Who Was the Second King of Norway
The question of the second king of Norway refers to the ruler who followed the first king to unify and stabilize the realm. Harald Fairhair is widely regarded as the first king of a more unified Norway after the decisive Battle of Hafrsfjord around 872. His successor and son, Eric Bloodaxe, became the second king of Norway, ruling from approximately 930 to 934 before losing the throne and later ruling Northumbria in England. This succession marked the early consolidation of Norwegian monarchy, though regional chieftains continued to limit centralized royal power for centuries.
The Historical Context of Early Norwegian Kingship
Before a clear succession, Norway was a patchwork of regional powers. The consolidation under Harald Fairhair laid foundations, but the concept of a stable, hereditary monarchy evolved over generations. The second king inherited a kingdom still balancing central authority with regional loyalties, setting a pattern of succession struggles that characterized early Norwegian history.
Defining the Second King: Eric Bloodaxe
Eric’s Path to Succession
Eric Bloodaxe (Old Norse: Eiríkr blóðøx) became the second king of Norway after serving as co-ruler and designated heir. His reign reflected the challenges of consolidating power against influential earls and rivals. His removal from Norway and later rule in Northumbria illustrate the fluid political connections between Norway and England in this period.
Key Facts and Timeline
The following table summarizes core details about Eric Bloodaxe’s life and reign in Norway.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Eric Bloodaxe (Eiríkr blóðøx) | Medieval sagas and skaldic poetry |
| Birth Estimate | c. 885–895 | Historical estimation based on saga chronology |
| Reign as King of Norway | c. 930–934 | King lists in Heimskringla and contemporary references |
| Deposed From Norway | c. 934 | Saga accounts of opposition by earls and former allies |
| Rule in Northumbria | 947–948 and 952–954 | Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and English records |
| Death | 954 at Stainmore, England | Chronicle accounts and later historical synthesis |
Succession After Eric: The Third King and Beyond
After Eric’s expulsion, Norway did not have a single clear second king in the modern sense; instead, a series of rulers vied for power. Haakon the Good, another son of Harald Fairhair, became a prominent ruler often counted among the early kings. This period illustrates that the title “second king” is a retrospective scholarly simplification rather than a stable historical office at the time.
Myth, Legend, and Historical Uncertainty
Early Norwegian history blends mythic elements with verifiable events. Sagas composed centuries later shaped perceptions of royal succession, sometimes exaggerating continuity. Modern historians rely on cross-referencing sagas, skalds, archaeological evidence, and contemporary foreign records to reach a balanced view of figures like Eric Bloodaxe and the sequence of early monarchs.
Legacy and Influence of the Second King
The reign of the second king of Norway set precedents for royal claims and challenges. Eric Bloodaxe’s story of rise and fall reinforced the idea that Norwegian kingship depended on alliances, military capacity, and acceptance by local elites. Later dynasties referenced these early rulers to legitimize their own claims, embedding the memory of the second king into the broader narrative of Norway’s medieval monarchy.
