Viking Heraldy of Lewis & Cinda - Bruce Rognan

VIKING HERALDRY OF LEWIS & CINDA
From the Old Norske Sagas to the American Immigration
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Both Lewis Erickson and Cinda Johnson descended from a long line of Viking
Kings that extended back to the era of Julius Caesar, 100 BC. In fact, we will
start their story with Odin, considered the first of the Vikings. When fearing the
invasion of Julius Caesar’s Roman Legions flees from a place known as modern
day Asgard, Turkey to the area today known as Norway. For the next 60
generations his decendants provided the Viking Rulers until the Norwegian
King of the present day. The last Norwegian King that Cinda and Lewis descended
from was King Hakon Magnusson, 44 generations after Odin. Every
one of these 42 generations was a king. The stories of all the Kings is summmarized
from a book by Snorri Snarlson, a 12th century historian, who transcribed all of the sagas into one account.
This is the only source for the first part of this chapter, called the Norkse Sagas. From Hakon Magnusson
for the next 8 generations the descendency consists primarily of dukes, barons, sheriffs and governors in Norway.
This history is documented by Pharos, the 16th century Danish historian. The next 7 generations until
Cinda (from Holand, Akershus) and Lewis (from Skjaak, Oppland) the patriarchs are characterized as large land
owners. The source data for them is primarily Odd Otteson, a close friend of my mother’s cousin named Borghild
Jensen, who has written 6 books of the farm history in Holand, Norway. There are many more kings, than
the ones listed here. These are only those found in the direct pedigree. For example, frequently the line passes
to a brother, or nephew or uncle, but these names are not found in the bold headlines for direct line ancestors.
Lewis’s pedigree back to the Kings of Norway is found in the chapter on Lars and Britta Erickson. Let the sagas
begin......
Odin (100 B.C.)
THE NORSE SAGAS
Odin was a powerful warrior who migrated from Asia Minor to Northern Europe about 70 B.C. He is the paramount
Norwegian warrior, whose name today has been connected to the God Odin of Norse mythology. It is
said that he was such a fanatic and enthusiastic warrior that he won in every engagement. For this reason his
men believed that he was invincible. It was his custom when he sent his men into battle or on other expeditions,
to place his hands on their heads and bless them. They believed, then, that things would go well with
them. Out of this custom, came the practice by his men, that whenever they came into danger on sea or land,
they would call his name, and they believed they received help in every instance. In him they placed their trust.
Odin and his followers left Asgard, Turkey when they became hard pressed by the Roman Legions. He believed
that the destiny of his followers and his descendants belonged to the Northland. They traveled over land
to Gardarike, “Russia,” and then southward into Saxony, (North Germany) conquering these countries. He finally
settled on an island called Odense, Denmark.” When he heard that there was a fine country to the north,
he made a pass at King Gylve of the Swedes, met no opposition and settled a Lagen, near present Sigtuna,
where he built a large temple and sacrificial altar. Here they made sacrifices according to their Asiatic customs.;
his great skill in sports and in warfare; his wisdom; his cunning and his knowledge of witchcraft. It is no wonder
that in later generations he became confused with the god Odin who headed their pagan religion, known as
Norse Mythology. Odin died of “scottedod” disease, but as he was about to die, he stabbed himself with his
spear, and said that he was going to his old home where he would await all his warriors. From this incident, the
myth about the heavenly home called Valhalla sprung. Soldiers who died in battle were carried up to Valhalla
by the “Valkyries” angels, there they lived a happy life forever after.

Odin (pictured at right) traced his genealogy back to the early
Saxons (Sax’s Sons, or Isaac’s Sons of the bible in the following
pedigree) and to Adam. Below are all the generations backwards
to Adam, listed by Snorri.
Odin
Frithwald
Freothelaf
Finn
Heremond
Vingener
Flockwald
Itormann
Vingerthorr
Godwuff
Athra
Eiaridi
Geata
Hwala
Hioritha
Tecti
Bedweg
Vingener
Beowa
Seskef
Thor (Hector) Scealdea
Magi
Priam (King of Troy)
Iaomedon (Father of King of Troy)
Ilus
Tros
Erichthonius
Darda
Zarah
Judah (one of the tribes of Judah)
Jacob or Israel (1886-1739 BC - became father of the 12 tribes of Israel)
Isaac (1946-1766 BC, married to Rebekkah, died at age 180)
Abraham (2006-1871 BC, founder of Hebrew nation
Terah (2122 - 191 7 BC, lived in Haran, Mesopotam)
Nahor (2152 - 2003 BC)
Rehu (2213 - 1972 BC, died at age 239)
Peleg (2244-2004 BC, God divided the lands)
Eber (2277 - 1814 BC, lived to be 464 years old)
Salah (2307 - 1874 BC, 433 years old at death)
Arphazad (2342 - 1904 BC, 438 years old at death)
Shem (2442 - 1842 BC, Lived to be 600 years old)
Noah (29445 - 1944 BC, died at 950 years old, after surviving "The Flood" with his family)
Lamech (3126 - 2349 BC, 777 years old at his death)
Methuselah (3314 - 2344 BC, 969 years old at his death, longest life recorded)
Enoch (3378 - 3013, tradition has it he was caught up into heaven and never tasted death)
Jared (3540 - 2578 BC, 962 years old at his death)
Mahalaleel (3605 - 2710 DC, 895 years old at death)
Cainan (3675 - 2765 BC, 910 years old at death)
Enos (3765 - 28650 BC, 905 years old at death)
Seth (3870 - 2878 BC, took Abel 's place as patriarch of the family)
Adam (abt 4000 BC - 3070 BC, died at age 930 years, father of all humanity with his wife Eve)
Njard Odinson (65 BC)
Njard became king of greater Svitjod after Odin’s death (Greater Svitjod comprised Russia, part of Germany,
Poland, and Scandinavia.) He was highly esteemed by his people, as during his reign the country had peace
and prosperity prevailed. He died of “scottedod” disease, but on his death-bed he requested that he be

wounded by a sword in order that he might qualify for the entrance into Valhalla. His wife’s name was Skade,
who later left him and married Odin. He had a son named Frey, and a daughter
named Freyja (Fdreyja was a priestess who presided at altar sacrifices at the
temple. She became so renowned that all high-born women were called “Fruvor”.
A lady is still called “Fru” in Scandinavia for this reason.
Frey Njardson (35 BC)
Frey (pictured at right) followed his father, Njard, to the throne of Svitjod. He was
also highly esteemed and loved by the people, and was worshipped more than
other gods, because during his reign the people prospered, seasons were good
and there was peace in the land. Frey built a large temple at old Uppsala, Sweden
and established the seat of government there. All the wealth of the kingdom
was kept here. When Frey lay on his death-bed, his chief men allowed only a
few persons to see him. They built a large tomb, with a door and three small apertures,
and told the people that he still lived inside the tomb. They kept watch
over the tomb for three years, and all taxes collected were poured into it, the gold
into one opening, the silver into another, and the copper coins into the third.
Peace and good years prevailed. When the Swedes finally learned that Frey was
dead, they believed that as long as he was in Svitjod, so long these conditions
would prevail, and they refused to burn his body, as was the custom in those days, for disposing of the dead.
His wife was Ger Gymersdatter.
Fjaelnir Freyson (5 AD)
Fjaelnir, the son of Yngvi-Frey then ruled over the Vikings and the Uppsala wealth (The “Uppsala wealth” consisted
of all the jewels and money belonging to the kings of Sweden, kept here for safety.). He was a good king
and a mighty ruler. At that time Frode , king of the Danes lived in Leidra (Roskilde, Denmark). They were
friends and often invited each other to their festivities. Once when Fjaelnir visited Frode in Zealand, there was
a great feast prepared for him, and people were invited to it from far and wide. Frode had a large castle; in it
there was a large vat, many feet high, held together by large timbers; it stood in the lower story, and there was a
floor above in which there was an opening thru which the drink could be poured in; the vat was full of mead, a
very strong drink. In the evening Fjaelnir and his men were shown to their room on the floor above. During the
night Fjaelnir walked out unto the svalir (A kind of balcony) to look for something; he was overcome with sleep
and dead drunk. When he returned to his room he walked along the balcony to a door leading into the adjacent
room, and there he missed his footing and fell into the mead-vat and perished.
Svegdir Fjaelnirson (40 AD)
Svegdir took the realm after his father and he made a vow to search for Odin’s homeland. He traveled with
twelve men far and wide about the world; he came to Tyrkland and to greater Svitjod, and met many of his
friends and kinsmen. He was gone five years on this journey. Then he came back to Uppsala and stayed at
home for some time. He married a woman called Vana in Vanageim; their son was Vanlande. Svegdir went
again in search of Odin’s homeland. In the eastern part of Sweden there is a large estate calle dStein; there is
a rock there as large as a gbig house. One evening after sunset, when Svegdir ceased drinking and went to his
sleeping quarters, he saw a dwarf sitting outside the rock. Svegdir and his men were very drunk, and ran to the
rock. The dverg stood in the door and shouted to Svegdir to come in if he wanted to meet Odin. Svegdir
rushed into the rock, which at once closed upon him, and he never came back
Vanlande Svegdirson (75 AD)
Vanlande, the son of Svegdir, ascended the throne and ruled over the Uppsala wealth. He was a great warrior
and traveled widely about the country. He made his winter home in Finland, where he married Driva, the
daughter of Snae, the old. Their son was called Visbur. Vanlande left Finland one day in spring, promising his
wife he would be back in three winters. He did not return, so after ten years his wife Driva called a witch named
Huld and asked her to entice him to come back to Finland, or else kill him. He was in Uppsala at the time and
there he met death at the hands of the witch.
Visbur Vanlandson (100 AD)

Visbur ruled over the Svearne (Swedes) after his father’s death. His wife was the daughter of Aude, a wealthy
man, who gave three large estates and a gold ornament as a dowry with his daughter. Two sons were born,
namely, Gisl and Andur. He deserted his wife and married another woman, so she took her two sons and went
back to Finland to live with her father. Visbur had a son named Domalde by his second wife. His first wife
urged her sons to claim the property which was given to him as a dowry. Visbur refuse to agree to this. His
former wife then instituted witchery against him. It was prophesied that the gold ornament would be a curse
and cause the death of the best man of his race. The sorcerer also granted the sons permission to take the life
of their father, and also prophesied that murder of kinsmen in the Viking dynasty would become prevalent in the
future. Afterwards, the sons gathered a group of people at night-time, set fire to Visbur’s sleeping quarter, burning
him to death.
Domalde Visburson (135 AD)
Domalde became the next king of Svitjod after his father, Visbur. During his reign there was hunger and famine
in the land, and the Vikings made great sacrifices and altar offerings. But famine still prevailed. The first fall
they sacrificed oxen, but to no avail. Next fall the Swedes came in a large force to Uppsala, where the sacrifices
were to be held. The debated and agreed that their king must be responsible for their troubles and decided
that they would make him their sacrifice to their god Odin and paint the pedestals in the temple with his
blood. This was done. Domar began trading with the Romans under Emperor Hadrian. He allowed the Romans
to use the fertile fishing harbors of Vagar (Kabelvag, Norway) to provide dry cod fish for use. Once the Romans
discovered dry fish could be exported from north Norway’s coast, the area became the center for administering
this trade. Roman coins, silver mugs, and bronze vessels dating to the period of Emperor Hadrian have been
excavated in Lofoten Islands in the 1950's.
Domar Domaldeson (165 AD)
Domar, the son of Domalde, became the next king of the Vikings. During his long reign the country prospered
and peace prevailed. Of him nothing is told, except that he died of disease at Uppsala; his body was taken to
Fyres Plains and burned. A stone monument was erected at the mouth of Fyres brook between old Uppsala
and the new Uppsala.
Drygve Domarson (200 AD)
Drygve, the son of Domar, then became king of the Vikings. He also died a natural
death. Nothing is recorded of him, except that he was the first man to be called Konge,
(king). Previously they were called Drottner, their wives, Drottninger, and their bodyguards,
Drott. Every man in the dynasty was also known as Yngve, and Ynglinger.
Eventually the Viking Dynasty is known as the “Yngling Dynasty” as a result.
Dag Drygveson (235 AD)
Dag, the son of Drygve, became the next king. He was a very wise man, and was said
to understand the language of birds. He had a sparrow which told him many tidings from
afar. On one occasion the sparrow flew to Denmark where it settled in a peasant’s orchard
and ate berries. The peasant picked up a stone and killed the bird by hitting it.
King Dag became anxious when the bird did not come back so he went to a sacrifice
made to the gods., where he asked about his bird. He was told what had happened. He
gathered a force and went to Denmark to revenge the sparrow’s death. He ravaged the country side, but on
their way back to their ships someone cast a pitchfork into the group of men and it hit the head of the king which
cause his death
Agne Dagson (270 AD)
Agne was a highly renowned and a powerful king. He went on a pirate expedition into Finland, won a great victory
over the Finnish King Froste who was killed in action. He conquered the country, took a large number of
prisoners and much plunder, captured Froste’s daughter, Skjaalv, and son, Loge. He married Skjaalv, with
whom he had two sons, Alrek and Eirik. When he returned to his own country, he pitched his tents at Stoksund
(Now Norrstrom, between Maelaren and the sea, on the north side of old Stockholm.). His wife, Skjaalv, asked
him to prepare a funeral feast in honour of her dead father, which he did. He invited many prominent men and
prepared a great banquet. He had become greatly renowned because of his expedition into Finland. There

was much drinking at the feast and when Agne became drunk, his wife warned him to guard the golden ornament
(This was the golden ornament which Visbur had owned, and which carried a curse.) which he had with
him. He bound it around his neck before he went to
sleep. The tent had been erected under a large tree for
the shade it gave against the summer sun. When he fell
asleep, Skjaalv took a stout rope and fastened it to the
ornament. Her men assistants pulled the tent poles down,
threw the loose end of the rope up into the branches of
the tree above, pulled it tight, and left the king hanging
from the branches. The place was since known as Agnefet,
which is the flat area of old Stockholm between the
wharf and the locks.
Alrek Agneson (325 AD)
Alrek and his brother Eirik became joint kings of the
Swedes after the death of their father Agne. They were
both powerful men, great warriors, and sportsmen. They
were experts at training horses to prance, gallop, and
race. One day while out riding on their best horses, they
failed to return. A party went out in search of them, found
them both dead and crushed skulls. They had no weapons with them except the horses’ bridles, and it was believed
that with these they had killed each other. Alrek married Dageid, the daughter of King Dag, the Mighty.
(pictyured at right is Alrek fighting his brother Eirik)
Yngve Alrekson (365 AD)
Yngve, the son of Alrek, became the next king, ruling jointly with his brother Alv. Yngve was a great army man,
always victorious, a great sportsman, and easy-going and cunning. Because of this he was beloved by his
people and often mentioned. His brother Alv was the opposite,
silent, domineering, and unfriendly. Their mother’s
name was Dageid. She was the daughter of King Dag,
the mighty. The brothers quarreled frequently, and mostly
because Yngve and Bera, the wife of Alv, were very
friendly towards each other. One night when Alv found
them sitting in the hall talking, he became angry, drew his
sword and stabbed his brother thru his chest. Yngve, wo
had his sword in his lap, jumped up and struck Alv a blow
which killed him. Both men fell dead on the floor. They
were buried in a mound on the Fyres Plaings. Yngve had
two sons, Jaarund and Eirik. As the Roman Empire is becoming
very fragmented at this time, with all of the pressure
from the Saxons, Jutes, Goths, Visigoths and Vikings,
it is interesting to note the rapid expansion of the population
of the Viking tribes at this time. Population expanded
rapidly during the next hundred years throughout Norway.
Significant settlements were established across the Lofoten
islands, and southeast of present day Oslo. Norwegians
that were living in Norway at this time were primarily called "Haloyger". Since the world was just entering
in the Iron Age, and Norway had an abundance of Iron mass migration to the north occured. In Norwegian
history this is called the Migration Period. The Saxons
of Germany and France and the Jutes of Denmark continue
to move northward as land is in the south is used
up. They also flee further and further away from Roman
influence. As the Norwegian civilization was beginning
to flourish, women tended the flocks and provided for
the preparation and storing of food while the men
sought the iron ore, hunted and did the fishing. (pictured
at right in center, fighting Alf)
Jorund Yngveson (400 AD)

As Jorund (at right, kneeling) was but a mere child at the time of his father’s death, Alv’s son Hugleik, ascended
the throne of Svitjod. Several years after Hugleik became king he was conquered by a sea-king named Hake,
who killed him and his two sons. Hake reigned over the Swedes for three years. In the meantime Yngve’s
sons had become of age, and had been out on pirate expeditions. When they learned that King Hake’s warriors
were out pirating, they made haste to Svitjod to drive him out of the country. The Swedes rejoiced when they
heard that the Ynglinger heirs were home again, and flocked to their assistance in conquering King Hake. A
fierce battle was fought on the Fyres Plains, and Hake was mortally wounded. When he realized that he was
about to die, he ordered his ship prepared,m and all of his dead men were carried aboard including himself.
The wind was blowing off the land, the ship’s sails were spread, the rudder set, and a large funeral pyre on
board ship was set afire. The burning ship sailed out to sea a glowing torch. For many years this incidents was
much discussed. Jaarund became the next king of the Vikings, and occupied the throne for many years. He
spent many of his summers on pirating and warfare. While in Denmark near Limfjorden he was met by Gaaloiges
King Gylaug and his warriors, Jorund was defeated, he leaped overboard, but was captured and hanged
Aun Jaarundson (435 AD)
Aun, the son of Jaarund, became the next king of the Vikings. He was known as Aun den Gamle, (the old) because
he lived to be a very old man. He was ten years old when he became king. He lived in Uppsala twentyfive
years as king, and when King Halvard of Denmark drove him from Uppsala and occupied the throne himself,
he went to Vestergautland, where he remained another twenty-five years. When King Halvard died he returned
to Uppsala and occupied to throne another twenty-five years, until he was driven away the second time
by another Danish king. He made a human sacrifice of his son to Odin, the heathen god, who promised him a
long life for this deed. Nine sons were thus sacrificed by him. He died of old age finally, when the Swedes refused
to let him sacrifice his tenth son. During the administration of Aun, the Roman Empire collapsed due to
the strength of the Teutonic tribes - particular the Goths, Jutes and Visigoths and the Viking tribes both considered
the Germanic. At first, the Romans called these Germanic tribes in Scandinavia “Cimbri”. In 113 BC they
were documented by Roman historians as Cimbri. Also from Denmark, around this time came other groups
called Yninglings (or Anglos), Saxons and Jutes. About this time the Anglos invaded Britain and renamed it England,
as an Anglo-Saxon state. These Anglo-Saxons were the ancestors of the Vikings. The roots of naval attacks
were from the Anglo-Saxons. They set a pattern of invasions and conquest using their boats. Because
Denmark was a peninsula the sea became the highway of all these middle age conquerors. Vikings gained
more and more power in the next few hundred years, and were very active in international trade.
Egil Aunson (475 AD)
Egil became king after his father Aun’s death. He had a slave named Tunne, who formerly served Egil’s father
as a tax collector and tresurer. This servant stole a lot of wealth, which he buried. Later Tunne and a number
of other slaves skipped off with the treasure. Tunne gained many followers because he was liberal in giving of
his wealth to them. Tunne engaged in eight battles with Egil’s warriors, always defeating them. Finally Egil
went to Denmark for help. He agreed to pay King Frode a tax if he would help him. He returned to Sweden with
a large force with which he conquered Tunne and his men. The Danes returned home after the battle and Egil
reigned in peace for three years. However, he failed to pay the tax he had promised to King Frode, giving
rather large gifts each year, and their friendship continued. While out hunting in the woods alone, he came
across a wild bull, which he attempted to kill. His spear did not take effect, it only enraged to bull, which attacked
the horse, killing it. Before King Egil could recover his sword, he was stabbed to death by its horns.
Ottar Egilsson (500 AD)
Egil’s son, Ottar now became king of Svitjod. This king became involved in war with King Frode of Denmark,
who vow demanded the tax which was promised to him by Ottar’s father. This tax the Vikings refused to pay,
claiming they had never before paid a tax to the Danes, and would not do so now. Frode went home and prepared
for a raid on the Viking territory, which he plundered and burned in many places. King Ottar did the same
in Denmark, but on one of his raiding expeditions in Denmark his warriors were defeated and he was killed.
Adils Ottarson (530 AD)

