Ringsaker
Encyclopedia
is a municipality
in Hedmark
county
, Norway
. It is part of the traditional region
of Hedmarken
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Brumunddal
.
The municipality of Ringsaker was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt
). The municipalities of Furnes and Nes
were merged together with Ringsaker on 1 January 1964.
) is named after the old Ringsaker farm (Old Norse
: Ringisakr), since the first church was built here. The first element is the genitive case
of ringir or ringi. The last element is akr which means "field
" or "acre
".
The meaning of the first element is unknown. A proposal is that Ringir (Hringir) may have been another name for the Norse god Ullr
(the lord of the ring), but this is very uncertain. (The background for this theory is the Norse poem Atlakviða
. Here is mentioned a ceremony where people are swearing an oath by hringi Ullar or "Ullr's ring".)
is from modern times. They were granted on 1 February 1985. The arms show a silver elk
on a red background. The elk in the arms is taken from pre-historic
cave paintings
found at the Stein farm in Ringsaker, indicating the early inhabitation of the area. They were designed by Arne Løvstad.
(See also the coat-of-arms for Aremark
, Namsos
, Namsskogan
and Tynset
.)
, bordering Lillehammer
to the northwest; Øyer
, Stor-Elvdal
, and Åmot
to the north; Hamar
to the east; Stange
and Østre Toten
to the south; and Gjøvik
to the west.
Ringsaker lies in the Hedmarken region which consists of a rolling agricultural terrain, hilly green mountain
s, and pine
forest
s.
Urban centers in Ringsaker include Brumunddal
and Moelv
.
, forestry
, and diversified manufacturing
. The area of Sjusjøen
has a relatively large cottage colony that is especially attractive for cross-country skiing
vacations.
's Saga
, in the Heimskringla
by Snorri Sturluson
. The saga reports that Harald Hårfagre (872–930) was but ten years old when he succeeded his father (Halfdan the Black
). After Halfdan the Black's death, many chiefs coveted the dominions he had left. Among these King Gandalf
was the first; then Högne
and Fróði
, sons of King Eystein
of Hedemark; and also King Hogne Karuson of Ringerike
.
Hake, the son of Gandalf, led an expedition of 300 men against Vestfold
. King Harald’s army, led by Guthorm, met and fought a great battle, and King Harald was victorious, killing king Hake. Then King Harald turned back, but King Gandalf had come to Vestfold so they defeated him also. Now when the sons of King Eystein in Hedemark heard the news, they proposed to meet at Ringsaker in Hedemark with the remaining kings, Hogne Karuson and Herse Gudbrand. King Harald and Guthorm found out where the Oppland
kings were meeting, and coming undetected at night, fired the houses in which Hogne Karuson and Herse Gudbrand slept. King Eystein's two sons and their men fought, but both Hogne and Frode died.
After the fall of these kings, King Harald had subdued Hedemark, Ringerike, Gudbrandsdal
, Hadeland
, Thoten, Romerike
, and the whole northern part of Vingulmark
. In addition, King Gandalf was slain, and King Harald took the whole of his kingdom as far south as the river Raum (Glomma
).
(later Saint Olaf) sent people to advise the Opplands that he was coming, as it was custom for the king to live as guest there every third year. In the autumn, he left Sarpsborg
and went first to Vingulmark. He inquired about their Christianity
, teaching some and punishing others. He went through that district, and on to Romerike. Christianity was weaker there and he punished all who had not obeyed his word. The king of Romerike proceeded to Ringsaker, to consult King Hrorek of Hedemark. They sent messages to King Gudrod of Gudbrandsdal, and to the King of Hadaland, inviting them to meet at Hedemark. The kings agreed to resist Olaf. They summoned the leaders from their kingdoms; and when they had assembled the kings directed them to gather warriors. Most approved of the measure, but the kings were betrayed to Olav by Ketil Kavl of Ringanes (the southernmost district in Hedemark, Stange
), who proceeded rapidly down lake Mjøsa
to Eid, where Olaf was then located.
King Olaf accompanied by 400 men arrived at Ringsaker before the next day dawned. Ketil knew where the kings slept, and Olaf had all these houses surrounded. The kings were taken prisoners. King Hrorek’s eyes were put out. King Gudrod's tongue was cut out. King Ring and two others were banished from Norway. King Olaf took possession of the land these kings had possessed, and after this Olaf alone bore the title of king in Norway.
’s champion, lived at Røyr (Rør) in Ringsaker. He died at Re
in 1163.
Municipalities of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties , and 430 municipalities...
in 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...
county
Counties of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties . The counties form the primary first-level subdivisions of Norway and are further divided into 430 municipalities...
, 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...
