Erling Skjalgsson (died 21 December 1027) was a Norwegian political leader of the late 10th and early 11th century. He has been commonly seen as this period's foremost defender of the historic Norwegian social system. Erling fought for the traditional small, autonomous kingdoms and the þing system, against the reformists of the Fairhair family line.[1]
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According to the Norwegian-Icelandic saga tradition Erling Skjalgsson belonged to one of the most prominent clans in western Norway. He lived on the farm Sola in Nord-Jæren. His sister was married to Sigurd Toresson, an important chief in Trondenes and the brother of Tore Hund of Bjarkøy.[2]
Erling was established as a political front figure by the farmers of Gulaþing. They demanded that he be married to Olav Tryggvason's sister Astrid Tryggvesdatter, the daughter of Tryggve Olavsson, king of Viken. Astrid initially refused but later agreed only after strong pressure from his brother. Erling Skjalgsson was baptized and was married to Astrid during the summer of year 996. Erling thus became an important ally during the remaining four years of King Olav's reign. Olav awarded Erling all the land between the Sognefjord and Lindesnes to rule.[3]
After the Battle of Svolder resulted in the defeat of Olav Tryggvason, the victorious leaders split Norway into three areas of control. The three-way rule of Norway during these years suited Erling well. His own power base was strong enough that he could maintain his own autonomy. However in 1015, the relative stability of this arrangement was effected by the arrival of Olav Haraldsson. In 1016 at the Battle of Nesjar, Erling fought against Olav Haraldsson in Svein jarl's losing forces. Afterward Olav Haraldsson was forced to form an uneasy alliance with Erling Skjalgsson. The settlement was arranged with Erling having to accept lesser terms than had been granted him by either Olav Tryggvason or Svein jarl.[4]
However, Erling kept enforcing his power on the western coast of Norway from Rogaland extending further north, presumably to Sogn. King Olav tried to split his powers by introducing new local nobles, but these were quickly pushed out by Erling's traditional clout. In 1022, the king arrested Erling's sister's son, Asbjørn Selsbane, for murder. Erling replied by raising a 1,000-man army and circling the king at Avaldsnes. King Olav gave in and released the nephew. However this episode damaged the relationship between the two men. During 1027, Erling traveled to England to seek the support of Canute the Great.[5]
Erling returned during autumn in 1028 and rallied an army with the intention to fight Olav. However as his army was shipborne, Erling was trapped on a single ship by King Olav's fleet in the Battle of Boknafjorden near Bokn in Rogaland. The ship was overwhelmed, Erling was captured and his ship was cleared. Just as Olav was set to pardon him, Erling himself was killed by Aslak Fitjaskalle, from Fitjar in Sunnhordland, who cleaved Erling's head with an axe.[6]
According to Heimskringla, King Olav said to the killer, You fool! Now you hewed Norway off my hands!. The king's prediction turned true. Backed by Canute the Great, Erling's allies went on to drive Olav out of the country, and then finally kill him at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030.
Erling and Astrid were the parents of several children:
Erling's daughter Ragnhild Erlingsdatter was married to Torberg Arnesson of Giske, the brother of Finn Arnesson. They had a daughter, Tora Torbergsdatter, who was the second spouse of King Harald Hardråde. Tora became the mother of both King Olav Kyrre and King Magnus Haraldsson.[7][8]
In the area of the Sola Church Ruins (Sola Ruinkirke), there is a monument of Erling Skjalgsson, who was one of Sola's most famous men. This notable Viking leader has been given the honour of having introduced Christianity to Sola. The stone crosses at Tjora (steinkors i Sola-bygda) are also monuments to the passing of the Viking Era.[9]
Erling Skjalgssons gate at Frogner in Oslo was named in his honor as were streets in Trondheim, Stavanger, Haugesund and Sandnes.