THE BATTLE OF SVOLDER

After the Battle of Hjörungavágr in AD 986, peace lasted in Norway for nine years until the population became unhappy with the increasingly unjust rule of Haakon Sigurdsson, the Earl of Lade. The return of Olaf Tryggvason to Norway in the same year caused him to lose all support, and he was killed soon afterward by his servant Tormod Kark, in hope of a reward. An alliance was then formed between Haakon's son Eric Haakonson, Sweyn Forkbeard the King of Denmark, and Olaf Skötkonung the king of Sweden, with the intention of defeating Tryggvason and each claiming a part of Norway for themselves.

By Jeremy Solel

Prior to AD 1000, Norway was religiously divided between the Old Norse religion and Christianity, with the rapid spread of the latter from AD 995 after Olaf Tryggvason became ruler of Norway. As he marched across Norway to secure his rule, the Christianization of Norway began by force. Any pagan who refused baptism was killed, and their statues and temples were destroyed. Olaf began the Christianization of Norway not only for religious but also political reasons, as it would allow him to centralize both his and the Church's control. The life of Olaf Tryggvason After Harald Greycloak became king of Norway in AD 962, he killed his rivals to consolidate his power. One was Tryggvi Olafsson, the king of Viken (now Oslofjord). His death in AD 963 prompted his wife Astrid and…

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Medieval World Culture & Conflict (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 7 - 2023

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