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Nóregr's District of
Hordaland
District Leader:
 Hörðaland
 Map of Hordaland
 Hardanger Plain, is a tall mountain plain that dives steeply down towards the fjords of Hörðaland. The beautiful fjords mark the scenery. Hardanger fjord stretches 111 miles (179 km) from the ocean to the mountains, and is Hörðaland's longest fjord. It meets the Hardanger Plain at its tip in the mountainous region of the district of Eidfjord. The name Hörðar comes from the name of an ancient tribe living in the area. The area consists of the municipalities and the towns of Hordaland, Norway which include Odda, Ullensvang, Eidfjord, Ulvik, Voss, Aurland, Granvin, Kvam, and Jondal. Hardinger Fjord
 Kinsarvik is the site of a where a Viking ship of the leidangr (Norse navy) was ported when not cruising. It constituted a system of coastal fleets with the aim of defence. The Norse kings had an organised system for assembling the leidangr when necessary. Normally, these fjord fleets were on expeditions for two or three months during the summer. All free men, were obligated to contribute to the leidangr. The ship at Kinsarvik had twenty-five thwarts, broad enough to accommodate four to to six men on each. In addition there was a steerman, a cook, and armed sailors, approximately one hundred and sixty men in all. According to tradition the ship at Kinsarvik was called "Hardangergeita" (" The Hardanger goat"). Skiparstò-Kinsarvik
 In the early Viking Age, before Harald Fairhair, Hardanger was a petty kingdom with its capital at Kinsarvik. It is generally assumed that the Norwegian King Haakon introduced the leidangr about 995 AD. King Haakon divided coastal Norway into districts called "skipreide". Viewing the fjord from Skiparstò, the majestic mountain of Oksen dominates in the northwest. On the summit of Oksen signal fires were set ablaze in case of threatening attacks. There were numerous such beacons along the Norwegian coast and the fjords. When beacons were lit from one lands end to the other it took about a week to give notice to preparing for war.  Resources: Hordaland
Pictures: Hardanger Fjord Skiparstò-Kinsarvik Vikings and Viking Ships in Fjord Print: Jones, G.J. A History of the Vikings |
