Eystein I of Norway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eystein I of Norway |
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Early 12th century marble bust of Eystein
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| King of Norway | |
| Reign | 1103 – 29 August 1123 |
| Predecessor | Magnus Barefoot |
| Successor | Sigurd the Crusader |
| Co-rulers | Sigurd the Crusader, Olaf Magnusson |
| Born | c. 1088 |
| Died | 29 August 1123 (aged 33–35) Hustad, Romsdal, Norway |
| Burial | Nidaros Cathedral |
| Spouse | Ingebjørg Guttormsdatter |
| Issue | Maria Øysteinsdatter |
| House | Hardrada |
| Father | Magnus Barefoot |
Eystein Magnusson (born around 1088, died 1123) was a king of Norway. He ruled from 1103 to 1123. He shared the throne with his brothers, Sigurd the Crusader and Olaf Magnusson. However, Olaf died young, so Eystein and Sigurd were the main rulers.
Sigurd became famous as a "warrior king" because of his three-year crusade to the Holy Land. Eystein, on the other hand, was known as the "peace king." He stayed in Norway and worked to make the country better.
Not as much is known about Eystein as about Sigurd. This is because Eystein did not fight in wars. Still, he was very popular with his people. Writers of the old sagas praised him for his actions. Eystein and Sigurd's time as kings was the longest shared rule in Norway's history.
Eystein worked hard to improve Norway. He built new buildings and churches. He focused on areas along the coast, especially in Western Norway and Trøndelag. This included places from Bergen all the way to Lofoten in the north. Bergen became a very important trading city for fish during his reign. Eystein helped this by building a new royal palace and churches there.
Eystein died from an illness in August 1123. After his death, his brother Sigurd became the only king of Norway.
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Who Was King Eystein?
Eystein was born in 1088 or 1089. He was the first son of Magnus Barefoot, who would later become king. When his father died in 1103, Eystein became king. His brothers Olaf and Sigurd also became kings at the same time. Sigurd was about a year younger than Eystein. Olaf was more than ten years younger. Sigurd had been with their father during his travels in Ireland. He returned to Norway after Magnus died.
Many stories about Eystein in the old sagas are more like literature than true history. Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic writer from the 1200s, was very good at telling these stories. He wrote about a "comparison of men" between Eystein and Sigurd. In this story, the two brothers brag about their skills and achievements. Snorri also wrote that Eystein was very handsome. He had "blue open eyes" and "yellow and curling" hair.
More reliable information about Eystein comes from older sagas. For example, Theodoric the Monk, a Norwegian writer from the late 1100s, wrote about Eystein's building projects.
How Eystein Ruled Norway
Eystein, Sigurd, and Olaf shared the kingship. The country was not divided into separate areas for each king. In the early years, Eystein mostly stayed in Western Norway and Trøndelag. Sigurd was often in Viken. Olaf was much younger and died at age seventeen. So, Eystein and Sigurd were the ones who truly ruled.
One of their first actions was to create a new law. This law removed some royal taxes. These taxes had been put in place by Danish rulers earlier. The kings became very popular because of this. Some say the taxes were removed to get support for Sigurd's planned crusade.
In 1107 or 1108, Sigurd left on a crusade to the Holy Land. He was the first European king to do this. Sigurd returned to Norway in 1111. Eystein did not go to war. So, less is written about him than about Sigurd. But Snorri noted that Eystein "had also effected much in the country that was useful while King Sigurd was on his journey."
While Sigurd was known as the "warrior king," Eystein was seen as the "peace king." He stayed home and improved the country. Historians believe that the peace in Norway during this time was also due to Sigurd. Snorri tells a story that Eystein brought Jämtland under Norwegian rule peacefully. He did this using gifts and diplomacy. However, historical records show that Jämtland became part of Norway much later. This happened during the reign of King Sverre in 1178. Eystein and Sigurd did claim control over trade and taxes in Finnmarken.
Eystein's Building Projects
Fish became very important during Eystein's reign. More cod was caught in Northern Norway. The demand for dried fish (stockfish) grew in Europe. Bergen became the main port for exporting this fish. It also imported goods like grain.
To help trade, Eystein built fishing huts and a church in Vågan in Lofoten. This was a major fishing center in Northern Norway. He even sailed north to Lofoten himself in 1114. He also made coastal travel safer. He built a port in Agdenes at the mouth of the Trondheimsfjord. He also set up smaller beacons along the coast.
Eystein also improved shelters in the mountain passes. He made them into more comfortable houses with people watching over them. This was especially true at Hjerkinn in Dovre. Snorri also said that Eystein built several large dry-docks in Nidaros. He also had a large ship built. It was said to be like the famous ship Ormen Lange.
In Snorri's story comparing Eystein and Sigurd, Eystein said his building projects were "more useful for the country." He said this was better than Sigurd "killing bluemen for the devil in Serkland" (meaning fighting in the Holy Land).
Eystein was very active in Bergen. His work there was probably more important than that of King Olaf Kyrre, who is said to have founded the city. Eystein moved the royal seat in Bergen to Holmen. This was in the city center. He built a Church of the Apostles and a St. Nicholas Church there. He also built a royal palace. Snorri said it was the most impressive wooden building in Norway. Eystein also built a St. Michael's Church. He founded the Munkeliv Abbey at Nordnes. During Eystein and Sigurd's rule, a tax called the tithe was introduced for the church.
Eystein's Death and Family
Eystein died on August 29, 1123. He became ill during a feast at Hustad in Fræna. Snorri wrote that his body was taken to Nidaros. He was buried in the Nidaros Cathedral. Snorri also said that many people mourned Eystein. The shared rule of Eystein and Sigurd was the longest in Norwegian history. Sigurd ruled alone after Eystein's death until his own death in 1130.
Eystein married Ingebjørg Guttormsdatter. She came from an important noble family. Their marriage helped Eystein build alliances in Eastern Norway. They had a daughter named Maria. Maria later had a son named Olaf Ugjæva. Olaf tried to become king in 1165 during a civil war. But he was defeated and had to leave the country.
Eystein's Lasting Impact
People have always had very good opinions of Eystein. Theodoric the Monk wrote that Eystein "was a paragon of honesty." He said Eystein ruled himself and his people with wisdom. He was a king who loved peace and managed public affairs well. Most importantly, he supported the Christian religion.
Snorri Sturluson later wrote that Eystein "was wise, intelligent, and acquainted with the laws and history." He was good at giving advice and speaking well. He was also very generous and cheerful. Everyone liked and loved him. Modern historians agree that Eystein was a peaceful king who focused on improving his country.
A marble bust of Eystein was found in 1853. It is from before the mid-1100s. This is the oldest known portrait of a Norwegian king. The bust has "EYSTEIN REX" written on it. It was probably part of a full statue. The crown on the bust looks like a German Imperial crown or a Byzantine one. Snorri said Eystein had "somewhat large eyes," which matches the bust. Today, the bust is at the Bergen Museum.
To remember Eystein's role in the fishing town of Vågan, a large statue of him was put up in 1935. It was made by Arthur Gustavson. At Hjerkinn in Dovre, a church named Eysteinskyrkja was built in 1969. This church honors Eystein's work in building shelters near the village.
See also
In Spanish: Øystein I de Noruega para niños
