CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Norway

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Norway
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Norway
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Norway, comprising the smaller division of the Scandinavian peninsula, is bounded on the east by Lapland and Sweden, and on the west by the Atlantic. The surface is generally a plateau from which rise precipitous mountains, as Snähätten (7566 feet) and Stora Galdhöppigen (about 8399 feet). The west coast is deeply indented by fiords. In eastern and southern Norway the valleys are broader and at times form extensive, fruitful plains. There are several navigable rivers, as the Glommen and Vormen, and lakes, of which the largest is Lake Myösen. The numerous islands along the coast, some wooded and some bare, promote shipping and fishing; in the Lofoten Islands alone twenty million cod are annually caught. The climate is only relatively mild, with rain almost daily. Agriculture consists largely in raising oats and barley, but not enough for home consumption. Rye and wheat are grown only in sheltered spots. Bread is commonly made of oats. The cultivation of the potato is widespread, a fact of much importance. There are in the country only about 160,000 horses; these are of a hardy breed. Cattle-raising is an important industry, the number of cattle being estimated at a million, that of sheep and goats at over two millions. Of late attention has been paid to the raising of pigs. The Lapps of the north maintain over a hundred thousand reindeer in the grassy pasture land of the higher plateaus. The most important trees are pine, fir, and birch; oak and beech are not so common.
Forestry was long carried on unscientifically; considerable effort has been made to improve conditions, and wood is now exported chiefly as wrought or partly wrought timber. Silver is mined at Kongsberg, and iron at Röraas, but the yield of minerals is moderate. Coal is altogether lacking. The peasants are skilful wood-carvers, and in isolated valleys still make all
necessary
household articles, besides spinning and weaving their apparel. The
Northmen
were always famous seamen, and Norwegians are now found on the ships of all nations. The merchant marine of about 8000 vessels is one of the most important of the world. Good roads and railways have greatly increased traffic. A constantly increasing number of strangers are attracted by the natural beauties. Although in this way a great deal of money is brought into the country, the
morals
and honesty of the people unfortunately suffer in consequence. The area is 123,843 sq. miles; the population numbers 2,250,000
persons
The great majority belong officially to the
Lutheran
state Church, but on account of liberal
laws
there is a rapid development of
sects
Catholics
did not regain religious liberty until the middle of the nineteenth century. Reports as to their numbers vary from 1500, as given in the
Protestant
"Tägliche Rundschau", to 100,000, as given in the
Catholic
"Germania" (see below). Norway is a constitutional monarchy, its ruler since 18 November, 1905, has been King Haakon VII, a
Danish
prince. The colours of the flag are red, white, and blue. The country is divided into 20 counties and 56 bailiwicks. Justice is administered by district courts (
sörenskrifverier
). Eccleciastically the country is divided into 6
dioceses
, with 83 provosts or deans, and 450
pastors
. The largest city and the royal residence is Christiania (230,000 inhabitants), the seat of government, of the Parliament (Storthing), of the chief executive, of the state
university
, and of other higher
schools
. The most important commercial city is Bergen (80,000 inhabitants), important even in the
Middle Ages
and for a long time controlled by the Hanseatic League. Trondhjem, formerly Nidaros, a city of 40,000 inhabitants, was earlier the
see
of the
Catholic
archbishops
, and the place where the
Catholic
kings were
crowned
and buried. Its fine
cathedral
, now in process of restoration, contains the bones of
St. Olaf
, the
patron saint
of Norway. The army is not highly trained; men between twenty-three and thirty-three years of age are liable for military
duty
. The modest well-manned navy is only used for coast defence.
