Chapter I: Preface

It has been my ambition for many years to write a history of Norway, chiefly because no such book, worthy of the name, exists in the English language. When the publishers of the present volume proposed to me to write the story of my native land, I therefore eagerly accepted their offer. The story, however, according to their plan, was to differ in some important respects from a regular history. It was to dwell particularly upon the dramatic phases of historical events, and concern itself but slightly with the growth of institutions and sociological phenomena. It therefore necessarily takes small account of proportion. In the present volume more space is given to the national hero, Olaf Tryggvesson, whose brief reign was crowded with dramatic events, than to kings who reigned ten times as long. For the same reason the four centuries of the Union with Denmark are treated with comparative brevity. Many things happened, no doubt, during those centuries, but "there were few deeds." Moreover, the separate history of Norway, in the time of her degradation, has never proved an attractive theme to Norse historians, for which reason the period has been generally neglected.

The principal sources of which I have availed myself in the preparation of the present volume, are Snorre Sturlasson: _Norges Kongesagaer_ (Christiania, 1859, 2 vols.); P. A. Munch: _Det Norske Folks Historie_ (Christiania, 1852, 6 vols.); R. Keyser: _Efterladte Skrifter_ (Christiania, 1866, 2 vols.); _Samlede Afhandlinger_ (1868); J. E. Sars: _Udsigt over den Norske Historie_ (Christiania, 1877, 2 vols.); K. Maurer: _Die Bekehrung des Norwegischen Stammes zum Christenthume_ (Muenchen, 1856, 2 vols.), and _Die Entstehung des Islaendischen Staates_ (Muenchen, 1852); G. Vigfusson: _Sturlunga Saga_ (Oxford, 1878, 2 vols.); and _Um timatal i Islendinga soegum i fornoeld_ (contained in _Safn til soegu Islands_, 1855); G. Storm: _Snorre Sturlasson's Historieskrivning_ (Kjoebenhavn, 1878); C. F. Allen: _Haandbog i Faedrelandets Historie_ (Kjoebenhavn, 1863); besides a large number of scattered articles in German and Scandinavian historical magazines. A question which has presented many difficulties is the spelling of proper names. To adopt in every instance the ancient Icelandic form would scarcely be practicable, because the names in their modernized forms are usually familiar and easy to pronounce, while, in their Icelandic disguises, they are to English readers nearly unpronounceable, and present a needlessly forbidding appearance. Where a name has no well-recognized English equivalent, I have therefore adopted the modern Norwegian form, which usually differs from the ancient, in having dropped a final letter. Thus Sigurdr (which with an English genitive would be Sigurdr's) becomes in modern Norwegian Sigurd, Eirikr, Erik, etc. Those surnames, which are descriptive epithets, I have translated where they are easily translatable, thus writing Harold the Fairhaired, Haakon the Good, Olaf the Saint, etc. Absolute consistency would, however, give to some names a too cumbrous look, as, for instance, Einar the Twanger of Thamb (Thamb being the name of his bow), and I have in such instances kept the Norse name (Thambarskelver).

It is a pleasant duty to acknowledge my indebtedness for valuable criticism to my friends, E. Munroe Smith, J.U.D., Adjunct Professor of History in Columbia College, and Hon. Rasmus B. Andersen, United States Minister to Denmark, without whose kindly aid in procuring books, maps, etc., the difficulties in the preparation of the present volume would have been much increased. I am also under obligation to Dr. W. H. Carpenter, of Columbia College, and to the Norwegian artist, Mr. H. N. Gausta, of La Crosse, Wis., who has kindly sent me two spirited original compositions, illustrative of peasant-life in Norway.

HJALMAR H. BOYESEN.
COLUMBIA COLLEGE,
NEW YORK, April 15, 1886.

CONTENTS.

I.

PAGE

WHO WERE THE NORSEMEN? 1-12

The Aryan migrations, 1-3--The physical characteristics of
Norway, 4, 5--Early tribal organization and means of livelihood,
6-10--Sense of independence and aptitude for self-government,
10-12.