. It is part of the traditional region
Districts of Norway
The country Norway is historically divided into a number of districts. Many districts have deep historical roots, and only partially coincide with today's administrative units of counties and municipalities. The districts are defined by geographical features, often valleys, mountain ranges, fjords,...
of Hedmarken
Hedmarken
Hedmarken is a traditional district in the county of Hedmark in Eastern Norway....
. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Brumunddal
Brumunddal
Brumunddal is the largest settlement in the Ringsaker municipality of Hedmark, Norway. It is a small, densely populated area surrounded by scenic countryside and farms on the eastern shore of Norway's largest lake: Mjøsa...
.
The municipality of Ringsaker was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt
Formannskapsdistrikt
Formannskapsdistrikt was the name for a Norwegian local self-government districts put into force in 1838. This system of municipality was created in a bill approved by the Storting and signed into law by King Carl Johan on 14 January 1837...
). The municipalities of Furnes and Nes
Nes, Hedmark
Nes is a former municipality in Hedmark county, Norway.The parish of Næs was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 . The whole parish, except for the island of Helgøya, lies on a large peninsula located in Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake. Nes was merged with Ringsaker January 1, 1964...
were merged together with Ringsaker on 1 January 1964.
Name
The municipality (originally the parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
) is named after the old Ringsaker farm (Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
: Ringisakr), since the first church was built here. The first element is the genitive case
Genitive case
In grammar, genitive is the grammatical case that marks a noun as modifying another noun...
of ringir or ringi. The last element is akr which means "field
Field (agriculture)
In agriculture, the word field refers generally to an area of land enclosed or otherwise and used for agricultural purposes such as:* Cultivating crops* Usage as a paddock or, generally, an enclosure of livestock...
" or "acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
".
The meaning of the first element is unknown. A proposal is that Ringir (Hringir) may have been another name for the Norse god Ullr
Ullr
In early Germanic paganism, *Wulþuz appears to have been a major god, or an epithet of an important god, in prehistoric times....
(the lord of the ring), but this is very uncertain. (The background for this theory is the Norse poem Atlakviða
Atlakviða
Atlakviða is one of the heroic poems of the Poetic Edda. One of the main characters is Atli who originates from Attila the Hun. It is one of the most archaic Eddic poems. It is preserved in the Codex Regius and the same story is related in the Völsunga saga...
. Here is mentioned a ceremony where people are swearing an oath by hringi Ullar or "Ullr's ring".)
Coat-of-arms
The coat-of-armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
is from modern times. They were granted on 1 February 1985. The arms show a silver elk
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
on a red background. The elk in the arms is taken from pre-historic
Prehistory
Prehistory is the span of time before recorded history. Prehistory can refer to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it refers to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing...
cave paintings
Petroglyph
Petroglyphs are pictogram and logogram images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, and abrading. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions of the technique to refer to such images...
found at the Stein farm in Ringsaker, indicating the early inhabitation of the area. They were designed by Arne Løvstad.
(See also the coat-of-arms for Aremark
Aremark
Aremark is a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Fosby.Aremark was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 . The new municipality of Øymark was separated from Aremark on 1 July 1903.- Name :The Norse form of the name was...
, Namsos
Namsos
is a town and municipality in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Namdalen region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Namsos. Other villages in the municipality include Bangsund, Klinga, Ramsvika, Skomsvoll, and Spillum....
, Namsskogan
Namsskogan
Namsskogan is a village and municipality in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. Namsskogan is located in the upper part of the long Namdalen valley region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Namsskogan...
and Tynset
Tynset
Tynset is a municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Tynset.-Name:...
.)
Geography
Ringsaker is on the east side of the lake MjøsaMjøsa
Mjøsa is Norway's largest lake, as well as one of the deepest lakes in Norway and in Europe as a whole, after Hornindalsvatnet. It is located in the southern part of Norway, about 100 km north of Oslo...
, bordering Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
to the northwest; Øyer
Øyer
Øyer is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Tingberg....
, Stor-Elvdal
Stor-Elvdal
Stor-Elvdal is a municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Koppang....
, and Åmot
Åmot
Åmot is a municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Rena...
to the north; Hamar
Hamar
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hamar. The municipality of Hamar was separated from Vang as a town and municipality of its own in 1849...
to the east; Stange
Stange
is a municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Stangebyen.-Name:...
and Østre Toten
Østre Toten
Østre Toten is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Toten. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Lena.-Name:...
to the south; and Gjøvik
Gjøvik
is a town and a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Gjøvik.In 1861, the village of Gjøvik in the municipality of Vardal was granted town status and was separated from Vardal to form a separate municipality...
to the west.
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
s, and pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s.