History
Unlike the Swedes and Danes, the Norwegians were not organized even so late as the ninth century. The name of king was borne by the chiefs and heads of separate clans, but their authority was limited and the
rights
of the subjects very extensive. Only by marauding expeditions were the
Vikings
able to gain
honour
and wealth, and at times also to acquire control of extensive districts. Their early history is lost in the fabulous tales of the bards. In 872, Harold Haarfager (Fair-Haired), after a decisive sea-fight near
Stavanger
, established his authority over all the clans. Those refusing to submit left the country and their possessions were confiscated. When Harold divided his kingdom among several sons, its permanence seemed once more uncertain, but
Hakon the Good
restored a transient unity and procured an entrance for
Christianity
. Olaf Trygvesson continued the work of union after
Hakon's
death, and promoted the spread of the new
faith
, but in a sea-fight with the united forces of the Danes and Swedes he was killed about 1000 near Svalder (of uncertain location). The kingdom now fell apart, some portions coming under Cnut the Great of
Denmark
Finally Olaf, son of Harold Grenske and a descendant of Harold Haarfager (1015), re-established the boundaries of Norway, and aided
Christianity
to its final victory. At a later date Olaf became the
patron saint
of Norway. His severity so embittered the great
families
that they combined with Cnut and forced him to flee the country. Returning with a small army from
Sweden
, he was defeated and killed in the battle of Stiklestad (29 July, 1030). His heroic death and the marvellous phenomena that occurred in connexion with his body completely changed the feeling of his opponents. His son, Magnus the Good, was unanimously chosen his successor (1035), and the
Danish
intruders were driven away. Magnus died childless in 1047, and the kingdom went to his
father's
half-brother Harold, son of Sigurd. Harold had won fame and wealth as a viking, and had been an important personage at the Byzantine Court. On account of his grimness he was called
Hardrada
(the Stem). Impelled by
ambition
, he first waged a bloody
war
with
Denmark
and then attacked
England
. On an incursion into Northumberland, he was defeated at the battle of Stamford Bridge (1066). His son, Olaf the Quiet, repaired the injuries caused the country by Harold Hardrada's policy. Olaf's successor, Magnus, conquered the Scotch islands, waged successful
war
with Sweden, and even gained parts of
Ireland
, where he was finally killed. One of his sons, Sigurd Jorsalafari (the traveller to Jerusalem), went on a
crusade
to the Holy Land, while another son, Eystein, peacefully acquired Jemtland, a part of
Sweden
. With Sigurd's death (1130) the kingdom entered upon a period of disorder caused partly by strife between claimants to the throne, partly by rivalry between the secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries, whose partisans (known as the Birkebeinar and the Baglar) perpetrated unbelievable outrages and cruelty on each other. The power of the king sank steadily, while that of the
bishops
increased. For a time Sverre (1177-1202) seemed successful, but lasting peace was not attained until the reign of his grandson, Hakon the Old (1217-63). Hakon ruled with wisdom and force and was highly regarded by the rulers of other countries. During his reign Norway reached its greatest extent, including Greenland and Iceland. He died in the Orkney Islands (1263) while returning from an expedition against the Scotch.
His peace-loving son Magnus
Lagoboête
(the Law-Mender) tried to establish law and order and prepared a book of
laws
. His efforts to promote commerce and intercourse resulted unfortunately, as the Hanseatic League, to which he granted many privileges, used these to the detriment of the country, and gradually brought it into a state of grievous dependence. With the death (1319) of the vigorous younger son of Magnus, Hakon V, the male line of Harold Harfager became extinct. The crown went to the three year old King Magnus Eriksson of Sweden, son of Hakon's daughter, Ingeborg; this brought about for the first time a close union between the two kingdoms of northern Scandinavia. When King Magnus assumed the government (1332), it was soon evident that, although possessing many good qualities, he lacked force. He seldom came to Norway, and the Norwegians felt themselves neglected. They forced him, when holding court at Varberg (1343), to send his younger son Hakon as viceroy to Norway, where Hakon soon gathered an independent court, and in 1335 became the actual ruler. Seven years later he was elected King of Sweden by a part of the
Swedish
nobility, but had to yield to Duke Albert of Mecklenburg, chosen by an opposing faction. In 1363 Hakon married Margaret, daughter of King Waldemar of
Denmark
, and won with her a claim to the
Danish
throne. As Waldemar, when he died in 1375, left no male descendants, he was succeeded by their son, Olaf. Olaf also became King of Norway upon the death of his
father
, and died in 1387. His mother, an able and energetic ruler, entered at once upon the administration of
Denmark
. In Norway she was not only made ruler for life, but her nephew, Eric of
Pomerania
, was acknowledged as the lawful heir. Meanwhile, Albert of Mecklenburg, greatly disliked in
Sweden
and the estates, entered into negotiations with Margaret, whose troops took him
prisoner
(1389). The same year Eric was acknowledged King of Norway, and in 1395-6 as King of
Denmark
and Sweden. In 1397 the chief men of the three countries met at Kalmar to arrange a basis for a permanent legal confederation (the Union of Galmar). The plan failed, as no one country was willing to make the sacrifice
necessary
for the interest of all, but Eric was
crowned
king of the three united lands.