Adilis, the son of Ottar, was the next to ascend the throne of the Vikings (Ynglings). He reigned a long time and
became very wealthy because he spent many of his summers on pirate expeditions. One of these raids was on
the coast of Saxland, (Holstein), where his men robbed the place and captured many slaves and domestic animals.
Amongst the slaves there was a remarkably beautiful maiden. She was found to be the daughter of King
Helge and Queen Aalov of Denmark. Her name was Yrsa, and Adils married her. Adils wife, Yrsa Helgasson
(born 572) was an Anglo. Her genealogy extends back to the House of Israel. The most accurate genealogy
available traces her pedigree in the following order- Isaac, Judah (Isaac's son or abbreviated Saxon) , Zarah,
Darda, Erichthonius, Tros, Ilus, Laomedon, Priam (King of Troy), Memnon (daughter of Priam), Thor, Vingener,
Hloritha, Elaridi, Vingethor, Vingener, Moda, Magi, Seskef, Bedweg, Hwala, Athra, Itorman, Heremond, Sceaf,
Scealdea, Beowa, Tecti, Geata, Godwulf, Flocwald, Finn, Freotheleaf, Fritwald, Odin (born 215), Skjold (King of
Danes , born 237), Fridleif Skjoldsson (born 259), Frodi Fridleifsson (born 273), Fridleif Frodasson (born 303),
Havar Fridliefsson (born 325), Frodi Havarsson (born 347), Vermund Frodasson (born 369), Olaf Vermundsson
(born 391), Dan Olafsson (born 412), Frodi Dansson (born 433), Freidleif Frodasson (born 451), Frodi Fridleifsson
(born 479), Halfdan Frodasson (born 503), Helgi Halfdansson (born 528).
Oystein Adilson (555 AD)
Oysten became the next king of the Vikings. During this period Sweden was frequently ravage by Danish and
Norwegian kings. Many of these were known as sea-kings. One sea-king, named Salve, came with his ships
to Lovund during the night, surrounded the house where Oysten and his men were resting, and burned the
place to the ground. Then Salve went to Sigtuner and proclaimed himself king of Svitjod. The Swedes tried to
save their country, and a battle lasting eleven days took place. Salve won and reigned over Svitjod for many
years. The Swedes finally killed him
Yngvar Osteinson (585 AD)
Snorri does not provide much detail on Yngvar. He made peace with the Danes, and carried on his pirate expeditions
in the east. With a large band of warriors he raided Estland (Esthonia), where he encountered a large
force, which engaged them in battle. Yngvar was defeated and killed. The one important fact of the name
Yngvar is he became known as the leader of the Ynglings, with later was translated to England.
Anund Yngvarson (615 AD)
Anund, Yngvar’s son, was the next king. He made a raid on Estland to revenge the death of his father. During
his reign times were good in Scandinavia, and he became very wealthy. He was considered the most beloved
of all Viking kings. Sweden and Norway were covered with heavy forests at that time, and many large tracts
were unpopulated. Anund cleared and grubbed much land and had roads built thru forests, marshes, and over
rocky hills, which opened up much new territory for settlement. He became known as Braut-Anund, (road
builder). While traveling thru the country between his many estates, he once encountered a narrow-valley,
which he and his men attempted to cross. There had been heavy rains, and an avalanche of clay and stone
loosened and rolled down upon them burying them.
Injald Anundson (635 AD)
Ingjald Illraade, the son of Anund, became the king. Ingjald erected a large hall as beautiful as the Uppsala
temple, and prepared for a large funeral feast in honour of his father Anund. He invited seven minor kings in
Sweden to the feast. At the ceremonies in the hall, which six kings attended, everyone became drunk. At an
appointed time during the night, Ingjald’s warriors, as previously instructed, marched to the new hall, set it afire,
and burned to death the six kings and their men. Those who tried to escape were promptly killed. After this
holocaust, King Ingjald claimed their kingdoms and laid a tax on the people. Several years later he did the
same thing to the two remaining kings while they were having a drinking orgy, thereby gaining control of all
Sweden. He, himself, met this same fate later on. He was married to Gauthild, the daughter of King Alguate,
who was the son of Gautrek, the generous, who was the son of Gaut, from whom Gautland received its name.
They had two children, Aasa and Olav Traetelgja. A king by the name of Ivar Vidfavne conquered Svitjod, and
later conquered Denmark, Saxland, Russia and a fifth of England
Olav Injaldson (660 AD)
Olav, Ingjalds’ son, claimed the throne next but King Ivar Vidfane dethroned him, and he was forced to flee the
country. He and his followers traveled westward thru Sweden until they came to the Gota river in Vermeland.

Here he cleared the forests and built a large gaard, which became his home. That is how he came to have the
name Traetelgja (wood-axe) applied to him. He married Solveig, a daughter of King Halvdan Guldtann paa Solor.
Halvdan was the son of Salve, the son of Salvar, the son of Salva, the old, who established Solor. They
had two sons, Ingjald and Halvdan. When the Swedes learned of the good country in Vermeland, they flocked
there in large numbers, and also to escape the harsh rule of King Vidfavne. The land became over-populated,
and could not support all of the people. They blamed King Olav for this and raided his gaard and burned him to
death in his house, as a sacrifice to Odin for better years. This took place at Lake Vaenern.
Halfdan Olavson Hvitbein (680 AD)
Olav’s son, Halvadan, now became king. Halvdan was raised in Solor at his father-in-law’s home, and was
called Hvitbein. At the time of Halfdan, Islam / Muslim zealots and missionaries began to spread their religious
doctrines and they penetrated southern Europe. However, they did not stop there. Evidence is found that these
Muslim missionaries traveled into Scandinavia to convert the Vikings. In the Lofoten Islands of Norway (a small
town named Kabelvag) Arab coins dating to this period have been found. 110,000 coins prior to 1000 AD have
been discovered in Norway, 131 of them have been Arabian coins. Despite Islam missionary efforts their doctrines
are never introduced successfully into Norway. Norway, instead solidifies it's own religious beliefs in
myths and sagas under the administration of Halfdan. The Norwegian mythology flourishes as a combination of
the Old Testament tales, and the Old Norse tales. The three primary Gods were Odin, Thor and Frey (from
whom the days of the week Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday come from).Odin was the god of Knowledge and
Victory. Odin did not fight the wars, he only planned them. He was assisted by his 2 ravens Hugin (thought) and
Munin (memory). Thor’s name means "thunder". He was the most popular God of the common people because
of his combination of benevolence as well as courage. The most central them in all the Viking writings was this
dual nature of man. Other traditions include the Valkyries - virgin female warriors who were daughters of Odin's
daughter Freyja, who escort brave deceased warriors to paradise (Valhalla). At this time the Vikings believed in
three distinct kingdoms characterized by 3 concentric rings: The center ring or core is called Asgard (house of
Gods), Midgard (center ring and middle earth) for the dwelling of men on earth and Utgard the outer ring also
characterized by a holy spirit within man. This belief is consistent with Moses Tabernacle among the Israelites.
The belief that divinity was the sure consequence of all mortality justified Viking behavior to seek gain power
and fulfill lustful desires. Their Tree of Life had three rivers flowing in to it - one of wisdom, one of fate and one
of prosperity. Also central to Norwegian religious beliefs at this time were sacrifices during annual festivals. The
law of sacrifice from the Law of Moses was still practiced in different apostate forms. Solemn feasts were held
periodically in which blood sacrifices (blot) were made. The decapitated bodies were held over the temple. As
many as 70 bodies of dogs, men, horses and cattle were seen at one time. The blood was collected in a sacred
vat by the leader.
Eyestein Halfdansson (710 AD)
Eyestein was the son of Halfdan Hvitbeinn of the House of Yngling according to Heimskringla. He lived around
730, and inherited the throne of Romerike and Vestfold. His wife was Hild, the daughter of the king of Vestfold,
Erik Agnarsson. Erik had no son, so Eystein inherited Vestfold. Eystein went to Varna with some ships to pillage
and carried away all livestock and other valuables. However, the king of Varna was king Skjöld who was a great
warlock. Skjöld arrived at the beach and saw the sails of Eystein's ships. He waved his cloak and blew into it
which caused a boom of one ship to swing and hit Eystein so that he fell overboard and drowned.
At this time, Norwegian's lived in farms or hamlets separated from one another by fjords, forests, empty wastelands,
and uninhabitable mountainland. Only 5% of Norway is tillable, and only 27% suited for plant life. 80% of
the people lived within 13 miles of the coast. (Obviously, this is still true today) The geography itself fostered
fierce independence. In addition, the oblong shape of Norway with it's long coast made national unity difficult
but desirable. Only in small pockets of Norway was the terrain agriculturally oriented. First areas of such settlement
include Romerike, Maere, Ringerike, Tonsberg, Nidaros and others. In these 12 territories, powerful families
emerged and usurped the rights of others, and became self-imposed "Royalty". These royal families continued
to gain power, and devour land. As population increased to near capacity, people began to look elsewhere
to maintain continued prosperity – as did Eyestein.
Most Norwegian homes during this time were communal, presided over by a patriarch who generally had more
than one wife. Polygamy was common among these early Norwegians. This patriarch served as the religious
leader as well as provider for the group. All the people in the community lived together in one large home called
a "longhouse". These homes were frequently covered on the roof with grass. Attached to the house was the
dairy, and the general storehouse. It was a very industrious arrangement since everything was made in the

home. There were no village settlements, only family settlements. Norwegian life was very was self-sufficient as
all religious, physical and emotional needs occured in the "longhouse
Gurrod Eyesteinson Viedkong (750 AD)
Yinglings (source of word Anglo, England, and English) traced their genealogy 80 generations back to the days
of Adam and Eve. Although perhaps the genealogy was mythical, being a Yingling King meant you had better
blood than others – you were royalty. The concept of royalty primarily emerged in south Norway and in Jutland,
Denmark. The word "konung", later simplified to "kong" (king in English) meant "person of noble origin". Nobility
began to be of significant importance as time went on, and population increased. As the Norwegian myths increased
in popularity, a true leader for the Vikings was required to trace his genealogy back to Odin, the famous
Norse warrior who left Asgard, Turkey in 110 BC. Gudrod was one of 8 – 12
small tributary kings at this time, but was gaining in popularity. What was
needed at this time in Scandinavia was consolidation of these many small
petty kingdoms.
Hafdan Svarte (790 AD)
THE VIKING INVASIONS
King Halfdan Svarte (pictured at right) , one of the 12 territorial kings from
Vestfold was gaining popularity and power in south Norway was able to convince
others of his royal birthright. Halfdan's wife was Ragnhild Sigurdsdatter,
and his 2 sons were Harald and Eric. His son Harald was an aspiring young
man desiring to be king of all Norway.
Norway had been living under the feudal system for several hundred years by
now. The country was not united. Each little community of people was it's own
kingdom, with its own rules and it's own feudal lord, who gradually became
king. Each one of the 12 kingdoms (or royal families) enforced its own rules
and collected taxes to support the military. Although many attempts to unite
Norway occured at this time, none of them were successful until Hafdan’s
son, King Harold the Fairhaired.
Due in major part to overpopulation from polygamy, the Norwegian Vikings and royal families began a vigorous
period of land expansion, launched by fierce campaigns of attack. Their first foreign attack (strandhogg) occured
in Lindisfarne, England at a monastery. In the next year, three other monasteries were sacked in England.
These daylight raids became more and more frequent throughout the next several hundred years, and,
soon Vikings and their dragon ships (drakkars) became the fear of all Europe. In the raids, Vikings would steal
all the ornamentation from the monasteries and then burn the buildings. They would also steal anything of value
such as animals (for food), or women (for pleasure) and men (for slaves). Warriors from the Viks (Vik is the old
Norse word for Fjord) eventually spread their influence throughout England, Finland, Russia, Turkey, France,
the Netherlands and elsewhere. Vikings became "Lords of the Seas". Slaves stolen by the Vikings were sold
throughout Russia and Eastern and Southern Europe near Constantinople. The Vikings were successful in
conquering and colonizing Europe because of many reasons.
1) They had developed a more affluent civilization though skilled use of iron, which was so abundant in Norway.
They created iron armour giving their soldiers defensive advantage of protection in battle and swords for offensive
support.
2) Norwegians had become excellent sea warriors, and excellent builders both of large ships and light
canoes.Their boats could reverse in direction simply by reverse rowing. Most attack vessels were over 75 feet
long, with 20 rowers. No other boat in the world was a fast as the Viking ship.
3) The vast supply of Norwegian fish needed more of a world-wide distribution network, because the supply of
fish was limitless. Vikings were the first marketers in the modern sense of the concept – they had an abundant
supply, a great shipping fleet for distribution, but no demand. Through their marketing with the Catholic continent,
they made fish more in demand.
4) It was a royal brotherhood. War was led and participated in by the descendants of Odin and Thor. The Vikings
shared a common source of unity with their royal lineage, even if it was mythical. The historical Odin fig-

ure (not the mythical god) promised that his descendants were entitled to any land in the north by divine right.. If
any Norseman did not have enough of his own land, it was his royal birthright to take that land from anywhere
else in Europe. Also before each battle, this royal Viking brotherhood had many sacramental rituals they participated
in, such as the laying of the hads on the head, coferring the priesthood power of Odin, the kissing of sacred
rings, and the repeating of vows, and certain sub-rosa holy sayings.
5) The Vikings were primarily wealthy farmers and land owners, not warriors. The autumn harvest was priority
number 1. Only after the harvest would they put on their warrior clothing, board their ships and make their raids
to the warmer climates. They were peaceful farmers first, and thought of the warrior role as supplemental to increasing
the size of their farms. This dual role of benevolence (being a peaceful farmer) and the violence (being
a valiant Viking warrior) was modeled by Thor. These Vikings were explorers more than conquerors. After the
season of the raids and battles, these Vikings returned to their peaceful jobs as fisherman each year.
6) Worthy Viking's that died in battle were honored as the bravest of all. According to the Norse myths, such a
hero would be carried by the Valkyries to eternal bliss in Valhalla. At death, all the brave deeds performed by
the deceased would be recited so they would be permitted to enter Valhalla. Because these Vikings lacked a
fear of death, this was also an advantage in battle. Viking's believed Thor's hammer was much more mighty
that Christ's cross. Thor would help them protect them if they followed his fearless example. Viking's took great
pride in using their hammers and axes to destroy any Christian cross they could find.
7) Their attire was well suited to fighting wars. Animal skins coated their body, a metal helmet protected their
head, a combination spear / ax was used to attack, and a shield ( a 3 feet wide disc made of wood) was used
for defense. The most valued possession was a long double-edged iron sword. ) The Vikings always left their
newly acquired colonies better off politically than they found it. They introduced political principles of law and
order, and a common democratic system of assemblies. They planted the seeds of freedom and which significantly
influenced all of Europe. The new democratic spirit of the Vikings is characterized by American historian
De Costa " We fable in great measure when we speak of our Anglo-Saxon inheritance. It is rather from the
Norseman that we have derived our vital energy, our freedom of thought, and strength of speech".
Because of these above factors Vikings were able to dominate Europe for the next several hundred years as
their invasions dominate world consciousness. In 837 the Vikings settled Iceland under Hafdan. The expansion
was necessary because Norway was overpopulated because of the religious practice of Polygamy. When Halfdan
Svarte died in 839, his son Harald (The Fairhaired) had his corpse taken to various petty kingdoms of
Norway including Akershus, Nord-Trondelag, Nordland, and Vestfold as a gesture of good will and good luck for
the Norwegians. But he had ulterior motives. Luckily, every petty kingdom where that he placed a portion of his
fathers corpse the Viking farmers prospered. Harald was given the credit, which is what he desired. This innovative
action elevated his status as being heir to a royal throne over all of the Vikings. Although Harald was only
one of many small petty kings in Norway at this time, this event triggered his popularity so all Vikings sought
him to be their leader. He was able to organize additional attacks in Europe and his popularity increased.
Harald “The Fair Haired” (838 - 923)
Harald followed his father, Haldan, to the throne of Vestfold at the age of eleven years. His mother’s brother,
Guthhorm, a duke, presided over the kingdom until he became of age. They waged a daughter of Eirik, king of
Hardaland, so he sent his men to see her and her father about it, and they were to bring her back with them.
She refused to accept his offer of marriage until he had gathered all the kingdoms of Norway under his rule, and
had become as great a king as those who ruled Denmark and Sweden. He thought well of this idea, accepted
the challenge and finally conquered all of the petty kingdoms in Norway. He
also vowed he would not cut or comb his hair until he had accomplished his
purpose. He placed a Jarl, (earl) over each province to govern it and collect
taxes. Each Jarl was to receive one third of the taxes collected, for his support,
and they were also required to furnish sixty men from each sub-district
for King Harald’s army. He captured Trondheim and the surrounding territory,
making that city his home. He had a large estate at Lade. He then
went on expeditions against all the minor kingdoms of southern Norway,
conquering all of them. His final big victory was at Hafsfjorden, near Stavanger,
where a sea battle took place. During this ten year-period of conquest,
a large number of small rulers and wealthy men left Norway rather
than submit to Harald Haarfagre’s harsh rule.