II.

THE RELIGION OF THE NORSEMEN 13-24

Theories regarding the origin of the Scandinavian gods, 13-16--The
Eddaic account of the creation of the world and of
man, 16-18--The world-tree Ygdrasil, 18--The _Aesir_, their
functions and their dwellings, 19-23--Loke the Evil-Doer
and his terrible children, 23, 24.

III.

THE AGE OF THE VIKINGS.--ORIGIN OF THE VIKING CRUISES 25-44

The Norsemen launch forth upon the arena of history, 25--The
origin of the viking cruises, 25-27--Kingship among
the Scandinavian tribes, 27, 28--The three periods of the
viking age, 28-30--The contribution of the vikings to the
political life of Europe, 30, 31--Sigfrid of Nortmannia, 31--Godfrey
the Hunter, 31, 32---Charlemagne's prophecy in
regard to the vikings, 32-34--Hasting's stratagem, 34-36--Ragnar,
Asgeir, and Roerek, 36, 37--Thorgisl in Ireland,
38, 39--Olaf the White, 40, 41--The vikings in England,
41--Simeon of Durham's account of the vikings, 42--The
character of the vikings at home and abroad, 43, 44.

IV.

HALFDAN THE SWARTHY 45-51

The descent of the Yngling race, 45--The sacrifices of Aun
the Old, 45--Olaf the Wood-cutter, Halfdan Whiteleg, and
Godfrey the Hunter, 46--Birth of Halfdan the Swarthy, 46
Sigurd Hjort and the _Berserk_ Hake, 47, 48--Halfdan the
Swarthy weds Ragnhild, 48--Ragnhild's dream, 48--King
Halfdan's dream, 49--Birth of Harold the Fairhaired, 49--The
Finn's trick, 50--King Halfdan's death, 51.

V.

HAROLD THE FAIRHAIRED 52-73

Harold the Fairhaired woos Gyda, 52, 53--Harold's vow,
53--Herlaug and Rollaug, 54--Harold's policy toward the
conquered kings, 54, 55--The feudal state, 55--Taxation
and the peasants' loss of allodial rights, 55, 56--Haakon
Grjotgardsson and Ragnvald, Earl of Moere, 56--Kveld-Ulf
and his sons, 56, 57--Erik Eimundsson's invasion of Norway,
57--His meeting with King Harold, 58--The battle of
Hafrs-Fjord, 59--Earl Ragnvald cuts King Harold's hair,
59--Harold marries Gyda, 59, 60--Harold's treachery to
Thorolf Kveld-Ulf's son, 60-62--Kveld-Ulf's vengeance
and migration to Iceland, 62, 63--Duke Rollo in Norway
and France, 64, 65--Emigration of discontented magnates,
65, 66--Snefrid, 67--Queen Ragnhild, 68--Erik Blood-Axe's
feuds with his brothers, 69-71--Guttorm Sindre, 71,
72--Birth of Haakon the Good, 72--Haakon is sent to
Ethelstan, 72, 73--Death of Harold, 73.

VI.

ERIK BLOOD-AXE 74-86

Erik's meeting with Gunhild, 74-76--Erik kills his brothers,
Sigfrid and Olaf, 76--Thorolf, Bald Grim's son, 77--Egil,
Bald Grim's son, kills Baard, 78--Egil kills Berg-Anund,
79, 80--Egil's pole of dishonor, 80--Egil ransoms his head
by a song, 81-85--Erik is exiled, 86.

VII.

HAAKON THE GOOD 87-101

Character of Haakon, 87--Proclaimed king of Norway, 88--Legislative
reforms and restoration of allodium, 89--Signal
fires, 90--First attempt to introduce Christianity, 90-92--Speech
of Asbjoern of Medalhus, 92--The king eats horse-flesh,
92-94--The sons of Erik Blood-Axe make war upon
Norway, 94, 95--Battles of Sotoness and Agvaldsness, 95,
96--Egil Woolsark, 96, 97--Battle of Fraedoe, 96-98--Failure
of attempt to Christianize the country, 98--Battle
of Fitje (Eyvind Scald-Spoiler), 98-101--Death of Haakon
the Good, 101.

