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Rise of Sverre Sigurdsson in Norway

Type Event Region Northern Europe Time 1176–1179

Between 1176 and 1177, Sverre, claiming descent from Sigurd, returned from abroad with the Birchlegs to challenge the regency of Erling Skakke and Ma…

Timeline

  1. 1176–1177Trondheimsfjord region · TrøndelagSverre Sigurdsson returned from the Faroe Islands and Scotland to western and central Norway, rallying Birchleg farmers and marginal nobles under the banner of a 'royal descendant of the Sigurdsson line,' openly opposing the regency of Magnus Erlingsson's faction.
  2. 1177–1179Nidaros · TrøndelagSverre was acclaimed king in 1177, then repeatedly fought the Baglers and the regency forces; his victory at the Battle of Kalvskinn in 1179 established him as the dominant figure in the civil war, and Norway entered a prolonged period of rival kings.

Sources