Haakon VI of Norway
Encyclopedia
Haakon VI of Norway was King of Norway from 1343 until his death and King of Sweden from 1362 until 1364, when he was deposed by Albert of Mecklenburg
in Sweden
.
, the exact date and location of his birth is unknown; he died late during the summer in 1380 in Oslo
where he was buried in St Mary's Church
. He was the youngest son of Magnus Eriksson of Sweden
and Blanche of Namur. His older brother, Eric Magnusson
was King of Sweden until he died and Haakon succeeded him, although his rule over Sweden was brief.
Haakon married Margaret of Denmark
, daughter of King Valdemar IV of Denmark
. This was a political marriage intended to strengthen a long time dispute and peace with Denmark
. They had a son together, named Oluf Haakonsson
, who under Margaret I of Denmark
would become a tool to initiate the over 400 year long union between Norway and Denmark
.
Haakon VI was a Norwegian king for 25 years and a Swedish king for 2 years; as his father before him, he struggled to enforce and legitimize the rule of the royal House of Bjelbo
(Norwegian
: Folkungeregimet) in Sweden. During his reign as king he witnessed the rise and growing of the powerful Hanseatic League
, which would eventually have a strong influence in Norwegian affairs and politics. As he was the last king and ruler of an independent kingdom of Norway
, he is considered the last true Norwegian king of old.
at Varberg Castle
. On August 15 the council declared that they and the king had agreed that the youngest son of the king should be made King of Norway. Hardly a year later, members of the cities and towns gathered at Bohus Castle. There Haakon was hailed as king and perpetual fealty and assistance was sworen to him.
The meeting at Bohus Castle created new bonds to the old line of Kings of Norway. The letter, created by the members of the Norwegian state council, indicated that Haakon was to rule over only a part of Norway. It also said that if Haakon was to die without a legitimate son the common laws of succession to the closest blood related was to apply. The true successor would then be his older brother, Eric Magnusson and his bloodline would inherit the throne again in turn. The agreements of the meetings in 1343 and 1344 were properly ratified in a meeting in Bergen
in 1350.
Haakon was pulled into his fathers strife with and within Sweden, where a conflict centering on Haakon's brother, Eric Magnusson. With Eric as a gathering point, several powerful nobles helped him conduct a rebellion against his father. Father and son made their peace the year after, but the situation changed dramatically when Eric suddenly died in 1359. King Magnus was subsequently deposed and with accordance to the agreements of 1357, Haakon was elected king and was hailed in Uppsala
15 February 1362. From 1357 he styled himself as "Fyrste of Sweden" (English
: Prince of Sweden)(German
: Fürst von Schweden), and later he would style himself as "King of Norway and Sweden".
, Haakon was bethrothed to the Danish king's six-year-old daughter, Margrete. Problems with the two kingdoms international politics put the marriage on hold for a while, but after a hard and turbulent time with various alliances, the two parts reconciled, and Haakon and Margrete could host their wedding in 1363 at Copenhagen Cathedral. The bond which was now created, was to create several dire consequences for the two kingdoms and would shape the Nordic part of the world for many hundreds of years.
. They arranged for their son, Albert
to become King of Sweden, and in November 1365 he was hailed as the Swedish king. From then on, the strife for Sweden would stand between the royal House of Bjelbo
and the ducal House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
. In the first round, the House of Bjelbo lost to their ducal foes and their supporters. In the Battle at Gata (slaget ved Gata i Värmland) in Värmland
, Haakon and Magnus suffered a decisive loss and Magnus was taken prisoner, and would remain a prisoner for six years.
The main goal for Haakon was now to win back Sweden. He still held possessions and ruled western parts of Sweden and could count on the support from several noblemen who was displeased with Albert of Sweden
. After a successful campaign into Sweden and in the Battle of Stockholm in 1371 it looked like Haakon could turn the tide of the war and have his revenge for the loss at Gata; but Albert managed to withstand Haakon and in the peace treaty which was signed 14, August 1371, Haakon had to be satisfied with freeing his father against a large ransom. King Magnus resumed his part as ruler over his possessions in Norway and Sweden, but died in 1374.
