Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-12-08

! %triumphed In his defeat and death. Re-
morse seized the peasants. They saw tina
they had taken poor counsel and began 10
talk of Olaf's many excellent qualities ana
tho tide turned. From being hated his
memory become 10 be loved and even wor-
SHIPPED.
Einar Tambcskielve, who had been In
England, returned and spoke stoutly for
the dead king and the people listened, for
Einar was the strongest man in all the
land. Bitterly did the people repen and
they then lived as Olaf had desired.
1t is from this Olaf that Princess Maud
can trace her ancestry, say the genealog-
lists, not very directly, 1t is true, but stin
the can truthfully claim descent from Olaf
the Holy.
The next Haakon was a nephew of Olaf
Kyrre (PeacefuD and a cousin of Magnus
Barfot BAREFOOT. who succeeded his faith
er on the throne. Haakon was a son of
King Magnus Haraldsson, who ruled joint
ly with Olaf until 1869. After Olaf Kyrre's
death in 1893 Haakon was elected king in
Oplandene and later in Trondhjem. With
his foster brother, Tore, he carried on
some warfare, but did not oppose Magnus
Barfot. Haakon, however, was greatly be-
loved by the peasantry and might have
given Magnus a strong fight, as he was
preparing to do, when he died in the Dovre
mountains while hunting. He is not prop
erly counted a king OF NORWAY.
The second real Haakon was a son OF
Sigurd Mund (mouth), who re'gned only
a year. He defeated his uncle, king Inge
krokryg ~(Crookback) on the ice near Oslo
in ll6l, but the next year was killed In q
sea fight in Romsdalen by the noted vik-
ing chief, Erling Shake He is known in
history as Haakon Sigurdsson Herdebred
(Shouderbroad),
Another short-lived king was Haakon
SVerreson, who was handsome and brave,
able and well educated. His promising
caeer was cut short by ode death in
the second year Of his reign. This noble
King was supposed to nave been poisoned
by his stepmother, Margaret.
Haakon H~aakonsson, den gamle 9TH oldl
was one Of Norway's greatest kings. His
adventure began early. AS the grandson
or King Sverre there was a price on his
lie as soon as he was born. He was fos-
tered by Trond, the priest of Eidsberg. 1t
was found necessary to take the babe
away TO save his life. The reckless and
daring Birkebeiner (Birchlegs) undertook
the task. They moved north to Hamar.
arriving there OF. Christmas eve. Ivar,
Dlshop or Hamar, though a churchman,
was a relentless enemy OF Sverre's race
and the birchlegs." When he invited the
latter to a feast they suspected his motive
and hurried on to Lillehammer.
Then they wandered up through Oester-
"~i SHN SNSL AK iiohiILhliiS 10 IIulu-
hJem. The latter part Of the journey was
performed by two of the mightiest ski run
ners In the country. The trip was made In
the dead of winter The men suffered
from exposure to the severe weather, for
they dared not seek shelter and the poor
babe was near to death on several occa-
sions In this p%erilous flight.
Finally the two Birkbeiner, with their
precious charge, reached TrondhSem and
the protection OF King Inge. King Haakon
relgned forty-six years, from the age OF 13
until his death on a viking tour among the
Scottish isles. 1t took him thirty years
to put down the many uprisings, but with
the death of the strongest of all his enc
mics, Skule B~aard5son. In 1247, peace came
to the country. This Haakon was a
nightly prince and warrior. and to him
was offered the leadership Of one OF the
crusades by the German kings.
A grandson Of the last named was also
a Haakon and he became king when his
brother Erik died after reigning a year.
In history he is known as Haakon V. Mag
nusson. He was the last Of the long line
of Harald Haarfagre, which ruled Norway
for 447 years.
Haakon v. was a wise king and accom-
plished much. He ended the long conflict
with Denmark, restricted the power Of the
priesthood, reduced the strength of the
Hauseatic league and governed with great
ability.
His daughter married Duke Elk of
Sweden, who had a son Magnus. This
pince was 8 years old when his father
died in 1919. King Birger was then king Of
Sweden, but was deposed for his tyranny
and cruelty, and young Magnus was
elected king of Sweden at the age of Is.
To him was born a son, who was named
Haakon, and became the last independent
king of Norway. His father made him
viceroy in Norway and the Swedes later
elected him their king, after deposing
Magnus. When Haakon married Margaret
of Denmark against the wishes Of the
Swedes, they deposed him also.
Haakon VI. died in 1880. He was sue
cceded by his young son, Olaf, who lived
only a few years. Margaret took the reins
Of government in her own hands, both in
Denmark and Norway, and was elected
queen of Sweden. This remarkable woman
caused the union of CaImar, which bound
Norway and Denmark for 433 years. She
survived her husband. King Haakon, 80
years, dying in 14l2.