Battles & Campaigns · 1016
Battle of Nesjar
Langesundfjorden, near Larvik, Norway
What happened
The two fleets clashed at sea off the Norwegian coast on Palm Sunday. Sources are few, but it was a fierce fight. Sveinn was driven off and retreated to Sweden.
Why it matters
It ended the rule of Sveinn over part of Norway and let Olaf become king. Olaf then united Norway under his rule.
What came next
Olaf's alliance with Erling was uneasy, and Olaf died at Stiklestad in 1030.
Did you know?
The court poet Sigvatr Þórðarson wrote a poem, the Nesjavísur, about the battle.
Timeline
- 1015Olaf returns to Norway and declares himself king.
- 25 Mar 1016Battle of Nesjar.
- 1028Battle of Boknafjorden.
- 29 Jul 1030Battle of Stiklestad.