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Painting by Lloyd Rognan
The Norwegian Fjords & Sea
I began writing this history of my ancestors from Norway the first month after my first visit to
Norway in March 1994. It was here that the majestic splendor of the Norwegian Sea touched my
heart beyond words. I gained a deeper reverence for God, nature, my family, my ancestors, and
my posterity by gazing at the sea from the islands and fjords of Western Norway.
This brief outline on the history of the royal families of Norway will help the reader understand how
life began and evolved around the Norwegian Sea. When Norway no longer held the opportunities
my ancestors were attracted by another sea - the Atlantic Ocean. Eventually, many of my ancestors
traveled through fjords to the sea, and then across the ocean to come to America.
Ever since civilization started in Norway, it has revolved around the sea. It has primarily been the
sea that has provided the work and the food to sustain the country. It has been the sea that
provided the medieval Vikings with their imagination for greatness. It has been the sea, that has
propelled the Norwegians to be captains of the world’s shipping empires. Today, the sea continues
to provide the rugged beauty and landscape that is enjoyed by all the world. In Norway, there is
plenty of sea. In fact, 150,000 miles of shoreline exist in Norway if one counts all of the thousands
of islands, and fjords.
OUR VIKING HERALDRY
Genesis & Old Norse Sagas
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THE STORY OF GENESIS
Adam (abt 4000 BC - 3070 BC)
Adam is the first man according to the account of the Bible. He was created on the 6th phase of creation in
the account of Genesis (written by Moses) He had many children only three are listed by name: C ain, Abel
and Seth. Cain killed his brother Abel, and Seth inherited the birthright. Adam died at age 930 years. In the
Bible he is known as one of the arch-angels under the name Michael.
Seth (3870 - 2878 BC)
He was born when Adam and Eve were 130 years old. He was ordained as a patriarch at age 69. The Bible
refers to him as a “perfect man”, and was in the express image of God the Father. He lived for 912 years. He
took Abel 's place as patriarch of the family.
Enos (3765 - 2860 BC)
Son of Seth when he was father was 95. Enos lived until age 905)
Cainan (3675 - 2765 BC)
Lived to be 910 years old.
Mahalaleel (3605 - 2710 DC, 895 years old at death)
Jared (3540 - 2578 BC, 962 years old at his death)
Enoch (3378 - 3013)
He built a city named Zion, in which he served as ecclesiastical and temporal leader. The city was so righteous that tradition has it he was caught up into heaven, with his city of Zion and never tasted death. Many
writings attributed to Enoch have surfaced from the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Nag Hammadi Manuscripts in
the last century. Enoch is known as the arch-angel Raphael according to many religious scholars.
Methuselah (3314 - 2344 BC)
Son of Enoch. He was an astronomer, and also a prophet. He was left on the earth after the city of Zion was
taken up into heaven. He is the longest living person ever recorded, being 969 years old at his death.
Lamech (3126 - 2349 BC)
He lived for 777 years. He is the father of Noah.
Noah (2945 - 1944 BC)
Noah was ordained to the priesthood when he was only 10 years old by his grandfather Methuselah. He became a preacher of righteousness, and warning people on the earth to keep God’s commandments. He had
three sons: Shem, Ham and Japeth, who were each married. The six of them and Noah and his wife were the
8 people that surviced the flood. Noah built his arc to save the earth from complete destruction and cleanse it.
After surviving "The Flood" with his family he once again settled in the Holy Land, with his son Shem staying
around Jerusalem, his son Japeth’s children going to Turkey, Russia, and Asia; and his son Ham married
Egyptus who moved to Egypt. Noah is known as Gabriel, the Arch-Angel, and was the one who appeared to
Mary the mother of Jesus. died at 950 years old,
Shem (2442 - 1842 BC)
Lived to be 600 years old. Is considered by many biblical sources to be one and the same person as
Melchizedek (meaning King of Righteousness) He is the father of the Semite people (Arabs, Phoenicians,
Arameans, Syrians, Babylonians, and Assyrians)
Arphazad (2342 - 1904 BC)
He was 438 years old at death)
Salah (2307 - 1874 BC)
He was 433 years old at death)
Beer (2277 - 1814 BC)
He lived to be 464 years old)
Peleg (2244-2004 BC)
According to Genesis, God divided the lands and the continents drifted apart during his lifetime.
Rehu (2213 - 1972 BC)
He died at age 239.
Nahor (2152 - 2003 BC)
He was patriarch of the descendants of Shem.
Terah (2122 - 191 7 BC)
He lived in Haran, Mesopotamia. He was an idol worshipper and a believer in human sacrifice..