Haakon had now added all his fathers possessions under himself again, and they were vast and helpful to him.
in front protested. In 1365 and 1366 rose a vicious strife in the city of Bergen
, and the German office on Bryggen
in Bergen had to close down for a period. There was a far larger deal and important interests for both the parties which was at stake during this strife, and in 1368 the two parties gathered and agreed to form peace between themselves. In a meeting at Bohus Castle in June 1370 was the treaty signed between the kingdom and the Hanseatic League
, the treaty stated a peace for 5 years.
died, and this spawned another strife between the two quarreling dynasties
. King Valdemar had two daughters - Ingeborg, who was married to the powerful Henry III of Mecklenburg (who was the brother to King Albert of Sweden
), and Magrete, married to King Haakon of Norway. Both parties instantly claimed to be the successor to the Danish throne. The Mecklenburgs claimed their own son, Albert as rightful heir; but Haakon and Magrete claimed their own son as the only legitimate heir to the deceased Danish king. On 3 May 1376 Oluf Haakonsson
was elected King of Denmark and so King Haakon and Magrete claimed the victory.
The Hanseatic League
had gained themselves the right to intervene in the Danish king-election, but they kept themselves neutral, this was because of King Haakon, as he had paid them well for doing so. At the final peace settlement in 1376 the Hanseatic League managed to confirm "all their old rights, as freely as they had ever used them" within the two kingdoms. This greatly contributed to the vast growing of power within the league.
, awarding it to Henry Sinclair, ocean explorer, a (youngest) grandson of earl Maol Íosa V, Earl of Strathearn
, over the widower of Maol Iosa's elder daughter and other descendants.
After King Haakon's father's death, he left Haakon a vast portion of Swedish lands. Haakon was never satisfied with the lands he had inherited, he wanted all of Sweden under him, and it would become a lifelong quest for him to unite Sweden under the House of Bjelbo
. In March 1380 he wrote a letter which was to "all the men in Sogn
", the letter requested that the leidang fleet
should be assembled and made ready for departure. The reason for this was "because the Germans
in Sweden" had broken the treaty of peace and prepared for war against him. There was no war or battles fought, and Haakon neared his final days. He died after the summer the same year, only 40 years old, and he was buried in his own church.
. It is estimated that as much as half of the population had died during the first plague and new plagues followed in 1360 and 1370-71. The financial framework, which was originally weak, was weakened even further as the plague ravaged; and at the same time, the international politics of Norway required vast sums of money.
The ransom King Haakon had to pay for his father in 1371 was around 12 000 silver marks
, that was alone larger than the ordinary Norwegian tax incomes just before the Black Plague. King Haakon was dependent on foreign help, and he took up vast loans from the city of Lübeck
, who knew just how to take advantage of this crisis to their own advantage.
The Norwegian nobility
stood weakened as well after the Black Plague, both in personal purposes and financially. This made it utterly necessary to cooperate between the rich, the nobles and the king. The state council, which hosted most of the clergy
and secular lords as members, was regularly spoken in. Even more Swedish noblemen came to Norway during the reign of King Haakon and established themselves there.
King Haakon had also with the church as an institution, a unproblematic cooperation, and it appears that the requirement of ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Christian trials generally was respected.
Albert of Sweden
Albert was King of Sweden from 1364 to 1389 and Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1384 to 1412.-Background:...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
Background
Haakon was born in 1340 in SwedenSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, the exact date and location of his birth is unknown; he died late during the summer in 1380 in 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...
where he was buried in St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church, Oslo
St Mary's Church was a medieval church in Oslo, Norway.St Mary's Church, which functioned as royal chapel, had been built in stages with final additions made in the 1300s. The church was put on fire by Swedish forces in connection with an attack in 1523...
. He was the youngest son of Magnus Eriksson of Sweden
Magnus IV of Sweden
Magnus Eriksson as Magnus IV was king of Sweden , including Finland, as Magnus VII King of Norway , including Iceland and Greenland, and also ruled Scania . He has also vindictively been called Magnus Smek...
and Blanche of Namur. His older brother, Eric Magnusson
Eric XII of Sweden
Eric "XII" of Sweden was a rival king of Sweden of his father Magnus IV from 1356 to his death in 1359. He was married to Beatrix of Bavaria, daughter of Louis IV of Bavaria....
was King of Sweden until he died and Haakon succeeded him, although his rule over Sweden was brief.
Haakon married Margaret of Denmark
Margaret I of Denmark
Margaret I was Queen of Denmark, Norway and Sweden and founder of the Kalmar Union, which united the Scandinavian countries for over a century. Although she acted as queen regnant, the laws of contemporary Danish succession denied her formal queenship. Her title in Denmark was derived from her...