Up to 1408 Margaret was the real ruler. With unwearied activity she journeyed everywhere, watched over the administration of
law
and government, cut down the great estates of the nobles for the benefit of the crown, and protected the ordinary freeman.
Denmark
was always her first interest. She placed
Danish
officials in
Sweden
and forced the
Church
of that country to accept
Danish
bishops
; the result was often unfortunate, as in the appointment of the
Archbishop
of
Upsala
(1408). Margaret's efforts to re-gain former possessions of the three Scandinavian countries were successful only in one case; she purchased the Island of Gotland from the
Teutonic Knights
. She died suddenly (1412) in the harbour of Flensburg whither she had gone to obtain Schleswig from the Counts of Holstein. Left to himself, the headstrong and hot-tempered Eric made one mistake after another and soon found all the Hanseatic towns on the Baltic against him. Conditions were still worse after the death of his one faithful counsellor, his wife Philippa, daughter of Henry IV of
England
. In Sweden increasing taxes, constant disputes with the
clergy
, and the appointment of bad officials aroused a universal discontent, which led later to dangerous outbreaks. Vain attempts were made (1436) to restore the tottering union. Disregarding his promises, Eric withdrew to Gotland, where he remained inactive. In 1438 his deposition was declared by Norway and Sweden, and his nephew, Duke Christopher of
Bavaria
, was elected king. Upon Christopher's early death (1448) the union was virtually dissolved: the Swedes chose Karl Knutsson as king, and the Danes called Count Christian of Oldenburg to the throne. At first Norway wavered between the two, but Christian was able to retain control.
Of Christian's two sons Hans was at first only ruler of
Denmark
and Norway, but, by an agreement made at Calmar, he was able to gain Sweden also. Yet it was only after defeating Sten Sture that his position in Sweden was secure. King Hans I was succeeded (1513) in
Denmark
and Norway by his son, Christian II. Christian's cruelty to the conquered Swedes prepared the way for the defection of that country to Gustavus Vasa; consequently, he was indirectly responsible for the withdrawal of
Sweden
from
Catholic
unity. Christian soon aroused dissatisfaction in his own country. Undue preference granted to the lower classes turned the nobility against him, and his undisguised efforts to open the way for the teachings of
Luther
repelled loyal
Catholics
. Serious disorders followed in Jutland, and Christian, losing
courage
, sought to save himself by flight. With the aid of the Hanseatic League his uncle, Duke Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein, soon acquired possession of his kingdoms. The new king and his son, Christian III, were fanatical adherents of the new
doctrine
, and by craft and force brought about its victory in
Denmark
(1539). In Norway Archbishop Olaf of
Trondhjem
laboured in vain for the maintenance of
Catholicism
and the establishment of national independence. The majority of the peasants were indifferent and the impoverished nobility, who hoped to benefit by the introduction of the "pure Gospel", urged Christian on. After the departure of the church dignitaries Christian acquired the mastery of the country (1537). Norway now ceased to be an independent state. While retaining the name of kingdom it was for nearly three hundred years (until 1814) only a
Danish
province, administered by
Danish
officials and at times outrageously plundered. Here, as in
Sweden
and
Denmark
, people were gradually and systematically turned away from the
Catholic
Faith
, though it was long before
Catholicism
was completely extinguished. The last
Bishop
of Holum in
Iceland
, Jon Arason, died a
martyr
. The king and the nobility seized the lands of the
Church
. The chief nobles acquired inordinate influence, and the landed proprietors, once so proud of their independence, fell under the control of foreign tyrants.