VIII.

HAROLD GREYFELL AND HIS BROTHERS 102-114

Unpopularity of the sons of Erik, 102-104--Their characters,
104--Harold Greyfell and Eyvind Scald-Spoiler, 105--Treachery
of Harold toward Earl Sigurd, 105, 106--Independence
of Earl Haakon, 106, 107--Murder of Tryggve
Olafsson, 107, 108--Birth of Olaf Tryggvesson, 108--Adventures
of Aastrid and Thoralf Lousy-Beard, 108-110--Sigurd
Sleva insults Aaluf, 111--Earl Haakon's intrigues in
Denmark, 111, 112--Gold-Harold slays Harold Greyfell,
112--Expulsion of the sons of Erik, 113, 114.

IX.

EARL HAAKON 115-133

Earl Haakon defends Dannevirke, 115, 116--Harold Bluetooth,
117--Haakon's devastations in Sweden and in Viken,
118--Earl Erik and Tiding-Skofte, 119--The funeral feast
of the Jomsvikings, 120, 121--Battle in Hjoerungavaag,
121-125--The Jomsvikings on the log, 125, 126--Haavard
the Hewer, 127--The power and popularity of Earl Haakon,
127, 128--Gudrun Lundarsol, 129--Revolt of the peasants,
130--The earl hides under a pigsty, 130, 131--"Why art
thou so pale, Kark?" 131--Kark murders the earl, 132--Haakon's
character, 132, 133.

X.

THE YOUTH OF OLAF TRYGGVESSON 134-142

Aastrid's flight to Russia, 134, 135--Olaf is sold for a ram,
135--He is taken to Vladimir's court, 135, 136--King
Burislav and Geira, 136, 137--The wooers' market in England,
137--Marriage with Gyda, 137, 138--Olaf's warfare in
England, 138, 139--Thore Klakka tries to entrap Olaf, 139,
140--Return to Norway and proclamation as king, 140-142.

XI.

OLAF TRYGGVESSON 143-172

Olaf Christianizes Viken, 143, 144--Character of old Germanic
Christianity, 144-146--Thangbrand the pugnacious
priest, 147--The chiefs of Haalogaland, 148--Ironbeard
and the peasants of Troendelag, 149, 150--The Yule-tide
feast at Moere, 150-152--Olaf woos Sigrid the Haughty,
152-154--He marries Thyra, 154--Thore Hjort, Eyvind
Kinriva, and Haarek of Thjotta, 154-158--Thangbrand
in Iceland, 158, 159--Olaf's character, 160--Thyra's tears
for her lost possessions, 161--"The Long-Serpent," 161--King
Olaf sails to Wendland, 162, 163--Earl Sigvalde's
treachery, 163--Battle of Svolder, 164-172--King Olaf's
death. 171, 172.

XII.

THE EARLS ERIK AND SWEYN.--IHE DISCOVERY OF VINLAND 173-181

Division of Norway between the victors at Svolder, 173--Erling
Skjalgsson of Sole, 174-176--Earl Erik's character,
176--And attitude toward Christianity, 176, 177--Revival
of the viking spirit, 177--Earl Erik abdicates in favor of his
brother and son, 178, 179--Bjarne Herjulfsson's glimpse of
America, 179--Leif Eriksson's expedition to Vinland, 180,
181--Thorfinn Karlsevne and Gudrid, 181.

XIII.

