Haakon II of Norway
Encyclopedia
Haakon II Sigurdsson also known as Haakon Herdebrei, was King of Norway from 1157 until 1162 during the Civil war era in Norway
.
, in 1157 he was named heir of his uncle Eystein II
, who had been co-ruler of Norway with his brothers, Inge Haraldsson and Sigurd Munn. Following the death of his brothers, Inge
had become the sole ruler of Norway.
The former supporters of Sigurd Munn and Eystein II united behind Haakon, renewing the fight against King Inge I. These supporters continued fight against forces under the leadership of Sigurd Håvardsson of Hedmark
. On 3 February 1161, King Inge was defeated and killed, leading his men into battle against King Haakon near Oslo
after many of his men led, by his vassal Godred II Olafsson, defected to King Haakon’s side.
On July 7, 1162, King Haakon was killed in the Battle of Sekken (Slaget ved Sekken) not far from the market town Veøya
in Romsdal
en. After Inge’s fall, his supporters had rallied behind the lendmann Erling Skakke
and his son, Magnus Erlingsson. After his death, Haakon was succeeded as king of Norway by King Magnus V
.
extended over a 110 year period. It started with the death of King Sigurd I of Norway
in 1130 and ended with the death of Duke Skule Baardsson in 1240. 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 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
. The rallying point regularly was a royal son, who was set up as the head figure of the party in question, to oppose the rule of king from the contesting party.
Civil war era in Norway
The Civil war era of Norwegian history is a term used for the period in the history of Norway between 1130 and 1240. During this time, a series of civil wars were fought between rival kings and pretenders to the throne of Norway. The reasons for the wars is one of the most debated topics in...
.
Biography
His nickname, Herdebrei, means broad-shouldered. An illegitimate son of Sigurd MunnSigurd II of Norway
Sigurd II Haraldsson was king of Norway from 1136 to 1155. He was son of Harald Gille, king of Norway and his mistress Tora Guttormsdotter . He served as co-ruler with his half-brothers, Inge Haraldsson and Eystein Haraldsson. His epithet Munn means "the Mouth" in Old Norse...
, in 1157 he was named heir of his uncle Eystein II
Eystein II of Norway
Eystein Haraldsson , born c. 1125 apparently in Scotland, died 1157 in Bohuslän, Norway, was king of Norway from 1142 to 1157. He ruled as co-ruler with his brothers, Inge Haraldsson and Sigurd Munn...
, who had been co-ruler of Norway with his brothers, Inge Haraldsson and Sigurd Munn. Following the death of his brothers, Inge
Inge I of Norway
Inge Haraldsson was king of Norway from 1136 to 1161. Inge’s reign fell within the start of the period known in Norwegian history as the civil war era. He was never the sole ruler of the country. He is often known as Inge the Hunchback , because of his physical disability...
had become the sole ruler of Norway.
The former supporters of Sigurd Munn and Eystein II united behind Haakon, renewing the fight against King Inge I. These supporters continued fight against forces under the leadership of Sigurd Håvardsson of Hedmark
Hedmark
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Oppland and Akershus. The county administration is in Hamar.Hedmark makes up the northeastern part of Østlandet, the southeastern part of the country. It includes a long part of the borderline with Sweden, Dalarna County and Värmland County. The...
. On 3 February 1161, King Inge was defeated and killed, leading his men into battle against King Haakon near Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
after many of his men led, by his vassal Godred II Olafsson, defected to King Haakon’s side.
On July 7, 1162, King Haakon was killed in the Battle of Sekken (Slaget ved Sekken) not far from the market town Veøya
Veøya
Veøya is an island in the municipality of Molde in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is located at a junction of the three main branches of the Romsdalsfjord between Sekken and the mainland near the village of Nesjestranda. Veøy consists of one larger and two smaller islands...
in Romsdal
Romsdal
Romsdal is the name of a traditional district in the Norwegian county Møre og Romsdal, located between Nordmøre and Sunnmøre. The district of Romsdal comprises Aukra, Fræna, Midsund, Molde, Nesset, Rauma, Sandøy, and Vestnes. It is named for the valley of Romsdalen, which covers part of Rauma.The...
en. After Inge’s fall, his supporters had rallied behind the lendmann Erling Skakke
Erling Skakke
Erling Skakke was a Norwegian Jarl during the 12th century. He was the father of Magnus V, who reigned as King of Norway from 1161 to 1184....
and his son, Magnus Erlingsson. After his death, Haakon was succeeded as king of Norway by King Magnus V
Magnus V of Norway
Magnus V Erlingsson was a King of Norway during the Civil war era in Norway.-Biography:Magnus Erlingsson was probably born in Etne in Hordaland. He was the son of Erling Skakke. His father was a Norwegian nobleman who earned his reputation crusading with Rögnvald Kali Kolsson, the Earl of Orkney...
.
Historic context
The Civil war era in NorwayCivil war era in Norway
The Civil war era of Norwegian history is a term used for the period in the history of Norway between 1130 and 1240. During this time, a series of civil wars were fought between rival kings and pretenders to the throne of Norway. The reasons for the wars is one of the most debated topics in...
extended over a 110 year period. It started with the death of King Sigurd I of Norway
Sigurd I of Norway
Sigurd I Magnusson , also known as Sigurd the Crusader , was King of Norway from 1103 to 1130. His rule, together with his brother Eystein I of Norway , has been regarded by historians as a golden age for the medieval Kingdom of Norway...
in 1130 and ended with the death of Duke Skule Baardsson in 1240. 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 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
Bagler
The Bagli Party or Bagler was a faction or party during the Norwegian Civil Wars. The Bagler faction was made up principally of the Norwegian aristocracy, clergy and merchants....
and Birkebeiner
Birkebeiner
The Birkebein Party or Birkebeinar was the name for a rebellious party in Norway, formed in 1174 around the pretender to the Norwegian throne, Eystein Meyla...
. The rallying point regularly was a royal son, who was set up as the head figure of the party in question, to oppose the rule of king from the contesting party.
Other sources
- Krag, ClausClaus KragClaus Krag is a Norwegian educator, historian, and writer. He is a noted specialist in Old Norse philology and medieval Norwegian history. Krag earned his Cand.philol. in 1969...
Norges historie fram til 1319 (Oslo, 2000)