As regards territorial development in the
Middle Ages
, Norway had a number of tributary provinces--in the north, Finmark, inhabited by
heathen
Lapps; various groups of islands southwest of Norway as: the Farve Islands, the Orkneys, the Shetlands, and the Isle of Man in the
Irish
Sea, to which were added later Iceland and Greenland. During the period of the union, Norway also included Bohuslän, Härjedalen, Jemtland, and some smaller districts, all now belonging to Sweden. With these islands and outlying territories the monarchy comprised about 7000 square miles. The Scotch islands were lost towards the end of the fifteenth century, and at a later period the colonies in Greenland were totally neglected. Originally the kingdom had consisted of four provinces, each with its own
laws
but when a system of law for the entire country was introduced, it was divided into eleven judicial districts. The most closely settled districts were the fertile lowlands on the inlets of the sea, now Christiania and Trondhjem fiords. The waterway from
Trondhjem
to
Oslo
, near the present Christiania, was the most important route for traffic. There was also much intercourse by water between Oslo and
Bergen
. Through the mountain districts huts for the convenience of travellers (Spälastugor) were erected, and developed later into inns and taverns. The country was unprepared for
war
. The topography and
economic
conditions made it difficult to mobilize the land forces. The soldiers were not paid, but only fed. The chief state officials lived in Bohus, Akershus, Tunsberg, and the royal fortified castles on the harbours of
Bergen
and
Trondhjem
. Ecclesiastically, Norway was at first under the direction of the
Archbishop
of
Lund
(1103); later (1152) under the
Archbishop
of
Trondhjem
, who had
jurisdiction
over the Bishops of
Bergen
Stavanger
Oslo
Hamar
, Farvê, Kirkwall (Orkney Islands), Skalholt and Holar (Holum) in
Iceland
, and Gardar (Garde) in
Greenland
. Jerntland was subject to the
Swedish
Archdiocese of Upsala. There were a thousand well-endowed churches, thirty
monasteries
, and various orders of
women
Benedictines
Cistercians
, Præmonstratensians,
Dominicans
Franciscans
, Augustinians, and
Brigittines
. Schools were attached to the
cathedrals
and to most of the
monasteries
. For higher
education
Norwegians went to foreign
universities
, especially to
Paris
From the reign of Christian III Norway shared the fortunes of
Denmark
. Christian's son,
Frederick II
(1559-88), paid no attention to Norway, but much was done for the country during the long reign of Christian IV (1588-1648), who endeavoured to develop the country by encouraging mining at Konsberg and Röraas, and to protect it from attack by improving the army. Jerntland and Herjudalen, however, had to be ceded to Sweden. Frederick III (1648-70) was also
obliged
to cede Bohuslan. Frederick V (1746-66) encouraged art, learning, commerce, and manufactures. Prosperity strengthened the self-reliance of the people and their desire for political independence. In 1807 they were granted autonomous administration, and in 1811 a national
university
was founded at Christiania. Political events enabled Sweden to force
Denmark
in the Treaty of Keil to relinquish Norway. Many of the Norwegians not being in favour of this, a national diet, held at Eidsvold (17 May, 1814), agreed upon a constitution and chose as king the popular
Danish
prince, Christian Frederick. But the Powers interfered and ratified the union with Sweden. The
Swedish
monarchs, Charles John XIV, Oscar I, Charles XV, and Oscar II, had a difficult position to maintain in Norway. Notwithstanding
zealous
and successful efforts to promote the material and
intellectual
prosperity of the land, they never attained popularity, nor could they reconcile national dislikes. Friction increased, the Norwegian parliament growing steadily more radical and even becoming the exponent of republican
ideas
. From 1884 the Storthing, which now possessed the real power, steadfastly urged the dissolution of the union, and on 7 June, 1905, declared it to be dissolved. The
Swedish
Government naturally was unwilling to consent to this revolutionary action. Negotiations were successfully concluded at the Convention of Karlstad, 23 September, 1905. The Norwegians elected as king Prince Charles of
Denmark
, who, under the title of Hakon VII, has since then reigned over the country.