OLAF THE SAINT 182-224

Birth and childhood of Olaf the Saint, 182, 183--Viking
cruises, 183--Return to Norway, 184--He captures Earl
Haakon, 185--His reception by Aastrid and Sigurd Syr,
186, 187--Family council, 187, 188--Support of the shire-kings,
188--The Troenders recognize Olaf as king, 189--Surprised
by Earl Sweyn in Nidaros, 190--Battle of Nessje,
190, 192--Earl Sweyn's flight and death, 192--Quarrel with
King Olaf the Swede, 193, 194--Bjoern Stallare's mission,
194-196--Speech of Thorgny the Lawman, 196, 197--Olaf
marries Aastrid, 198--Conspiracy of the shire-kings and
their punishments, 199--The play of the sons of Sigurd Syr,
199, 200--Roerek's hard fate, 201--His attempt to murder
Olaf, 202--The attitude of the tribal aristocracy toward
Olaf, 202, 203--Paganism _versus_ Christianity, 204, 205--"Where
are my ancestors?" 205--Olaf's character and appearance,
205-207--Dale-Guldbrand, 207-210--Slaying of
Aasbjoern Sigurdsson, 211--Knut the Mighty bribes the
Norse chieftains, 212, 213--Anund Jacob refuses the bribe,
213, 214--Battle of Helge-aa, 214, 215--Death of Erling
Skjalgsson, 216--Olaf goes to Russia, 217--Bjoern Stallare's
confession, 218--Olaf returns to Norway, 218--His vision,
220, 221--Battle of Sticklestad, 221, 222--Thormod Kolbruna-Scald,
222-224--Burial of St. Olaf, 224.

XIV.

SWEYN ALFIFASSON 225-229

Alfifa and the Norse chiefs, 225--Unpopular and oppressive
laws, 226--King Olaf canonized, 227--Tryggve Olafsson's
defeat, 228--Einar Thambarskelver rebukes Alfifa, 228--Magnus
Olafsson returns from Russia, 229--Expulsion of
Sweyn, 229.

XV.

MAGNUS THE GOOD 230-250

Circumstances of Magnus' birth, 230--Magnus and Harthaknut,
231--Jealousies of the chieftains, 232--Magnus and
Kalf Arnesson at Stiklestad, 233--Sighvat Scald's Lay of
Candor, 234--Sweyn Estridsson rebels, 236, 237--Battle of
Lyrskog's Heath, 237--Thorstein Side-Hall's son, 238--Einar
Thambarskelver's disagreement and reconciliation
with Magnus, 238, 239--Arrival of Harold Sigurdsson, 240--His
adventures abroad, 240-242--Magnus' reception of
Harold, 243--Harold's alliance with Sweyn Estridsson, 244--Agreement
to share the government, 245--The peasant
Toke's speech, 246, 247--Expeditions of Magnus against
Sweyn Estridsson, 247, 247--Death of Magnus the Good,
249, 250.

XVI.

HAROLD HARD-RULER 251-272

The tribal chieftains and the hereditability of the crown,
251, 252--Harold decides to conquer Denmark, 252--Determination
to break the power of the aristocracy, 253--Einar
Thambarskelver's hostility, 254, 255--Harold marries
Thora, 255--St. Hallvard and the founding of Oslo, 256--Burning
of Heidaby, 257--Sweyn's pursuits and Harold's
stratagems, 257-259--Battle of Nis-aa, 259--Peace of
Goetha Elv, 260--Feuds with Einar Thambarskelver, 260,
261--Harold tests the loyalty of the chieftains, 261, 262--Hoegne
Langbjoernsson, 262, 263--Murder of Einar and his
son, 264--Harold's treachery to Kalf Arnesson and Haakon
Ivarsson, 265-267--Arrival of Earl Tostig in Norway, 268--Battles
of Fulford and Stamford Bridge, 268-270--Styrkaar
and the yeoman, 270-272--Position of the Norwegian
Church, 272.

XVII.

