Haakon IV Haakonsson

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known as Haakon the Old

born 1204, Norway

died December, 1263, Orkney Islands

King of Norway (1217–63).

After he became king, his mother answered doubts about his paternity by passing through an ordeal of hot irons. He established Norwegian sovereignty over Iceland and Greenland (1261–62) and died defending the Hebrides and the Isle of Man from the Scots. He was a noted patron of the arts, and his reign began the “golden age” in medieval Norwegian history.

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More on "Haakon IV Haakonsson" from the 32 Volume Encyclopædia Britannica:

Haakon IV - king of Norway (1217-63) who consolidated the power of the monarchy, patronized the arts, and established Norwegian sovereignty over Greenland and Iceland. His reign is considered the beginning of the "golden age" (1217-1319) in medieval Norwegian history.

Olaf IV - king of Denmark (as Olaf III, 1376-87) and of Norway (1380-87). He was the son of Haakon VI and of Margaret (Margrete), daughter of Valdemar IV, king of Denmark.

Magnus VI - king of Norway (1263-80) who transformed the nation's legal system by introducing new national, municipal, and ecclesiastical codes, which also served as a model for many of the Norwegian colonies. His national code was used for more than 400 years.

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