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5 Famous Norwegian Kings

This Scandinavian nation is one of the original states of Europe, with at least 60 monarchs under several royal dynasties. These dynasties are recorded in what is called sagas.

The Constitution of Norway gives the King Executive powers, which are however almost always exercised by the Council of State in the name of the King.

While the King in Norway does not currently directly participate in government, he ratifies laws and royal resolutions, receives and sends envoys from and to foreign countries and hosts state visits. He is more influential as a symbol of national unity.

Here鈥檚 a look at 5 famous Norwegian Kings.

1. Harald Fairhair

Harald Fairhair’s son brought to king Athelstan- by Monro S. Orr- Wikimedia Commons

Harald Fairhair is said to be the first King of Norway, whose reign went on for at least 70 years. Norway didn鈥檛 have kings but had leaders, lesser than a king, presiding over smaller territories that would constantly be at loggerheads with each other. Harald Fairhair united these territories, bringing them under one figurehead, the King. Harald鈥檚 biography is known from inference and computation as there were hardly any records of this. He is said to have died at age 83.

For most of his reign, Harald was in the business of subduing Norway territories under its numerous leaders so as to build Norway as is known today. Legend has it that he was interested in a woman Gyda that he wanted to marry. She however would not accept his proposal, and actually scorned him- she would not accept him until he had subdued all the territories, and become king.

Though it took at least 10 years, subdue all of Norway Harald did. He had taken a vow not to cut his hair until this feat was accomplished thus only had a haircut after ten years! Harald married Gyda, and had a daughter and four sons. He had at least six other wives.

King Harald is credited with the unification of Norway.

In his rule, Harald鈥檚 main concerns or threats were wealthy and respected chieftains. He harassed them into leaving their territories. Settlement in Iceland was by dissidents of Harald鈥檚 rule, whose problems included taxation over lands that fully belonged to them.

Harald鈥檚 other headache was discord amongst his many sons- though he gave them all royal titles and lands to govern, they wanted more especially since their father gave many favors to leaders of the conquered territories for their loyalty.

In his older years, Harald had his son Eirik Bloodaxe rule with him for around three years before his death. Eirik was his favorite and intended successor.

2. Olav V of Norway

King Olav V- by Andreyyshore- Wikimedia Commons

Olav V was nicknamed Folkekongen which translates to 鈥楾he People鈥檚 King鈥�. He ruled considerately and was down to earth hence popular amongst his people.

Olav was prepared from his early years for his future role as king. His parents, Haakon VII of Norway and Maud of Wales had their only child attend both civilian and military schools. They also were intentional in ensuring that he had a聽 Norwegian upbringing. Olav鈥檚 father was elected King of Norway in 1905, making him heir apparent.

Olav V was born in the United Kingdom, named Prince Alexander Edward Christian Frederik. His father changed his name to Norwegian Olav at his inauguration. Olav studied jurisprudence and economics and also completed his main military education in the army.

Olav was an athlete, and an accomplished one at that. He competed in ski jump in Oslo and in sailing regattas. He won a gold medal in sailing at the Amsterdam 1928 Summer Olympics. He sailed actively well into his old age.

Out of his marriage to his first cousin, Princess Martha of Sweden were two sons and a daughter. Martha and her children were war exiles and stayed in Washington DC, while Olav stayed by his father鈥檚 side, resisting the Germans. He advised civilian and military leaders alike. Olav V was appointed Norwegian Chief of Defense. He led the disarmament of German occupying forces after the war.

Olav V was recognized by the war Crosses of Norway, France, Greece and the Netherlands, the US Legion of Merit and the French M茅daille Militaire for his contribution to the war against Hitler.

Olav V鈥檚 wife Martha died before Olav ascended to the throne in 1957. She died of Cancer- the King Olav V’s Prize for Cancer Research was established in 1992 for this reason.

King Olav V became popular from shying away from the trappings of power, wanting to live as regular a life as possible.

Olav V was lauded for his role as King and rewarded for his athletic ability- he earned the Holmenkollen medal in 1968, the Medal for Outstanding Civic Achievement in 1970. He was also Name of the Year in 1975.

Olav V was a symbol of national unity for Norway and commanded great moral authority. He died in 1991 after an illness.

3. Haakon VII of Norway

King Haakon VII and Queen Maude- by Peder O. Aune- Wikimedia Commons

Haakon was born Prince Carl of Denmark in 1872 into the Danish royal family. His lineage, especially the paternal side had several ancestors that were kings of independent Norway.

Raised in the royal household in Copenhagen, Prince Carl was educated at the Royal Danish Naval Academy where he graduated as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant and served with the Royal Navy until 1905.

Haakon VIII married his first cousin, Princess Maud of Wales with whom they had one child, Crown Prince Olav.

