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As far as can be ascertained, the Trønders’ tribal league stood
almost exclusively in peaceable relations with the outside world,
and only had a small share in the great development of power which
took place in the later iron age, through the viking expeditions.
These warlike expeditions began at the eud of the eighth
century. Through them, the Norwegian tribes which had not yet
attained to the harmony characteristic of the Trønders, came into
immediate contact with neighbouring and far-distant races living
in conditions developed under the influence of the Græco-Roman
and Christian culture. Warriors from the west set out on expeditions
to the British Isles, where they founded new kingdoms without
breaking off the intercourse with their native country. Warriors
also went from the south or east country, and, in conjunction
with armies from Denmark and Sweden, laid waste the land of
the Franks.
It is possible that this movement was accelerated by the
revolutions in connection with the establishment of the Norwegian
monarchy. In the east country, in the districts nearest to the
Kristiania Fjord, during the first half of the ninth century, several
shires were united under one royal race, the Ynglings, who came
from Vestfold, but traced their descent from the old Upsala kings
and from the god Frey. Under one of the Vestfold kings, the
able and beloved Halvdan Svarte («the Swarthy»), who died
about the year 860, their kingdom was extended to the districts
round and to the north of the Kristiania Fjord (Viken and
Oplandene). Halvdan’s son, Harald, afterwards called Harald
Haarfagre («the Fair-haired»), had first to secure the kingdom
he had inherited from his father, and thereupon crossed the
Dovre Mountains to Trondhjem, which he succeeded in
subjugating. He then took up his abode in this well-populated and
excellently organised community, and made thence one expedition
after another against the western shires, whose opposition was
at last completely broken down at the great battle of Hafrsfjord
(872). From this time is reckoned Norway’s union into one
kingdom. In order to strengthen the monarchy, Harald attached to
himself the mightiest men in the various shires by conferring upon
them positions of dignity, such as herser or lendermænd, as they
were afterwards called. At the same time he limited the influence
of the yeomen, and compelled them to pay taxes. But by so doing,
he caused great discontent, and many who could not become
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