Ecclesiastical history
Little is known of the religious
ideas
of the
heathen
Norwegians, and this little rests on later sources, chiefly on the Eddas of the thirteenth century. It seems
certain
that not only animals, but also
human beings
(even kings), were
sacrificed
to the gods, of whom first Thor (later Odin) was the most important. The early Norwegians were characterized by reckless
courage
and a cruelty that alternated with generosity and magnanimity.
Hakon the Good
and Olaf Tryggoesson laboured to introduce
Christianity
, and during the reign of Olaf Haroldsson
Christianity
became, nominally at least, the prevailing religion. Olaf Haroldsson was a
zealous
adherent of the new
faith
. He built churches, founded
schools
, and exerted influence by his personal example. After his death he was revered as a saint: the church built at Nidaros (now Trondhjem) over his grave was replaced later by the
cathedral
of
Trondhjem
, the finest building in Norway. The Dioceses of Nidaros,
Bergen
Oslo
, and Stavanger were soon founded,
monks
and
nuns
carried on successful missionary work, and in a short time the land was covered with wooden churches (Stovkirken) of singular
architecture
; the few that remain still arouse admiration. Gradually stone churches with a rich equipment were erected.
The Norwegian
bishops
were under the
jurisdiction
of the
Metropolitan
of
Lund
until 1152, when the
papal legate
, Nicholas of
Albano
, transferred the
jurisdiction
over the Norwegian Church to the
Bishop
of
Trondhjem
and his successors. The suffragans of the new
archbishopric
were: Hamar, Farve, and Kirkwall in the Orkneys, Skalholt, and Holar in
Iceland
, and Gardar in
Greenland
. The
tithes
, legally established before 1130 in the reign of Sigurd Jonsalafari, made possible the foundation of a large number of new
parishes
and strengthened those already existing. The
Diocese of Oslo
contained the largest number, namely 300
parishes
; Nidaros had 280. There was a chapter for each see.
Not much is known of the
morals
and religious spirit of the people; it is
certain
that in the
Catholic
period much more in proportion was given for purposes of religion than after the
Reformation
. There are few details of the pastoral labours of
bishops
and
clergy
, but the works of
Christian
charity, hospices, lazarettos, inns for
pilgrims
, bear ready testimony to their efforts for the advancement of civilization. Nor was learning neglected. As early as the twelfth century the
monk
Dietrich of
Trondhjem
wrote a Latin chronicle of the country, and in 1250 a
Franciscan
wrote an account of his journey to the Holy Land. Norwegian students who desired degrees went to the Universities of
Paris
and Bologna, or, at a later period, attended a
university
nearer home, that of
Rostock
in
Mecklenburg
. With the abandonment of the old Faith and its institutions was associated the loss of national independence in 1537. As early as 1519 Christian II had begun to suppress the
monasteries
, and Christian III abetted the cause of
Lutheranism
. Archbishop Olaf Engelbrechtsen and other dignitaries of the
Church
were forced to flee; Mogens Lawridtzen,
Bishop
of
Hamar
, died in
prison
in 1542, and Jon Arason of Holar was executed on 7 November, 1550.
The large landed possessions of the
Church
went to the king and his favourites. Many churches were destroyed, others fell into decay, and the number of
parishes
was greatly reduced. The salaries of the preachers, among whom were very objectionable
persons
, were generally a mere pittance. Fanatics of the
new belief
thundered from the
pulpit
against
idolatry
and the cruelty of the "Roman
Antichrist
"; whatever might preserve the memory of earlier ages was doomed to destruction; the pictures of the Virgin were cut to pieces, burned, or thrown into the water; veneration of
saints
was threatened with severe punishment. Notwithstanding this, it was only slowly and by the aid of deception that the people were seduced from the ancestral
faith
Catholicism
did not die out in Norway until the beginning of the seventeenth century. The
pope
entrusted the spiritual care of Norway, first to the Nunciature of Cologne, and then to
Brussels
, but the Draconian
laws
of
Denmark
made
Catholic
ministration almost impossible. Whether the
Jesuits
appointed to Norway ever went there is unknown. A
Dominican
who reached the country was expelled after a few weeks. The Norwegian convert Rhugius was permitted to remain, but was not allowed to exercise his office. Conditions remained the same later, when the supervision was transferred from
Brussels
to
Cologne
, from Cologne to Hildersheim, and thence to Osnabrück.
