Frode and Hogne Eysteinsson: The Last Kings of Hedmark Who Defied Harald Fairhair

In the 9th century, the inland region of Hedmark (Heiðmǫrk)—centered around Lake Mjøsa in modern-day Innlandet—was ruled by a local dynasty of kings. Among them was King Eystein of Hedmark, remembered in the sagas as both an ally and enemy of Halfdan the Black, father of Harald Fairhair.

Background: Hedmark's Royal Line

Saga tradition tells us that Halfdan fought several wars in the Opplands (the inland valleys) against Eystein's family. Halfdan defeated Sigtryg Eysteinsson, Eystein's brother, and forced Eystein to accept peace. Under this agreement, Halfdan retained control of several districts (Toten, Hadeland, and Land), while Eystein remained king of the rest of Hedmark. The compromise left lingering resentment.

When Halfdan died unexpectedly around 860, leaving his ten-year-old son Harald as heir, Eystein's sons Hogne and Frode saw an opportunity to reclaim their father's lost lands and restore Hedmark's independence.

Saga Sources

The brothers are described in *Heimskringla* (Snorri Sturluson's 13th-century saga collection) as *"those brethren, Hogne and Frode, the sons of King Eystein of Hedemark."*

According to Snorri:

After Halfdan's death, King Gandalf of Vingulmark and King Haki of Romerike launched the first attacks against young Harald. Harald defeated them.

Next, Hogne and Frode Eysteinsson prepared for war, expecting Harald would soon come for them.

They reached out to Hogne Karuson of Ringerike and Gudbrand Hersir of Gudbrandsdal to form a defensive coalition. The war council gathered at Ringsaker, an important political and assembly site in Hedmark.

But Harald struck first.

The Night Attack at Ringsaker

Snorri describes how Harald's men surprised the assembly by night, setting fire to the buildings where the lords were gathered.

Hogne and Frode armed themselves and fought their way out of the burning hall.

For a time they resisted Harald's warriors in the chaos outside.

Eventually, both brothers were cut down in battle.

Their deaths ended Hedmark's organized resistance. As *Heimskringla* puts it, after Ringsaker Harald *"subdued Hedemark, and all the districts that belonged to it."*

Genealogy and Legacy

Frode and Hogne were princes of Hedmark, inheriting authority from their father King Eystein. While the sagas do not name their mother, Eystein himself was connected to earlier rulers who had long contested Halfdan the Black's expansion.

The brothers thus embodied a dynastic struggle stretching across generations:

Their uncle Sigtryg was slain by Halfdan.

Their father Eystein made a reluctant peace with Halfdan.

They themselves died resisting Halfdan's son Harald.

This pattern reflects the broader theme of Harald's saga: the gradual elimination of local royal families as he built a unified Norwegian kingdom.

Frode's Name in Context

The name Frode (Fróði) is common in Norse tradition, often associated with legendary Danish kings of the Scylding line. However, Frode Eysteinsson should not be confused with those mythic figures. In this context, Frode was a local Hedmark prince, a flesh-and-blood enemy of Harald, remembered only because of his stand at Ringsaker.

Hedmark's Regional Importance

Hedmark was a wealthy inland region of fertile valleys, forests, and strategic routes connecting the south of Norway with Trøndelag and Sweden.

Ringsaker, where the brothers fell, was both a royal estate and a *thing* (assembly) site. Its prominence in saga and archaeology shows the political significance of Hedmark's kings.

Control of Mjøsa and surrounding valleys gave rulers access to agricultural surpluses and inland trade. For Harald, subduing Hedmark was a key step in consolidating the Opplands.

Historical Reality

As with many figures in *Heimskringla*, the exact historicity of Frode and Hogne is uncertain. They are known only from saga accounts written centuries later. No contemporary records or inscriptions mention them.

Still, their story fits a broader historical pattern:

A Vestfold dynasty (Halfdan and Harald) expanding into the Opplands.

Local rulers resisting, often violently, before being absorbed.

The burning of halls at Ringsaker echoes real Iron Age warfare practices.

Archaeological finds around Helgøya, Vang, and Ringsaker—large burial mounds, weapon graves, and rich farms—confirm the existence of a powerful aristocracy in Hedmark during this period. The Eysteinsson brothers may reflect a remembered tradition of those inland kings.

Conclusion: The End of Hedmark's Kings

The deaths of Frode and Hogne Eysteinsson symbolize the fall of Hedmark's independence. With their defeat at Ringsaker, Harald Fairhair eliminated one of the last inland dynasties able to challenge him.

From then on, Hedmark was no longer ruled by its own kings but became part of the growing Norwegian realm. For the sagas, the brothers' fate illustrates a recurring theme: the bravery of proud local lords who resisted Harald, and the inevitability of their downfall in the face of unification.