Alrekstad
Alrekstad (Runic: ᛅᛚᚱᛁᚴᛋᛏᛅᚦᛣ) was a farmland estate located on the west coast of Norway. During the 9th century, it was the residence of Harald Fairhair, the first King of a unified Norway.
History[edit | edit source]
In December 872, King Harald hosted an althing in Alrekstad, inviting the various clans of Norway to attend. Among the attendees were King Styrbjorn Sigvaldisson of the Raven Clan, his children Sigurd Styrbjornsson and Eivor Varinsdottir, and the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq. Also in attendance were Gorm Kjotvesson and surviving members of the Wolf Clan[1] following the assault on their fortress,[2] but although they were one of Norway's prominent clans, their presence was unwelcome by all at the meeting.[1]
During the althing, Harald announced his intentions to unify Norway under his rule and banished the Wolf Clan from the country, after Gorm tried to falsely accuse Eivor of having poisoned his father Kjotve. Most clan leaders in attendance supported Harald, viewing the unification of Norway as a solution to the country's dwindling resources and endless wars, though there were some who voiced their opposition, most notably Sigurd and Eivor.[1] The siblings, alongside a number of loyalists from their clan, would later leave Norway and sail to England in search of better prospects.[3]
In 877, Sigurd and Eivor briefly returned to Alrekstad to visit Styrbjorn, who had fallen into depression and alcoholism and spent most of his time at the local tavern. After Sigurd and Styrbjorn got into an argument regarding the latter's perceived failure as a father and a leader, the siblings left Alrekstad and continued towards their destination.[4]
Circa 889, Eivor and Sigurd visited King Harald at Alrekstad's longhouse while the latter was planning an expedition to Iceland to send supplies to his friend Ingólfr Arnarson. Harald invited the two to lead the expedition but Eivor politely turned down the offer, explaining that she had only come to say her farewells before she sailed further west.[5]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Alrekstad is a historical location which appeared in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla and its educational mode, Discovery Tour: Viking Age. According to the latter, Alrekstad's design in the game was inspired by the city of Bryggen.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Eivor and Sigurd in Alrekstad
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
- Discovery Tour: Viking Age
References[edit | edit source]