After the death of Haakon IV in 1263, Norway entered a period of relative stability under his successors. However, during the reign of Eric II, tensions within Norway escalated into internal conflict, most notably the War of the Outlaws (Oppløsningsstriden), which would affect both the monarchy and the kingdom’s internal stability.
Magnus VI "the Lawmender" (1263–1280)
Magnus VI, son of Haakon IV, became king after his father’s death. Magnus earned his title "the Lawmender" through significant legal reforms that unified Norway’s laws under a single code. His reign saw the creation of the Landslov (1274) and the Bylov (1276), which brought consistency to legal proceedings across the kingdom. These reforms strengthened royal authority and provided a foundation for a more orderly society. Magnus also signed the Treaty of Perth with Scotland in 1266, ceding the Hebrides and the Isle of Man in exchange for a cash payment and maintaining peace with Scotland. His reign was largely peaceful, focused on domestic consolidation and the integration of Norwegian law with Christian principles.
Eric II "the Priest Hater" (1280–1299)
Upon Magnus VI's death in 1280, his son, Eric II, took the throne as a minor, with his rule initially guided by a regency council. Eric II's reign, however, became turbulent, largely due to his strained relationship with the Church. He was nicknamed "the Priest Hater" because of his efforts to tax church lands and limit the influence of the clergy, leading to open conflicts with the Norwegian Church, which resisted these moves.
More critically, Eric’s reign saw the outbreak of the War of the Outlaws (Oppløsningsstriden) in the 1280s. This conflict was primarily driven by a group of nobles who had fallen out of favor with the royal government, many of them exiled and declared outlaws. They included notable chieftains from western Norway, some of whom had grievances about the increasing centralization of power under the crown. They rallied forces in Iceland and other remote territories, opposing Eric’s policies and undermining his authority. This internal conflict sapped resources and diverted attention away from royal projects. Although Eric eventually quelled the rebellion, it left the kingdom somewhat weakened and highlighted the challenges of balancing power between the monarchy and the noble class.
Eric II also pursued foreign alliances, most notably through his marriage to Princess Margaret of Scotland, a diplomatic move that later influenced the succession dispute in Scotland. Despite his ambitions, his reign was marked by internal strife and unresolved tensions with the Church, though the overall stability of Norway remained intact.
Haakon V Magnusson (1299–1319)
Eric II died without a male heir in 1299, and his brother Haakon V took the throne. Haakon V was a more domestic-focused king, moving the royal capital permanently to Oslo and reinforcing the kingdom’s defenses by constructing Akershus Fortress. His reign emphasized the consolidation of royal power and the strengthening of Norway’s internal structures.
One of Haakon’s significant moves was reducing the power of local nobles who had grown strong during previous conflicts like the War of the Outlaws. He also created the position of fehirde (royal treasurer) to improve financial governance. Despite these efforts, Haakon V's reign was more peaceful and stable compared to that of his brother. His political marriage strategies, including the marriage of his daughter Ingeborg to Swedish royalty, set the stage for future unions between Scandinavian crowns. With no male heir, his death in 1319 led to a personal union between Norway and Sweden under his grandson, Magnus Eriksson.
Magnus Eriksson (1319–1355)
Magnus Eriksson became king of both Norway and Sweden in 1319, uniting the two crowns in a personal union. Magnus was a child when he inherited the thrones, and regents ruled on his behalf until he came of age. His reign was marked by attempts to assert royal power and reduce the influence of the aristocracy. However, much of his attention was focused on Sweden, leading to growing discontent in Norway as the country’s interests were often sidelined.
Although Magnus initially maintained the peace, his reign saw growing economic challenges and dissatisfaction among the Norwegian nobility. Norway was increasingly overshadowed by Swedish politics, which left it vulnerable to internal instability. Nevertheless, Magnus continued the policies of consolidating royal authority initiated by his predecessors.
Haakon VI Magnusson (1355–1380)
In 1355, Magnus Eriksson’s son, Haakon VI, became the king of Norway while his father continued to rule Sweden. Haakon's reign was dominated by the catastrophic arrival of the Black Death in 1349, which devastated Norway’s population and economy. The plague wiped out a large portion of the population, leading to a sharp decline in agricultural production and causing widespread depopulation, especially in rural areas.
Haakon’s marriage to Margaret, the daughter of Valdemar IV of Denmark, would later prove crucial in the formation of the Kalmar Union, a political union that would unite Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under one crown. Although Haakon ruled during a time of economic and demographic crisis, his marriage alliance paved the way for the future integration of Norway into a larger Scandinavian political structure.