While living in Trondheim Harald married Aasa, the daughter of Jarl (Earl) Haakon Grjotgardson. Their children
were, Guthorm, Halfdan Svarte (pictured as baby at right, with his father Harald Fairhair as King) , Halfdan
Hvite, and Sigfrod. In Trondheim he built a large Viking ship for himself. After hea had conquered all of Norway,
he sent his men to bring him the maiden Gyda, whom he then married. Their children were; Aalov, Rorek,
Sigtryg, Frode, and Torgils. He also married Ragnhild, the daughter of King Eirik of Denmark. Their son was
Eirik Blodox. Other wives; were Svanhild, Jarl Oisteings daughter: their children were; Olav, Bjorn, Geirstad-alv,
and Ragner. Another wife Aashild, the daughter of King Dagson, their children were; Dag, Ring, Gudrod, Skirja,
and Ingegred. When he married the Danish Princess Ragnhild he was separated from nine wives. Another
marriage was to Snaefrid, the daughter of Svaase, a Finn. In this marriage we are particularly interested, because
of their son Sigurd Rise. Other children were Halfdan Haaleg, Gudrod Ljome, and Ragnvald Rettlebeine.
King harald had a son named Haakon with his wife, Tora Moster-stang, a maid servant. When Harald became
quite old he divided his kingdom among his many sons, designating them as kings, a step higher in rank than
the Jarls; he himself retained control as chief king of all Norway. King Harald favored his son Eirik Blodox, for
his place as chief king after his death. When Harald died in 933, Eirik tried to fill his place as head king, but
jealousies and hatred caused much bloodshed. The brothers demanded a larger share in the kingdom, waged
warfare against each other and many were killed. Haakon Adelsteinsfoster finally became king of Norway.
In 838 the Vikings attacked Russia. The Slavic people in Western Russia were anxious for others to come in
and rule over them because they had no political or economic order. In 840 the Vikings established the city of
Dublin, Ireland conquering all of the territories of Great Britain except Wessex. The present Castle of Dublin is
on top of Viking ruins from this period. In 843 the Vikings attacked France along the Seine River. The next year
the Vikings attacked Spanish coasts. The recorders of these attacks were mainly Catholic church leaders who
felt the Norse Vikings had as their goal the demise of Christianity. A french catholic wrote: "From the fury of the
Norseman, God deliver us!"
The influence of the Yngling attention to genealogy and royal family lines has been continued in Europe since
that time. As Viking conquerors arrived in new lands, one of the first items they acted on, was making sure their
royal ancestry was communicated to all, and they then mingled with the blood of any royal family in existence
there through marriage. Harald hired people called Haralds to visit throughout the kingdom to read and celebrate
his royal lineage back through Odin. (Basically these “Harald” read the basic facts of this chapter so far.
This concept of “Haralds” became the basis for the word “Heraldry” today. It simply means royal line.
It was not only his crusade with his father's corpse that gave him this power of kingship, but also a naval battle
in 872 at Havrsfjord (Stavanger). He won, and the country was finally united. Through his lineage all the future
kings of Norway emerge. Harald was the first Norwegian to successfully unite Norway into one kingdom. His
number one priority was to lead the Viking naval wars and coordinate the attacks. Many of his cousins and relatives
were his most trusted and valiant Viking warriors.
Harald introduced a form of democracy at this time, based on Odin’s role as a preparer of war. Once per year
the Harald’s Vking Crusader Captains would convene in an assembly to create laws in a combination state fair,
and general assembly. The assembly or parliament (called the Thing - today the Norwegian parliament is called
the Storthing or big thing) would then empower the King to enforce the new legislation with complete power.
These Assemblies would meet outside as a tribunal characterized by debates, compromises and laws by the
people. Laws centered on order for the community and on invasion of foreign lands. The Anglo-Saxons in
France and Great Britain were significantly influenced by the Viking law process.
In the days of Harald, the family was central to the government of Norway. "Viking families were remarkably
tight units. Everyone jealously guarded family honor. Injury done to one's family would bear on all. If a Viking
was the victim of a crime the family of the injured party would avenge itself upon the whole family of the offender."
Blood ties were sacred. Identity was not based upon self, but on family. Hence, family coat of arms
were introduced to give even more family identity and family security. The Viking term for coat of arms is Familievaapen.
Being excluded from the family was worse than death because family was so essential for life.
In 876 all who would not follow Harald I were banished to go to Iceland. Here their monks formalized and recorded
all of the Norse Mythological stories and Norse sagas. These Viking nationalists wanted to preserve the
Norse traditional life style. Icelandic Vikings began a period of self-government which lasted for 300 years.
About 10,000 Norwegians arrived in Iceland as colonists. Iceland offered better farming than did Norway and
the population reached 60,000 within 100 years and was overpopulated.

Rognar Rognvaldson, the son of the Earl Rangvald of Maere was a very close friend of King Harald and also
his second cousin. When Rognar committed a crime, instead of killing him, he was exiled to colonize the islands
of the Hebrides. Rognar, a skilled Viking warrior not content with the Hebrides, led the first assault of
Paris with 120 ships on the Seine River. Stealing a large sum of gold and silver he had resources to continue on
his rampage and sacked Rome. Rognar was born the son of his father Eystein Ivarsson, and mother Aseda
Ragnvaldsen. Aseda was from the hamlet of Maer, Nordland. After Rognar (also Rognvald) conquered Normandy
he in a place called Rouen, named after himself. His wife Ragnhild Hrolfsson and he had a child who
became the Duke of Normandy (Normandy means men of the North) by the name of Rollo Ragnvaldsson. The
French king also promised to let Rognar marry his daughter Gizela if he would adopt Christianity. This Rognar
agreed to, and he was baptized in the year 912. He ruled the new country well, and died in the year 931. From
him descended the mighty Earls of Normandy, who in time conquered the kingdoms of England and Naples.
Rolf’s son was Wiliam, his son was Richard 1 st , the father of Richard 2 nd , who was the father of Robert
Langespade, the father of William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066, and conquered the whole
country. In subsequent years during the Viking raids, virtually all European royalty have Norwegian roots from
these early invasions. The Viking bloodline produced hundreds of future Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses
of England, France, Scotland, Poland, Germany and others. Rognar had first close relations that became
royalty of Sweden, Russia, Sicily, France, Germany and England.
Sigurd Rise Haraldson (875)
Sigurd, one of Harald’s many sons, from his 6 wives, was given Ringerike for his kingdom. There are no records
of him, except that he had a son named Halfdan, and a grandson named Sigurd Syr, King of Ringerike.
About the time of King Sigurd, the settlement of Vagar (Kabelvag,Lofoten) began to be the cultural and economic
center in all of northern Norway. The trading of fish becames a very important part of worldwide network
of trading. King Sigurd created had many new fishing settlements consisting of hundreds of small homes / huts
built for the temporary fishermen. Each year when the cod fish would migrate to Lofoten in the winter for spawning
the visiting fisherman would have housing so the abundant fish harvest could be reaped. This action increased
fish production significantly, and then Sigurd would sell the fish on international markets.
Norwegian Vikings under Sigurd’s direction became pirates, stealing from European ships that were trading
with Norway. The Vikings took an active interest in world trade and dominated it during the next hundred years.
When Sigurd was a young boy of about 12, he assisted in his father’s siege of Paris. This second assault in
Paris is perhaps the most significant and massive Viking attack made. Paris was a leading European economic
and educational center, and it took 40,000 Vikings in 700 Viking ships to launch the offensive. Paris in those
days was confined to the island in the Seine River, where Notre Dame is now.
By the time Sigurd was at the peak of his power the Norwegians expanded and unified their territories they also
began to unify their literature with Skaldic writings, literature and poetry. King Harald's younger brother Eric replaced
Harald as King. He also hired “Haralds” but instead called them "skald" ( a person to read and celebrate
his genealogy, and ancestral achievements with the common people. Skald means "celebrate".
Halfdan Sigurdson (905)
Sigurd’s son, Halfdan became the King of Ringerike in his father’s footsteps. was three years old. The Viking
Kingdom was greatly disunified during the era of Halfdan Sigurdsson. It splintered into warring factions, which
Halfdan was unable to unite. At the death of his grandfather, Harald, civil wars among the people of Scandinavia
raged constantly amongst the Vikings. The Vikings divided into tribes called Danes, Swedes and Norwegians.
The Vikings lost much of their unity because of these civil wars. The Danish Vikings began to rule England,
while Swedidh Vikings continued to invade Russia. The capital of the Swedish Vikings was a new Russian
settlement called Kiev in Ukraine. The Norwegian Vikings focused on Normandy, France and Sicily.
Sigurd Halfdansson Syr (950)
Sigurd married Asta, the daughter of Gudbrand, whom the Valley of Gudbranddalen, Norway is named after.
Aste was born in 970 in Vestfold, and died in 1020. Soon after her first husband died (Harald Grenske), she
married again to Sigurd Syr, who was a king in Ringerike. Olaf, the son of Asta and Harald Grenske, lived with
Asta, and was brought up from childhood in the house of his stepfather, Sigurd Syr. Now when King Olaf
Trygvason came to Ringerike to spread Christianity, Sigurd Syr and his wife allowed themselves to be baptized,
along with Olaf her son; and Olaf Trygvason was godfather to Olaf, the stepson of Harald Grenske. Olaf was

then three years old. Sigurd had a peaceful disposition, in contrast to his many cousins; he loved his gaard, (estate),
and spent most of his time supervising the work on it, becoming quite wealthy. When their child Olaf (St.
Olaf) became of age he began the conquest of Norway to restore it to its former unity, as during King Harald
Haarfagre’s time, and King Sigurd gave him much assistance. The higher classes in Norway, during this period
did not live in castles like the feudal aristocracy in France and Germany, but dwelt on their country estates,
where they engaged in farming and cattle-raising when they were not absent on Viking expeditions, or occupied
in commercial pursuits. The farm labor was done by slaves or servants, but even men of high rank would put
shield and sword aside and join in the work. Sigurd adopted St. Olav, and raised him with Aste. He is one of the
more important figures in Norwegian history, so a little information about him is helpful here.
Olav The Peaceful (St. Olav) (975-1028) was the oldest son of Sigurd Syr, and had no offspring. Consequently
the title of King was given to the youngest son Harald the Rithless. But most historians claim that King Olav is
one of the most important and transistinoal kings in Norway’s history, so a brief accout fo his life is given.
In 988 The Byzantine Emperor, fearing additional attack from the Swedish Vikings offered his sister in marriage
to the Overlord of Russia if he would convert to Christianity. Vladamir did so for obvious political reasons. Under
threat of death, Vladamir forced all his Russian subjects to be baptized. This strategic religious and political linking
of Turkey and Russia prevented future attacks by the Vikings. But even more importantly it meant many
missionaries came north and opened up Christianity to all of Northern Europe and Scandinavia. A few years
later, Olav was one that was so impacted.
In 995 Olaf Tygvasson, the great grandson of Harold the Fairhaired brought unity to the Norwegian kingdom for
the first time in over 100 years. He was baptized a Christian in England, and sought to Christianize the Norwegians.
Two years later he made Nidaros (Trondheim) the capital of Norway and began construction of the Nidaros
Cathedral as a monument to his new religion - Christianity. This building is still today, the most beautiful and
inspiring building in all of Norway.
When Leif Ericson (son of Eric the Red) visited Nidaros, the following year, he too became converted to Christianity.
Leif was commissioned by King Olaf I to then convert Iceland, his birthplace, to Christianity. Although he
did make many Christian converts, his most historical contribution was his voyages to
the New World. In 1002 Leif Ericsson left Iceland and reached the shores of North
America near Newfoundland. The name of the place he settled was called Vinland - the
land of grapes and vine. They called the American Indians "the ugly men" (skraelings).
Vikings traded with Indians (the Iroquois and Algonquin tribes) receiving furs and clothing.
Viking ships traveled down the St. Lawrence Seaway exploring deep into Canada
and what is now Minnesota. However when fighting broke out in 1003, Leif left
America and never returned. Actual Viking ruins have been found in Massachusetts
(on Harvard campus) and in Minnesota, and many in Newfoundland. Other voyages
to America took place after Leif, including Thorfin Karlsefni's expedition of 160 men.
Exploration and fishing expeditions occur on and off for the next several hundred
years.
In 1010, King Olav the Peaceful forced all Norwegians to adopt Christianity. At the
time Christianity was synonymous with Catholicism. Non believers visiting from Iceland
who refused baptism were executed. Other non-believers were executed or
else banished from Norway. "King Olav supplied priests and bishops, built churches,
and forced people to accept Christianity under pain of death." (Rocks and Hard
Places, p. 69) The church became very much mingled with Norwegian law and the
royalty and clergy have remained connected from that point onward. Perhaps the
greatest era of social growth in Norway followed this period of Christianization. People
were treated as human beings with some basic rights. They were perceived as
having eternal souls and therefore, they were worthy of respect.
In 1013, the Danes weakened the Norwegian empire by conquering England. King Canute (Knut II) eventually
built an empire that included England and Denmark and parts of Norway. In 1019, Knut the Great began his
short reign in Denmark. He is a descendant of King Harald I as well. In 1028 Olav's reign ended in conflict when
his pagan countrymen turned against him. His subjects pledged loyalty to Denmark who practiced the old Norse
sagas. Olav fled to Russia for 3 years in exhile. When he came back to try to influence Christianity again he met
his death in 1028. Soon after this the Catholic Church honored Olav as with "sainthood". His younger brother,
however was no saint.

Harald Sigurdson Hardrade (1015-1066)
Harald the Ruthless was born in 1015 in Ringerike (Buskerud). His first marriage was to Yelisaveta Yaroslavsdatter
of Kiev circa 1045. Secondly, he was married to Tora Torbergsdatter of Giske in 1047. His harsh suppression
of lesser Norwegian chieftains cost him their military support in his unsuccessful struggle to conquer Denmark
(1045-62). The son of Sigurd Syr, a chieftain in eastern Norway, and of Estrid, Harald fought at the age of
15 against the Danes with Olaf II in the celebrated Battle of Stiklestad (1030) in which Olaf was killed. He then
fled to Russia, where he served under the grand prince of Kiev, Yaroslav I the Wise, whose daughter Elizabeth
he later married. After enlisting in the military service of the Byzantine emperor Michael IV (reigned 1034-41),
he fought with the imperial armies in Sicily and Bulgaria and made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Upon his arrival in Southeastern Norway, Harald, the wealthiest Viking, gave half of his wealth to Magnus the
Good. They both entered into a joint alliance as co-kings. Magnus was murdered by Harald the Ruthless, 2
years later and Harald Sigurdsson (the Ruthless) then led Norway to significant military battles in the future.
He spent the next 15 years attempting to wrest the Danish throne from Svein II. After Svein’s defeat in the Battle
of Niz (1062), the two rulers recognized each other as sovereign in their respective countries. Harald also
quarreled with Pope Alexander II and Adalbert, the archbishop of Bremen and the Holy Roman emperor's vicar
for the Scandinavian countries. Harald antagonized the two prelates by maintaining the independence of the
Norwegian church.
Harald expanded Norway's colonial possessions in the
Orkney, Shetland, and Hebrides islands and in 1066 attempted
to conquer England, allying himself with the
English rebel earl Tostig against the new English king,
Harold II. After gaining initial victories, Harald's forces
were routed by the English king in September 1066 at
Stamford Bridge, where Harald was killed. His son Magnus
(c. 1048-69) succeeded him and ruled jointly with
Olaf III, another of Harald's sons, until Magnus' death in
1069.
Nineteen days after his death the battle of Hasting was
fought and William the Conqueror gained the throne of
England. Duke William was a descendant of the Viking
Rollo Rognalvaldsen (a nephew of King Harld the Fairhaired.
Rognavald, a might sea-king and pirate, who
had been banished from Norway by King Harald Haarfagre, because
he had raided on of his provinces. settled in Rouen, Normandy with his followers; there he received a
land grant from Roger de Hauteville, Duke of France, and later married his daughter. This century was a trying
time for the British, their shores were continually raided by sea pirates and ambitious kings from Scandinavia.
It is interesting to note, that all of the fighting in Europe at this time was between family members. William the
Conqueror was a descendant of Harald. Harald Sigurdsson was also closely related with the Normans, and
Russians. The Norsemen (Normans) in France have now become more French than Norwegian, adopting their
cultures and traditions. Likewise the Rus in Russia, and Anglos and Saxons in England are have lost most of
their Norwegian/Viking influence. The Vikings in Sicily have also diluted their customs and culture. The Wars in
Europe are now fought by various forms of Vikings, in the name of Christianity. The rising world threat from the
Moslem world, leads all of these Vikings to unite again in 1095 for the crusades - the ultimate Viking Battles.
The Viking age came to an end in 1066. After this year there were never any more raids or plundering initiated
by the Scandinavian Vikings. Because they have become so integrated with other Europeans, they are no
longer called Vikings. Once the religion of the Norse Mythologies had been replaced by Christianity, the Vikings
no longer had a purpose or a cause. Their culture died, and they merged with the rest of Chrsitendom.
Olaf Kyrre Haraldson (1050-1093)
THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY

Olaf the Peaceful (d. 1093) or Olav the Gentle, becomes the new king of Norway. He died in 1093. He framed a
constitution, and organized the Catholic Church throughout Norway. Olaf, the son of Harald III Sigurdson
Hardraade, ruled Norway jointly with his brother Magnus, after his father’s death. Two years later Magnus died
and Olaf reigned over all of Norway. His first wife was Ingerid, the daughterof King Svein of Denmark. With
another wife named Tora Joansdatter he had a son who was named Magnus. King Olaf reigned in Norway
twenty-six years. He stayed at home on his large estates and died a natural death, something unusual for a
Norse king during this period. Olaf’s body was laid to rest in Kristkirken, (Trondheims Cathedral). During his
reign many churches were built in Trondheim, Bergen, and other cities.
In 1103 the first archbishopric for Scandinavia was established in Lund in southern Sweden. In 1153 the archbishopric
of Nidaros was established by Cardinal Nicholas Brakespeare, not long before his election as Pope
Adrian IV. By the time of the death of King Olaf, the Christian church was firmly established in Norway, as in the
other Nordic countries. The Archbishopric of Nidaros included present-day Norway, parts of present-day Sweden,
Iceland, Greenland, Orkney, the Faroes, the Shetland Islands, the Hebrides and the Isle of Man.
Olav guided the nation through one of its most prosperous periods, maintaining an extended peace rare in medieval
Norwegian history. He also strengthened the organization of the Norwegian church. Olaf worked to give
the Norwegian church a more stable organization, making peace with Pope Gregory VII and Adalbert (Adelbert),
archbishop of Bremen and vicar for the Scandinavian countries, who had been an enemy of Olaf's father.
Although he attempted to follow the organizational model of the continental churches, the Norwegian church
was less influenced by Rome, and Olaf maintained personal control over the nation's clergy. Olaf's granting of
permanent areas to the four dioceses of the country encouraged urban growth. He built a number of churches
and founded several towns, including the city of Bergen in 1072, which soon became an important trading center.
King Olaf founded a merchant town at Bergen, where very soon many wealthy people settled themselves, and it
was regularly frequented by merchants from foreign lands. He had the foundations laid for the large Christ
church, which was to be a stone church; but in his time there was little done to it. Besides, he completed the old
Christ church, which was of wood. King Olaf also had a great feasting-house built in Nidaros, and in many other
merchant towns, where before there were only private feasts; and in his time no one could drink in Norway but
in these houses, adorned for the purpose with branches and leaves, and which stood under the king's protection.
The great guild-bell in Throndhjem, which was called the pride of the town, tolled to call together to these
guilds. The guild- brethren built Margaret's church in Nidaros of stone
Olav Haaldsson married Tora Ragnvaldsdatter from Normandy, France, a descendant of the early Vikings from
invasions there. They had at least one child a son named Magnus “Barelegs”.
Magnus Barelegs (1073 - 1103)
Magnus II Olavsson (aka Barelegs) had four wives:
1) Bethoc Gillesdatter whom they had a son named Harald Gille (See next)
2) Tora Saksdatter and they had two sons Eyestsein and Sigurd.
3) Sigrid Saksdatter who gave them a son named Olav
4) Margareta Ingesdatter with three children, Thora,
Magnus, and Ragnhild
After succeeding his father, Olaf III Haraldsson, Magnus initially
ruled jointly with his cousin Haakon and became sole ruler on
Haakon's death the following year. In 1098 he launched expeditions
to the Hebrides and the Isle of Man and responded to
Welsh pleas for help against the Normans by attacking Anglesey,
where he defeated the Norman earls Hugh of Chester and
Hugh of Shrewsbury. Magnus had attacked Sweden shortly
after becoming king, but he made peace with the Swedish king
Inge in 1101 and married his daughter Margaret Ingesdatter.
King Magnus (captain of boat at right) reigned as King of Nor-

way only for 10 years (1093-1103). He is described as ambitious,
his military campaigns were fought in Sweden, Wales,
Scotland, Isle of Man and along the eastern coastline of Ireland.
He was described as being very tall with bright blonde hair and
bright blue eyes. Magnus was the last of the Norse Kings of the
Irish Sea. Magnus set out on an expedition to bring his widespread
empire under control - it was on his return that the nick
name 'Barelegs' came into being. The story goes that Magnus
was greatly taken with the clothing worn by the men of the Hebrides
Islands. At that time men would have worn long tunics
which would have reached the ankle. He attracted a lot of attention
walking round in Bergen in tunics which barely reached the
knees - a novel sight in the late eleventh century Norway. In
1098, Magnus successfully brought under Norse control the Viking
settlements in Orkneys, the Western Isles and the Isle of
Man, where in the same year he built his hall on St. Patrick's Isle
near Peel, and from there he set his final course for Ireland.
Having formed an alliance in 1102 with Muirchertach O'Brien,
King of Ireland (1086 - 1119), the arrangement being formalized
by the marriage of his 12 year old son Sigurd to O'Briens' 5 year old daughter, Biadmaynia. The deal was for
Magnus to supply man power to O'Brien to assist him in his on going local
wars, and in return Magnus was to receive cattle, to provide much needed provisions
for his homeward to Norway. Having sailed his long boats in from
Strangford Lough. Magnus impatiently waited for the cattle to arrive on the
agreed day St. Bartholomew's Day, 23rd August 1103. Evening came and no
cattle had arrived, against the advice of his commander Eyvind Elbow he decided
next morning to leave the safety of his ship and seek out the missing cattle,
believing that O'Brien had broken his promise.
Marching along the side of the tidal marshes he came to a high hill, where
Dundrum Castle now stands, looking west-wards he saw a great dust cloud, the
cattle were on their way and soon he and his men would homeward bound.
Perhaps in a joyous mood and letting their guard slip, suddenly 'the trees came
alive,' they had been ambushed, by the 'men of Ulster.' In the ensuring battle
the Vikings, led by Magnus were slaughtered. Some of the Vikings made it back
to their boats, leaving King Magnus and a few of his loyal guard to fight to the
death. King Magnus Barefoot, nicknamed 'Barelegs,' said, "That Kings are
made for honour not for la ong life," he was right, for he was nearly thirty years
of age when he died.
Harald Gille (1103 - 1136)
According to the Snorre’s sagas, (pictured at right) Harald was born in 1094 in Ireland. He had three wives:
1) Bjadoc
2) Tora Guttormsdatter
3) Ingerid Ragnvaldsdatter about 1135
Gille or Gilchrist means “servant of Christ”. Despite the name, Harald was a ruthless sovereign whose feud with
his fellow king Magnus IV the Blind over the Norwegian throne marked the beginning of a period of more Norwegian
Civil Wars. (1130-1240) during which the right to rule was constantly in dispute. Harald arrived in Norway
from Ireland in 1128, claiming to be a son of the Norwegian king Magnus III Barefoot. After Harald had
passed an ordeal of walking over hot plowshares, Sigurd I the “Crusader”, Magnus III's son and reigning king,
recognized him as his brother on the condition that Harald would not claim sovereignty during the lifetime of
Sigurd or of his son Magnus (later Magnus IV the Blind). After Sigurd's death in 1130, Harald flouted the
agreement and was accepted as king in half the kingdom, while Magnus ruled the rest of Norway. Hostilities
broke out between Harald and Magnus IV in 1134; Harald was initially defeated at Fyrileif and retreated to
Denmark to obtain reinforcements. On returning to Norway, he captured Magnus in 1135, maimed and blinded
him, and put him in a monastery. Harald was then sole ruler of Norway The Norwegian civil war dominated
Norway for the next 80 years and also centered on the dominance of the Catholic Church in governing he nation.
There are little military or naval attacks outside the country until 1217. However, the most important influ-

ence going on during 1100-1200 is the rise of power among the clergy of the Catholic Church. Civil Wars are
especially strong between the clergy and the wealthy land owners who feel they are subsidizing unworthy and
even immoral priests. Harald Gille had 4 children:
1. Sigurd Mund (1133-1155)
2. Ingi (1135-1161)
3. Eyestein (1134 - 1157)
4. Magnus (1132-1145)
Sigurd Haraldsen Munn (1133 - 1155)
Sigurd (at right, center) grew up in Trøndelag, and was made king there
in 1136 upon the murder of his father, King Harald. The civil wars period
of Norwegian history lasted from 1130 to 1217. During this period there
were several interlocked conflicts of varying scale and intensity. The
background for these conflicts were the unclear Norwegian succession
laws, social conditions and especially the struggle between Church and
King. There were then two main parties Bagler (The Pope’s Party) and
Birkebeiner (or Birch Legs Party or Commoners).
During the reign of King Sigurd, in 1152 Norway became a separate
church diocese of the Catholic Church. The Archbishop seat was located
in Nidaros (Trondheim) - the largest city in Norway at this time. This
archbishop became second in power to the King of Norway. Sigurd Haradlsen
Munn was the son of Harald Gille, king of Norway and his mistress
Tora Guttormsdottir.
In 1152, Norway Sigurd (at right center) was visited by the papal legate Nicholas Breakspear. During his visit,
the church in Norway was organized into one archbisopric, with its seat at Nidaros. As they grew up, and their
old advisors died, hostility began to grow among the brothers. In 1155, all three of them met at Bergen in an
effort to keep the peace. Inge claimed Sigurd and Eystein for planning to have him dethroned. Sigurd denied
the accusations, but a few days later one of Inge's guards was killed by one of Sigurd's. At the advice of his
mother Ingrid and his senior advisor, Gregorius Dagsson, Inge ordered his men to assault the house where
Sigurd was residing. Sigurd had but few men, and no mercy was given. King Sigurd fell on 6 February 1155.
Sigurd had three children with wife Guhild Sylte of Frisia:
1) Hakon Sigurdson(1148) died before becoming king
2) Sverre Sigurdson (1151) See next.
3) Cecilie Sigurdsdatter (1153) who married Bard Gutormsson
Sverre Sigurdsson (1151-1202)
After Sigurd Munn died, it was 28 years before his son Sverre and rightful heir took the reign in 1184. Magnus
Erlingsson was King of Norway from 1161 until his death in 1184. Magnus was disliked for his strong allegiance
with the Catholic Church. A "Birkebeiner-Bagler War" arose in Norway when the common people revolted about
all the concessions the Catholic Church and the religious elitists and priests were given.
Vast sums of tax money and tithing was collected to finance the building of hundreds of wood stave churches
were built throughout all of Norway. Only a few of these wood churches have survived. Stone churches began
to be built around 1200. Artists for some of these wooden sculptures came from all over Europe to perform their
skills. Despite the beautiful buildings the war with the Catholic Church continued. Sverre was disgusted with
how much money was going to build these churches and line the pockets of these rich priests. He saw the only
way to stop such non-sense was to kill the King. After all, Sverre Sigurdsson was the rightful ruler to replace his
father, but he was only 3 when he died. Sverre, wisely waited for the right age and the right timing to make his
move as king. He defeated and killed King Magnus and destroyed his Papal Party. The Pope excommunicated
Sverre immediately.Sverre Sigurdsson was married twice:
1) Astrid Roesdatter
2) Margareta of Sweden in 1185
King Sverre is one of the best-known figures in medieval Norwegian history. By expanding the power of the
monarchy and limiting the privileges of the church, he provoked civil uprisings that were not quelled until 1217.
The son of Gunnhild, a Norwegian woman married to a Faroe Islands man, Sverre was ordained priest at an

unusually early age. After his mother told him that he was actually the son of the former Norwegian king Sigurd
II, however, he left for Norway (1174) to claim the throne. By 1177 he had become leader of the Birch Legs, rivals
of the incumbent ruler Magnus V. A skillful military leader, Sverre was proclaimed king in the Trondheim
region and soundly defeated the forces of Magnus in 1179. He became sole king of Norway in 1184 after his
troops defeated and killed Magnus.
Sverre made peace with the exiled archbishop Eystein Erlendsson, a supporter of Magnus V, after Eystein's
return to Norway in 1183. Sverre's assertion of royal power to elect bishops and his demand for a reduction in
the archbishop's personal armed forces, however, the archbishop refused to crown Sverre and fled to Denmark
with many of the nation's bishops in 1190. The remaining bishops crowned Sverre in 1194 but were later excommunicated
along with the king by Pope Innocent III.
The stealing of viking trade by the Hanseatic League of German merchants demands had a major bearing upon
the decline of the Viking states.These foreign merchants utterly demolished the phenomenally successful viking
trade that had for so long nourished and sustained the distant settlements of the viking peoples. Up until the
Hansa, no one was better at trade and piracy than the Norwegian Vikings. Gradually the Hansa replaced Norway
and they became better pirates, as well as better traders, and as a result, Norway lost its power. Norway’s
decline in strength from the rise of the Hanseatic League began to occur in Sverre’s rule, but it was unforeseen
how much problem this woul cause later. Within a hundred years of Sverre's death the Hansa had unmistakably
become the major power in the land,
Hakon III Sverreson (1180- 1204)
Hakon became King in 1202 when his father died. Sverre and his son Håkon were leaders of the Birkebeiner
(Birch Legs) party. Håkon is first mentioned as one of the leaders of his father's armies in a battle against the
Bagler in Oslo in 1197. Subsequently he is mentioned several times as taking part in his father's wars against
the Bagler. On his deathbed his father, wrote a letter to Håkon advising him to settle the longstanding dispute
with the church. When the news of Sverre's death reached Håkon and the Birkebeiner assembled in Nidaros,
Håkon was first taken as chieftain by the Birkebeiner. The same spring he was taken as king at the thing in Nidaros.
The same spring the Norwegian bishops, who had been in exile in Sweden and Denmark and had supported
the Bagler, returned to Norway and made a settlement with Håkon. Håkon is said to have been on friendly
terms with the farmers and the common people, and the Bagler party soon lost much of its support. In the
autumn of 1202, the Bagler king Inge Magnusson was killed by the local farmers of Oppland and the Bagler
party in Norway was dissolved. Håkon appears to have had a troubled relationship with his father's queen,
Margareta Eriksdotter. After Sverre's death, Margareta attempted to return to her native Sweden with her
daughter by Sverre, Kristina. Håkon's men forcibly separated her from her daughter, as he wanted to keep her
at his court. Subsequently, Margareta seemingly settled with Håkon and went to his court. During Christmas in
1203, Håkon fell ill after a bloodletting, and on 1 January 1204 he died. His death was suspected as poisoning
and his step-mother Margareta was suspected of the crime. Inga of Varteig, whom Håkon had taken as a concubine
for a time in 1203, appeared at the Birkebeiner court with Håkon's son. The child had been born in
present-day Østfold after the death of the putative father. The boy, named Håkon after his father, later became
king Håkon IV in the summer of 1218.
During Håkon's brief reign, he managed to release Norway from the church's interdict, and end the civil wars, at
least for a time. His early death sparked a renewal of the fighting, however, despite some of the problems during
the cicil war, Hakon’s reign is considered the beginning of the "golden age" (1217-1319) in medieval Norwegian
history. Hakon’s treaty with Henry III of England in 1217 was the earliest commercial treaty known in either
nation, but it was shortlived.
Hakon IV Hakonsson (1204- 1263)
King Hakon IV was born: 1204 in Falkenborg, Eidsberg, Østfold, Norway. He married:
1) Kanga (no children)
2) Margrete Skulesdatter on 25 May 1225
Hakon IV is acknowledged as the illegitimate posthumous son of Haakon III. Haakon was reared at the court of
Inge II and, on Inge's death in 1217, was proclaimed king by the Birchlegs, the adherents of Sverre. Doubts of
his paternity, especially by the ecclesiastical leaders, were allayed after his mother passed through an ordeal of
hot irons (1218). The early years of his reign were disturbed by uprisings in the eastern region of the country by

workers and wealthier freeholders, who opposed domination by landed aristocrats. After the insurrections had
been crushed, Haakon's elder kinsman Earl Skule Baardsson, who had chiefly conducted the government, attempted
to gain sovereignty for himself. When Haakon's efforts to conciliate him failed, Skule revolted openly
and proclaimed himself king but was quickly defeated and killed by
Haakon's forces in 1240.
Hakon IV also concluded a commercial treaty with the Hanseatic League
of Lübeck (1250) and signed a Russian-Norwegian treaty defining the
northern boundary between the two nations. By acquiring sovereignty
over Iceland and Greenland in 1261-62, he attained the greatest extension
of the Norwegian Empire. The two colonies agreed to accept Norwegian
rule and taxation in return for a trade guarantee and maintenance of
civil order. In 1263 Haakon sailed to the Scottish Isles to protect the Norwegian
possessions of the Isle of Man and the Hebrides against a threatened
attack by Alexander III of Scotland. After a few skirmishes, Haakon
retired to the Orkney Islands, where he died.
Also known as a patron of the arts, Haakon sponsored a Norse version of the medieval romance of Tristan and
Isolde; many other French romances were published in Norse versions during his reign.
Håkon (at right, with wife) was born in territory which was controlled by the Bagler faction, and his mother's
claim that he was a birkebeiner royal son placed them both in a very dangerous position. When in 1206 the Bagler
tried to take advantage of the situation and started hunting Håkon, a group of Birkebeiner warriors fled with
the child, heading for King Inge II of Norway, the birkebeiner king in Nidaros (now Trondheim). On their way
they came into a blizzard, and only the two mightiest warriors, Torstein Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka, continued
on skis, carrying the child in their arms. They managed to bring the heir to safety. This event still is commemorated
in Norway's most important annual skiing event, the Birkebeiner ski race.
So the rescued child was placed under the protection of King Inge Bårdsson. After King Inge's death in 1217
he, at the age of 13, was chosen king. Håkon was chosen against the candidacy of Inge's half-brother, earl
Skule Bårdsson. Skule, however, as earl, retained the real royal power. In connection with the dispute over the
royal election, Håkon's mother Inga had to prove his parentage through a trial by ordeal in Bergen in 1218. The
church at first refused to recognize him, partly on the ground of illegitimacy.
In 1223 a great meeting of all the bishops, earls, lendmenn and other prominent men was held in Bergen to finally
decide on Håkon's right to the throne. The other candidates to the throne were Guttorm Ingesson, the 11year-old
illegitimate son of King Inge Bårdsson, Knut Haakonson, legitimate son of earl Haakon the Crazy, who
resided in Västergötland, Sweden, with his mother Kristin, earl Skule, who based his claim on being the closest
living relative - a legitimate brother - of king Inge, and Sigurd Ribbung, who was at the time a captive of earl
Skule. Haakon was confirmed as king of Norway, as a direct heir of King Håkon Sverresson, king Inge's predeccor.
A most important factor in his victory was the fact that the church now took Håkon's side, despite his
illegitimate birth. However, the Pope's dispensation for his coronation was not gained until 1247.
In 1217, Philip Simonsson, the last Bagler king, died. Speedy political and military maneuvering by Skule
Bårdsson led to reconciliation between the birkebeiner and bagler, and the reunification of the kingdom. However,
some discontented elements among the bagler found a new royal pretender, Sigurd Ribbung and
launched a new rising in the eastern parts of the country. This was finally quashed in 1227, leaving Håkon more
or less uncontested monarch.
In the earlier part of Håkon's reign much of the royal power was in the hands of Skule Bårdsson. From the start
of his reign, it was decided that Skule should rule one third of the kingdom, as earl, and Skule helped put down
the rising of Sigurd Ribbung. But the relationship between Skule and Håkon became more and more strained
as Håkon came of age, and asserted his power. As an attempt to reconcile the two, in 1225 Håkon married
Skule's daughter Margrét Skúlesdatter. In 1239 the conflict between the two erupted into open warfare, when
Skule had himself proclaimed king in Nidaros. The rebellion ended in 1240 when Skule was put to death. The
rebellion also led to the death of Snorri Sturluson. Skule's other son-in-law, the one-time claimant Knut Haakonsson,
did not join the revolt, but remained loyal to king Haakon. This rebellion marks the end of Norway's age
of civil wars.
From this time onward Håkon’s reign was marked by internal peace and more prosperity than Norway had
known for many years. This was the start of what has traditionally been known as the golden age of the Norwegian
medieval kingdom. In 1247 Håkon finally achieved recognition by the pope, who sent Cardinal William of
Sabina to Bergen to crown him. Abroad, Håkon mounted a campaign against the Danish province of Halland in