Urban centers in Ringsaker include Brumunddal
Brumunddal
Brumunddal is the largest settlement in the Ringsaker municipality of Hedmark, Norway. It is a small, densely populated area surrounded by scenic countryside and farms on the eastern shore of Norway's largest lake: Mjøsa...
and Moelv
Moelv
Moelv is the second largest center in the municipality of Ringsaker in Norway.Situated at the shores of lake Mjøsa at the mouth of the Moelva river, the town is bordered by green, forested hills farmland. Home to about 4,000 inhabitants, the town consists of a few shopping centers, a railway...
.
Economy
Ringsaker's main industries are agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
, and diversified manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
. The area of Sjusjøen
Sjusjøen
Sjusjøen is a Norwegian skiing destination with forest and mountain terrain, about 20 km east of the centre of Lillehammer, at . The area is located in the municipality of Ringsaker, Hedmark...
has a relatively large cottage colony that is especially attractive for cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
vacations.
Harald Hårfagre in 882
Ringsaker is first mentioned in King Harald HårfagreHarald I of Norway
Harald Fairhair or Harald Finehair , , son of Halfdan the Black, was the first king of Norway.-Background:Little is known of the historical Harald...
's Saga
Saga
Sagas, are stories in Old Norse about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, etc.Saga may also refer to:Business*Saga DAB radio, a British radio station*Saga Airlines, a Turkish airline*Saga Falabella, a department store chain in Peru...
, in the Heimskringla
Heimskringla
Heimskringla is the best known of the Old Norse kings' sagas. It was written in Old Norse in Iceland by the poet and historian Snorri Sturluson ca. 1230...
by Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
. The saga reports that Harald Hårfagre (872–930) was but ten years old when he succeeded his father (Halfdan the Black
Halfdan the Black
Halfdan the Black was a ninth-century king of Vestfold. He belonged to the House of Yngling and was the father of Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway.-Biography:...
). After Halfdan the Black's death, many chiefs coveted the dominions he had left. Among these King Gandalf
Gandalf Alfgeirsson
Gandalf Alfgeirsson was a legendary king of the petty kingdom Vingulmark, in south-eastern Norway. He appears as a character in Snorri Sturluson's saga Heimskringla....
was the first; then Högne
Högne
For other people named Högne, see Haguna.Högne was a king of Östergötland who appears in sources Norse mythology.-Heimskringla:Snorri Sturluson wrote that he was the king of Östergötland and that he had a son named Hildur and daughter Hilda who was married to Granmar, the king of Södermanland...
and Fróði
Fróði
Fróði is the name of a number of legendary Danish kings in various texts including Beowulf, Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda and his Ynglinga saga, Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum, and the Grottasöngr. A Danish king by this name also appears as a minor character in the Middle High German epic Die...
, sons of King Eystein
Eystein Ivarsson
Eystein Glumra , also called Eystein Ivarsson was Jarl of Oppland and Hedmark in Norway....
of Hedemark; and also King Hogne Karuson of Ringerike
Ringerike
oskar er kjempe kulRingerike is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Ringerike...
.
Hake, the son of Gandalf, led an expedition of 300 men against Vestfold
Vestfold
is a county in Norway, bordering Buskerud and Telemark. The county administration is in Tønsberg.Vestfold is located west of the Oslofjord, as the name indicates. It includes many smaller, but well-known towns in Norway, such as Larvik, Sandefjord, Tønsberg and Horten. The river Numedalslågen runs...
. King Harald’s army, led by Guthorm, met and fought a great battle, and King Harald was victorious, killing king Hake. Then King Harald turned back, but King Gandalf had come to Vestfold so they defeated him also. Now when the sons of King Eystein in Hedemark heard the news, they proposed to meet at Ringsaker in Hedemark with the remaining kings, Hogne Karuson and Herse Gudbrand. King Harald and Guthorm found out where the Oppland
Oppland
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal, Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Akershus, Oslo and Hedmark. The county administration is in Lillehammer. Oppland is, together with Hedmark, one of the only two landlocked counties of Norway....
kings were meeting, and coming undetected at night, fired the houses in which Hogne Karuson and Herse Gudbrand slept. King Eystein's two sons and their men fought, but both Hogne and Frode died.
After the fall of these kings, King Harald had subdued Hedemark, Ringerike, Gudbrandsdal
Gudbrandsdal
The Gudbrandsdalen is a valley and traditional district in the Norwegian county of Oppland. The valley is oriented in a north-westerly direction from Lillehammer at Mjøsa, extending 230 km toward Romsdal...
, Hadeland
Hadeland
Hadeland is a traditional district in the south-eastern part of Norway. It is located around the southern part of lake Randsfjorden in Oppland county, and consists of the municipalities of Gran, Jevnaker and Lunner. Hadeland occupies the area north of the hills of Nordmarka close to the Norwegian...
