Guttorm of Norway facts for kids

Guttorm Sigurdsson (Old Norse: Guttormr Sigurðarson; 1199 – 11 August 1204) was the king of Norway for a short time. He ruled from January to August in 1204. This was during a period known as the Norwegian civil war era. Guttorm was the grandson of King Sverre. He was made king by the Birkebeiner group when he was only four years old.

Guttorm was too young to rule by himself. Haakon the Crazy acted as his main helper, or regent. Guttorm becoming king led to more fighting between the Birkebeiner and another group called the Bagler. The Bagler were strongly supported by Valdemar II of Denmark, the King of Denmark. Guttorm's rule ended suddenly when he became sick and died. Some people spread rumors that Haakon the Crazy's future wife caused his death. However, historians today do not believe this claim. After Guttorm died, the civil war continued, but with less intense fighting. Eventually, in 1207, the groups made a deal that temporarily divided the kingdom.

Who Was Guttorm Sigurdsson?

Bust of King Sverre.

Guttorm was the son of Sigurd Lavard. This made him the grandson of King Sverre. We do not know who Guttorm's mother was. Sigurd died before his father, King Sverre. King Sverre passed away in 1202. His younger son, Haakon Sverresson, became king after him.

Haakon III tried to bring peace between the Birkebeiner and Bagler groups during his short rule. But when he died on January 1, 1204, the peace efforts failed. A new phase of the Norwegian civil wars began. Some members of the Birkebeiner group were unhappy with Haakon's peace efforts. This might have led to his death. After he died, Haakon the Crazy and his supporters gained more power within the Birkebeiner group.

The day after King Haakon's death, the Birkebeiner leaders chose Guttorm as king. This happened at a meeting of the hird, which was the king's personal guard and army. Bishop Martin of Bergen was also part of this decision. At the same time, Sverre's nephew, Haakon the Crazy, was made regent. This meant he would lead the hird and the army because Guttorm was too young.

According to the Bǫglunga sǫgur, a historical text, the young King Guttorm gave Haakon a sword and a shield. He also gave Haakon the title of earl. All the important leaders agreed to this. Haakon was even allowed to sit next to Guttorm on the throne. This showed how powerful Haakon was. Normally, an earl would sit on a lower seat than the king. Two other men, Peter Støyper and Einar Kongsmåg, were chosen to be Guttorm's guardians. Peter was another nephew of King Sverre. Einar was married to Sverre's daughter, Cecilia.

The Bagler Revolt and Guttorm's Death

Coin of Valdemar II, who helped the Bagler.

Haakon the Crazy was known for being warlike and wanting power. The Bagler even called him "the mad dog." His rise to power caused problems within the Birkebeiner group. It also made relations with the Bagler much worse. The Bagler felt there was no hope for peace with the Birkebeiner anymore.

So, the Bagler leaders went to Denmark. There, they joined forces with Erling Stonewall. Erling claimed to be the son of a former king, Magnus Erlingsson. Some Bagler had tried to make him king in 1203. King Valdemar II of Denmark strongly supported their revolt. He wanted Denmark to control Viken, a part of Norway, again.

King Valdemar arrived in Viken in June with over 300 ships. Erling proved his claim to be king by performing a trial by ordeal in front of Valdemar in Tønsberg. After this, the Danish king gave 35 ships to Erling. Erling and Philip Simonsson, another Bagler leader, swore loyalty to Valdemar. Even though Valdemar and the church supported Philip's claim to the throne, the Bagler eventually made Erling king. Philip became an earl. This happened at the Haugating and Borgarting, which were important assemblies in southeastern Norway. The Bagler quickly took control of Viken.

Meanwhile, the Birkebeiner officially made Guttorm king at the Øyrating in Trondheim. This happened in the spring or early summer. Haakon the Crazy was gathering an army to fight the Bagler. He was likely at another meeting in Trondheim. But Guttorm suddenly became ill and died on August 11. He was buried at the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.

A longer version of the Bǫglunga sǫgur hints that Guttorm's illness and death were caused by Christina Nilsdatter. She was from Sweden and married Haakon the Crazy soon after Guttorm died. However, modern historians think this claim is not true. They believe it came from rumors spread by the Birkebeiner. These rumors were similar to those about the sudden death of King Haakon Sverresson a few months earlier. That same source claimed Haakon was poisoned by Sverre's widow, Margaret, who was Christina's aunt.

Haakon the Crazy wanted to become king after Guttorm. But he was not trusted and had made powerful enemies. So, his plan failed. After Guttorm's death, there was a period of less intense civil war. This was between Guttorm's successor, Inge Bårdsson, and the Bagler. Finally, in 1207, Inge, Haakon, and the new Bagler leader Philip Simonsson reached an agreement. This deal divided the kingdom for several years.

See also

In Spanish: Guttorm I de Noruega para niños