OLAF THE QUIET AND MAGNUS HAROLDSSON, 273-284

Olaf and Magnus divide the country, 273--War with Sweyn
Estridsson, 273, 274--Death of Magnus, 274--Character of
Olaf the Quiet, 275, 276--Gradual cessation of viking
cruises, 276, 277--Gradual abolition of serfdom, 278--Vikings
and merchants, 278, 279--Appearance and appointments
of dwellings, 280, 281--Increased splendor of the
court, 281, 282--Establishment of guilds, 282, 283--Skule
Tostigsson, 283--Death of Olaf the Quiet, 284.

XVIII.

MAGNUS BAREFOOT AND HAAKON MAGNUSSON, 285-290

The Troenders proclaim Haakon king, 285--Magnus' expedition
to Scotland and Ireland, 285, 286--Death of
Haakon, 286--Punishment of his partisans, 286, 287--War-like
spirit of Magnus, 287--War with Sweden, 288--War
with Ireland, 289--Death of Magnus in Ulster, 290.

XIX.

EYSTEIN SIGURD THE CRUSADER AND OLAF MAGNUSSON 291-305

Division of the land, 291--Sigurd's crusade, 292, 293--Eystein's
meritorious activity at home, 294--Hostility of the
brothers, 295--The case of Sigurd Ranesson, 295, 296--Borghild
of Dal, 297--The "man-measuring," 297-301--Death
of Eystein, 301--Ottar Birting, 301-303--Arrival of
Harold Gille, 303--Cecilia, 303--Death of Sigurd, 304, 305.

XX.

MAGNUS THE BLIND AND HAROLD GILLE 306-310

Character of Magnus and of Harold, 306--Battle of Fyrileiv,
307--Magnus captured and maimed, 307, 308--Sigurd
Slembedegn, 308--Harold Gille murdered, 309--Burning of
Konghelle by the Wends, 310.

XXI.

THE SONS OF HAROLD GILLE 311-321

The sons of Harold Gille proclaimed kings, 311--Sigurd
Slembedegn allies himself with Magnus the Blind, 311, 312--Inge
Crookback's first experience of war, 312--Battles of
Krokaskogen, 312, and Holmengraa, 313--Sigurd Slembedegn's
fortitude, 313--Arrival of Eystein Haroldsson, 314--Feuds
between the brothers, 314-316--Character and appearance
of Sigurd Mouth, 314-316--Death of Sigurd, 316--Death
of Eystein, 317--Erling Skakke and Gregorius
Dagsson, 318-320--Fall of Inge at Oslo, 320--The cardinal's
visit, 320, 321.

XXII.

HAAKON THE BROAD-SHOULDERED 322-325

Christina bribes the priest, 322--Erling Skakke's intrigues,
323--Seeks aid in Denmark, 323, 324--Battle of Sekken,
324.

XXIII.

MAGNUS ERLINGSSON 326-349

Rebellion of the "Sigurd party," 326, 327--Battle of Ree,
327--Erling's alliance with Archbishop Eystein, 327--Magnus
takes the land in fief from St. Olaf, 327, 328--Magnus
crowned, 328--King Valdemar's expedition to Norway, 328,
329--The rebellion of the Hood-Swains, 329--Battle of
Djursaa, 330--Erling accepts an earldom from Valdemar,
330--Kills his stepson Harold, 332--Eystein Meyla and the
Birchlegs, 333, 334--Childhood and youth of Sverre Sigurdsson,
334-337--Sverre becomes the chief of the Birchlegs,
337--Vicissitudes and adventures of the Birchlegs,
337-341--Battle of Kalvskindet, 341-343--Death of Erling
Skakke, 343--Social revolution inaugurated by Sverre, 343-345--Battle
at Nordness, 346--Warfare between Birchlegs
and Heklungs, 346-348--Battle of Norefjord and death of
Magnus, 348, 349.

XXIV.

