Norway, the land of the Vikings,influenced Western Europe by conquest from the 9th through the 13th century. Monarchs noted include Harald in the 890s to Harald V in 1991
Norway--land of the Vikings--influenced Western Europe by both conquest and cultural diffusion from the 9th century onward. From the Viking raids to Norway's refusal to join the European Union, the land has charted its own course in European history.
Viking raids began in the 9th century as the Norse seafarers raided and sometimes settled throughout Western Europe. In 890, King Harald Harfage (fair-hair) united Norway and became the first king. In 995, King Olav converted to Christianity.
By about 1000, Eric the Red had sailed to Greenland and his son, Lief Ericsson had sailed to North America (Vinland). In 1042, Denmark and Norway were united under King Magnus.
Civil war in 1184 resulted in King Sverre taking the throne and Pope Innocent III excommunicating him. The Black Plague--Svartedauen--killed one third of Norwegians from 1349-1350. In 1387, the royal house died out and Norway was united with Sweden and Denmark.
In 1536, The Reformation resulted in The Lutheran Church becoming Norway's church.
For the next 369 years, Norway would not be an independent nation. In 1905,King Haakon VII became the monarch of independent Norway. Norway was not directly involved in WWI, but WWII resulted in great tragedy for the nation.
Norway was attacked by Nazi Germany in April of 1940 and remained under Nazi control until 1945. The royal family sought refuge in England and the Germans put a pro Nazi Norwegian, Quisling, as leader of a puppet government.
In 1949, Norway joined NATO. Olav V came to the throne in 1957 and thirteen years later, oil discoveries in the North Sea made Norway an oil exporting nation.
In 1972, Norwegians voted down a referendum to join the EEC and in 1994, did the same for the European Union.
Since 1991, Harald V has been king of Norway.
http://weuropeanhistory.suite101.com/articles.cfm
