Denmark–Norway

Quick Facts: Who was Denmark–Norway?

Subject:

Denmark–Norway

Known for:

A historical multi-national union encompassing Denmark, Norway, Schleswig, and Holstein.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Denmark–Norway was a 16th-to-19th-century multi-national and multi-lingual real union consisting of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Norway (including the then Norwegian overseas possessions: the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and other possessions), the Duchy of Schleswig, and the Duchy of Holstein. The state also claimed sovereignty over three historical peoples: Frisians, Gutes and Wends. Denmark–Norway had several colonies, namely the Danish Gold Coast, Danish India (the Nicobar Islands, Serampore, Tharangambadi), and the Danish West Indies. The state's inhabitants were mainly Danes, Norwegians and Germans, and also included Faroese, Icelanders and Inuit in the Norwegian overseas possessions, a Sami minority in northern Norway, as well as other indigenous peoples. The main cities of Denmark–Norway were Copenhagen, Christiania (Oslo), Altona, Bergen and Trondhjem, and the primary official languages were Danish and German, but Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese, Sami and Greenlandic were also spoken locally.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1380, Olaf II of Denmark inherited the Kingdom of Norway, titled as Olaf IV, after the death of his father Haakon VI of Norway, who was married to Olaf's mother Margaret I. Margaret I was ruler of Norway from her son's death in 1387 until her own death in 1412. Denmark, Norway, and Sweden established and formed the Kalmar Union in 1397. Following Sweden's departure in 1523, the union was effectively dissolved. From 1536/1537, Denmark and Norway formed a personal union that would eventually develop into the 1660 integrated state called Denmark–Norway by modern historians, at the time sometimes referred to as the "Twin Kingdoms". Prior to 1660, Denmark–Norway was de jure a constitutional and elective monarchy in which the King's power was somewhat limited; in that year it became one of the most stringent absolute monarchies in Europe, and was shortly thereafter, in 1665, formalized by an absolutist constitution, the King's Law.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Dano-Norwegian union lasted until 1814, when the Treaty of Kiel decreed that Norway (except for the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland) be ceded to Sweden. The treaty however was not recognized by Norway, which resisted the attempt in the 1814 Swedish–Norwegian War. Norway thereafter entered into a much looser personal union with Sweden until 1905, when that union was peacefully dissolved. The term "Kingdom of Denmark" is sometimes used incorrectly to include both countries in the period, since most of the political and economic power emanated from the city of Copenhagen in Denmark. These term also cover the "royal territories" of the Oldenburgs as it was in 1460, but excluding the "ducal territories" of Schleswig and Holstein.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1380: 1380 Milestone — In 1380, Olaf II of Denmark inherited the Kingdom of Norway, titled as Olaf IV, after the death of his father Haakon VI of Norway, who was married to Olaf's mother Margaret I.
2. 1387: 1387 Milestone — Margaret I was ruler of Norway from her son's death in 1387 until her own death in 1412.
3. 1397: 1397 Milestone — Denmark, Norway, and Sweden established and formed the Kalmar Union in 1397.
4. 1460: 1460 Milestone — These term also cover the "royal territories" of the Oldenburgs as it was in 1460, but excluding the "ducal territories" of Schleswig and Holstein.
5. 1523: 1523 Milestone — Following Sweden's departure in 1523, the union was effectively dissolved.
6. 1536: 1536 Milestone — From 1536/1537, Denmark and Norway formed a personal union that would eventually develop into the 1660 integrated state called Denmark–Norway by modern historians, at the time sometimes referred to as the "Twin Kingdoms".
7. 1660: 1660 Milestone — Prior to 1660, Denmark–Norway was de jure a constitutional and elective monarchy in which the King's power was somewhat limited; in that year it became one of the most stringent absolute monarchies in Europe, and was shortly thereafter, in 1665, formalized by an absolutist constitution, the King's Law.
8. 1814: 1814 Milestone — The Dano-Norwegian union lasted until 1814, when the Treaty of Kiel decreed that Norway (except for the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland) be ceded to Sweden.
9. 1905: 1905 Milestone — Norway thereafter entered into a much looser personal union with Sweden until 1905, when that union was peacefully dissolved.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Denmark–Norway

True or False: “The Kalmar Union was dissolved entirely in 1523 when Sweden left the union.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Sweden's departure was a major event, the union was effectively dissolved later, and Denmark-Norway continued as a personal union until 1814.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Bertrand du Guesclin — Historical peer (Died in 1380) (1380): Breton knight and military commander, famed for his Fabian strategy during the Hundred Years' War.
• Catherine of Siena — Historical peer (Died in 1380) (1380): Italian mystic and diplomat whose letters influenced papal and Italian politics.
• Charles II of Navarre — Historical peer (Died in 1387) (1387): King of Navarre, a pivotal, self-interested player in the Hundred Years' War.
• Iizasa Ienao — Historical peer (Born in 1387) (1387): Founder of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū, a traditional Japanese martial art.
• Joan of Arc — Historical peer (Born in 1412) (1412): French heroine and saint who saved France during the Hundred Years' War.
• Margaret I of Denmark — Historical peer (Died in 1412) (1412): Founder of the Kalmar Union, ruling queen of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
• Albert II of Germany — Historical peer (Born in 1397) (1397): Habsburg ruler, King of the Romans, and key figure in the tumultuous early 15th century.
• Francesco Landini — Historical peer (Died in 1397) (1397): Central figure of Trecento music, renowned composer and organist from Florence.
• Anna Jagiellon — Historical peer (Born in 1523) (1523): Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania, pivotal figure in Polish-Lithuanian history.
• Ashikaga Yoshitane — Historical peer (Died in 1523) (1523): The 10th Shōgun of the Ashikaga clan, ruling during Japan's tumultuous Muromachi period.

Frequently Asked Questions about Denmark–Norway