Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
871
Tønsberg in southern Norway is founded around this year, making it the oldest still-
inhabited town in Norway. It later served as a royal court and an important trading
town.
872
Harald Hårfagre (Harald Fair-Hair) fights his fellow Viking chieftains in the Battle of
Hafrsfjord and unites Norway for the first time. Some 20,000 people flee to Iceland.
997
Trondheim is founded at the mouth of the Nid River and is the first major settlement
in the country; it becomes the first capital of the fledgling kingdom.
c 1000
Almost five centuries before Columbus, Leifur Eiríksson, son of Eiríkur Rauðe (Eric
the Red), explores the North American coast, which he names Vinland, meaning the
'land of wine'.
1024
Olav II founds the Church of Norway and establishes it as Norway's state religion
throughout his realm, a situation that continues right to this day.
1030
After being sent into exile by King Canute (Knut) of Denmark in 1028, King Olav II
returns, only to be killed in Trøndelag at the Battle of Stiklestad.
1049
Harald III (Harald Hardråde, or Harald 'Hard-Ruler'), half-brother of St Olav, founds
Oslo and uses it as a base to launch far-ranging raids across the Mediterranean.
1066
The Viking age draws to a close after Harald III dies at the hands of King Harold of
England at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in England.
1261
Greenland joins the Kingdom of Norway, followed a year later by Iceland, reflecting
Norway's growing influence over the affairs of Europe's far north.
1319
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