Before Norway was a unified nation, it was a patchwork of dozens of petty kingdoms.
In short: Long before the 872 unification, Norway was a fragmented landscape of small, independent realms. Rulers held power over territories ranging from mere village clusters to entire counties. While legendary sagas recount the deeds of these kings and earls, the true history of these shifting, ancient borders remains a scholarly debate.
By the 8th century, Scandinavia was defined by a collection of small political entities. Historians estimate that Western Norway alone contained nine petty realms during the early Viking Age, leading archaeologist Bergljot Solberg to suggest a total of at least 20 kingdoms across the entire country. These territories, such as Agder, Hedmark, and Vestfold, were fluid, with borders and power structures that fluctuated over time.
The primary records for this era, the kings' sagas like Heimskringla, were not compiled until the 12th and 13th centuries. Because these texts rely on oral traditions and skaldic poetry, their accuracy regarding specific events is frequently contested. The titles used by these leaders were equally varied; while many were called kings, or konungr, others held the title of jarl, or earl. In regions like Hålogaland, the jarl served as the primary authority, while in other areas, rulers were known as herser or subkings.
The transition toward a unified state began in the 9th century as smaller communities consolidated into larger regions. According to tradition, Harald Fairhair achieved the first supreme rule of Norway in 872. However, this unification was not permanent; many former kingdoms later operated as earldoms under the high king, with some repeatedly attempting to break away. Archaeological evidence, such as the rich ship burials found in Vingulmark, confirms that these areas were significant centers of power long before the formal founding of cities like Oslo.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Petty kingdoms of Norway
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-petty-kingdoms-of-norway.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Post-classical · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