SVERRE SIGURDSSON 350-378

A dangerous precedent, 350--Erik Kingsson, 351--The
lawmen and prefects, 351, 352--The new democracy, 352,
353--Rebellion of the Kuvlungs, 353, 354; the Varbelgs,
354; and the Oyeskeggs, 354-357--Sverre's controversy
with the Church, 357, 358--Nicholas Arnesson, 358--Sverre
is put in the ban, 359--Origin of the Bagler party,
360, 361--Nicholas shows the white feather, 361--Treason
of Thorstein Kugad, 362--The Baglers besiege the block-house
in Bergen, 362-365--Burning of Bergen, 365--The
traitor's return, 366--The Papal bull and Sverre's defence,
366-368--The Bagler's defeated at Strindsoe, 369--The
great peasant rebellion, 370-373--Sverre's magnanimity,
374--Aristocracy _versus_ Democracy, 374, 375--Siege and
surrender of Tunsberg, 375, 376--Death of Sverre, 376, 377--His
character, 377, 378.

XXV.

HAAKON SVERRESSON 379-384

Peace with the Church, 379--Popularity of Haakon, 380--Discontent
of the queen-dowager, 381--Abduction of Princess
Christina, 381, 382--The fatal Yule-tide feast, 382,
383--Death of Haakon by poison, 383--Flight of Queen
Margaret, 384.

XXVI.

GUTTORM SIGURDSSON AND INGE BAARDSSON, 385-399

The Bagler troop reorganized under Erling Stonewall, 385--Successful
ordeal, 386--Death of Guttorm Sigurdsson by
poison, 387--Inge Baardsson proclaimed king, 388--Society
disorganized by the civil wars, 388, 389--Unbidden guests
at the bridal feast, 389, 390--Philip Simonsson made king
of the Baglers, 390--Birth and childhood of Haakon
Haakonsson, 391, 392--Compromise of Hvitingsoee, 393--The
intrigues of Haakon Galen, 394, 395--Helge Hvasse
and the boy Haakon, 396, 397--Discontent of the Birchlegs,
398--Death of King Inge, 399.

XXVII.

HAAKON HAAKONSSON THE OLD 400-432

Haakon proclaimed king, 400--Rebellion of the Slittungs,
401--Effects of the civil war, 401, 402--The intrigues of
Earl Skule, 402-404--Inga of Varteig carries glowing irons,
404-406--Rebellion of the Ribbungs, 407, 408--Skule's
double-dealing, 408-410--Assembly of notables in Bergen,
410--Bishop Nicholas' hypocrisy, 411--Sigurd Ribbung renews
the rebellion, 412--Haakon's campaign in Vermeland,
412, 413--Duke Skule's leaky ships, 413--Death of Bishop
Nicholas and Sigurd Ribbung, 414--Squire Knut as the
chief of the Ribbungs, 416--Skule's "Crusade," 416, 417--Skule
allies himself with Valdemar the Victorious, 417, 418--Skule
called to account, 418-420--Intrigues at the Roman
Curia, 420, 421--The plot revealed, 421, 422--Skule proclaims
himself king, 423--Battle of Laaka, 424--Skule defeated
at Oslo, 425--Death of Skule, 426, 427--Coronation
of Haakon, 427-429--His power and fame at home and
abroad, 429-431--Expedition to Scotland, and death, 431,
432.

XXVIII.

THE STURLUNGS IN ICELAND 433-441

Snorre Sturlasson's _Heimskringla_, 433, 434--Snorre's parentage
and youth, 434--Character of Snorre, 434--Reykjaholt,
436--Brother feuds, 436--Snorre's visit to Norway, 437--Plots
and counterplots, 437-440--Snorre's death, 440--Sturla
Thordsson, 440, 441.

XXIX.

MAGNUS LAW-MENDER 442-450

Cession of Man and the Shetland Isles to Scotland, 442--Reasons
for and against the cession, 443--Condition of Icelandic
society and submission of the island to Norway, 444--Magnus
as a law-giver, 445-447--The tribal aristocracy
and the court nobility, 447, 448--Concessions to the Church,
448, 449--Degeneracy of the old royal house, 450--Death
of Magnus, 450.

XXX.

