Eva Mildred Mykleby Pearson - They Did Not Have Horns: The Viking Kings of Norway: From about 760 Ad to 1066 Ad, and the Royal Kings from 1066 Ad to the Present

They Did Not HaveHorns

The Viking Kings ofNorway

from about 760 AD to 1066 AD

and the royal kings from 1066 AD to the present

Eva Mildred Mykleby Pearson

Norbakk Press

St. Paul, Minnesota

They Did Not Have Horns: The Viking Kings ofNorway

Copyright 1998 Eva Mildred Mykleby Pearson

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoymentonly. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.If you would like to share this book with another person, pleasepurchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre readingthis book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for youruse only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase yourown copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of thisauthor.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be usedor reproduced in any manner without written permission except inthe case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles andreviews. For information address Norbakk Press.

Other publications: I Remember! I Remember! YourViking Heritage, 1989; Viking Kings of Norway Chart,1995.

Excerpts reprinted from Heimskringla: History ofthe Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson, translated by Lee M.Hollander.

Copyright 1964. Courtesy of the Universit of TexasPress.

Original book design: Dorie McClelland, Spring BookDesign

Viking Ship illustration: Annette Sohljell

Viking King illustrations: Richard Hubal

Ebook production: Harlan O. Pearson

ISBN-10: 0966251016

ISBN-13: 978-0966251012

To the twelve* wonderful men in my life, withwhom

I want to share my love of the history of ourforefathers,

the Viking Kings of Norway.

*My husband, four sons, and seven grandsons.

Table of Contents

*Petty kings andpretenders. Often not listed in regnal lists. Seepreface.

The period in history during which theVikings made the greatest impact on Europe is often called theViking Ageroughly between 875 and 1066. The following centuriesalso saw many changes in the rule of Norway.

Several years ago, one ofmy Norwegian cousins, ceremoniously (but with tongue-in-cheek)presented me with several pages of genealogical lineage indicatingI was a direct descendant of King Harald I Fairhair, the first kingof Norway. With my many years of experience as a genealogist, Idecided it was time to look for information about my distinguishedfamous ancestor. With the assistance of our local library, I waspresented with a copy of the original leather bound Heimskringla, by one ofthe great Icelandic saga writers, Snorri Sturluson. I have been astudent of Viking history throughout most of my adult years, and Iwas intrigued with the exciting events of the Viking era portrayedin this book.

It was difficult to followthe lineage from the text, so I decided to find a genealogicalchart of the Viking kings which would help me. I canvassed bookstores, libraries and professional people, but could not find oneto my liking. I finally consulted with Lars Lberg, Vice Counselwith the Norwegian Embassy (in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1989 to1992). He was thoroughly versed in the subject, having a Ph.D. in Norwegianhistory. I was inspired and motivated by his vast knowledge of thehistory of Norway, and he constantly urged me to continue my work.However, he knew of no chart with the thorough information Iwanted. He encouraged me to proceed with the chart I was creating,a large 24 x 36 genealogical/historical chart of the Viking kingsof Norway. I designed and created an informative chart which hasbeen sold separately and been received with muchenthusiasm.

The Viking kings with their many adventuresmade interesting reading, but I felt it would be good to have asingle book with a brief history of each of the kings who had ruledin Norway. After many months devoted to research at our locallibraries, as well as the University of Minnesota and other collegefacilities, I took it upon myself to write the book. I haveemphasized the wives, children and family life of the kings ratherthan their battles. It was interesting and rewarding work, and itis my wish that others will enjoy reading about the NorwegianViking kings. It can be read in one sitting, or the chapters on thevarious kings may be read separately.

Many others havecontributed to the writing of this book, and it would be impossibleto name them all. I also want to express my gratitude to Liv Dahl,Editor of Viking magazine; Dr. Odd Lovoll, King Olav V Professor ofScandinavian American Studies at St. Olaf College; Dr. KathleenStokker, Norwegian Language Professor at Luther College; Dr.Michael Metcalf, Director of International Studies, University ofMinnesota; and Associate Professor, Mariann Tiblin, purchaser ofScandinavian books for Wilson Library, University of Minnesota, toname a few. Jon Schweitzer, Instructor at the Los Angeles FamilyHistory Center Library, Los Angeles, California, was alsotremendously helpful, particularly with dates anddocumentation.

The Viking ship on the bookcover and chart is used with the permission of Annette Sjohjell, agifted artist (of Norwegian heritage) from Hagensburg, British Columbia inCanada. The illustrations in the book are by Richard Hubal of St.Paul, Minnesota. My thanks to all of these people and also to myvery special sister, Opal Hedberg, not only for her assistance inthe checking of my material, but most of all for her cheerful butpersistent motivating spirit.

It would not have been possible to keeptrack of the vast amount of information about the kings were it notfor my very helpful friend, my computer. I also receivedconsiderable help from Norwegian friends on the Internet. Thetechnical communications/electronic help and assistance I receivedfor the production of the chart was made possible with the capableassistance of Nancy Hereid, Computer Analyst, and her daughter,Britt. I have also had help and encouragement from many cousins andfriends while on numerous trips to Norway and the otherScandinavian countries.

The financial assistance from grants fromthe Sons of Norway International was most appreciated. Finally, mysons and their families are to be commended for their patience andunderstanding, and particularly my spouse, who has been especiallytolerant and helpful; my midnight to dawn working hours are noteasily understood by everyone.

Eva Mildred Mykleby Pearson

It will benefit the reader to study thefollowing abbreviations used throughout the book.

All dates are AD unless otherwise noted

b. born

d. died

c ca, circa, about

e.g. b.1172 d.1199 (40 yrs.) or (c40yrs.)

b. d.1199

b.4 Jan 1172 d.11 Jun 1199

b.Jan 1172 d.Jun 1199

b.c1172 d.c1199

R. reigned

R.1182 1190

R.c1182 1190

m. married

m. Sofie Larsdatter (if only onemarriage)

If more than one:

m1) first marriage

e.g., m1)Sofie Larsdatter

m2) second marriage, etc.

e.g., m2)Margrete Arnesdatter

ms. mistress or unknown mother

* petty king (often not listed in regnalrecords)

The first information about each king givesthe genealogical information, and lists parents, children, andadditional lineage data that will be helpful to the reader.

The Viking Kings of NorwayGenealogical/Historical Chart will enable the reader to follow thetext with a better understanding.

Is there any living man, king or prince, onland or water as bold as we?

No one dares to meet us sword with sword. Bewe right or wrong, all

yield before us, plowman and merchant,horseman and ship.