Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
The history of Lofoten is essentially that of its fishing industry. Numerous battles have
been fought over these seas, exceptionally rich in spawning cod ever since the glaciers re-
treated about 10,000 years ago. In 1120 King Øystein set up the first church and built a
number of
rorbuer
, basic 4m by 4m wooden cabins for the fisherfolk with a fireplace,
earthen floor and small porch area. It wasn't entirely philanthropy: in so doing, he took
control of the local economy and ensured rich tax pickings for himself.
In the early 19th century power over the trade fell to local
nessekonger
(merchant
squires) who'd bought up property. These new landlords forced the tenants of their
rorbuer
to deliver their entire catch at a price set by the landlords themselves. The Lofoten Act of