, Thoten, Romerike
Romerike
Romerike is a traditional district located north-east of Oslo, in what is today south-eastern Norway. It consists of the Akershus municipalities Fet, Lørenskog, Nittedal, Rælingen, Skedsmo, Sørum and Aurskog-Høland in the southern end , and Ullensaker, Gjerdrum, Nannestad, Nes, Eidsvoll and Hurdal...
, and the whole northern part of Vingulmark
Vingulmark
Vingulmark is the old name for the area in Norway which today makes up the counties of Østfold, western parts of Akershus , and eastern parts of Buskerud , and includes the site of Norway's capital, Oslo...
. In addition, King Gandalf was slain, and King Harald took the whole of his kingdom as far south as the river Raum (Glomma
Glomma
The Glomma or Glåma is the longest and largest river in Norway. The long river has a drainage basin that covers a full 13% of Norway's area, all in the southern part of Norway.-Geography:...
).
Saint Olaf in 1018
Ringsaker is again mentioned in a saga about 1018 when OlafOlaf II of Norway
Olaf II Haraldsson was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. He was posthumously given the title Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae and canonised in Nidaros by Bishop Grimkell, one year after his death in the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030. Enshrined in Nidaros Cathedral...
(later Saint Olaf) sent people to advise the Opplands that he was coming, as it was custom for the king to live as guest there every third year. In the autumn, he left Sarpsborg
Sarpsborg
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Sarpsborg.Sarpsborg is part of the fifth largest urban area in Norway when paired with neighbouring Fredrikstad...
and went first to Vingulmark. He inquired about their Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, teaching some and punishing others. He went through that district, and on to Romerike. Christianity was weaker there and he punished all who had not obeyed his word. The king of Romerike proceeded to Ringsaker, to consult King Hrorek of Hedemark. They sent messages to King Gudrod of Gudbrandsdal, and to the King of Hadaland, inviting them to meet at Hedemark. The kings agreed to resist Olaf. They summoned the leaders from their kingdoms; and when they had assembled the kings directed them to gather warriors. Most approved of the measure, but the kings were betrayed to Olav by Ketil Kavl of Ringanes (the southernmost district in Hedemark, Stange
Stange
is a municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Stangebyen.-Name:...
), who proceeded rapidly down lake Mjøsa
Mjøsa
Mjøsa is Norway's largest lake, as well as one of the deepest lakes in Norway and in Europe as a whole, after Hornindalsvatnet. It is located in the southern part of Norway, about 100 km north of Oslo...
to Eid, where Olaf was then located.
King Olaf accompanied by 400 men arrived at Ringsaker before the next day dawned. Ketil knew where the kings slept, and Olaf had all these houses surrounded. The kings were taken prisoners. King Hrorek’s eyes were put out. King Gudrod's tongue was cut out. King Ring and two others were banished from Norway. King Olaf took possession of the land these kings had possessed, and after this Olaf alone bore the title of king in Norway.
Sigurd of Røyr in 1163
Sigurd of Røyr, who was Haakon IIHaakon II of Norway
Haakon II Sigurdsson , also known as Haakon Herdebrei, was King of Norway from 1157 until 1162 during the Civil war era in Norway.-Biography:His nickname, Herdebrei, means broad-shouldered...
’s champion, lived at Røyr (Rør) in Ringsaker. He died at Re
Re, Norway
Re is a municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Revetal. The municipality was established in 2002 by the unification of the former municipalities of Ramnes and Våle. It includes the villages of Ramnes, Våle, Undrumsdal, Fon, Vivestad...
in 1163.
Notable residents
- Tryggve Andersen (1866-1920), writerWriterA writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
- Alf PrøysenAlf PrøysenAlf Prøysen , was a writer and musician from Norway. He was born at Rudshøgda in Ringsaker. Prøysen was one of the most important Norwegian cultural personalities in the second half of the twentieth century, and he made significant contributions to literature, music, TV and radio.His childhood was...
(1914-1970), writer and musician - Adolph M. ChristiansonAdolph M. ChristiansonAdolph M. Christianson was a justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court.-Background:Christianson was born in Brumunddal in Ringsaker, Hedmark County, Norway. He came to the United States with his parents in 1882. He spent his childhood in Polk County, Minnesota, and received his early education in...
(1877-1954), justice of the North Dakota Supreme CourtNorth Dakota Supreme CourtThe North Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court of law in the state of North Dakota. The Court rules on questions of law in appeals from the state's district courts....
External links
- Municipal fact sheet from Statistics NorwayStatistics NorwayStatistics Norway is the Norwegian statistics bureau. It was established in 1876.Relying on a staff of about 1,000, Statistics Norway publish about 1,000 new statistical releases every year on its web site. All releases are published both in Norwegian and English...
- Municipal website