Hkon IV Haakonarsson the Elder ( 1204 - in Kirkwall on 15 December 1263 ), king of Norway from 1217 to 1263.

Birkebeiner Hkon carrying the young in safety by Knud Bergslien painter of the nineteenth ^century

We knew that Inga Vartej , Hkon's mother, had been the mistress of King Haakon III of Norway Sverresson in the last months of her life and she was pregnant when she died. Fearing for the life of her child, Inga had given birth in the greatest secrecy Flkinsborg.

Thrond the priest, who alone knows the secret of the young woman advises him to seek the support of the Erlend Husab , a supporter of the family of Sverre. The following winter, in the utmost discretion, they go in Oppland then in the Hedmark where two Sysselmnd Birkebeiner: Fredrik Slaffe and Gjavald Gaute and their supporters, although Ivar Skjaalge Bishop of Hamar , is traditionally one of the worst enemy of the family of Sverre.

The birth of a king's son could still remain secret for long and Inga finally decides to entrust the fate of her child to the man who seemed the least dangerous: King Inge II Brdarson. She did well because they were pursued by the emissaries on their way to the bishop Nicolas of Oslo , which, somehow, had been informed ... Inge II Brdarson received very well and the young Hkon erected in his yard with his son the bastard Guttorm ( 1223 / 35 ) had given him his concubine Gyrith.

In 1217 , the disappearance of King Inge II of Norway, his illegitimate son was removed from the throne and his half-brother inbred Skli Brdarson who did not drop even in the female line of the royal family. Hird The advantage of the absence of Archbishop requires that we proceed immediately to elect a new king. For attachment to family and also without doubt the policy of Sverre Hkon Haakonarsson is elected by the "Birkebeiner" led by the influential Vegard of Veradale. However, Archbishop Guttorm ( 1215 1224 ) and Haakon bishops refuse to acknowledge it does not provide evidence of its legitimacy ...

The Pretenders

At that time Skli Brdarson emits its first doubts about the birth of Hkon and Inga Vartej must begin fasting pre-test of red iron but the cathedral chapter she manages to n 'has no place. Skli Brdarson can ultimately prevent the election of the young pretender and must be content with the title of Jarl and Regent of fact ( one thousand two hundred seventeen - one thousand two hundred and twenty-three ) with one third of the revenues of the kingdom. In 1218 Inga finally undergoes Bergen before the archbishop and the bishops with the test of iron.

That same year a new band of rebels "Slitungs" gather in the border area around a Marker or Benedickt Bene claiming that proclaims itself to be a new and final time to an illegitimate son Magnus Erlingsson ! This movement is quickly dispersed by the forces of the United Baglers now and Birkebeiner

Meanwhile opponents irreducible organize an uprising and proclaimed King Sigurd Ribbung ( one thousand two hundred and three - one thousand two hundred and twenty-six ) son of former suitor Erling Steinvegg. This new party is called the "Ribbunger" it will disturb the order until the capture of the Pretender in 1223.

The formal engagement of Hkon IV and Margareta ( 1270 ) the eldest daughter of Skli Brdarson aged 10 years are celebrated in 1219 in Bergen. Everyone wants to see the symbol of unity between the young and ambitious King Earl.

The victory Hkon

A large meeting was convened in Bergen on 29 July 1223. It includes the main civil and religious notables including the Archbishop and bishops Norwegian Earl Jon Bjarni and Bishop of Orkney , of Bishop Sorkvir Faroe Nicolas and Archdeacon of Shetland and the Lendermnd, and the Lagmnd Sysselmnd across the kingdom including the influential Gregorius Kik husband of Cecilia daughter of King Sverre. Skli Brdarson must accept it definitely confirms the hereditary right to the throne of Hkon. The earl, however, retains a third of the kingdom which he administered, but these are the northern districts traditionally more favorable to the family of Sverre.

The following year Skli Brdarson who had custody of Sigurd Ribbung let escape. This prevents the celebration on 25 May 1225 Haakon's wedding and Margareta.

