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Nóregr's District of
Vestfold
District Leader:
Position is currently vacant
Vestfold was a rich and independent state occupying the province between Brevik and Tönsberg. It is an area rich in historical treasures from primeval to Viking times.
Kaupang, near Larvik, is the site where the Vikings established the first town in Norway and archaeologists have found footprints over a thousand years old. Borre in Vestfold is the site of numerous burial mounds dating from (600-900 AD). Pollen analysis and landscape studies show this area to have been in continual use and settlement since the early Iron Age.
In 1904 the Oseburg ship was unearthed from a large burial mound at the Oseburg farm, Třnsberg, Vestfold. The ship was built around 840 AD and was probably used for coastal voyages before it was buried. Two female skeletons were found in a burial chamber next to the ship and are believed to be very high ranking women. It has been suggested that one of the women could be the House of Yngling's Queen Asa who was mother to King Halfdan the Black and grandmother to King Haraldr Fairhair.
The Gokstad ship was unearthed in a burial mound at Gokstad farm, Sandeford, Vestfold in 1880 by Nicolay Nicolaysen. The ship, a type known as a langskip was built around 890 AD. It was very well preserved in the mound because of the clay used in its burial. It had also clearly been in use for some time before the burial.
A skeleton believed to be a male 50-70 years old was found buried in a chamber near the ship and various grave goods such as three small boats, a tent, a sledge and riding equipment were also found. Any weapons or gold and silver ornamentations were missing and it is believed they had been plundered from the mound well before excavations begun to take place in the late 1800's.
The man buried here is believed to be Olaf Geirstad-Alf,("elf of Geirstad")the legendary king of Vestfold, and of royal Yngling dynasty.
Vestfold was also the seat of the King Haraldr Fairhair (850 – 933 AD). Harladr came to the throne of Vestfold at the age of ten. His father's death had provoked, jealousy and envy of the small princes outside and within his father's realm that threatened the safety of Haraldr's throne.
The first to attack was Gandalf of Ranrike; however, the chieftains of Vestfold not only repulsed Gandalf, but later drove the war into this king's country, slew him, and took possession of all his realm.
More recently two massive Viking great halls were found at Borre in Vestfold. The great halls are located about 100 meters (109 yards)from the Borre burial mounds. One of the halls is believed to be up to 40 meters (131 feet) long and 12 to 13 meters (39-42 feet) high, the largest found in Vestfold. The finds show that Borre in Vestfold was more than a burial place, but a true royal power center in Viking times.
Sources
Printed:
A History of the Vikings. Contributors: T. D. Kendrick - author. Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 1930.
Kings and Vikings: Scandinavia and Europe, A.D. 700-1100. Contributors: P. H. Sawyer - author. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 1989.
Internet:
Oseberg Ship
Gokstad Ship
Afenposten News from Norway
Venture Norway
Olaf Geirstad-Elf
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