1256. In 1261 the Norse community in Greenland agreed to submit to the Norwegian king, and in 1262, Håkon
achieved one of his long-standing ambitions when Iceland, racked by internal conflict and prompted by Håkon's
Icelandic clients, did the same. The kingdom of Norway was now the largest it has ever been. In 1263 a dispute
with the Scottish king concerning the Hebrides, a Norwegian possession, induced Haakon to undertake an expedition
to the west of Scotland. Alexander III of Scotland had conquered the Hebrides the previous year.
Håkon retook the islands with his formidable leidang fleet, and launched some forays onto the Scottish mainland
as well. A division of his army seems to have repulsed a large Scottish force at Largs (though the later
Scottish accounts claim this battle as a victory). Negotiations between the Scots and the Norwegians took
place, which were purposely prolonged by the Scots, as Håkon's position would grow more difficult the longer
he had to keep his fleet together so far away from home. An Irish delegation approached Håkon with an offer to
provide for his fleet through the winter, if Håkon would help them against the English. Håkon seems to have
been favourable to this proposition, but his men refused. Eventually the fleet retreated to the Orkney Islands for
the winter.
While Håkon was wintering in the Orkney Islands and staying in the Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall, he fell ill, and
died on December 16, 1263.
THE REBEL MERCHANTS
Although the supreme power was vested in the kings, by about the 11 th century, during and after the crusades,
the power of trade and mercantilism and money became concentrated in some very powerful merchant families.
These families maintained incredible loyalty amongst themselves, but lacked 1005 loyalty to the Kings. Kings
were forced to tolerate them, and even give into their demands based on the clout over the seven seas. The
most important merchant family to come into Norway was the Godwinson / Skule Bardsson family. All of these
names below are also on Lewis and Cinda’s pedigree chart because in every single generation they married
into the Royal family. Since the relationships are so intertwined attention is given to the Rebel Merchant Families
here.
Toste Godwinson (1020-1066) Duke of England, married Judith of Flanders. Judith’s family was perhaps one of
the most important merchant families in all of Europe. She was a member of the Flor family, as evidenced by
her coat of arms, and her pedigree. She was also sister to mighty merchant brothers. Toste’s brother was King
Harald II of England, until William the Conqueror came in 1066. The connection between England, and the
Netherlands was truly cemented by this alliance. In the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, when Norway lost to
England, King of England Harald Godwinson gave Norwegian King Harald Sigurdson's son Olaf leave to go
away, with the men who had followed him and had not fallen in battle. Olaf, the son of King Harald Sigurdson,
sailed with his fleet from England from Hrafnseyr, and came in autumn to the Orkney Isles, where the event had
happened that Maria, a daughter of Harald Sigurdson, died a sudden death the very day and hour her father,
King Harald, fell. Olaf remained there all winter; but the summer after he proceeded east to Norway, where he
was proclaimed king along with his brother Magnus. Queen Ellisif came from the West, along with her stepson
Olaf and her daughter Ingegerd. There came also with Olaf over the West sea Skule, a son of Earl Toste, and
who since has been called the king's foster-son. Toste was really a traitor to his brother Harald II of England
and his son Skule was therefore honored by the Norwegians when he left England and moved to Norway.
Skule Tostensen (1052) was called the King of Norway’s Foster Son. Skule was a gallant man, of high noble
family in England and Netherlands. He was very intelligent; and much beloved by King Olaf. Skule was a very
clever man, and the handsomest man that could be seen. He was the commander of King Olaf's court-men,
spoke at the Things (parliaments)) and took part in all the country affairs with the king. The king offered to give
Skule whatever district in Norway he liked, with all the income and duties that belonged to the king in it. Skule
thanked him very much for the offer, but said he would rather have something else from him. "For if there came
a shift of kings," said he, "the gift might come to nothing. I would rather take some properties lying near to the
merchant towns, where you, sire, usually take up your abode, and then I would enjoy your Yule-feasts." The
king agreed to this, and conferred on him lands eastward at Konungahella, Oslo, Tunsberg, Sarpsborg, Bergen,
and north at Nidaros. These were nearly the best properties at each seaport, and have since descended to the
family branches which came from Skule. Asolf's and Thora's son was Guthorm of Reine, father of Bard, and
grandfather of King Inge and of Duke Skule."
Asolf Skulesson (1075) King Olaf gave Skule his female relative, Gudrun, the daughter of Nefstein, in marriage.
Her mother was Ingerid, a daughter of King Sigurd Syr and Asta, (St.Olaf’s). Ingerid was a sister of St. Olaf and
of King Harald. Skule and Gudrun's son was Asolf of Reine, who married Thora, a daughter of Skopte Ogmundson.
Asolf continued to operate the family merchant business operating the most significant ports in Norway.
Guttorm Asolfson (1101) Asolf and Thoraʼs son was named Guttorm Asolfson. Like his father and grandfather
he commanded the trade empire from the ports in Bergen and Oslo and others. He imported furs, clothing, and

food, and exported cod fish and herring fish. The family weath was increasing, as he avoided paying the
amount of taxes / tithing due the pope and the king. He was building strong trade alliances with the German
merchants, which evolved into the Hansa. There is only one known son: Bard. (See next)
Bard Guttormsen (1150-1194) married Cecile Sigursdatter, daughter of King Sigurd Haraldsson Munn. Bardʼs
family now had perhaps more money than even the kingʼs family, which is precisely what gave him such a noble
marriage. They had one son, Inge who became King of Denmark. Bard next married Ragnfrid Erlingsdatter of
Kviden and later Sigrfid Thorlesdatter of Fugal . Bard had these children:
1) Inge Bardsen (1185) became King of Norway, appointed his brother
Skule as Earl
2) Skule Bardson (1189-1241) See next.
3) Asolf Bardson (1187)
4) Sigrid bardsdatter (1191) married John
5) Ingeborg Bardsdatter (1193) married Lodin Gunnarson and Alv Erlingson
Tomberg. Their daughter Ragndid was the mother of Jon Raud
Ivarsson.
6) Guttorm Bardson (1194)
7) Ingeborg Bardsdatters Rein (1199) married Alv Erlingsson (1222)
8) Sigurd Bardsen (1205)
Skule Baardsson (1189 – 1240) Skule (pictured at right) married Ragnhild Nicholaisdatter in Trondheim. Skule
rose to the top of the shipping / trade empire his ancestors had built and he was the one that was in control as
the Hanseatic League gained powerSkule was an earl and a duke in Norway, and claimant to the royal throne
itself against his son-in-law king Haakon Haakonsson. Skule was half-brother of king Inge Baardsson who in his
last years elevated Skule to be Norway's jarl. Skule and Ragnhild had four children:
1) Margaret Skulesdatter (1208) who married King Hakon IV (See next)
2) Ingrid Skulesdatter (1212) who married Knud Hakonsson
3) Ranfried (1210) who married Olaf Ingasson
4) Peter Skulesson (1210)
Margaret Skulesdatter. Margaret Skule’s daughter, was a women whose pedigree is worthy of note. When Harald
Hardrade died at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, in England in 1066, a man by the name of Skule (the son of
Tostig, Earl of Northumberland and Judith of Flanders) fled to Norway because of the Norman Rule of England
under William the Conqueror. Skule’s uncle was the deposed King Harold Godwinson of England. Skule was
given special priveliges and granted titles and land inheritances in Norway. His grandson was Skule Bardsen,
one of the most important people in Norwegian literature. Margaret was the daughter of Duke Skule Bardsen,
and his mother was NN Waldemar of Denmark. Children by Hakon and Margrét Skúlesdatter are:
1)Olav (1226-?). Died in infancy.
2)Håkon (Hákon) (Håkon the Young) (1232-1257). Married Rikitsa Birgersdóttir, daughter of the Swedish
earl Birger. Was appointed king and co-ruler by his father in 1239, he died before his father.
3)Kristín (1234-?). Married the Spanish prince, Felipe, brother of King Alfonso X of Castile in 1258. She
died childless.
4)“King Magnus the Law-Mender” (1238-1280). Was appointed king and co-ruler following the death of
Håkon the Young. Crowned as king in 1261 on the occasion of his wedding to the Danish princess
Ingibjörg.
Lord Jon Raud Ivarsen of Sudreim (1245-1314), had descended from the Norman (Viking) family (de Hautevilles)
that had conquered Naples and Sicily. One source lists his mother as the granddaughter of King Valdemar
of Denmark, and daughter of Count Jacob Nicholaus of Holland (Netherlands). John Raud was Baron of
Romerike. He was from Skea, Sorum in Romerike. He was a descendant of King Harald Gille, through the following
pedigree: Harald Gille (1103-1136) King of Norway; N Haraldsdatter (1135) married to Aale Varg; Iver
Aaleson (1165); Olav Ivarsen Mok (1190-1224) a sysselmann married N. Dagsdatter; Ivar Olavson Skedjuhof
(1224-1240) sysselman of Hedmark. John Raud married Asa Haftorsdatter, daughter of Haftor Aslakson from
Hjalmsater, Skaraborg, Sweden, and they had five cildren:
1. Haftore Jonsson (1275-1319)married Princess Agnes Hakonsdatter.(See next)
2. Ragnhild Jonsdatter married Torvald Hjatland Toreson
3. Gunnar Jonsson married Gyda
4. Ivar Johnsson

5. Thore Sudreim Jonsdatter
John Raud Ivarsen was instrumental in Rostock became a leading center of teaching the importance of the
Reformation. It was here that the University of Rostock was established, and over a dozen generations of the
Flor family and Haftore Jonsson’s descendants attended. Agnes and Haftore, where their descendants remain
in the area of Akershus and become royal land owners. Agnes married Haftor Jonsson, whose paternal ancestors
for 5 generations had ruled and controlled all of Romerik as small tributary sherriffs, or earls, granted that
right by King Harald Gille.
Haftore Johnsson Sudreim. One of the most prominent chieftain families at that time was the Sudreim family
from Sørom in Romerike. Even though the family
made their money from mercantilism / foreign trade,
as was the custom, these captains of the sea in England
and italy and Norway, all lived inland, although
acce4ssible to the sea. Haftor Jonsson was born at
Sudreim, Akershus in 1275 . In 1302 he married Agnes,
daughter of King Håkon V, and their descendants
were leaders in Norway for a long time. Their son, Jon
Haftorsson, was married to the Swedish noblewoman
Birgitta Knutsdaughter of the Folkung family. Their
son Ulv Jonsson was the progenitor of the Swedish
noble family of Roos at Ervalla. Ulv was a leading
man in the Swedish revolt in 1434.
Sigurd Haftorsson took over Sudreim after his brother
Jon Haftoresson. The daughter of Sigurd, Agnes Sigurdsdaughter
was married to the Swedish nobleman
Jon Marteinsson who settled on Sudreim and became
a member of the Norwegian National Council. Their
son, Sigurd Jonsson, became the Norwegian Drottsete
in 1439, the first in many years.
Haftore was the Kings representative in handling the Hanseatic League (map of hanseatic cities at right), the
powerful shipping Empire out of Luebeck, Germany. Haftore also negotiated treaties with Roger de Flor, the
most powerful naval commander of the Mediterranean Sea, co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire, leader in the
final crusade of 1291, and also a religious zealot who had no tolerance or respect for the papal office. It is no
coincidence, that Roger de Flor’s “wappen” (Coat of Arms) is identical with Roger de Flor’s. Both were 4 th generation
descendants of Floris of Holland. Haftore also worked with Oliver Gautier Flor of Netherlands, who was
a leader of the Hansetic League, which gained its dominance immediately after the last crusade at ther Fall of
Acre in 1291.
The coat of arms of Haftor Jonsen is a very significant part of the story in the family. The 5 pedaled rose as a
coat of arms was first known to have been developed shortly after the first crusade. It became a symbol of solidarity
among those who embraced it as a family crest. The first known usage of the 5 pedaled rose was the
“Flor family” of Cambrai, France, which was also adopted by the House of Holland. In the 5 volume 2000 page
history of the Flor Family (325 AD - 1600 AD), that I published in 2006, there are some basic themes that
tended to be a pattern of the Flor family. At the time of the crusades the Flor family controlled the military orders
of “Hospitallers” and the Knights Templar”. They used incredible influence to shift the focus of these military
orders to be economic / banking and trade orders. At the conclusion of the last crusade in 1291, the family
converted their empire from using their boats to waging war, to instead promoting economic development. They
became involved in the controlling the distribution of imports and exports in the following ports:
1. Florence, Italy (Pisa)
2. Kings Lynn (York), England
3. Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo Norway
4. Flanders (Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands)
5. At everyone of these ports a Flor family member was present.
The Flor family was part of an elaborate secret order of Hospitallers, spread throughout Western Europe to
safegard themselves against the popeʼs power. The 5 pedaled rose also became their symbol. They were very
strong in the above four cities, and in all of their trading, they neglected to pay the pope of any tithes due him
during their transactions.

The headquarters of the Hanseatic League at Lübeck's on the Baltic provided access for trade with Norway and
Russia, putting it in direct competition with the Norwegians who had previously controlled most of the Baltic
trade routes previously. Over time, the Hanseatic network of alliances grew to include a flexible roster of 70 to
120 cities. The League primarily traded timber, furs, resin (or tar), flax, honey, wheat and rye from the east to
Flanders and England with cloth and manufactured goods going in the other direction. Metal ore (principally
copper and iron) and herring came southwards from Sweden. Norway provided Herring, and Cod fish.
Lord Haftore Jonsson was attached to King Hakon V during the major part of his reign from 1299-1318. He was
appointed “Dapifer”, or “Earl” or “Steward” or Governor in 1308. This meant he administered the royal household,
and served much the same as a vice-president would. Noway, only had one such position for the entire
country, where in most countries in Europe, their were many with that title. One fact remains undisputed by all
historians, Haftore Jonsson’s family was deeply devoted to minimizing the strength of the papacy.
Haakon Haakonsson, of the Birkebeiner party, became king from 1217 when he was thirteen years old, after
King Inge and his ½ brother Skule Bardsson, held the title of jarl (earl) and had all of the power. For about a
dozen years power sharing was going on between Skule and Haakon. Skule's center of power was mostly in
Nidaros. In order to facilitate Skuleʼs gstrategies, Skule's elder daughter Margret of Norway was in 1225 married
to king Haakon. Skule thought he had too little of the power and intermittently participated in opposition
against king Haakon. As another attempt of compromise, in 1237 Skule was given the title duke (hertug), first
such in Norway. After a while, he restarted to rebel against king Haakon. Among others, the Icelander writer
Snorre Sturlason allied with Skule in the conflict.(Henrik Ibsen's play "Kongsemnerne" 1863 is about the dispute
between Duke Skule and king Haakon.)
In 1239 duke Skule allowed his supporters to proclaim him king of Norway at the traditional Øyrating. Skule also
tried, unsuccessfully, to have jarl Knut Haakonsson, his other son-in-law to his side. He raised a military host
against king Haakon IV of Norway and won a battle at Låka in Nannestad, but lost in Oslo.His party was called
the "Vårbelgs"(spring pelts i.e. bad quality fur, implying they were poor people) In May 1240 he was defeated by
king Haakon and his supporters. He sought refuge in Elgeseter monastery in Nidaros but Haakon's men burned
down the monastery and killed Skule.
Skule's rivalry for kingship was the last phase of the civil wars period of Norwegian history, which lasted from
around 1130 to 1240. During that long warring period there were several interlocked conflicts of varying scale
and intensity. Norway was accustomed to royal sons fighting each other in order to wrest kingship to himself.
The background for these conflicts were the unclear Norwegian succession laws, social conditions and the
struggle between Church and King. There were then two main parties, firstly known by varying names or no
names at all, but finally condensed into parties of Bagler and Birkebeiner.
Hakon also had children by his mistress, Kanga the young: Sigurd
(1225-1254), and Cecilia (1225-1248). She married Gregorius Andresson,
a nephew of the last bagler king Filippus Simonsson. Widowed,
she later married king Harald of the Hebrides, a vassal of King
Håkon, in Bergen. They both drowned on the voyage to the Hebrides.
Under the leadership of King Haakon Hakonsson (Hakon IV) Norway
again expanded it's empire to include: Iceland, Greenland, the Orkney
and Shetland Islands, Isle of Man and the Hebrides. He also reinforced
the Norwegian defenses by adding many castles throughout
the country. Norway finally was able to enjoy peace after several centuries
of dynasty disputes, and civil wars. Hakon IV also deprived the
clergy of their political influence. He did allow for Benedictine and Cistercian
monasteries to be built in Norway, but he relegated the role of
priest to focus on economic trade. He promoted a lay priesthood, in
which the monasteries were used to food production. He then arranged
with other nations to trade for wool, and steel. Under Hakon,
Norway expanded trade and the economy grew, and needed more
structure. Hakon’s son, Magnus was ready for the job.