In 1226 , upon the death of Sigurd Ribbung his party tries to revive the fight by choosing as the next king of Ribbungers, Knut Haakonsson ( 1261) who was the son of former regent Earl Hkon Galin ( 1214) and nephew of King Inge Baardson. King Haakon quickly defuses the crisis and is a loyal friend of Knut who submits to disperse his troops. The following year married Knut Ingerid ( 1232), second daughter of Skli Brdarson and sister of Queen Margareta, which sealed its agreement with the king ..

In 1229 , on the departure of Anders Skjalderband noble for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, his wife Ingeborg led to his son Peter Skli Brdarson and officially proclaims that the child is his. The presence of the male heir of the royal revives ambitions Earl who resumed his intrigues.

In 1233 , Skli Brdarson is summoned to Bergen before a meeting to address its many machinations. The king requires member of the Earl of Hird the oath of allegiance. In 1234 or 1235 , Inga Vartej, the king's mother disappears.

The following year the first open revolt Skli Brdarson bursts, a compromise was reached when 1237 is done and Skli Hertug (Duke), a title which was used for the first time in Norway. Despite this Skli decides to usurp power and had himself proclaimed king in Trondheim on 6 November 1239.

on 6 March 1240 , the first troops sent to fight by Hkon which are controlled by Knut Laake Haakonsson are beaten. But on April 22 Skli Brdarson is surprised by the king to Oslo and he is forced to flee to Nidaros overland but the city has already fallen from the hands of the royal troops and his son Peter was killed May 22 The thief is hunted in turn killed in his flight to Elgester near Trondheim the 24th of the month.

Skule's disappearance puts a definitive end to civil wars that bloodied Norway for over a century. The triumph of Hkon Hkonsson that restores a strong monarchy is embodied by its official recognition by Pope Innocent IV and his coronation in the presence of Archbishop Sigurd Eindridasson Tafsir ( one thousand two hundred and thirty-one - 1 252 ) by the papal legate William of Sabina to Bergen on 29 July 1247.

After the troubles associated with its advent, the long reign of Hkon Haakonarsson opens a quiet period in Norway. The king needed first in Scandinavia , the complete Atlantic Empire of Norway ( Hebrides ), and establishes cordial relations with many nations of western Europe and southern. Inside, he handed the finances in order, restore calm, then sought to allay the discord between the state and the papacy. He established his capital at Bergen.

Foreign policy

Since the reign of Harald I of Norway , the kings of Norway had always considered that the archipelagos and islands located off the Scotland were dependencies of their kingdom. During the hundred years of civil war that had just ended the action of many kings who had succeeded to the throne had been lower. The last major intervention in fact dated back to the reign of King Magnus III of Norway.

The western islands were since 1156 divided into two entities: the kingdom of Man and the Outer Hebrides and that of the Inner Hebrides shared Celtic-Nordic clans from Somerled of Argyll died in 1164.

Hkon IV felt it was time to regain control of these territories. From 1230 , King Haakon had sent a fleet to the Hebrides under the command of Ospark, grandchild, son of Somerled and Svart Olaf , king of the Isle of Man and the Outer Hebrides from 1226 to 1237.

The first received with the title of King of the Inner Hebrides and the second forces to deter a possible invasion of his kingdom by the Scottish Earl Alan of Galloway. Ospak is soon killed in 1231 by a stone during a fight on the island of Bute , but still king Olaf of Man until his death on 21 May 1237. At that time King Alexander II of Scotland is taking steps to Norway to get the attachment to his island kingdom. Hkon steadfastly refuses to sell Man and the two archipelagos.

The young Harald of Man son and successor of Olaf II of Man is going to Norway in 1239 and the king confirmed his legacy. To prevent a rapprochement with the King of England had knighted in 1246 Harald King Hkon the call back to Bergen and makes him marry his illegitimate daughter Princess Cecile. Unfortunately, the young couple perished at sea off the Shetland returned to his kingdom.

