A lingering dispute between Norway and Scotland over control of the chain of islands that lies between Scotland and Ireland culminated in 1263 with the expedition of Hakon (or Haakon) IV against the Scots. Continue reading
The following text deals with the final campaign of King Sverri, in which he besieges the Baglar forces under Hreidar Sendiman. Continue reading
The Saga of King Sverri (Sverrissaga) is the only source still existing that chronicles the life and rule of Sverri Sigurdarson (1177-1202), son of King Sigurd Haraldsson. Continue reading
The recruitment of armies in the early middle ages: what can we know? Timothy Reuter Military Aspects of Scandinavian Society in a European Perspective, AD 1-1300 (Copenhagen, 1997) Abstract The study of medieval warfare has probably both benefitted and suffered from … Continue reading
This Norwegian work, written in the mid-13th century, is in the style of a son asking his father various questions, ranging from the reasons for the shorter days in Scandinavian lands to the power and authority of kings. Halfway through chapter 36, … Continue reading
Theodricus Monachus’s De antiquitate regum Norwagiensium is one of the oldest historical works of Norwegian history. It is a Latin account of the kings of Norway from Hardaldr harfaagri (around the ninth century), to Sigurð Magnusson, who died in 1130. Continue reading
Ágrip af Nóregskonungasögum wrote his account of the history of the Norwegian kings around 1190. Along with Theodoricus Monachus’ Historia de Antiquitate Regum Norwagiensium and the anonymous Historia Norvegiae, this work represents one of the earliest surving accounts of the history of Norway and … Continue reading