Horn of John Haftorson in Fredrickstad Museum
Ever since the days of Odin, Viking warfare, as well as its economic strength was based on it’s fleet of ships.
The feudal society of Continental Europe, however, at this time was dominated by the cavalry, by knights riding
horses; the ownership of a battle horse, and of a fortified castle to dwell in. These became defining status symbols
of European nobleman, but Norway lacked them. Europe's nobility became a distinct class, separated from
the commoners.
The crusades brought Scandinavian noblemen in close contact with French, English, German and Arabian noblemen.
It was an opportunity to observe their manners and lifestyle. In the 13th century, Danish and German
nobility, especially in Holstein and Schleswig, had intermarried. Castles were erected all over Denmark, and,
from 1250 onward, in the Kingdom of the Sweden and Norway as well.
The feudal model throughout Europe classified society in 3 groups - clergy, nobility and commoners. But Norway
was subject to the Hanseatic League, the economic engine that the King of Norway was powerless to control,
and also the King of Norway had a class of “bonder”, farmers who were free, and higher than peasants. As
society was predominantly agricultural, and noblemen were few in number, the farmers preserved a higher degree
of liberty and political importance then their colleagues on the European continent. King Hakon established
a network of castles in order to strengthen the defense and to organize the administration, Hakon began
construction of his castle at the “Akershus Castle”.
The advance of the Hanseatic League brought other problems - it dominated trade to such an extent, that it
could dictate politics to King Hakon.
Magnus Lagabote "Law Mender" (1238 - 1280)
Hakon was the youngest son of king Håkon Håkonsson and his wife Margaret Skulesdatter. He spent most of
his upbringing in Bergen. In 1257 his older brother Håkon Håkonsson the Young died, leaving Magnus the heirapparent
to the kingdom. His father gave him the title of king the same year. On 11 September 1261, he married
the Danish princess Ingeborg, the daughter of the late Danish king Erik Plogpenning, after she was practically
abducted by king Håkon's men from the monastery she was living in. The struggle to claim Ingeborg's inheritance
from her murdered father later involved Norway in intermittent conflicts with Denmark for decades to
come. Magnus and Ingeborg were crowned directly after their marriage, and Magnus was given Ryfylke for his
personal upkeep. On 16 December 1263 king Håkon died while fighting the Scottish king over the Hebrides,
and Magnus became the ruler of Norway
The administration of King Hakon IV and his son King Magnus was a time of codification of law, under supervision
of the royal administration.
King Magnus, known as Magnus the Law-Mender, became the next King of Norway. Prosperity occurred and
the land is once again filled to capacity with inhabitants. By 1263, under the leadership of Magnus the Law-
Mender (Lagabote) Norway became a well managed and organized country. Norway allowed greater democracy
than any other country in all of Europe. His rule brought peace and stability. When he died in 1280, disunity
once again returned.
Magnus' rule brought about a change from the somewhat aggressive foreign policy of his father. In 1266 he
gave up the Hebrides and the Isle of Man to Scotland, in return for a large sum of silver and a yearly payment,
under the Treaty of Perth, by which the Scots at the same time recognized Norwegian rule in the Orkney Islands.
In 1269 the Treaty of Winchester cemented good relations with the English king Henry III. Magnus also
seems to have had good relations with the Swedish king Valdemar Birgersson, and in the 1260s, the border
with Sweden was officially defined for the first time. When Valdemar was deposed by his two brothers and fled
to Norway in 1275, this stirred Magnus into gathering a leidang-fleet for the first and only time in his reign. With
a large fleet, he met with the new Swedish king Magnus Ladulås to try to bring about a settlement between the
two brothers, but without success, Magnus of Sweden would not give in to pressure and the Magnus of Norway
retreated without engaging in hostile actions.
In internal politics, Magnus carried out a great effort to modernize the law-code, which gave him his epithet lawmender.
In 1274 he promulgated the new national law, a unified code of laws to apply for the whole country, including
the Faroe islands and Shetland. This replaced the different regional laws which had existed before. It
was supplemented by a law for the cities in 1276, and a slightly modified version was also drawn up for Iceland.

A unified code of laws for a whole country was at this time something quite new, which had until then only been
introduced in Sicily and Castile. His code introduced the concept that crime is an offense against the state
rather than against the individual and thus narrowed the possibilities of personal vengeance. It increased the
formal power of the king, making the throne the source of justice. The municipal law gave the cities increased
freedom from rural control. A specific section fixed the law of succession to the throne, in accordance with the
arrangements laid down by king Håkon Håkonsson in 1260. The royal succession was an important and prickly
matter, the last of the civil wars, fought for decades over disputed successions to the throne, having finally
ended only in 1240. In 1273 Magnus gave his eldest son, five-year-old Eirik, the name of king, and his younger
brother Håkon the title of duke, thus making unequivocally clear what the royal succession would be.
Although Magnus was by all accounts a personally very pious king, his work with the law-codes brought him
into conflict with the archbishop, who resisted temporal authority over the church, and sought to preserve the
churches influence over the kingdom. In 1277, the Settlement of Tønsberg settled the conflict, with both sides
compromising. The church preserved considerable independence in judicial matters, but gave up its old claim
that the Norwegian kingdom was a fief under the ultimate authority of the Catholic church.
In cultural terms Magnus continued his father's policy of introducing European courtly culture to Norway. In
1277 he replaced the old Norse titles lendmann and skutilsvein with the European titles baron and riddar
(knight), at the same time giving them certain extra privileges and the right to be addressed as lord (herra).
He had two sons, who both became King:
1. Erick Magnusen King until 1299. Eirik married princess Margaret of Scotland in 1281. Margaret died two
years later in labour, giving birth to Margaret, Maid of Norway, who became queen of Scotland in 1286. He later
married Isabel Bruce, sister of King Robert I of Scotland. Eirik received the nickname "Priesthater" (Priest
Hater”) from his less than successful relations with the church. Probably because of his claim on his maternal
heritage he supported the Danish outlaws like Stig Andersen Hvide after the murder of King Erik V and ravaged
the Danish coasts for some years. As Eirik died without sons, he was succeeded by his brother , Haakon V of
Norway. He was buried in the old cathedral of Bergen, which was demolished in 1531. Eirik's daughter Ingeborg
married Valdemar Magnusson of Sweden.
2. Hakon Magnussen (see next)
In the spring of 1280, Magnus died. His oldest son Eirik was crowned at the age of 12. Real power fell to a circle
of advisors, prominent among them Magnus' queen Ingeborg. (Eirik’s mother). Magnus was remembered as
a good ruler, who ruled by law rather than by the sword. Some modern historians have considered him a weak
king, for giving up the Hebrides and giving in to demands of the church, but others consider these wise policies,
sparing the kingdom unnecessary and unfruitful wars abroad, while preserving stability at home.
In 1266 Trondheim becomes the leading port on the West coast of Norway. Throughout the Viking era Trondheim
placed an important geographical strategic role. The city was started by Harold Harfargres grandson
around 950 AD and was a major Viking naval port. At this time it became increasingly dominated by German
traders who established permanent residences there.
Magnus’ wife was Queen Ingaborg Ericksdatter. She had traced her genealogy back to the Roman Emperor
Constantine, and then 11 generations further to Joseph of Arimethea from which the Bible genealogy can be
followed back to Adam. It follows this order:
Queen Ingaborg Ericksdatter (1244-1287), Queen of Sweden, born in Copenhagen, Denmark Palace)
King Erik IV Valdemarsson (1216 - 1250), King of Denmark, married Judit, daughter of Duke of Saxony)
King Valdemar II King ofDenmark (1170 - 1241 married Berengaria, Princess of Portugal)
King Valdemar I King ofDenmark (1131 1182 of Roskilde, married Sofiya Princess of Russia)
Prince Knut Eriksen of Denmark (1091 - 1131, married Ingeborga Princess of Kiev)
Erik I, King of Denmark (1055 - 1103, married Bothild Thorgatsdatter, died in Jerusalem 1103)
King Svend Ulfison (1019 - 1076, he was born in England and became King of Denmark)
Ulf Thorkelsson (993-1027, married Esirid, the Princess of Denmark)
Thorkel Sprakaleg (abc 975 - 1020, Prince of Denmark)
Strybjorn Olavsson (956-984) married to Thyra, daughter of Harald Blaatand King of Denmark)
King Olav II of Upsala, married to Ingaborg daughter of Tranda, and Earl)
King Bjorn Eriksen III of Upsala, Sweden) Erik
King Erik III (King of Upsala, Sweden) Bjorn I Ironsides (born 770, King of Upsala, Sweden)
King Ragnar Lodabrok (750-845,married Aslaug daughter of Sigurd, King of Huns)
King Sigurd I (born 710, King of Denmark married to AIfrijId Gandolfsson of Alfreim)
King Randver Radbartsson (born abt 670, Tributary King of Sweden)
King Auda Ivarsson of Roskilde (married to Jarl Radburg King of Garderike, Russia)

King Ivar Vidfane (King of Denmark/Sweden, killed in 647, married Grythe, daughter ofAlffrom Jylland)
King Halfdan (born 590 in Jutland Sweden, King of Denmark)
Queen Hilda (born 572 in Jutland, Sweden, married to Frode VII and Harold Valdarsson)
King Hilderic (abt 545, King of Vandals, married to Amfieda the Younger)
Empress Eudoxia (married to Hunneric)
EmperorValentinian III (married to Eudox Ia, the daughter of Theodosius Ir, the Emperor of the East)
Emperor Constantius III (grandson to Constantine the Great)
Emperor Constantius II (second son of Constantine the Great, was uncle to King Arthur in Britain)
Emperor Constantine the Great (265 - 337 AD, educated in Britain as Christian, became Emperor)
Empress Helen of the Cross (248 - 328 AD)
Queen Strada the Fair (married to Coel the King of Colchester)
Gladys (married to Cadvan of Cambria, the Prince of Wales)
Lucious the Great (converted England to Christianity. Built church at Llandaff)
Prince Coel (son of St.Cyllin, lived in 120 AD)
Caradoc (In 86AD became King of Siluria, born in Wales)
St. Cyllin (most of his family were Christian martyrs, see Romans 16:13)
Bran (King of Si. Luria, baptized by Paul in Rome, brought Christianity to Wales)
Penardum (married to King Lear of Siluria, educated by the Caesar of Rome)
Anna (daughter of Joseph of Arimethea and a cousin to the Virgin Mary)
Joseph of Arimethea (wealthy Jew, member of the Sanhedrin eventually settled in England
Jacob or Israel (1886-1739 BC - became father of the 12 tribes of lsrael)
Isaac (1946-1766 BC, married to Rebekkah, died at age 180)
Abraham (2006-1871 BC, founder of Hebrew nation including tribes of Ishmael and Isaac)
Terah (2122 - 1917 BC, lived in Haran, Mesopotamia)
Nahor (2152 - 2003 BC, married to Milcai)
Rehu (2213 - 1972 BC, died at age 239)
Peleg (2244 - 2004 BC, God divided the lands)
Eber (2277 - 1814 BC, lived to be 464 years old)
Salah (2307-1874 BC, 433 years old at death)
Arphazad (2342 - 1904 BC, 438 years old at death)
Shem (2442 - 1842 BC, Lived to be 600 years old)
Noah (29445 - 1944 BC, died at 950 years old, after surviving aflood with his family)
Lamech (3126 - 2349 BC, 777 years old at his death)
Methuselah (3314 - 2344 BC, 969 years old at his death, longest life recorded)
Enoch (3378 - 3013, tradition has it he was caught up into heaven and never tasted death)
Jared (3540 - 2578 BC, 962 years old at his death)
Mahalaleel (3605 - 2710 BC, 895 years old at death)
Cainan (3675 - 2765 BC, 910 years old at death)
Enos (3765 - 2~6S0 BC, 905 years old at death)
Seth (3870 - 2878 BC, took Abel's place as patriarch of the family)
Adam (abt 4000 BC - 3070 BC, died at age 930 years, father of all humanity with his wife Eve)
Hakon V Magnusson (1270 - 1319)
Haakon V Magnusson was king of Norway from 1299 until 1319. He was married to Eufemia of Rügen, and
father to Ingeborg Håkonsdotter who married duke Eric Magnusson of Sweden. He is the last Norwegian king in
the Harold Fairhair dynasty. He was the younger surviving son of Magnus the Lawmender, King of Norway, and
his wife Ingeborg of Denmark. He succeeded when his older brother king Eirik died heirless.
Through his mother (who was daughter of Jutta of Saxony, herself a descendant of King Harald Fairhair,
through Ulvhild of Norway, duchess of Saxony.
During his reign he revived his brother's war policy against Denmark, but in 1309 he finally concluded a peace
that in general was the end of Dano-Norwegian wars. In domestic matters he energetically and successfully
tried to limit the power of the magnates and to strengthen the king's power.
Haakon was succeeded by his infant grandson, the Swedish prince Magnus. He was buried in St. Mary's
church in Oslo. Remains of two people, deemed to be Haakon and Eufemia, were discovered during excavations
of the ruins of that church and reinterred at Akershus Fortress.
Under Hakon V, monasteries came to Norway - both the Benedictine and Cistercian orders. By 1300 there were
2000 priests, 28 monasteries, and 1300 churches. About 800 of these churches were wood stav churches.
There are currently only 30 of these stav churches left. The stav church still included some Norwegian Saga

symbolism attached to the church from the myths of Thor, and Odin. Norwegians would not go to church without
some reminder of their valiant ancestors. Stav churches are a mix of both Norwegian mythical gods and Christian
symbols.
King Haakon V (Hakon Magnusson) eliminated 2 offices of local military administration - the jarl (earl) and the
lendermand. The high noble position of Knight remained. These changes weakened the nobility of Norway to
the point, when Haakon V died the new nobility was never strong enough continue on after his death.
Since Haakon has no male offspring the royalty shifts to a daughters family line. Hakon had 2 children:
1) A daughter named Ingaborg Hakonsdatter that married the Duke Erik of Sweden
2) A daughter Agnes Hakonsdatter that married Haftore Jonsson (see next)
Norway entered into a period of significant economic decay and political extinction at the death of Haakon IV.
King Haakon had established an aristocracy and administrative power that placed all of Norway as willing subjects,
but at his death this unity washed away.
Norway lost its independence at the death of Haakon V in 1319, when Magnus VII became ruler of both Norway
and Sweden. The Black Death ravaged the country in the middle of the 14th century. In 1397, the three Scandinavian
countries were united under Queen Margrethe of Denmark. Sweden left the union in 1523, but for nearly
300 more years Norway was ruled by Danish governors.
Haakon VI Magnusson (appr. 1340-1380), was King of Norway 1343-80 and co-king of Sweden 1362-64.
He was the younger son of King Magnus Eriksson of Sweden and Norway and Blanche of Namur. In 1343 he
succeeded his father to the Norwegian throne, who would still rule during his minority, until 1355 when he
reached majority as sovereign of Norway.
15 February 1362 he was elected (co)king of Sweden in Mora stones (representatives of Finland taking part in
the election for the first time) at instigation of nobles, but soon in agreement with his father. In 1363 he married
Margaret of Denmark, daughter of King Valdemar IV of Denmark. In 1370 they had the son Olav who would
succeed his grandfather to the Danish throne in 1376.
His cousin Albert III of Mecklenburg and nobles moved against his father in Sweden, ultimately deposing
Haakon and Magnus and taking the old king prisoner.
Haakon then concentrated mainly on business of his Norwegian kingdom. However he succeeded in getting his
father released and allowed to settle in Norway where he died. Some occurrences, they made efforts to oust
Albert. Haakon continued to claim the Swedish throne, a reason why his wife and later widow Margaret used
the queenly title of Sweden too until her own death.
In 1379 Haakon solved the disputes over succession in the Norse earldom of Orkney, awarding it to Henry Sinclair,
ocean explorer, a (youngest) grandson of earl Maol Iosa, over the widower of Maol Iosa's elder daughter
and other descendants. In 1380 King Haakon died and was succeeded by his own son Olav IV Haakonsson
who was also King of Denmark.
Hakon, king of Norway (1299-1319) whose anti-English foreign policy paved the way for the commercial domination
of Norway by north German traders of the Hanseatic League. His reign marked the end of the "golden
age" in medieval Norwegian history.
Haakon continued the preferential treatment given to Hanseatic traders by his brother Erik (reigned 1280-99),
thus arousing the resentment of English merchants. He complemented his anti-English trade policy by siding
with the Scots in their revolt against English rule. He also was embroiled in intermittent wars against Denmark
and Sweden throughout his reign.
Haakon and especially his wife, Euphemia, were enthusiastic patrons of the arts and commissioned the writing
and translation of many chivalric romances. Because he had no sons, he revised the law of succession, enabling
Magnus VII Eriksson, the son of his daughter Ingeborg and her husband, the Swedish prince Erik, to succeed
him.
Magnus VI, called Lawmender (1238-80), king of Norway (1263-80), who replaced the various provincial laws
with a common national code. The son and successor of Håkon IV, he continued the governmental reforms begun
by his father, establishing a hereditary nobility and making the king's council a permanent institution. His
national law code, issued in 1274, for the first time made the punishment for crime a public rather than a private