ERIK PRIEST-HATER 451-456

The barons increase their power, 451--Quarrels with the
clergy, 452--The false "Maid of Norway," 453--Depredations
of "Little Sir Alf," 453, 454--War with Denmark and
the Hansa, 454, 455--Capture and death of Little Sir Alf,
456--Death of King Erik, 456.

XXXI.

HAAKON LONGLEGS 457-460

Sir Audun's treason, 457--The dukes Erik and Valdemar
458--Complications with Sweden, 459--War with Denmark,
460--Death of Haakon, 460.

XXXII.

MAGNUS SMEK, HAAKON MAGNUSSON, AND OLAF THE YOUNG 461-466

Magnus Smek becomes king of Norway and Sweden, 461--Duchess
Ingeborg's unpopularity, 461, 462--Discontent with
Magnus, 462--Alliance with Valdemar Atterdag, 462, 463--Magnus
deposed in Sweden, 463--Haakon's war with Albrecht
of Mecklenberg, 464--The power of the Hansa in
Norway, 464--Death of Magnus, 465--The Black Death,
465, 466--Olaf the Young, 466.

XXXIII.

NORWAY DURING THE KALMAR UNION 467-474

Margaret unites the three kingdoms, 467-469--The Kalmar
Union, 469, 470--Reasons for its disastrous consequences,
470-472--Death of Margaret, 472--Erik of Pomerania's
misrule and extortions, 472, 473--Christopher of Bavaria,
473, 474.

XXXIV.

THE UNION WITH DENMARK 475-488

The condition of Norway and Denmark during the union
compared, 475, 476--Charles Knuttson elected king of Sweden,
478--Christian I.'s war with Charles Knutsson, 479,
480--Misrule in Norway, 480--The Scottish Isles pawned,
480, 481--King Hans, 481, 482--Christian II.'s accession,
482--His attempt to humble the nobility, 483--The carnage
of Stockholm, 483, 484--His vain appeal to the bourgeoisie,
484, 485--Christian's flight, 485--Frederick I., 485, 486--Struggle
about the succession, 486, 487--Christian III., 487,
488--Norway becomes a province of Denmark, 488.

XXXV.

NORWAY AS A PROVINCE OF DENMARK 489-515

The Reformation introduced, 489, 490--The power of the
Hansa broken, 490-492--Frederick II., 492-494--Christian
IV.'s interest in Norway, 494--The Kalmar War, 495--Participation
in the Thirty Years' War, 495, 496--The
Hannibal's feud, 496--Frederick III.'s disastrous war with
Sweden, 498--Absolutism introduced, 499, 500--Christian
V., 500, 501--Frederick IV.'s accession, 501--The Great
Northern War, 502-504--Tordenskjold, 503, 504--Christian
VI., 506-508--Frederick V, 508--Christian VII., 508-512--The
armed neutrality, 509, 510--Frederick VI. mounts
the throne, 512--War with Sweden, 512, 513--Christian
August as viceroy, 512-514--The Treaty of Paris, 513--Protest
of the Norsemen, 514--Separation from Denmark, 515.

XXXVI.

NORWAY RECOVERS HER INDEPENDENCE 516-538

Christian Frederick as viceroy, 516-518--Constitutional convention
at Eidsvold, 518-520--War with Sweden, 520, 521--Armistice
at Moss, 521--Charles XIII. accepts the constitution,
522--Charles XIV. John becomes king of Norway,
522--His controversies with the _Storthing_, 522-526--Henrik
Wergeland, 526, 527--Count Wedel-Jarlsberg as
viceroy, 527--Oscar I., 528-530--The character of the
Norse peasantry, 528-530--Charles XV., 530, 531--Oscar
II., and the constitutional struggle, 531-534--Impeachment
of the ministry Selmer, 534--"The Pure Flag," 535--Present
condition of Norway and her place among the nations,
536--Literature and science, 536-538.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE.

