Norway

Norway is a Pagan Feudal Monarchy that borders Sweden, Novgorod, Sapmi and Indirectly with Denmark, Scotland and the Irish Minors. Norway seeks to expand outwards, following in the legacy of their ancestors by subduing England and finding and colonizing the mythic lands of Vinland.

## Norwegian Ideas

### Traditions

National Sailors Modifier: +25.0%Ship Durability: +10.0%

### Ambition

Trade Steering: +20.0%

In the aftermath of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, the once-feared Kingdom of Norway was cut down to size by the stalwart Englishmen under Harold Godwinson. With their own king, Harald Hardrada, dead alongside much of his retinue, the Yngling dynasty were forced to relinquish their claim to the English throne, returning home defeated and bloodied, yet also humbled. Unfortunately, Norway's troubles only grew worse from this point, as her neighboring Scandinavian kingdoms were eyeing up what may prove an easy conquest.

Although Norway had remained largely at peace for some time after their defeat at English hands, it was unfortunately faced with both Danish and Swedish hostility for many decades. The Danes were still clinging onto an ephemeral hope that they could reclaim Cnut the Great's North Sea Empire, having only been dissolved for several decades. Meanwhile, Sweden had been facing a constant influx of Christian refugees fleeing Danish and Norwegian persecution, and did not take kindly to the continued attacks on their own flock.

By sheer luck or the intervention of the Aesir, however, the kingdom remained in relative peace despite all of its external woes. That was, at least, until 1130, when King Sigurd Magnusson's§! death permitted a multitude of claimants to begin tearing the kingdom apart in order to seize the throne. Due to the lack of defined succession laws, this period of constant warfare persisted for several decades, only abating when the Christian Swedes commenced a full-scale invasion of the Norse realm.

Indeed, this "Northern Crusade", as it had been dubbed by German chroniclers, was a bloody affair, with the Swedes tearing through the land and sacking whatever they could in the name of expanding the Cross' influence to the Norse heathenry. In a stroke of luck for the beleaguered Norwegians, though, the Swedes had failed to take advantage of Divide and Conquer strategy. Rather than exploit the multitude of warlords and play them off each other, the Crusaders instead settled for killing or converting as many as they could.

This ultimately allowed the Norwegian pretender, Magnus Erlingsson, to consolidate his rule in the north and west, becoming the sole king of Norway in 1164. From there, he would defeat a number of Swedish incursions, but was on the defensive until the 1180s. His lucky break arrived in the form of word that the Danes were invading Sweden, meaning that the bulk of the Crusader force had to be diverted away from Norway. Exploiting their now-greatly decreased numbers, Magnus was able to capture the Swedish king, and force a withdrawal.

It was from this point onwards that Norway had truly stabilized itself, with the implementation of clear succession laws, and the death or surrender of most rival warlords. By the turn of the century, Norway had reached a status quo which it finds itself into this day. Alas, her age-old rivals of Sweden and Denmark are gearing up for war again, the time to remind the world of Viking terror may soon be at hand.