esponsibility. In 1277 he concluded a concordat with the church and issued a special municipal code, which
was based on the existing institutions of Bergen. He was succeeded by his son, Eric the Priesthater (1268-99).
At Kalmar in 1397, Erik was crowned as the Union King for those three Nordic Kingdoms, Denmark, Sweden
and Norway. For him, Denmark was the most important nation and he would rule the other two nations with the
help of his own men. Swedes and Norwegians wanted as much as possible to have their own regents as they
had earlier. In these reversals lay the beginnings of the great conflicts of the future.
Erik was just as impetuous against his neighbors to the south, the German Hanseatic League, as he was
against his own subjects in Norway and Sweden so that was another cause for strife. From the end of the
1300s, the North German merchant association, the Hanseatic League, gained greater and greater power over
commerce in Norway and, after a while, developed its system with a foundation in the strong position the Hanseatic
League held in Bergen.
Erik of Pomerania wanted to build up a strong Nordic Baltic Sea Empire. Such a policy had traditions in both
Sweden and Denmark but was outside the interests of the Norwegians. This trade policy soon came into conflict
with the interests the North German towns had in the area of the Baltic Sea. Because of this, the policy King
Erik conducted there also had a great effect on circumstances in Norway.
In 1426, the Hanseatic League began a regular war against the Kalmar Union. From 1427-1433 the German
Merchants boycotted Bergen. Imports of products were difficult even though the English attempted to take over
after the Hanseatic League. The Hanseatic League plundered Bergen and in 1429 defeated the Norwegian fleet
of conscripted warships which, according to what we know, was then gathered for the last time. More unrest
than on the West Coast of Norway, however, developed in other areas of the Union, in Eastern Norway and in
certain areas of Sweden. The war cost a great deal and the King proceeded energetically to strengthen the
army. Extra taxes were levied and enforced with a strong hand. Both Queen Margrete and King Erik levied new
taxes on the people and allowed the collectors to proceed as harshly as they wanted just so the money was
gathered.
Princess Agnes Haakonsdatter (1304 - )
Agnes was born to King Haakon in 1300 in the Kings Palace. She married Haftore Jonsson, her father’s most
important servant, and Earl over all of Norway. Agnes, being the second child was relegated to watch her sister
and brother-in-law rle of Norway, Sweden and eventually Denmark. Her sister, ingabord had married Erik
Magnusson on 29 Sep 1312 and then Knut Porse in 1327. Her life was characterized by one scandal after another.
Upon the death of her father, Norway and Sweden had a joint monarchy, an institution later expanded
through the arrangement of inter-Scandinavian royal marriages. Håkon VI (1340-80) -- son of the Swedish king
Magnus Eriksson, and Håkon V's daughter Ingebjørg -- was lawful heir to the throne of Norway. He married
Margrete, daughter of the Danish king Valdemar Atterdag. Their son, Olav, was chosen to be Danish king on the
death of Valdemar in 1375. He inherited the throne of Norway after his father in 1380, thus bringing Norway into
a union with Denmark as well.
Magnus Ericson, Magnus VII of Norway, the fourth Magnus to have been proclaimed king of Sweden (1316 –
December 1, 1374), King of Sweden, Norway, and Terra Scania, son of Duke Eric Magnusson of Sweden and
Ingeborg, daughter of Haakon V of Norway. Also known by his nickname "Magnus Smek" (Eng. "Pet-Magnus").
Magnus was elected king of Sweden on 8 July 1319, and acclaimed as hereditary king of Norway at the thing of
Haugathing in Tønsberg in August the same year. Under the Regencies of his Grandmother Queen Helvig and
his Mother Duchess Ingeborg the countries were ruled by Knut Jonsson and Erling Vidkunsson.
Magnus was declared to have come of age at 15 in 1331. This caused resistance in Norway, where a statute
from 1302 made clear that kings came of age at the age of 20, and a rising by Erling Vidkunsson and other
Norwegian nobles ensued. In 1333, the rebels submitted to king Magnus.
By 1319 Magnus Erikson, the son of Duke Eric and the new Swedish Duchess Ingeborg, became the new king
of Norway and Sweden, even though he wa only 3 years old. This act of royal breeding was agreed upon to
unite Sweden and Norway. However, nothing but family interests motivated this union. The Duchess Ingeborg,
becames more enamored with Knut Porse of Denmark and depletes her countries treasuries to help him wage
a war against Denmark to join the union of Sweden and Norway. Supplied with the Royal Seal of Sweden and
Norway she is able to use all of her vast resources to help her lover. Immorality, greed, lust, and power completely
dominate her politics. Duke Eric's brother Hakon married a Danish Princess named Margaret - who later
became Queen Margaret.
In 1322 a Council was held in Sweden which removed power from the Duchess to handle foreign policy. But by
now, the treasuries of Norway and Sweden were empty, and Denmark was alienated from Norway, and relations
with England, the dominate power in Europe, were strained. In 1326 King Magnus Erikson took the reigns
of government officially at age 10. He was also unsuccessful at leading the two rival kingdoms in unity. Magnus

significantly raised the taxes to cover the problems with the economy for which the other nobility complained.
The hostile nobles accused him of extravagance and vice and nicknamed him Magnus Smek. To Norwegians,
he was never perceived as a Norwegian King - only a Swedish one. He was eventually removed from all major
power by a special council of both countries. Magnus spent the rest of his life removing all factions of slavery
throughout Sweden and Norway and developed a more uniform code of laws called "Medal-Lagen".
A few words concerning Margaret, Hakon’s widow is important. She is the daughter of Valdemar IV, king of
Denmark. In 1363, at the age of ten, she is married to Haakon VI, the 23-year-old king of Norway. Seventeen
years later her father and her husband died, but she had a young son, Olaf. She secured his acceptance as
king of both Denmark and Norway, and ruled very effectively in his name. In 1387 the young king dies. Margaret's
authority is now such that she is accepted in her own right, in 1388, as the 'sovereign lady and ruler' of
both countries. In that same year she is given the opportunity to add Sweden to her portfolio. The Swedish nobles,
accustomed to electing their kings, are discontented with the present incumbent. They enlist Margaret's
help. Before marching against the present king (Albert of Mecklenburg), Margaret declares her terms. She is to
be sovereign lady and ruler of Sweden as of the other kingdoms (the phrase effectively means regent) and the
Swedes are to accept her choice of the king to succeed her. With this agreed, she defeats Albert in battle in
1389 and takes control.
Stockholm holds out against her (it is also run by the German merchants of the Hanseatic League). But in 1398,
in return for confirmation of the league's commercial privileges, it too becomes part of her domain. The three
Scandinavian countries are now a united regency. And the regent has already selected an infant king, to create
a united kingdom.
In 1389 Margaret declares that her 8-year-old great-nephew Eric of Pomerania (grandson of her elder sister) is
king of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The three realms become formally united when he is crowned at Kalmar
in 1397. Margaret is officially regent only until Eric is declared of age (in 1401), but she continues to rule in
his name - as effectively as ever - until her death in 1412.
In subsequent decades Eric follows the same policies as his great-aunt, but he is unable to hold the union together.
Uprisings against him in all three kingdoms lead to his deposition in Denmark and Sweden in 1439, followed
by Norway in 1442. For almost another century there are attempts, sometimes briefly successful, to restore
the union of the three realms under a single king. The last such king is Christian II, who rules in Denmark
and Norway from 1513. He has to fight for his Swedish crown. After three years of war he takes Stockholm, in
1520, but it proves a brief triumph. Christian loses his other two crowns, of Denmark and Norway, in 1523 to his
son.
Sigurd Haftorsson Sudreim (1315 - 1392)
Sigurd Haftorson Sudreim was the son of Haftore Jonsson and Ahnes hakonsdatter). He married Ingeborg Erlingsdatter
of Giske, Norwayin 1342. His wife,was the great granddaughter of King Harald Gille, making the
couple 3 cousins. Ingeborg (1320-1400) was born in Giske, Norway. They had three children:
1. Cecilie Sigurdsdatter (1338) - see next.
2. Agnes Sigurdsdatter Sudreim (1344-1404) married Sigrid Erlandsdatter
2. Hakon Sigurdsson (1351) married Jon Marsteinsen of Sudreim, Norway
Sigurd, like his father, was Earl over all of Norway and lived in Romerike, Norway, which had been in his family
for over 500 years. Sigurd was given virtually all of the land in Romerike and much land in Oppland after the
Black Plague left much of Norway desolate, and the king needed taxation revenue.
Eight years before the Black Plague of 1348, new laws by King Magnus (called odel) protected land renters,
and land owners to the point that freedom and liberty was slowly beginning to emerge as an important right of
the people. The wealthy land owners began to undermine the royal authority. The "fylke" (or county or district)
enforced the laws, and built bridges and roads all which favored the land owners, since it was financed by these
wealthy land owners through taxes. However, Norway was too far along on it's path of decay to change it's
course. Literary pursuits had completely declined, vice seemed rampant, and legends of chivalric romances
thrived. The naval strength of Norway had deteriorated to virtually nothing. Norwegian boats had not improved
in 200 years, and were not able to compete with the speed of the schooners and sailboats produced in the
Netherlands and France nor the size of the boats in Great Britain. Norwegians had not discovered gunpowder,
as their European counterparts had.

Also, about this time, the language itself decayed. New dialects were born. Only Icelanders maintained the true
Norse language and dialect. The entire system of Norway was in a "state of lethargy and decay" and needed to
be cleaned up. As the Renaissance was taking hold in Europe there was little evidence of a new paradigm
emerging in Norway. Norway was in a remote part in Europe and slower to make the changes.
The Bubonic Plague or Black Death spread from Constantinople to southern France and England starting in
1347. By the summer of 1349 it came to Bergen from a merchant vessel in route from England. Black death
reduced the population of Norway by as much as 66% in places, and 50% in most places. Many people died
only after a few hours of illness. Stories are told of children growing up in the wild, without any adult survivors.
Entire farms, hamlets, and villages were left vacant, and depopulated. At least 70% of the government officials
died, and 90% of the priests died in the plague.
In 1351, after the Black Death, when 50 - 60% of the population of Norway died, all of the land went into possession
of the King of Denmark. The King of Denmark employed Norwegian Heraldry who then enforced his
laws and collected taxes from the priests and earls.
Despite the black death, the Feudal system remained strong in Norway. The king allowed his private knights
and squires to be the land owners. These land owners, then pass on their land and frequently their castle to
their descendants. Up until 1723 most land privileges were strictly hereditary, and a gift allowed by the King.
Sigurd reported directly to Magnus Smek's son Haakon Magnusson the Younger reigns over Norway / Sweden
at the age of 15 (1355). New lands left vacant by the plague were parceled out to royal friends. With improper
spending, he became in great debt, and was excommunicated by the Pope in his first year in office.
In 1367, because Catholics believed in eating fish on Friday, and fasting from meats 1 month a year, the fish
market was expanding rapidly in all of Europe. Norwegian dried cod fish, herring, and furs from the north of
Norway were in great demand. - especially in Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands at this time. A council of
the Hanseatic League met in Cologne, Germany and determined to force negotiations if necessary with Norway
to provide the rest of Europe with these exports. This council forcefully annexed Bergen, Norway to the Hanseactic
League. From this point on, for the next 100 years all of North Norway's fishing industry became completely
economically dependent upon Bergen. And Norway was dependent upon the Hanseatic League. Bergen
remains the largest city in Norway until the 20th century.
A French Nobleman who sailed to Norway in during this time recorded there were 40,000 boats and 300,000
fisherman off the northern coasts of Norway during peak seasons processing herring and cod fish. Whaling was
also coming into prominence about this time.
It happened that a Norwegian noble of these days, turned pirate, had begun most persistently to assail the
German shipping and the principal north German towns of the League thereupon united in equipping a fleet that
in retaliation undertook a stringent commercial blockade of Eric's realm; Norway, whose discouraged and indigent
merchants with their few obsolete boats found themselves shut helpless in their harbours, was speedily
faced with a calamitous and complete economic ruin so that the king had no other course than to submit himself
to the will of the League. He was made to pay a huge indemnity for the piratical outrages and to grant the Germans
increased trading-privileges; shortly afterwards he was even compelled to suppress the little native guilds
that had unwisely attempted to compete with the Hanseatic merchants. His successor, Haakon V (1299-1319),
still further strengthened the power of the Hansa in his country by his foolhardy policy of prohibiting trade with
England; it was not long, therefore, before the all powerful Germans found themselves without competitors and
thereat the busy Norwegian merchant-town of Bergen was delivered into their hands.
Among the most profitable commercial enterprises in the north, and equal in importance to the cod-fisheries of
the Norwegian coast, was the herring-trade of the Baltic, for it was in this sea that the herring would spawn;
therefore the chief anxiety of the German merchants was to control the fisheries in these waters in order that it
might be they, and they alone, who supplied northern Europe with the huge quantities of herrings for which the
fasts prescribed by the Church had now created a voracious market. In the middle of the thirteenth century the
Swedes under Jarl Birger and the German traders managed to come to terms, and it was Denmark who was
most affected when the merchants of Lübeck began to divert the wealth of Scania, chiefly acquired by this fishing,
from the coffers of the Danish king to the German counting-houses; but under the bold government of two
great kings, and inspired by hatred of Sweden no less than by jealousy of the Germans, Denmark was for a
while successful in thwarting the ambitious merchants of north Germany who so much coveted the monopoly of
trade in the Baltic. The struggle began as early as the reign of Valdemar the Great (1157-1182), who openly opposed
the activities of the Germans and who, in the year 1203, captured Lübeck, a town which the Danes then

held for twelve years. Subsequently the fortunes of Denmark declined; Scania of her own accord surrendered
herself to Sweden (1333),who remained an enemy and tolerated the Hansa; but success and prosperity returned
temporarily in the fourteenth century when Valdemar Atterdag (1340-1375), after recovering Scania from
the Swedes, went on his conquering way to Gotland and there, in 1361, captured the Hanseatic town of Visby.
Yet in the end the strength of the League, supported in this contest both by Norway and by Sweden, prevailed
over that of Denmark, and before the '6os closed the united fleets of the German towns gained a decisive victory
of which the Treaty of Stralsund was the outcome. This gave vastly increased privileges to those members
of the League who traded along the coasts of Denmark and Scania, recognized the temporary possession by
the Hansa of fortified towns like Helsingborg and Malmö that controlled the Sound between Zealand and Scania,
and accorded to the Council of the League a deciding vote in the appointment of Valdemar's successor.
There followed four years of peace wherein the Hansa developed its Baltic and Norwegian trade in comfortable
security, and although in the tumultuous days after Valdemar's death and before the union of the three kingdoms
(1397) the League was compelled to defend its merchants against more than one attempt by Norwegians
and Danes to break loose from the economic stranglehold of the Germans, the astute diplomatists of the Hansa
saw to it that the League remained established in its northern harbours with augmented prestige and undiminished
security throughout the twenty years of swift and astonishing political changes that ended in the election
of a woman as the regent over all three countries.
Queen Margaret had been at first an enemy of the Hansa, though she had courted the friendship of Lübeck,
and there was no doubt of her intention to recover the portions of Scania held as security by the League after
the war with Valdemar. But upon the fall of Albert of Mecklenberg, Stockholm, garrisoned by his German adherents,
held aloof from her dominion and became a terror to all the traders of the north, Germans, Danes and
Scandinavians alike. This was the doing of the so-called ' Victual Brothers', pirate-gangs of these Stockholm
Germans, who in the space of six years almost succeeded in bringing Baltic commerce to a standstill; they took
possession of Gotland, established themselves in the coastal towns of Mecklenberg, attacked Denmark, and on
two occasions, once in 1393 and again in 1395, even sailed up the Norwegian coast and sacked Bergen. The
safety not only of Hanseatic trade but of the northern government itself was threatened, and in consequence
Margaret and the Hansa, in the face of this unexpected and paralysing assault upon law and order, at last took
council together and agreed to act in concert. Through the mediation of the German Hanseatic towns a treaty
(1395) was arranged between Margaret and her sworn foe, Albert of Mecklenberg, whereby it was agreed that
Stockholm should be surrendered to the Hansa for a term of three years and that after this period it was to be
handed over to the Queen. And when this bond had been made the Hanseatic and Scandinavian fleets together
set about the task of hunting down the Victual Brothers and driving them off the seas; Gotland was reconquered
in 1398 and in that same year Stockholm was restored to Margaret's triple realm.
Thus the Victual Brothers by their lawless raiding provided the Hansa with an opportunity of interfering in the
politics of the north, of re-affirming the rights of the League, and of earning the gratitude of the Queen. But it
was in Norway that the pirates had served the Hansa best; for during the reign of Haakon VI Magnusson (1355-
1380) the hold of the League upon the Norwegian ports had become much less secure than in the days of his
predecessors, and the two sacks of Bergen by the Victual Brothers, crowned by a third outrage against this unhappy
town in 1428 that was the doing of the League's own agents, wrecked totally the forlorn revival of native
Norwegian commerce that Haakon had encouraged and that would have meant so much to the starving viking
colonies. Henceforth, for the space of well-nigh a hundred years, the Hanseatic towns possessed an almost
exclusive control over Norwegian shipping, and so it came about that in this dark century Iceland came dangerously
near to ruin and the miserable colony of Greenland was left to perish utterly.
THE BOTNER FARM IN ROMERIKE
Romerike (Old Norse Raumaríki) anciently was a petty kingdom. Romerike is a district located northeast of
Oslo. It consists of the Akershus County municipalities Enebakk, Fet, Lørenskog, Nittedal, Rælingen, Skedsmo,
Sørum, Aurskog and Høland in the southern end (Nedre Romerike), and Ullensaker, Gjerdrum, Nannestad,
Nes, Eidsvoll and Hurdal in the northern end (Øvre Romerike).
Cecilie Sigurdsdatter (1347 - )
Sigurd Haftorsson’s and Ingaborg Erlingson’s daughter, Cecile married Injald Guttormusson Bratt in about
1370. Ingjald was the son of a judge from Skjaak, named Guttorm Eyesteinsson Bratt. Likewise, Ingjald himself
became the district governor. The Bratt name was a wealthy family from Denmark who came to rule as judges
and sherrif’s and priests generations earlier. The “Bratt” or “Braut” family is a royal pedigree with 30 continuous

generations identified back to 636 AD. Ingjald and Cecile had three children:
1) Gyrd Ingjaldson, (1387) future district governor (see next)
2) John Ingjaldsson (1390)
3) Jente Ingjaldsdatter (1392)
Sigurd and Cecile both died in a place called “O” or sometime “Oe”, in Vang, Hedmark, which was the central
headquarters of Romerike for the next 100 years. (Sigurd’s crest is pictured above)
Gyrd Injaldsson (1387 - 1438), married NN Eivindsdatter Botner, the daughter of Eivind Astesson Botner and
Tora from O, Vang. Eivind Botner’s father had been given the land of Botner by the King of Denmark Magnus-
Smek, and was one of his trusted knights. He came from Denmark, but exactly where is not yet discovered. The
Botner birthright, went to his son Eivind, and upon his death, to his only offspring a daughter. This daughter (NN
Eivindsdatter) married Gyrd and inherited the massive Botner farm through that marriage. In addition Gyrd was
the district governor, reporting to the King of Norway / Denmark /Sweden. Injald was responsible for the counties
(fylke) of Oppland, Hedmark, Vestfold and Akershus Counties.
Ester’s son, Eivind Estesson (b.1352) took over the farm in the late 1350's when
Ester died in the black plague. Eivind and his wife Tora had a daughter who
married Gyrd Ingaldsson (b. 1387) from Oe, (or O) Vagar, Hedmark. Now the
Botner farm was in possession of Gyrd Ingjaldsson and his wife Eivindsdatter
Botner
The Botner Farm was first mentioned by name on 22 January 1329 in a Loken
land deed when Ester Botner (b. 1329) took possession of it. In the years following
the Black plague, it was one of the only farms in the area that was cultivated.
The Botner farm again is mentioned in 3 Feb 1394 in a letter by the
Bishop Oystein of Vestfold, Norway. The farm is still under the King’s jurisdiction
at this time, but still owned and managed and owned by Eivind Astesson.
Gyrd Ingjaldsson and his wife NN Botner (Eivindsdatter), as a member of Heraldry
had his own coat of arms, see below. Coats of Arms were used in medieval
times so all the commoners could recognize a person of importance,
without reading or writing. Those in Heraldry enforced the coats of arms to
make sure there were no forgeries or counterfeits. Those impersonating Heraldry
were put to death. Gyrd’s crest is listed below along side of other prominent coats of arms for other family
members:
Gyrd and his wife (Gudrid?) had 5 children born at O, Vang, Hedmark, Norway:
1) Eivind Gyrdsson (1400-1448) See next.
2) Jon Gyrdsson (1409)
3) Gudrid Gyrdsdatter (1404) who married Peter Gunleicksen who moved to Skjaak, Oppland
4) NN Gyrdsson
5) Cecilia Oe Gyrdsdatter
Gyrd had died by 1438, but his inheritance was passed on to his two living sons (John and Eivind) and daughter
Gudrid. On 3 April 1443 Eivind Gyrdsson and his brother Jon were granted an additional parcel of land in
Hedmark by the King of Denmark. They also had significant land holdings in Gausdal, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway.
Some of the other farm managers at this time were Tora Gyrdsdatter and her husband Wilhelm Asmundsen
Stigsed. Gyrd’s daughter married a prominent land owner from Skjaak, Oppland County by the name of Peter
Gunleickssen (1404-1482) from the Bratt family. Their daughter Cecilie Petersdatter Bratt married Guttorm Eindridesson
Bratt Bjolstad. This is the line to which Lewis Ericksen was born. Lewis and Cinda Erickson, in addition
to being husband and wife, were also were also 1st cousins, 13 times removed.
Gyrd’s daughter Gudrid (b.1410) married Peder Gudleiksen Skjaak, (1404-1482) who was the son of Gudleick
Petersen. Peder Gudleicksen became the original founder of the town and place known as “Skjaak”, where
many of the Norwegians in this book were born.
Eivind Gyrdsson (1425 - 1500)
Eivind Gyrdsson was born in 1425 in the parish called Oe (or sometimes just O) which is in Vang, Hedmark today.
It is part of the ancient territory Romerike, as was Holand, where he died. It was Eivind who inherited the

