Battle of Nesjar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Nesjar
Map of Frierfjord including Langesundfjorden
Date March 25, 1016 Location Oslofjord, Norway Result Victory for Olav Haraldsson Sveinn Hákonarson retreated to Sweden
Belligerents
Norwegian forces loyal to Olav Haraldsson	Norwegian forces loyal to Sveinn Hákonarson Sweden
Commanders and leaders
Olav Haraldsson	Sveinn Hákonarson
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Nesjar (Slaget ved Nesjar in Norwegian) was a big sea battle. It happened off the coast of Norway in the year 1016. This battle was a very important event for King Olav Haraldsson. He later became known as Saint Olav.

An Icelandic poet named Sigvatr Þórðarson wrote a poem about the battle. It was called Nesjavísur. Today, there is a monument in Helgeroa village in Larvik, Vestfold County. It was put up 1000 years after the battle. This is where people believe the battle took place.

Where the Battle of Nesjar Happened

Historians believe the battle took place in the western part of the Oslofjord. The exact spot is not known for sure. It was likely somewhere in the Langesundfjorden inlet. This area is near Frierfjord and Brunlanes, close to Larvik in Vestfold.

The battle was fought between two main groups. On one side was Olav Haraldsson. He wanted to be the king of Norway. On the other side was Sveinn Hákonarson. He was supported by Sweden.

Why the Battle of Nesjar Started

Before this battle, Norway was split into two parts. This happened after King Olav Tryggvason was defeated. One part was controlled by Sweden through Sveinn Hákonarson. The other part was controlled by Denmark through Eiríkr Hákonarson.

Later, Eiríkr Hákonarson left Norway. He went to help Canute the Great conquer England. This meant that Danish rule in Norway ended. Then, Olav Haraldsson stepped in. He was from the family line of Harald Fairhair, an old Norwegian king. Olav wanted to unite Norway under his rule.

Sveinn Hákonarson was in charge of the Swedish part of Norway. He heard that Olav was gathering support in Eastern Norway. So, Sveinn sailed along the coast. He joined forces with several powerful farmer-chieftains. One of the most important was Erling Skjalgsson.

The Battle and Its Outcome

Meanwhile, Olav Haraldsson had also gathered his own forces. He began sailing north to meet Sveinn. The two fleets met on Palm Sunday, March 25, 1016.

There are not many detailed stories about the battle. But it was known to be very fierce. Many people were hurt or killed. However, none of the main leaders died in the fighting. This was unusual for battles at that time.

Sveinn Hákonarson was defeated and had to leave. This meant he lost his power in Norway. He went to Sweden. He planned to gather more forces to fight again. But he became ill and died before he could return to Norway.

What Happened After the Battle

After the Battle of Nesjar, the path seemed clear for King Olav. He could now try to unite all of Norway. However, he had to make an alliance with Erling Skjalgsson. This alliance was never easy.

It ended violently when Erling Skjalgsson was killed. This happened during the Battle of Boknafjorden in Rogaland in 1028. Two years later, Erling's followers got their revenge. King Olav himself was killed in the Battle of Stiklestad.