Abraham (2006-1871 BC)
He was born in Ur, Chaldea (Iraq). He married Sarah. Together they conceived a child at about age 100.
Abraham was commanded by God to offer his son in sacrifice. Abraham went through the entire ordeal up
until the Lord commanded him to stop. Instead a ram was offered as sacrifice. Due to his great faith in following God, a promise was made that his descendants should be blessed with their own land in Palestine. He is
considered the founder of Hebrew nation. He had two sons: Isaac and Ishmael. Ishmael is the founder of the
Arab Nations. The Jews descend through Issac.
Isaac (1946-1766 BC)
Isaac married to Rebekkah, died at age 180. Isaac had two sons: Jacob and Esau. The descendants of Esau
became known as Edomites. The Jewish birthright continued through Isaac.
Jacob or Israel (1886-1739 BC)
Jacob inherited his fathers birthright. He had 12 sons who became known as the 12 tribes of Israel. Each of
these 12 tribes inherited their own land in the Middle East. In about 920 BE the 10 tribes in the north moved
up into Turkey, Greece, and Germany. Judah and Benjamin remained in Palestine. His descendants
Judah (1850 - 1760 BC)
He was the fourth son of Jacob. He was a strong leader of the family. His father gave him a blessing before
he died that Kings would come through his posterity. His family coat of arms was a Rampant Lion giving reference to his fathers blessing calling Judah’s descendants “a Lion that Will Rise Up” as kings.
Zarah (1810 BC)
Darda (1765 BC)
Erichthonius (1720 BC)
Tros (1685 BC)
Ilus (1640 BC)
Iaomedon (Father of King of Troy) (1580 BC)
Priam (King of Troy) (1535 BC)
Magi (1490 BC)
Scealdea (1455 BC)
Thor (Hector) (1400 BC)
Seskef (1355 BC)
Beowa (1310 BC)
Vingener (1260 BC)
Bedweg (1215 BC)
Tecti (1150 BC)
Hioritha (1105 BC)
Hwala (1050 BC)
Geata (1000 BC)
Eiaridi
Athra
Godwuff
Vingerthorr
Itormann
Flockwald
Vingener
Heremond
Finn
Freothelaf
Frithwald
THE NORSE SAGAS
The long line of Viking Kings extend back to the era of Julius Caesar in about 100 BC. Odin is 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
Norse Sagas.
Odin (110 B.C.)
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
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 “Fru-vor”. 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 body-guards, 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 Agne-fet, 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. (pictured 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
twenty-five 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 narrowvalley, 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.
THE VIKING INVASIONS
Hafdan Svarte (790 AD)
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
figure (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 1st, the father of Richard 2nd, 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 seaking 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 Christiandom.
THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY
Olaf Kyrre Haraldson (1050-1093)
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 Haalds-
son 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 Norway 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
This original Viking boat, came to the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933. I saw this boat, when it was at Lincoln Park in
1967.
Viking conquests are in
orange. Map is in 985 AD.
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 influence 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 de-
nied 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
Vikings invasion of
Normandy in
843 AD.
Leif Ericksson in the
New World in 1002.
Painting by my
father Lloyd Rognan
(1923-2005)
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 in 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
11-year-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 11th century, during and after the crusades, the power of trade, mercantilism and money became concentrated in some very powerful merchant
families. These families maintained incredible loyalty amongst themselves, but lacked full loyalty to the Kings.
Kings were forced to tolerate them, and even give into their demands based on their 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 courtmen, 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 Yulefeasts." 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)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Inge Bardsen (1185) became King of Norway, appointed his brother Skule as Earl
Skule Bardson (1189-1241) See next.
Asolf Bardson (1187)
Sigrid bardsdatter (1191) married John
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 4th
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 Hansetic 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
heir-apparent 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 LawMender (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
law-mender. 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
(The remainder of this ine can be traced back through the Bible to Adam)
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 responsibility. 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 1304 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. "PetMagnus").
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)
Torkild Botner’s grandson’s pedigree showing how the Botner line and Flor line connect.
Above: Various
Coats of Arms for
Torkild’s ancestors.
Right: Torkild’s
great grandfather’s
coat of arms.
Torkild
Botner
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 them-
This family pedigree shows the rebel merchants that so greatly influenced the Norwegian Kings. John
was a descendant on both sides from such renegades.
Bard Guttormsson was likewise a rebel merchant who used his money to undermine the King of Norway
and the Pope.
