Erling Skjalgsson | |
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![]() Death of Erling Skjalgsson Illustration by Peter Nicolai Arbo | |
Born | 975 Sola, Rogaland |
Died | 21 December 1028 | (aged 52–53)
Resting place | Sola, Rogaland |
Nationality | Norwegian |
Occupation | Political leader |
Known for | This period's foremost defender of the historic Norwegian social system |
Erling Skjalgsson, på Sola (Sola, Rogaland, 975 – Boknafjorden, 21 December 1028, bur. Sola, Rogaland), "Rygekongen", Herse/Høvding i Rogaland, was a Norwegian political leader of the late 10th and early 11th centuries. He has been commonly seen as this period's foremost defender of the historic Norwegian social system. Erling fought for the traditional small, autonomous kingdoms and the þing system, against the reformists of the Fairhair family line.[1]