There was no change until the nineteenth century when the
laws
of 1845 and succeeding years released all dissenters, including
Catholics
who had come into the country, from the control of the
Lutheran
state Church. From the time of its foundation the
Lutheran Church
had wavered between
orthodoxy
and
rationalism
, and was finally much affected by the
Pietistic
movement, led by Haugue. In 1843 a small
Catholic
parish
was formed in Christiania, and from this centre efforts were made to found new stations. In 1869
Pius IX
created an independent
prefecture Apostolic
for Norway. The first prefect was a
Frenchman
, Bernard, formerly prefect of the North Pole mission. He was followed by the Luxemburg
priest
Fallize, later
Bishop
of Alusa, under whom the mission has steadily developed, although not yet large. Especially noteworthy among the men who of late years have been reconciled to the
Church
are the former gymnasial
rector
Sverenson, and the author Kroogh-Tonning, doctor of
theology
, originally a
Lutheran
pastor
at Christiania. All monastic orders,
Jesuits
excepted, are allowed, but there are no
monasteries
for men. On the other hand the missionaries of the
female
congregations,
Sisters of St. Elizabeth
, Sisters of St. Francis, and
Sisters of St. Joseph
of
Chambéry
, numbering about thirty, have gained useful and active fellow-workers. There are a few thousands of
Catholics
, for whom there are churches in Christiania (St. Olaf and Halvard), in
Bergen
Trondhjem
, Fredrikshald, Tromsö, Fredrikstad, Altengaard, Hamerfest.
Catholic
hospitals
exist in Christiania,
Bergen
, Drammen, and Christiansand, and there is a number of
Catholic
schools
towards which the
Protestant
population has shown itself friendly. In 1897, for the first time in three hundred years, the feast of
St. Olaf
was celebrated at
Trondhjem
History of art
During the
Middle Ages
art was closely connected with religion, and its chief task was the building and embellishment of churches. Some twenty old wooden churches (Stavkirker), still in existence, show with what skill Norwegians made use of the wood furnished by their forests. At a comparatively early
date
, stone was used, first in the Romanesque, then in the Gothic buildings. Some of the work thus produced has a singular and characteristic charm. Besides primitive churches of one aisle with rude towers and
belfries
, as at Vossevanger, there are in existence churches of three
aisles
with pleasing, and at times relatively rich ornamentation. The
façades
of some of these are flanked by two towers, as at Akers,
Bergen
, and
Stavanger
. The most striking achievements of Norwegian architecture are the
cathedral
of
St. Magnus
at
Kirkwall
in the Orkneys, and, what is even finer, the
cathedral
at
Trondhjem
. The latter has had a chequered history. Built originally in 1077 by Olaf the Quiet (
Kyrre
) as a "Christ Church" of one aisle over the bones of
St. Olaf
, it served at first as the burial place of the kings. When in 1152 Trondhjem (Nidaros) was made an archdiocese, it became a place of
pilgrimage
for the entire kingdom, and the gifts of the faithful made possible the
necessary
enlargement of the
cathedral
. In 1161 Archbishop Eystein Erlandson began its restoration in the Romanesque style. Obliged to flee from King Sverri, he became acquainted during his stay in
England
with
Gothic architecture
and made use of this style on his return. This is especially evident in the unique octagon erected over
St. Olaf's
grave, evidently an imitation of "Becket's Crown" in Canterbury
cathedral
. Eystein's successors completed the building according to his plans. The
cathedral
was twice damaged by fire but each time was repaired (in 1328 and in 1432). It fell into almost complete ruin after the great fire of 5 May, 1531, and for several hundred years no attention was paid to it. A change came with the awakening of national
pride
, and the restoration of the
cathedral
is now nearing completion. Its most valuable treasures, the body of the great Apostle of Norway
St. Olaf
and the costly shrine that enclosed it, have disappeared. In 1537 the shrine was taken to Copenhagen, robbed of its jewels, and melted, while the bones of the
saint
were buried by fanatics in some unknown place to put an end forever to the veneration of them. The wood-carvings,
paintings
, and other objects of art, which formerly adorned Norwegian churches, have been either carried off or destroyed.