In 1248 , two feudal Hebridean seek again the king Hkon it's Jon and Dungarson Duggall Rudarson both also descendants of Somerled for the title of King of the Isles Outer Hebrides. Haakon gives the title to Jon who spends the winter in Bergen before taking possession of his kingdom where he will reign until 1263.

In 1256, a naval campaign is being waged against the Danish province of Halland. The forces of King Hkon threaten a moment Copenhagen. In 1261 the Norwegian community of Greenland accept the suzerainty of Norway.

Taking advantage of the bloody battles that are tearing the clans from the oligarchy and Icelandic which cost the life of Snorri Sturluson in 1241, King Haakon also obtained in 1263 the submission of Iceland where farmers agree to pay the tax.

In 1262 , the inhabitants of the Hebrides had sent alarming messages to King Haakon. The Scottish Earl of Ross organized looting repeated incursions into the islands and Jon King was ready to recognize a vassal of King Alexander III of Scotland.

Haakon assembles a formidable fleet which he took personal command. On 8 July 1263 the fleet sailed towards the Shetland where the king made a stopover of 15 days, then it goes to Orkney where she received reinforcements but not the involvement of Earl Magnus. This is the beginning of the war cosso-Norwegian.

Other ships led by Magnus Olafson the new king of the Isle of Man together in the Strait of Skye. The armada account then 200 boats. The various heads of Inner Hebrides and the coast of Argyll including Jon submit. King Hkon address then Alexander III of Scotland peace proposals that remain unanswered. Meanwhile the crews of five ships stranded on the coast are massacred on October 2 at the Battle of Largs by the Scots who believe they have won.

King Hkon gave then the kingdom of the Inner Hebrides to Duggal Rudarson King of 1263 to 1266 and returns to the Orkneys where he arrived on October 29. Sick and tired he decided to spend the winter in Kirkwall in the palace of the bishop Heinrkr where he died on 15 December 1263. Her body was temporarily deposited in the Cathedral of St. Magnus and spring he was transferred to Bergen where he is buried in the cathedral.

The family of Hkon

Hkon and his son Magnus

Happy union of Hkon IV of Norway and Margareta Skulesadatter had four children:

• Olaf Hkonsson born in 1227 died in 1240
• Norway Haakon the Younger was born November 10, 1232 and died April 30, 1257
• Christina was born in 1234 died in 1262, who married 31 March 1258 Philip Infante of Castile
• Magnus VI of Norway Lagabte born on ¹ May 1238 King of Norway

Moreover Hkon IV of Norway was the father of two illegitimate children born of her relationship with Junior Kanga:

• Sigurd Kongsson born about 1235 died in 1254
• Cecilia Hakonsdatter married in 1241 and with Gregorius Andersson in 1248 with Harald Olafsson King of Man both lost at sea in 1248.

Preceded by	Hkon IV of Norway	Followed by
Inge II & Philip	King of Norway 1217-1263	Magnus VI

Literature

The long struggle of the young King Hkon IV against the pretender Skli Brdarson is the subject of the drama of Henrik Ibsen : "Kongs-Emnerne" (Title French : published by Johan Dahl at Christiania in October 1863. First performance: 17 January 1864 the "Christiania Theater.

Publication in French

• Complete works of Henrik Ibsen's text French Pierre Georget La Chesnais , Librairie Plon, Paris, 1930-1945, 16 vol. Volume VI, Works Kristiania second visit, (continued) 1934: The Comedy of Love (1862) / The Pretenders (1863).

Sources

• (In) Sturla Thordarsson Haakon Haakonarson Saga (English translation), 1894
• (In) Knut Gjerset History of the Norwegian People The Macmillan Company, New York 1915, "King Haakon Jarl Skule Haakonsson and" & "King Haakon's Coronation"

For relations with the Hebrides and the Isle of Man details

• Jean Renaud Vikings and Celts, Editions Ouest-France , (1992) ( ISBN 2-7373-0901-8 )
• (In) Knut Gjerset History of the Norwegian People The Macmillan Company, New York 1915, "Colonial Affairs."

• Norway portal

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