Birkebeinerrennet

Here is some norwegian viking history for you on this sunday morning: When the king of Norway was assasinated by his brother he believed he would be the new king. But the king had a son, Håkon Håkonsen, who was only 1 year old but still he was the new king of Norway. So the evil brother, Håkons uncle, joined forces with the danes and the church in a hope of killing this child so the uncle could keep the throne! But they had to find him first. Meanwhile the kings men, called birkebeinere, was hiding the young king. But there is traitors everywhere and one told the danes where the young king was. So they where hiding in a valley on a chieftains farm when they where told the danes where coming. They planned a diversion and two birkebeiner soldiers took the king and on skies they fled crosscountry. This is year 800 something and the skies was made of wood. Winters was cold and they had to cross three mountains to get to Trondheim where the king had his castle. The danes followed the horse and sled but found out they where fooled so they killed the driver. They went back to the farm and got the information about where the king was. The two vikings who carried the king went crosscountry over three mountains before they reached the castle. It took them 3 days then. Today we celebrate this historical event by doing the same the two vikings did. Crossing three mountains on ski. Today they use 3-4 hours! It’s a great annual event and it is a spectacular experience and anyone can do it if you know how to ski. So this event is a reminder of how two birkebeinere saved the youngest king of our nation from the church and the danes! End of story. Have a nice sunday legends!