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Settled since the end of the last ice age, modern-day Norway became
famous in the Middle Ages for its fearless warriors, explorers and traders,
the Vikings, who controlled most of Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland
and parts of France, Britain, and Ireland between AD 800 and AD 1100,
and were also known to travel as far as Constantinople, Greece, Northern
Africa and Newfoundland. A number of small Norwegian communities were
gradually organized into larger regions in the 9th century, and in 872
King Harald Fairhair (Harald Hårfagre) unified the realm and became
its first supreme ruler. The Viking Kings - King Harald had many children,
and his heirs ruled Norway with short interruptions until 1319. By utilising
their excellent boats and organisation they became master traders and
warriors. Around 1200 the Norwegian king ruled over land from Man in
the Irish Sea to the Kola Peninsula in the east. Religious influence
from Europe (especially Ireland) led to the adoption of Christianity.
Central in this was King Olav Haraldsson [Den Hellige] who died in the
battle of Stiklestad. He was later canonised into Saint Olav. Kalmar
Union - After being united under a single king and christened, Norway
united with Denmark and Sweden in the Kalmar Union (1397-1523), which
ended when Sweden seceded and Norway and its possessions quickly sank
to the status of provinces under Denmark. Norway's power were further
weakened by the fact that one third of the population died during the
Black Death pandemic of 1349-1351. Many towns lost all their population
and still remain empty today. Norway's provincial status lasted until
1814; this period is called "the-400-year-night". Control
by Sweden - In 1814 Denmark was defeated in the Napoleonic wars and
ceded Norway to Sweden in the Treaty of Kiel (January 14). Owing to
an omission in the treaty, the Norwegian crown colonies of Iceland,
Greenland and the Faeroe Islands were kept by Denmark. In an attempt
to retain control over Norway despite the treaty, the Crown Prince of
Denmark encouraged representatives of various social and political factions
to gather at Eidsvoll to declare independence, draft a constitution
and elect a king (who coincidentally happened to be the Crown Prince
of Denmark). Sweden responded later the same year by waging war on Norway,
which forced King Christian to renounce his claim and return to Denmark.
Sweden then acknowledged the newly drafted constitution. May 17 is celebrated
as the day of the new constitution, under which Norway has its own parliament
(Stortinget), but continued to be ruled by the king of Sweden, which
means Norway was in a union with Sweden. The union was dissolved in
1905 after several years of political unrest. Prince Carl of Denmark
was elected King of Norway by referendum and assumed the throne under
the Norwegian name of Haakon VII.
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