page_title: Sverre of Norway
section_title: Rise to power
hierarchical_section_title: Sverre of Norway / Rise to power
caption_attribution_description: King Sverre Sigurdsson's journey from Värmland to Øreting in Nidaros.
context_page_description: Sverre Sigurdsson was the King of Norway from 1184 to 1202.
  Many consider him one of the most important rulers in Norwegian history. He assumed power as the leader of the rebel party known as the Birkebeiner in 1177, during their struggle against King Magnus Erlingsson. After Magnus fell at the Battle of Fimreite in 1184, Sverre ruled as sole king of Norway. Differences with the Church, however, led to his excommunication in 1194. Another civil war began against the church-supported Baglers, which lasted beyond Sverre's death in 1202.
  The most important historical source on Sverre's life is his biography, Sverris saga, in part written while Sverre was alive. This saga is likely biased, since the foreword states that part was written under Sverre's direct sponsorship. Correspondence between the Pope and the Norwegian bishops can be used as an alternate source when it comes to church affairs. The saga and the letters mostly agree about the hard facts.
  Supposedly, King Sverre was short, so he usually directed his troops from horseback during battles.
context_section_description: Upon Sverre's initial contact, the Birkebeiners had been reduced to a ragtag army of brigands and vagabonds with no more than 70 men, according to the saga. Many regard Sverre's achievement of forging them into a force of skilled and professional soldiers as proof of his leadership qualities.
caption: Sverre's journey to Øreting in Nidaros
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