Ribbungopprøret mot birkebeinerkongedømmet og Magnus-ættens krav på tronen i Norge på 1200-tallet

Abstract

The rebellion of the Ribbungs in the final phase of the Norwegian Civil War (1219-1227), has largely been perceived as insignificant, consisting of marginal groups and individuals in the periphery. This underestimation by historians has resulted in a research tradition where the Ribbung Rebellion at best has got scant mention often only to confirm the Birkebeiner power and the consolidation of Norway into one kingdom, after their unification with the Bagler combined with Håkon Håkonssons accession in the years 1217 and 1218. The consequence is that interesting and relevant information on the national development in Norway during the Civil Wars has been overlooked. In war, there are at least two sides fighting each other, each with its own justification and motivation. For better understanding their concerns, it is necessary that both parties in the conflict be examined equally. This article will more fully examine the circumstances leading to war and the motivation of the key players behind the Ribbung uprising. It will look closely at who and what the Ribbungs represented. The claim to the throne by the heirs of king Magnus Erlingsson and the contemporary perception of this during the first decades of the 13th century will also be given attention. The study will simultaneously show how serious a threat the Ribbung Rebellion was to the kingdom of the Birkebeinar (Birchlegs).