOCIETY
NEW YORK AND LONDON
Copyright 1899 By PETER FENELON COLLIER
Norway
THE INVASION OF GREAT BRITAIN BY THE NORTHMEN
Norway.
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—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 HARALD GRAYFELL AND HIS BROTHERS (961-970)
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