Haakon IV

Haakon IV (Haakon Haakonsson), 1204-63, king of Norway (1217-63), illegitimate son of Haakon III and grandson of Sverre. Secretly reared by the Birkebeiner faction (see Sverre ), he was chosen king (1217) on the death of Haakon III's successor, King Inge. Haakon Haakonsson overcame the rival claims of Earle Skule (Inge's brother), and in 1223 a great council at Bergen reaffirmed his kingship. Skule, after a renewed attempt at rebellion, was slain by the Birkebeiners in 1240. Haakon, then recognized by Pope Innocent IV, was solemnly crowned in 1247 at Bergen by a papal legate. Under Haakon IV medieval Norway reached its zenith. Iceland and Greenland were acquired, and important legal reforms were carried out. Haakon's court was splendid, and Old Norse literature flowered during his reign. Snorri Sturluson lived for some time at the court. Haakon died at Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands when campaigning against Scotland. He was succeeded by his son, Magnus VI.

Haakon IV (or Haakonsson the Old) (1204–63) King of Norway (c.1220–63). His reign was troubled by internal dissensions and he had Earl Skule executed in 1239. Iceland and Greenland were added to the Norwegian crown but control of the Hebrides was lost. This followed his defeat by ALEXANDER III of Scotland in the decisive battle at Largs in 1263.

Haakon IV (1204–63) King of Norway (1247–63). He secured the submission of Iceland and Greenland to his rule. A patron of learning and the arts, he reigned at the beginning of medieval Norway's ‘golden age’ (1217–1319). He died in the Orkneys after a campaign against the Scots.