, daughter of King Valdemar IV of Denmark
Valdemar IV of Denmark
Valdemar IV of Denmark or Waldemar ; , was King of Denmark from 1340 to 1375.-Ascension to the throne:...
. This was a political marriage intended to strengthen a long time dispute and peace with Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. They had a son together, named Oluf Haakonsson
Olav IV of Norway
Olaf II Haakonsson was king of Denmark as Olaf II and king of Norway as Olaf IV . Olaf was son of King Haakon VI of Norway and the grandson of King Magnus IV of Sweden. His mother was Queen Margaret I of Denmark which made him the grandson of King Valdemar IV of Denmark...
, who under Margaret I of Denmark
Margaret I of Denmark
Margaret I was Queen of Denmark, Norway and Sweden and founder of the Kalmar Union, which united the Scandinavian countries for over a century. Although she acted as queen regnant, the laws of contemporary Danish succession denied her formal queenship. Her title in Denmark was derived from her...
would become a tool to initiate the over 400 year long union between Norway and Denmark
Kalmar Union
The Kalmar Union is a historiographical term meaning a series of personal unions that united the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway , and Sweden under a single monarch, though intermittently and with a population...
.
Haakon VI was a Norwegian king for 25 years and a Swedish king for 2 years; as his father before him, he struggled to enforce and legitimize the rule of the royal House of Bjelbo
House of Bjelbo
The House of Bjelbo , also known as the House of Folkung , was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided for several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings.- Name and origin :...
(Norwegian
Norwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
: Folkungeregimet) in Sweden. During his reign as king he witnessed the rise and growing of the powerful Hanseatic League
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
, which would eventually have a strong influence in Norwegian affairs and politics. As he was the last king and ruler of an independent kingdom of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, he is considered the last true Norwegian king of old.
Early life and affairs
During the autumn of 1343 a large gathering of powerful members of the Norwegian state council met with King Magnus ErikssonMagnus IV of Sweden
Magnus Eriksson as Magnus IV was king of Sweden , including Finland, as Magnus VII King of Norway , including Iceland and Greenland, and also ruled Scania . He has also vindictively been called Magnus Smek...
at Varberg Castle
Varberg Fortress
Varberg Fortress is a former fortification in Varberg, Halland County, Sweden .-History:Varberg Fortress was built in 1287-1300 by count Jacob Nielsen as protection against his Danish king, who had declared him an outlaw after the murder of King Eric V of Denmark.Jacob had close connections with...
. On August 15 the council declared that they and the king had agreed that the youngest son of the king should be made King of Norway. Hardly a year later, members of the cities and towns gathered at Bohus Castle. There Haakon was hailed as king and perpetual fealty and assistance was sworen to him.
The meeting at Bohus Castle created new bonds to the old line of Kings of Norway. The letter, created by the members of the Norwegian state council, indicated that Haakon was to rule over only a part of Norway. It also said that if Haakon was to die without a legitimate son the common laws of succession to the closest blood related was to apply. The true successor would then be his older brother, Eric Magnusson and his bloodline would inherit the throne again in turn. The agreements of the meetings in 1343 and 1344 were properly ratified in a meeting in Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
in 1350.
King of Norway and King of Sweden
Haakon took over as king between 8/18 August 1355, but during the following years it was mostly his father who would continue to rule the kingdom, although not in name anymore. The first time Haakon acted as sole king and ruler was in 22 January 1358, when he sent a letter with renewal of the privileges for the city of Oslo.Haakon was pulled into his fathers strife with and within Sweden, where a conflict centering on Haakon's brother, Eric Magnusson. With Eric as a gathering point, several powerful nobles helped him conduct a rebellion against his father. Father and son made their peace the year after, but the situation changed dramatically when Eric suddenly died in 1359. King Magnus was subsequently deposed and with accordance to the agreements of 1357, Haakon was elected king and was hailed in Uppsala
Uppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
15 February 1362. From 1357 he styled himself as "Fyrste of Sweden" (English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: Prince of Sweden)(German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: Fürst von Schweden), and later he would style himself as "King of Norway and Sweden".
The marriage alliance and the consequences
As a part of an agreement with King Valdemar IV of DenmarkValdemar IV of Denmark
Valdemar IV of Denmark or Waldemar ; , was King of Denmark from 1340 to 1375.-Ascension to the throne:...
, Haakon was bethrothed to the Danish king's six-year-old daughter, Margrete. Problems with the two kingdoms international politics put the marriage on hold for a while, but after a hard and turbulent time with various alliances, the two parts reconciled, and Haakon and Margrete could host their wedding in 1363 at Copenhagen Cathedral. The bond which was now created, was to create several dire consequences for the two kingdoms and would shape the Nordic part of the world for many hundreds of years.
