Category: Mythological Kings in Norway

Categories: Early Scandinavian History | Norse Mythology | Norwegian History | Legends

This category contains profiles of mythological/legendary kings (sagokungar) of Norway, i.e. profiles that belong to a non-historically proven ancient regent/ruler who was supposed to have lived in the area that in modern-day is Norway.

A mythological/legendary king is a king for whom there is no historical evidence, but who plays a role in a kingdom's self-understanding, e.g. in national mythology. In the Nordic countries, there has for example been a dispute between Danish and Swedish kings over having the longest royal line.

Unlike a fictional king, aspects of their lives may have been real and legendary, or that the culture (through legend and storytelling) believed them to be real. In the myth, the legends that surround any historical truth might have evolved into symbols of "kinship" and leadership and expanded with descriptions of a spiritual, supernatural or magical chain of events. For example, in legend, the king may have magical weapons and fight dragons or other mythological beasts. His archetypical role is usually to protect and serve the people.

These mythological kings are often known only from (in relation to their supposed lifetime) relatively late (younger medieval) literary sources such as Snorre Sturlasson's work.

A historically proven ruler (chieftain, petty king/local ruler, Jarl/earl or king) would be known from preserved sources that are contemporary with his or her life such as coins or chronicles. A king from the Norse sagas can therefore not be proven to be a historical person unless such findings exist.

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