The Black Death struck Norway in 1349, causing widespread devastation and significantly altering the course of the country's history. The plague, which had already ravaged much of Europe, arrived on a ship from England, docking in Bergen. The disease, likely spread by infected rats and fleas, quickly swept through the country, killing a large portion of the population.
It is estimated that between one-third and one-half of Norway’s population perished during the plague. The Black Death devastated the population, wiping out entire communities. This led to a surplus of land, allowing surviving farmers to shift from crop farming to more lucrative animal husbandry. The drastic reduction in the population also resulted in a significant decrease in tax revenue, which weakened the king’s authority. Many members of the aristocracy, reliant on surplus income from taxes, were financially ruined and reduced to the status of ordinary farmers.
At the same time, the Church emerged as a more powerful institution. High tithes allowed the Church to maintain its wealth, and the archbishop gained considerable influence, becoming a member of the Council of State. This shift in power dynamics altered Norway's social and political landscape, as the weakened monarchy and aristocracy gave way to an increasingly dominant Church during this period.
The demographic collapse also accelerated Norway’s political decline. In the aftermath of the plague, Norway became increasingly dependent on Denmark, culminating in the Kalmar Union of 1397, which united Norway, Denmark, and Sweden under a single monarch.