New conflicts in Sweden
In Sweden, new conflicts were brewing once again. Swedish noblemen had contacted Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg who was married to King Magnus' sister, Euphemia of SwedenEuphemia of Sweden
Eufemia Ericsdotter of Sweden was a Swedish princess, spouse of Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg, Duchess Consort of Mecklenburg, heiress of Sweden and of Norway, mother of king Albert of Sweden.- Biography :Her father was Eric of Sweden Eufemia Ericsdotter of Sweden (1317–1370) was a Swedish...
. They arranged for their son, Albert
Albert of Sweden
Albert was King of Sweden from 1364 to 1389 and Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1384 to 1412.-Background:...
to become King of Sweden, and in November 1365 he was hailed as the Swedish king. From then on, the strife for Sweden would stand between the royal House of Bjelbo
House of Bjelbo
The House of Bjelbo , also known as the House of Folkung , was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided for several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings.- Name and origin :...
and the ducal House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Mecklenburg-Schwerin was a duchy in northern Germany created in 1348, when Albert II of Mecklenburg and his younger brother John were raised to Dukes of Mecklenburg by King Charles IV...
. In the first round, the House of Bjelbo lost to their ducal foes and their supporters. In the Battle at Gata (slaget ved Gata i Värmland) in Värmland
Värmland
' is a historical province or landskap in the west of middle Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Dalsland, Dalarna, Västmanland and Närke. It is also bounded by Norway in the west. Latin name versions are Vermelandia and Wermelandia. Although the province's land originally was Götaland, the...
, Haakon and Magnus suffered a decisive loss and Magnus was taken prisoner, and would remain a prisoner for six years.
The main goal for Haakon was now to win back Sweden. He still held possessions and ruled western parts of Sweden and could count on the support from several noblemen who was displeased with Albert of Sweden
Albert of Sweden
Albert was King of Sweden from 1364 to 1389 and Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1384 to 1412.-Background:...
. After a successful campaign into Sweden and in the Battle of Stockholm in 1371 it looked like Haakon could turn the tide of the war and have his revenge for the loss at Gata; but Albert managed to withstand Haakon and in the peace treaty which was signed 14, August 1371, Haakon had to be satisfied with freeing his father against a large ransom. King Magnus resumed his part as ruler over his possessions in Norway and Sweden, but died in 1374.
Haakon had now added all his fathers possessions under himself again, and they were vast and helpful to him.
Hanseatic League
The marriage between Haakon and Margrete created a new way of conducting Norway's international politic. The Norwegian interests had to be coordinated alongside with those of Denmark, and that was very hard and problematic, this was mainly because of the northern cities and principalities in Germany. These cities, with the city of LübeckLübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
in front protested. In 1365 and 1366 rose a vicious strife in the city of Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
, and the German office on Bryggen
Bryggen
Bryggen , also known as Tyskebryggen is a series of Hanseatic commercial buildings lining the eastern side of the fjord coming into Bergen, Norway. Bryggen has since 1979 been on the UNESCO list for World Cultural Heritage sites. The name has the same origin as the Flemish city of Brugge.The city...
in Bergen had to close down for a period. There was a far larger deal and important interests for both the parties which was at stake during this strife, and in 1368 the two parties gathered and agreed to form peace between themselves. In a meeting at Bohus Castle in June 1370 was the treaty signed between the kingdom and the Hanseatic League
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
, the treaty stated a peace for 5 years.
New conflict between Bjelbo and Mecklenburg
In 1375 King Valdemar IV of DenmarkValdemar IV of Denmark
Valdemar IV of Denmark or Waldemar ; , was King of Denmark from 1340 to 1375.-Ascension to the throne:...
died, and this spawned another strife between the two quarreling dynasties
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
. King Valdemar had two daughters - Ingeborg, who was married to the powerful Henry III of Mecklenburg (who was the brother to King Albert of Sweden
Albert of Sweden
Albert was King of Sweden from 1364 to 1389 and Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1384 to 1412.-Background:...