Haakon VII was offered the throne of Norway by the parliament, as the nation had been needing a king after it became an independent state. Haakon however was democratic and only took the seat after confirming via a referendum that the people wanted the kingdom system to carry on as opposed to a republican system.

Haakon took on this name after he was offered the throne, endearing himself to his people. The name 鈥楬aakon鈥� had not been used by the Kings of Norway in 500 years.

Haakon鈥檚 leadership style was involving of his government. He preferred the non- partisan roles of his position.

Haakon VIII is known to have resisted German invasion, with the support of his government- they went into exile and as the war progressed Haakon set up a government in exile in the British Capital.

Haakon was such a beloved King that his people remained loyal to him through the war even when he was in exile. He is considered one of the greatest Norwegian leaders, his skill holding his young and fragile country together in unstable political conditions admired.

Haakon died in 1957. He was the last surviving son of King Frederick VIII of Denmark. His impressive lineage and marriage to Martha who was future King Edward VII鈥檚 daughter had a lot to do with Haakon鈥檚 appointment as king. This choice definitely paid off for Norway.

4. Magnus the Good

Magnus Olavsson was appointed King at age 11. Magnus survived all odds to become King of Norway and Denmark. He was the illegitimate child of King Olaf Haraldsson, prematurely born with a shaky first few minutes of his life. Young Magnus traveled with his father through most of his exile. When his father died, Magnus鈥� uncle Harald Sigurdsson had him educated in Old Russian and Greek, as well as trained as a warrior.

Through war, Magnus was installed King. One of his first moves was to seek revenge against his father鈥檚 enemies. His godfather dissuaded him from this and he stopped, earning him the nickname 鈥楪ood鈥� otherwise ‘Noble’. Other quarters suppose that the tile 鈥楪ood鈥� denotes specific religious achievements coming from the old name for a man with religious responsibility at a pagan cult site, a 鈥済ode鈥�. Kings with the same nickname are known to have been religious.

Magnus鈥� father Olaf Haraldsson was made saint by the Catholic church.

Magnus the Good was known to be decisive, generous, and a bold and great warrior. He was also a friendly king earning the praise of his friends and enemies.

Magnus鈥� rule of Denmark stemmed from an agreement he and Hardicanute of Denmark had- that should one of them die without a son the other would inherit their kingdom.聽 Hardicanute died before Magnus, who took over Denmark but not without a fight. 聽Magnus actually occupied Denmark even before Hardicanute鈥檚 death! This he did when Hardicanute was absent from his land.

Magnus also had his sights on England- he wrote to its sitting ruler whose response dissuaded him from pursuing England at the time.

Details about Magnus鈥� death are sketchy as there are several versions of how he actually died. There are accounts of his death aboard a ship. When Magnus died, the line of Olaf II ended. Magnus was not married but had a daughter, Ragnhild. Eric II of Norway who was related to Magnus was crowned king of Norway in 1280.

5. Magnus VI

Also known as Magnus Lawmender or Magnus Lagabote, Magnus VI was born in 1238. His father was Haakon IV Haakonsson, from whom he took over. He was his youngest son and only took over from his father because his older brother died making him heir apparent.

Magnus VI married the Danish princess Ingeborg, daughter of the late Danish King Erik Plogpenning.

Magnus VI is the last Norwegian King whose story is told in the Icelandic Sagas – prose narratives based on historical events that mostly took place in Iceland. As with most sagas, that of Magnus VI is rather fragmented.

Magnus is credited with transforming Norway鈥檚 legal system. He introduced new national, municipal, and ecclesiastical codes that also served as a model for many of the Norwegian colonies. His national code was used for more than 400 years.

When he took over power, Magnus VI made peace with the Scottish king Alexander III. He ceded the Hebrides Islands and the Isle of Man for a down payment and annual rent. This move has been considered weak by some historians while others thought it wise as it spared Norway unnecessary and unfruitful wars abroad while preserving stability at home.

Magnus VI also replaced provincial laws with common national laws. Crimes became a public matter, abolishing the custom of personal revenge with public resolution.

By the time of his death in 1280, Magnus VI had made clear who was to succeed him as there had been civil wars in Norway that went on for decades over disputed successions- Magnus鈥� eldest son Eric had been given the title 鈥榢ing鈥櫬� by the time he was five years old, while his brother Hakon was 鈥楧uke鈥�.

The TV series 鈥榁ikings鈥� might give you a glimpse into the Norwegian Monarchies and Dynasties. It is filmed in Ireland and is inspired by the sagas of Viking Ragnar Lothbrok who rises to become a Scandinavian king. This article has looked into at least two different dynasties. The lineage of Norwegian kings is bound to have interconnections, especially through intermarriages.

Norway is currently ruled by Harald V, and has a female Prime Minister, Erna Solberg.