Christ Church, Bergen
Encyclopedia
Christ Church or the Old Cathedral on Holmen (Kristkirken på Holmen i Bergen) was the main church and cathedral of Bergen
.
The church was built by King Olav Kyrre during the period 1066-1093. The church was situated north of Haakon's hall, the King's hall. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity but was always known as Christ Church. In 1170 the relics of Saint Sunniva were moved here from Selja
and placed on the main altar.
During Bergen's period as the capital of Norway
in the 13th century, Holmen and Christ Church was the political centre of the country. The church itself was used for negotiations and the churchyard was used for hailing of kings and meetings of the realm. The first coronation
in Scandinavia
was held in Bergen in 1163 and several royal coronations
were held in the church when it was finished. The kings were also married and buried in the church.
In 1531 the church was levelled to the ground by order of Bille, the Danish governor of Bergenhus Fortress
.
Today the outline of the church is marked by a hedge. A memorial to Saint Sunniva and the royals buried there is placed on the site of the high altar.
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
.
The church was built by King Olav Kyrre during the period 1066-1093. The church was situated north of Haakon's hall, the King's hall. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity but was always known as Christ Church. In 1170 the relics of Saint Sunniva were moved here from Selja
Selja, Selje
Selja is a small island in the municipality of Selje in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. It has been formerly known as Sellø or Selø. The island is located in the Sildagapet bay, just west of Selje harbor....
and placed on the main altar.
During Bergen's period as the capital of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
in the 13th century, Holmen and Christ Church was the political centre of the country. The church itself was used for negotiations and the churchyard was used for hailing of kings and meetings of the realm. The first coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
was held in Bergen in 1163 and several royal coronations
Royal coronations in Norway
Royal coronations in Norway were held from 1164 to 1906, mostly in the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Although a crowning ceremony was formerly mandated by the nation's constitution, this requirement was eliminated in 1908...
were held in the church when it was finished. The kings were also married and buried in the church.
In 1531 the church was levelled to the ground by order of Bille, the Danish governor of Bergenhus Fortress
Bergenhus Fortress
Bergenhus fortress is a fortress located in Bergen, Norway. Bergenhus fortress is located in the entrance to the harbor in Bergen. This is one of the oldest and best preserved castles in Norway.-History:...
.
Today the outline of the church is marked by a hedge. A memorial to Saint Sunniva and the royals buried there is placed on the site of the high altar.
Coronations
| Coronation | Picture | Name | Reign | Other regnal titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1163/1164 |  |
Magnus V Erlingsson Magnus V of Norway Magnus V Erlingsson was a King of Norway during the Civil war era in Norway.-Biography:Magnus Erlingsson was probably born in Etne in Hordaland. He was the son of Erling Skakke. His father was a Norwegian nobleman who earned his reputation crusading with Rögnvald Kali Kolsson, the Earl of Orkney... |
1161 - June 15, 1184 | |
| June 29, 1194 | |
Sverre Sigurdsson Sverre of Norway Sverre Sigurdsson was king of Norway from 1177 to 1202. He married Margareta Eriksdotter, the daughter of the Swedish king Eric the Saint, by whom he had the daughter Kristina Sverresdotter.... |
1184 - March 9, 1202 | |
| July 29, 1247 |  |
Haakon IV Haakonsson Haakon IV of Norway Haakon Haakonarson , also called Haakon the Old, was king of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Under his rule, medieval Norway reached its peak.... (Håkon IV Håkonsson) with Queen Margrete Margrét Skúladóttir Margrete Skulesdotter was a Norwegian Queen consort, spouse of king Haakon IV of Norway and Queen consort of Norway from 1225 to 1263.-Biography:... |
1217 - December 16, 1263 | |
| September 14, 1261 |  |
Magnus VI the law-mender Magnus VI of Norway Magnus VI Lagabøte or Magnus Håkonsson , was king of Norway from 1263 until 1280.-Early life:... (Magnus VI Lagabøte) with Queen Ingeborg Ingeborg of Denmark, Queen of Norway Ingeborg Eriksdotter was a Danish princess. She was married to King Magnus VI of Norway and was Queen consort of Norway. Later as Queen dowager, she played an important part in politics during the minority of her son King Eirik II of Norway.-Biography:Ingeborg was born the daughter of Eric IV of... |
December 16, 1263 - May 9, 1280 | |
| 1280 | |
Eric II Magnusson (Eirik II Magnusson) | May 9, 1280–1299 | |
| 1281 | |
Margaret of Scotland Margaret of Scotland (Queen of Norway) Margaret of Scotland was Queen consort of Norway and wife of King Eric II of Norway.... (consort of Eric II Magnusson) |
Burials
| Burial | Picture | Name | Reign | Other regnal titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moved to Bergen 1170 |  |
Saint Sunniva | lived in the 10th century | |
| 1202 | |
Sverre Sigurdsson Sverre of Norway Sverre Sigurdsson was king of Norway from 1177 to 1202. He married Margareta Eriksdotter, the daughter of the Swedish king Eric the Saint, by whom he had the daughter Kristina Sverresdotter.... |
1184 - March 9, 1202 | |
| 1204 | |
Håkon Sverresson | 1202–1204 | |
| 1263 | |
Haakon IV Haakonsson Haakon IV of Norway Haakon Haakonarson , also called Haakon the Old, was king of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Under his rule, medieval Norway reached its peak.... (Håkon IV Håkonsson) |
1217 - December 16, 1263 | |
| 1283 | |
Margaret of Scotland, Queen of Norway consort of Eirik Magnusson | ||
| 1290 | |
Margaret, Maid of Norway Margaret, Maid of Norway Margaret , usually known as the Maid of Norway , sometimes known as Margaret of Scotland , was a Norwegian princess who was Queen of Scots from 1286 until her death... , Queen of Scots |
1286–1290 | |
| 1299 | |
Eric II Magnusson (Eirik II Magnusson) | May 9, 1280–1299 |