), and Magrete, married to King Haakon of Norway. Both parties instantly claimed to be the successor to the Danish throne. The Mecklenburgs claimed their own son, Albert as rightful heir; but Haakon and Magrete claimed their own son as the only legitimate heir to the deceased Danish king. On 3 May 1376 Oluf Haakonsson
Olav IV of Norway
Olaf II Haakonsson was king of Denmark as Olaf II and king of Norway as Olaf IV . Olaf was son of King Haakon VI of Norway and the grandson of King Magnus IV of Sweden. His mother was Queen Margaret I of Denmark which made him the grandson of King Valdemar IV of Denmark...
was elected King of Denmark and so King Haakon and Magrete claimed the victory.
The Hanseatic League
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
had gained themselves the right to intervene in the Danish king-election, but they kept themselves neutral, this was because of King Haakon, as he had paid them well for doing so. At the final peace settlement in 1376 the Hanseatic League managed to confirm "all their old rights, as freely as they had ever used them" within the two kingdoms. This greatly contributed to the vast growing of power within the league.
Later years and affairs
In 1379 Haakon solved the disputes over succession in the Norse earldom of OrkneyEarldom of Orkney
The Earldom of Orkney was a Norwegian dignity in Scotland which had its origins in the Viking period. The title of Earl of Orkney was passed down the same family line through to the Middle Ages....
, awarding it to Henry Sinclair, ocean explorer, a (youngest) grandson of earl Maol Íosa V, Earl of Strathearn
Maol Íosa V, Earl of Strathearn
Maol Íosa V of Strathearn was the last of the native Gaelic family of Strathearn mormaers. He ruled Strathearn as mormaer/earl between 1330 and 1334, and was Earl of Orkney between 1331 and 1350....
, over the widower of Maol Iosa's elder daughter and other descendants.
After King Haakon's father's death, he left Haakon a vast portion of Swedish lands. Haakon was never satisfied with the lands he had inherited, he wanted all of Sweden under him, and it would become a lifelong quest for him to unite Sweden under the House of Bjelbo
House of Bjelbo
The House of Bjelbo , also known as the House of Folkung , was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided for several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings.- Name and origin :...
. In March 1380 he wrote a letter which was to "all the men in Sogn
Sogn
Sogn is a traditional district in Western Norway . It is located in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, surrounding the Sognefjord. Sogn consists of the municipalities of Aurland, Balestrand, Hyllestad, Høyanger, Gulen, Leikanger, Luster, Lærdal, Sogndal, Solund, Vik, and Årdal. The district covers ...
", the letter requested that the leidang fleet
Leidang
The institution known as leiðangr , leidang , leding, , ledung , expeditio or sometimes lething , was a public levy of free farmers typical for medieval Scandinavians. It was a form of conscription to organise coastal fleets for seasonal excursions and in defence of the realm...
should be assembled and made ready for departure. The reason for this was "because the Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
in Sweden" had broken the treaty of peace and prepared for war against him. There was no war or battles fought, and Haakon neared his final days. He died after the summer the same year, only 40 years old, and he was buried in his own church.
The Kingdom of Norway
King Haakon inherited a kingdom ravaged by the Black Plague. In 1349, the Black Death was brought to Norway arriving first in the port of in BergenBergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
. It is estimated that as much as half of the population had died during the first plague and new plagues followed in 1360 and 1370-71. The financial framework, which was originally weak, was weakened even further as the plague ravaged; and at the same time, the international politics of Norway required vast sums of money.
The ransom King Haakon had to pay for his father in 1371 was around 12 000 silver marks
Mark (money)
Mark was a measure of weight mainly for gold and silver, commonly used throughout western Europe and often equivalent to 8 ounces. Considerable variations, however, occurred throughout the Middle Ages Mark (from a merging of three Teutonic/Germanic languages words, Latinized in 9th century...
, that was alone larger than the ordinary Norwegian tax incomes just before the Black Plague. King Haakon was dependent on foreign help, and he took up vast loans from the city of Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
, who knew just how to take advantage of this crisis to their own advantage.
The Norwegian nobility
Norwegian nobility
Norwegian nobility are persons and families who in early times belonged to the supreme social, political, and military class and who later were members of the institutionalised nobility in the Kingdom of Norway. It has its historical roots in the group of chieftains and warriors which evolved...
stood weakened as well after the Black Plague, both in personal purposes and financially. This made it utterly necessary to cooperate between the rich, the nobles and the king. The state council, which hosted most of the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
and secular lords as members, was regularly spoken in. Even more Swedish noblemen came to Norway during the reign of King Haakon and established themselves there.
King Haakon had also with the church as an institution, a unproblematic cooperation, and it appears that the requirement of ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Christian trials generally was respected.