STONE AXES FROM THE LATER STONE AGE 5

STONE USED FOR SHAPING INSTRUMENTS 7

STONE HAMMER 7

STONE KNIFE 8

ADZE OF ELK-HORN 9

STONE WEDGE 9

ROCK PICTURE OF A SHIP AT LOeKEBERG 10

ROCK PICTURE AT BORGEN 11

BRONZE SWORD 14

LOOR OR WAR HORN OF BRONZE 15

BRONZE SWORD 7

BUCKLES FROM THE EARLY IRON AGE 19

THE VIKING SHIP RECENTLY UNEARTHED AT SANDEFJORD 26

THE VIKING SHIP, VARIOUS VIEWS OF 29

ST. ANSGARIUS THE APOSTLE OF THE NORTH 33

IRON IMPLEMENT--USE UNKNOWN 35

TWO-EDGED SWORD 37

BUCKLE FROM THE IRON AGE 39

RUIN OF NORSE TOWER AT MOSOe 43

BUCKLE WITH BYZANTINE ORNAMENTATION 51

GILT BUCKLE FOUND AT SKEDSMO 72

CYLINDRICAL MOUNTING IN BRONZE 76

IRON POINT OF SPEAR, IRON CHISEL 84

FRYING-PAN OF BRONZE 89

BREASTPIN OF BRONZE 91

OVAL BRONZE BUCKLE 93

EGIL WOOLSARK'S MONUMENT 96

ORNAMENTAL BRONZE MOUNTING 97

CHURCH AT EGILOe 103

SCISSORS AND ARROW-HEAD OF IRON 107

HAROLD BLUETOOTH 117

RUNESTONE FROM STRAND IN RYFYLKE 121

OBLONG BUCKLE 133

OLAF TRYGGVESSON'S ARRIVAL IN NORWAY 141

OLD NORSE LOOM 145

RUNIC STONE FROM GRAN IN HADELAND 153

INSTRUMENT OF UNKNOWN USE 155

OLD LOOM FROM THE FAEROE ISLANDS 159

CHURCH AT MOSTER ISLAND 167

SHUTTLES OF IRON AND WHALEBONE 175

KNIVES OF IRON FOUND IN HEDEMARK AND HADELAND 208

ST. OLAF FROM DRONTHEIM CATHEDRAL 219

ST. OLAF AND THE TROLDS 223

MAGNUS THE GOOD AND KALF ARNESSON AT STIKLESTAD 235

MARBLE LION FROM THE PIRAEUS 241

POMMEL OF GILT BRONZE FROM THE VIKING AGE 250

THE OLD MAN OF HOY 271

INTERIOR OF ORKHAUGEN 279

HITTERDAL CHURCH 299

VILLAGE DURING FISHING SEASON 315

THE RAFT SUND IN VESTFJORD 331

HORNELEN 339

THORGHAeTTEN 363

HOeNEFOSS 371

HAAKON HAAKONSSON AND HELGE HVASSE 397

WEST FRONT OF DRONTHEIM CATHEDRAL 403

OLD NORSE CAPITALS 409

ON THE SOGNE FJORD 415

A STORM ON THE FJORD 419

NORWEGIAN STABBUR OR STORE-HOUSE 431

HOeRGADAL IN THE NORTH OF ICELAND 435

ALMANNAGJAA WITH THE HILL OF LAWS 439

QUEEN MARGARET 471

CHRISTIAN I. 479

BELT WRESTLING 491

THE NORTH CAPE 493

FREDERICK III., KING OF DENMARK AND NORWAY 497

THE CAPERCAILZIE IN NORWAY 505

CARVED LINTEL, STABBUR, AND BEER-MUGS 507

PEASANTS DANCING 511

PRINCE CHRISTIAN FREDERICK, VICEROY OF NORWAY 517

CHARLES XIV. JOHN (BERNADOTTE) 521

SKEE-RUNNING 525

BRIDE AND GROOM 529

PORTRAIT OF OSCAR II. 533

BJOeRNSTJERNE BJOeRNSON 537

THE STORY OF NORWAY.