History & Science

Haakon Jarl sending away missionaries given to him by the king of Denmark, Harald Bluetooth; illustration by Christian Krohg for an 1899 edition of Heimskringla. Harald had forced Haakon to accept baptism and the clergymen were meant to accompany him back to Norway to spread Chritianity. Before setting off the missionaries were ordered back ashore.

The first recorded attempts at spreading Christianity in Norway were made by King Haakon the Good (reigned 934-961), who was raised in England. His efforts were unpopular and were met with little success. The subsequent King Harald Greyhide (reigned 961–976), also a Christian, was known for destroying pagan temples but not for efforts to popularize Christianity. He was followed by the staunchly pagan Haakon Sigurdsson Jarl (reigned 971-995) who led a revival of paganism with the rebuilding of temples. When Harold I of Denmark attempted to force Christianity upon him around 975, Haakon broke his allegiance to Denmark. A Danish invasion force was defeated at the battle of Hjörungavágr in 986… - enWikipedia