This was not so frequently the case in the northern part of the country, and in other districts some few objects escaped. Among the works of art especially interesting may be mentioned: (in wood-carvig; the altar of the Virgin in the
Church
of Our Lady at
Bergen
, and the altar in the Ringsacker church on Lake Nysen; (in
painting
) the antependium at Gal; (in relief work) the doorways of the churches at Hyllestad and Hemsedal; the
baptismal font
at
Stavanger
reliquaries
, as at Hedal;
censers
, as at Hadsel; crucifixes and vestments. The finest
medieval
secular building is King Haakon's Hall, a part of the former royal palace at
Bergen
. Beautifully carved chairs, rich tapestries, and fine chased work are further
proof
of the degree of culture attained by
Catholic
Norway.
History of literature
Norway can hardly be said to have an indigenous literature. As regards material and arrangement, the chronicles and narratives are very much the same both in the north and the South (for
Icelandic
Sagas see ICELANDIC LITERATURE). We here treat specifically
Protestant
literature only so far as individual writers, such as the brothers Munch, refer in poetry or prose to the
Catholic
era in Norway, and thus indirectly further the interests of the
Church
. The historical investigations and writings of Bang, Dietrichson, Daae, and Bugge have overthrown many historical misstatements and judgments prejudicial to
Catholicism
. These works have influenced even
Protestant
theology
in Norway, so that its position towards
Rome
is relatively more friendly than in other countries. If heretofore no Norwegian
Catholic
has made a great contribution to the national literature the reason is obvious.
Note:
This article was written in 1911, seventeen years before Norwegian Catholic novelist Sigrid Undset received the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Of late years, however, various books have been published of an edifying, apologetic, or of a polemical nature. There is a
Catholic
weekly, the "St. Olav".
Sources
When not otherwise noted, the place of publication is Christiania: Diplomatarium Norwegicum (1849--); MUNCH, Det norske folkets historie (8 vols., 1852-63); SARS, Udsigt over den norske hisiorie (1893--); ODHNER, Lärobok i Sveriges, Norges och Danmarks historia (7th ed., Stockholm, 1886); ZORN, Staat u. Kirche in Norwegen bis z. 13. Jahrh. (Munich, 1875); KEYSER, Den norske Kirkes Historie under Katolicismen (2 vols., 1856-8); BANG, Udsigt over den Norske Kirkes Historie under Katolicismen (1887); IDEM, Udsigt over den Norske Kirkes Historie efter Reformationen (1885); STORM, Hist. topogr. Skrifter om Norge og norske Lansdele författede i Norge i det 16de Aarhundrade (1895); BAUMGARTNER, Nordische Fahrten, II (Freiburg, 1890); DIETRICHSON, De Norske Stavkirker (1892); IDEM, Vore Faedres Verk; Norges Kunst i Middelalderen (1906); IDEM, Omrids af den norske Literatura Historie (Copenhagen, 1866-9); SCHWEITZER, Phil. Gesch. der skand. Literatur (3 vols., Leipzig, 1886--); OESTERGAARD, Illustreret Dansk Literaturhistorie (1907); HALVORSEN, Norsk Forfatterlexikon 1874-1881 (1885--); Kirkeleksikon for Norden (Copenhagen, 1897--), 53 pts. already issued; Die kathol. Missionen (Freiburg, 1873--); HERMENS AND KOHLSCHMIDT, Protest. Taschenbuch (Leipzig, 1905).
About this page
APA citation.
Wittmann, P.
(1911).
Norway.
In
The Catholic Encyclopedia.
New York: Robert Appleton Company.
MLA citation.
Wittmann, Pius.
"Norway."
The Catholic Encyclopedia.
Vol. 11.
New York: Robert Appleton Company,
1911.
.
Transcription.
This article was transcribed for New Advent by Kerry Smith.
Ecclesiastical approbation.
Nihil Obstat.
February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor.
Imprimatur.
+John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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