Botner Farm, and his brother John who inherited the farm at Skjaak, Oppland. It is very ironic that Lewis Erickson’s
ancestors grew up on this very Skjak Farm, and Cinda Johnson’s ancestors grew up on the Botner farm.
In 1460 (400 years before Lewis and Cinda were born) these two brothers owned the both farms, about 150
miles apart.
The Bygdeboka for O (Oe) in Vang states the first owner of the O Farm was Gudrid, who gave it to her son Eivindsen.
This certainly verifies fact that Gudrid was married to Eivind (Evan) Gyrdsson. In 1460 John and Eivind
Gyrdsson expanded their holdings and inherited the Botner farm. A short time later John and Eivind Gyrdsson
decided to split their properties. John went back to his birthplace in Oe, Vagan, Hedmark. He subsequently
managed farms at Kalstad (Colstad), and Segested. Eivind and his wife were then the sole owner of the Botner
farm and had no properties in Hedmark.
Eivind and his wife Gudrid had two children:
1) Gulbrand Eivindsson, father of the priest Mogens Gulbrandsen
2) Nils Ole Eivindsson. who married Kristin Nilsdatter (see next)
It appears there was dual ownership during this time, since the farm was so large. This dual ownership passed
down to the next generation. Gulbrand Eivindsson’s son was Mogens Gulbrandsson, and N Eivindsson’s son
was Torkild Botner. Torkild and Mogens were first cousins and ran the farm together, with Torkild being the primary
owner. Mogens however, is listed in a letter to the King on 4 Oct 1527 as being the largest land owner in
the district.
Nils Olsen Evindsen Botner (1455)
Nils Ole Botner (sometimes he is mentioned as Ole, sometimes Nils, sometimes NN) married Kristin Nilsdatter
in about 1470. Kristin’s father Nils Jensson was a tax collector for king. He also served as an archbishop of
sorts as he collected the tithes from all of the local priests in Bergen and Oslo and submitted them to the King.
Nils Botner only had one child:
1) Torkild Botner (1480) see next.
Torkild Botner (1480 - 1564)
To give some perspective to this time outline, Christopher Columbus arrived in America in 1492, about the time
Torkild Botner was 12 years old.
Torkild Botner (b. 1480) was born at Botner (Fosser) in Holand, Akershus in about 1480. His baptism lists the
name Torkjell Botner. He died on the Botner farm in 1564. He was a descendant of Norwegian Heraldry on
both his maternal and paternal sides. In about 1502 Torkild married Gioa Mogensdatter. Gioa and Torkild were
cousins, both coming from the same grandfather NN Eivindson. They had two children:
1. Halle Torkildsen Botner, who married ? Flor
2. Aase Torkildsdatter, who married Oluf Halvorsen Daltorp
To keep the Botner farm in the family, and to preserve financial net worth, frequently marriages were made
among close family relations. Torkild Botner’s father was married to his niece, which meant Torkild’s grandmother
was also his aunt. Torkild Botners married his second cousin Gioa Mogensdatter (b.1528). From this
union there was no doubt in farm ownership. Gulbrand Botner Halleson (b. 1560) was a 8 th generation Botner
on his paternal side and a 5 th generation Botner on his mothers side.
The fact that the Botner Farm stayed in the possession of Torkild’s family upon approval of the King Christian II
is evidence that Torkild was one of the early supporters of Lutheranism and the Reformation. Torkild was a supporter
of the new Lutheran religion, and did his part in showing support to King Christian II of Denmark. Torkild
had significant duties when the King came to the Holand, Akershus area in 1552.
Halle Torkildsen (1510-1564),
Halle was the next owner of the Botner Farm. Halle was born in Botner, Høland, Akershus in about the year
1510. He married Gjøa Mogensdatter who was his grandfather NN Eivindsson’s great niece. The couple had
three children:
1. Gulbrand Hallesen Botner (1550-1613) See next.
2. Gyrid Hallesdatter Botner (1552 - ?) married Gunder Olsen Bergsjo

3. Eivind Hallesen Hjellbol(1554 -1628)
Halle was a wealthy land owner and was one of the last knights in family. Odd Otteson wrote an entire book
outlining the pedigree of Halle Torkildsen Botner, and documented his pedigree charts through the use of his
family crests that he had published.
Gulbrand Hallesen Botner (1550-1613)
Gulbrand Halleson Botner was the next owner of the Botner Farm. He married to Ase, to whom no children
were born. He also married Asbjorg Hansdatter. They had one child that we have any information about:
1) Torkild Gulbrandsen Botner (1594-1665) See next.
Torkild Gulbrandsen Botner (1594-1665)
The next owner of the Botner Farm was Torkild Gulbrandsen Botner. In 1613 he married Ragnhild Rolfsdatter
and they had a son:
1) Gulbrand Torkildsen Botner (1614-1698) See Next.
The Botner farm has a written history that was first recorded in 1639 by the Dane historian Pharos, and a more
detailed and thorough written account was published by Odd Otteson in 1982. The history of the farm was
printed in Copenhagen (Kjobenvhavn) and outlines the entire farm history and their royal genealogies. In 1784,
a Botner farm reunion was held celebrating the 500 years of continuous ownership of the farm in the same family.
A total of 21 generations were identified. The farm today (1994) would be at least 34 generations continuous
ownership. According to the above source (Pharos), in 1784 it was the longest continuous family owned farm in
Norway, it still is.
The Botner name means in Norwegian “preferred place” or “best place”. It is located in the area of Norway today
called “The Birchlands” (Bjorklangen). The farm is situated on the beautiful Lake Bjorklangen, and the soil
is very rich and fertile. The farm has been inhabited continuously since Medieval times in Norway The following
information was translated by Levi Adam and Bruce Rognan from sources produced by Otteson, Pharos and
Oluf Righ in July 1997.
Gulbrand Torkildsen Botner (1614-1698)
Gulbrand, the next owner of Botner Farm, married Anne Ovesdatter Krag. Anne, although Norwegian, is the
product of some very thoroughbred Danish Royalty. All 4 of her male great-grandparents received their commission
to come to Norway from the King of Denmark. They were all trusted by either King Christian III or Frederick
II to leave Denmark and moved to Norway to lead their respective stewardship. Anne was the daughter
of Ove Nielsson Krag and Magnhild Cypriansdatter. Anne’s father Ove was the sheriff of Trogstad, and her
mother Magnhild’s father Cyprian was the daughter of the sheriff of neighboring Holand. Magnhild’s maternal
grandfather Jens Nielsson, and her paternal grandfather were both among the first Lutheran priests to come to
Norway from Denmark. Gulbrand Torkildsen and Anne Krag had two children:
1) Jorgen Gulbrandsen Botner (1660-1746) See next.
2) Ellen Gulbrandsdatter (1678-1748) married Svend Christophersen Rakkestad in 1699,
Jorgen Gulbrandsdatter Botner (1660-1746)
One of Jorgens more famous grandchildren is Christen Christensen Kollerud, who was one of the most important
representatives from Norway’s Congress in getting independence from Denmark, and in establishing the
constitution of Norway. He is like a Thomas Jeffersen of Norway. He became the owner of Botner Farm.
Until the 1700's the king owned 10% of all farms while the church owned 40%, the wealthy royalty owned about
50%. About this time since the government of Denmark was in such poor financial health from excessive costs
from the Kalmar wars great deby occured. The Norwegian economy is still sluggish due to a slim fish market in
the world. The government of Denmark/Norway desperately needs money so it allows allows land to be purchased.
Bonders bought the land to replenish the Danish/Norwegian treasury. This came on the heals of new legislation
introduced in 1685 which protected rights of the husmann and the peasants. By 1723 those selling the land
had to give first chance to purchase the farm to the senior farm manager. With this change Norwegian capitalism
begins very slowly. The land-owner social class exploit their collective power and maintain rule in their districts.

Although with this change the Norse law allows anyone to own land the wealthy class unites and prevents the
peasants from their rights. The wealthy buy up more land, split it up into pieces (fellestun) for profit but do not
allow financing to peasant class folk. The land owners are the fortunate ones, and tend to abuse their tenants
just as they had done for centuries. Those who rented from the wealthy land owners, and helped till the soil
were called tenant or peasant farmers (Leilendinger).
Torkild married Ann Nordii Pedersdatter (1660-1717) was the daughter of Peder Lorenskog Olsen and Barbro
Horvin Christophersen. They had the following children:
1) Torkhild Botner Jorgensen (1689-1717) See next.
2) Barbro Botner Jorgensdatter (1692-1762) married Jorgen Burhol Hansen, 5 children/
3) Gulbrand Botner Jorgensen (1695-1767) married Kari Jensdatter Droverud, had 10 children.
4) Ragnhild Botner Jorgensdatter (1696-?) married Odd Tuen Svendsen, had 1 child
5) Marthe Jorgensdatter-3323 (1702-1739) married Anders Bunes Pedersen, and had 1 daughter
6) Karen Botner Jorgensdatter (1702-1773) married Knud Boen Bergerssen
7) Hans Botner Jorgensen (1706-1724) died at age 18
8) Peder Gromsrud Jorgensen-502 (1709-1773) married Pernille Tonnesdatter
Torkild Jorgensen Botner (1720 - 1767)
Torkild Jorgensen Bother, pictured at right, married Karen Gulbrandsdatter. He served in the military as shown
here, on a portrait still on the Botner farm. Torkild and Karen had the following children:
1) Jorgen Torkildsen Botner (1749-1827) See next.
SMALLER FARMS OF KNOLD & SKAMO
Jorgen Torkildsen Knold (1749-1827)
Jorgen Botner married Berte Madsdatter and they had the following children:
1) Anne Maria Jorgensdatter (1785-1786) in Holand, Akershus, Norway
2) Anne Jorgensdatter (1787-1810 ) in Holand, Akershus, Norway. Anne married Hallvor Gromsrud
Iversen on 14 Oct 1809 in Holand, Akershus, Norway. Hallvor was born about 1785 in Loken, Nes,
Akershus, Norway.
3) Gunhild Sophie Knold Jorgensdatter (1791-1835) in Skamo, Holand, Akershus, Norway. Gunhild
married Ingebret Pedersen Skamo son of Peter Andersen Skamo and Kristine Haqlvorsrud Engebretsdatter
on 8 Feb 1817 in Holand, Akershus, Norway. Ingebret was born on 20 Jul 1785 in
Holand, Akershus, Norway. He died in 1864 in Holand, Akershus, Norway.
4) Christine Jorgensdatter (1796-)married Ole Knold Gudmondsen son of Gudmond Toverud Madsson
and Marthe Bokstad Engebretsdatter about 1812 in Holand, Akershus, Norway. Ole was born in
1796 in Toverud, Holand, Akershus, Norway.
5) Petrana Jorgensdatter (1799) married Hans Olsen Komnes on 19 Oct 1820 in Holand, Akershus,
Norway.
Jorgen married (2) Martha Madsdatter daughter of Mads Toverud Gudmondsson and Kari Berger Syversdatter
on 15 Oct 1775 in Holand, Akershus, Norway. Martha was born on 1 Jan 1757 in Urskog, Akershus, Norway.
She died on 5 Aug 1784 in Holand, Akershus, Norway. They had the following children:
6) Kari Jorgensdatter (1779-1801) in Holand, Akershus. Kari married Christopher Morke Mathiasen .
Christopher was born in 1806 in Urskog, Akershus, Norway.
7) Marthe Sophie Jorgensdatter (1782) in Holand, Akershus, Norway.
Gunhild Jorgensdatter Skamo (1791-1868)
Gunhild Jorgensdatter was born on the Botner Farm, but she was denied any land inheritance. In 1814 she
married Ingebrikt Pedersen from the Skamo farm. Ingebrikt Pedersen Skamo (1785-1864) and Gunhild Sophie
Jorgensdatter Knold (1791-1835) were married 8 Feb 1817 in Høland, Norway, and they moved onto the farm
named Skamo (meaning disgraceful place) that he inherited from his father Ingebrecht Pedersen Skamo. Even
though it was a small farm, it did provide a better than average living standard in Norway. Ingebret and Gunhild
had at least four children:

1) Tortkild Ingebretsen (b1817), immigrated to Door Co., Wisconsin by at least 1870. Torkild married
Gunhild Marie Christiansdatter 2 Jan 1846 and they had at least 2 children: Jorgin Emile Torkildsen and
Johan Carl Torkildsen. Their descendants were early settlers in Nebraska and Iowa.
2) Kristine Marie Ingebretsdatter (b1818), immigrated to Monroe Co., WI.(mother of Andrew Cypriansen)
3) Berte Marie Engebretsdatter (9 Dec 1820) died as infant.
4) Ole Skamo Ingebretsen (b.1824) immigrated to Monroe Co., WI in 1868, married Henrikka Doverud
5) Berte Marie Ingebretsen (b.1825) married Andreas Olsen in 1850 in Holand, Nothing else is known.
By the time Gunhild was growing up a strange phenomenon was occuring on the Norwegian farms. They were
becoming smaller and smaller due to overpopulation, and children whittling away smaller pieces. The larger
farms of the 1500’s was now by this time broken down into as many as 20 or 30 farms. As immigration America
increased, the big farms had less labor pool to draw from. This meant the wealthy land-owner class had too
much land to work. Since they couldn't work all their land, they sold parcels of it to the hussman class. The
Hussman might sell their small plots for food. Farms instead of employing 80 to 100 in 1800 they were now
smaller employing only 15 - 25.
As new fams were created, new names emerged, like the name Skamo. Skamo in Norwegian means “disgraceful
or shameful place”. Other Norwegian farm names on my pedigree include: The Rognan farm was named
from the many Mountain Ash Trees (in Norway called Rogn or Roan) on the land. The Hagen name was chosen
because it was a small farm, and Hagen meant "small place", Lokre meant "place of the onion", Knold farm
meant a "hilly place", Graverholt means "the grove", Ophaasen meant "place up", Bo meant "large estate",
Jevnheim meant "the smooth even place", Kvalheim meant "place of agony, sickness and nausea, Hove
meant "main headquarters", Skamo meant "place of disgrace or shame", Sperstad meant "continually blocked
off", Prestgard meant "place of the clergyman", Braata meant "steep place", Tonnenberg meant "place of the
large mountain", Botner meant "a very excellent place", Setskog meant "foresty place", Skattum meant "place
of the tax collector", Bekken meant "place of the brook", Sandem meant "sandy place", Eid meant "neck of the
land", Ringstad meant "place of the poor", Brangerud meant "place that was on fire", Ihlebek meant "place of
illness", Flatukken meant "mountainy place", Kiserud meant "place of the emperor", Bergesjo meant "place of
many hills", and Storvagan meant "big and beautiful place".
Kristine Ingebretsdatter (1818-1885) See separate chapter.
Kristine grew up on the Skamo farm and married Cyprian Syversen in 1839. When her husband died in 1849,
she remarried Svend Torvaldsen. She came to the USA in about 1873. Krtistine and Cyprian had 5 children together,
of which at least 4 immigrated to the USA:
1) Johan Cypriansen (b 1839)
2) Ole Cypriansen (b. 1841) died as infant before 1843
3) Andreas Cypriansen (b.1843) married Lena Andreasen, settle in Monroe Co., WI, had a twin, Ole
4) Ole Cypriansen (b. 1843) moved to Orofino, ID in 1890, never heard from since
5) Gunhild Sophie Cypriansdatter (b. 1846) immigrated to Monroe Co., WI
Andreas Cypriansen (1843-1921) See separate chapter.
Andrew and his second wife Lena Andreason (daughter of Andreas Albertsen and Dorthea Gulbrandsen) had
the following children, all born in Fish Creek, LaCrosse Co., Wisconsin. Dorthea was a descendant of Torkild
Botner (b.1480)
1. Dora Johnson (1876) married Adolph Kolbo
2. Sigvart Johnson (1878) who died in 1880
3. Susie Johnson (1880) married Harold Kirkeby
4. Caroline Johnson (1882) married Alf Andersen
5. Sigvart Johnson (1882) who died in 1882
6. Ole Johnson (1884) married Emma Erickson
7. Cinda Johnson (1886) married Lewis Erickson
8. Anna Johnson (1888) married John Westby
9. Marie Johnson (1890) remained unmarried