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Rollo of Normandy, also known as Rolf, is part of Scandinavian lore. A Viking, he was known for his exploits as a pirate on the seas of France, England, and other lands. When he attacked France with his Danish army, he was given Neustria, or Normandy, as part of a truce.
Harald V of Norway ascended the throne after the demise of his father, King Olav V. A sports enthusiast, he represented Norway in sailing at three Olympic Games. He also became a patron of World Sailing. The King is an admiral, the Supreme Commander of the Norwegian Armed Forces and a four-star general.
Harald Sigurdsson, or Harald, was the king of Norway from 1046 to 1066. He also made an aim for the Danish throne and the English throne. He was a mercenary and a military leader before taking over as the king. His death marked the end of the Viking Age.
Olav V of Norway served as the king of Norway from 1957 to 1991. Olav became heir apparent to the throne in 1905 when his father was crowned king of Norway. His leadership skills during World War II earned him the position of Norwegian Chief of Defence in 1944. Nicknamed The People's King, Olav was popular for his down-to-earth style.
Daughter of King Edward VII of Norway, Maud of Wales, was known for being a tomboy and had even been nicknamed Harry, after a valiant admiral. She married Prince Carl of Denmark. After Carl took over as King Haakon VII of Norway, Maud became the queen of Norway, too.
While some believe Eric Bloodaxe was the son of Norwegian king Harald Fairhair, others believe Danish king Harald Bluetooth was his father. True to his nickname, he was a barbarian Viking tyrant who slaughtered his four brothers for the Norwegian throne. Icelandic sagas mention he married a witch named Gunnhild.
Christian IV was the king of Denmark and Norway in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Ambitious as a ruler, he involved Denmark in many wars, including 2 failed campaigns against Sweden and the Thirty Years’ War, which proved to be a disaster for his kingdom’s economy.
Frederick ruled as the king of Denmark and Norway in the 18th century. The son of Christian VI of Denmark, he gained fame by improving Denmark’s foreign trade and relations. He also remained neutral in the Seven Years’ War. He was also a patron of the arts.
Haakon Sigurdsson was a Norwegian ruler who reigned as the de facto ruler from about 975 to 995. Often depicted as a cruel ruler who enjoyed raping women, often the daughters of commoners and nobles, Haakon Sigurdsson's life has inspired several plays and literary works.
Margaret of Scotland was the Queen of Norway, as the wife of King Eric II of Norway. The daughter of Scottish king Alexander III, she was married off to Eric II to strengthen political ties between Norway and Scotland. She was known to have taught Eric French and English.