These two tables of the Torkild Halleson Botner family crests / coats of arms are taken from two wall hangings
that are in Copenhagen, Denmark. Both tables are obviously the same. The chart at the bottom has suffered
some obvious fading and water damage. Both charts are hand illustrated, so they show slight variances, but the
symbolism and the basic idea is the same.
Each of these two tables are a family pedigree chart showing the family pedigree back for 5 generations of
Torkild Halleson Botner (1515 - 1564). It shows his 16 great-great grandparents. This type of chart was very
common in the 1550’s. It was usually made by people who were involved in extended family merchant activities.
It served as a passport to deal and trade with other families, and to avoid families that were your adversaries.
One would not trade unless one was familiar with all of the names on the pedigree chart.
Unfortunately the chart does not label the individual ancestors. However, one of the most striking things to me is
the “Flor” (Flory, Florentius) crest that is found in 6 of the 16 crests.
This pedigree chart shows the genealogy from Cecilie Sigurdsdatter (b. 1150) back for 5 generations.
This pedigree chart of Ingeborg Eriksdatter, Queen of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, shows her connection to
all of the Royal Dynasties of Europe.
selves 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 (13401375), 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 cen-
tury Iceland came dangerously near to ruin and the miserable colony of Greenland was left to perish utterly.
THE BOTNER FARM IN ROMERIKE
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.
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)
Gyrd 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 had at least one known 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 8th generation Botner
on his paternal side and a 5th 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 later married Asbjorg Hansdatter. They had one child that we do not 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
Christian Kollerud was a
descendant of the Botners and
Flor’s and was a key member of
the Danish Parliament that
assisted in the liberation andf
independence from Denmark in
1905.
The current King of Norway Haakon VII and his wife are both
descendants of King Haakon Magnusson (1270-1318), as is every
descendant identified in this book. My mother and I enjoyed a
luncheon with the King and Queen of Norway in May, 1996 in
Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois.
In October 1994, I was invited by the Norwegian American Association headquartered in Chicago, IL, to
have a luncheon with the Prime Minister of Norway,
named Gro Brundtland. She spoke in favor of Norway
joining the European Common Market.
Thor Heyerdahl was a famous Norwegian
explorer of the 20th cenury, who conducted
the RA Expeditions and Kon Tiki Expeditions
where he crossed the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans in the reed boat behind him. His
ancestors were from the Heyerdahl farm in
Holand, Akershus Norway, as are many of
the people identified in this book. he is a
descendant of Torkild Botner as well as
Frantz Flor.
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.
Note in this illustration of the
subdivisions of the Skamo Farm from
1528 until 1920, how the farm gets
subdivided. What was one farm in 1528
has been broken down into 8 farms by
1920. Note at the bottom of the chart the
different names that came from Skamo
Farm. It should also be pointed out that
this Skamo Farm itself was a
subdivision of the Botner farm, which
encompassed most of the area from
1200, when it was whittled down into
smaller parts. (The farm owner’s name
is listed until 1900.)
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 farms 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".
NORWEGIAN-AMERICANS
Kristine Ingebretsdatter (1818-1885)
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)
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)
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 also 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 (see next)
8. Anna Johnson (1888) married John Westby
9. Marie Johnson (1890) remained unmarried
Cinda Johnson (1886 - 1965)
Cinda was born in FishCreek, LaCrosse, Wisconsin on April 11, 1886. She married Lewis Nick Erickson in
1907 and they had 5 children:
1. Lillian Ericksen (1908) who married Axel Christensen
2. Mabel Ericksen (1910) married Clarence Kjellberg
3. Laura Ericksen (1911) married Nels Henriksen
4. Cansey Ericksen (1914) was born in Canada married Ada Ericksen, also a descendant of Torkild
Botner
5. Sylvia Ericksen (1922) was born in Melvina, Wisconsin. Married Lloyd Rognan, a descendant of
Francis Flor.
Lewis was a farmer in Melvina, Wisconsin, and also rand a restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For 3 years
he homesteaded in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Sylvia Erickson (1922 - )
Sylvia married the artist Lloyd Rognan in 1953. She and Lloyd had two children:
1. Bruce Byron Rognan (1954) married Teena Judd of Hoytsville, Utah and had five children: Curtis,
Cameron, Christopher, Carrie and Courtney
2. Cindy Lou Rognan. Cindy and her first husband Glen Simon had three sons: Ammon, Jared, and
Luke.
Bruce Rognan (1954 - )
The genealogy freak who has no life because he is always doing genealogy and family histories. He puts
together genealogy charts like this one, and then he posts them on the web.