The Third War of the North

The Third War of the North was a war between The Skilamrilusian Empire and a united Norden (at first only Åsmark and Nordaland). It started by The Red Raid in 996, at the ending of The Red Rebellion.

The Red Raid
After Einar Eiriksønn Langskjegg had won The Red Rebellion, he declared himself the Jarl of Åsmark. He then called for the Great Ting, something that hadn't been done in hundreds of years. There the four Jarls of Norden met. Einar proposed a unified nordic attack on The Skilamrilusian Empire, to prevent all of Norden being conquered and added as provinces to the Empire. They would be much stronger fighting together, he argued. His proposal was voted down, and the Great Ting dissolved for the time. The others had always been free, and were afraid of getting in a conflict with The Skilamrilusian Empire. The only Jarl who was positive to the proposal was Ragnar Olafsønn Rimøks of Nordaland, since his lands were located further away from the frontier- and he was probably interested in getting spoils from the war.

Even though it was declined, Einar Eiriksønn Langskjegg and Ragnar Olafsønn Rimøks made a secret deal to go through with an attack anyways- known as the Red Raid.

Even though Fjordheim and Runskog had not participated in the Red Raid, the emperor of The Skilamrilusian Empire- Iremlius VI- declared war on all of Norden. He planned a dual invasion of Åsmark, and in the winter of 997 (february) sendt a fleet of 17 warships (with 9450 men) upwards the river Naumelv, as well as sending a land-army of 11000 men along the north-eastern side of the river.

To meet this threat, Åsmark called for assistance of the other Jarldoms. Oddvar Torsønn Sølvfell of Fjordheim was not happy, but sendt an army of 1750 anyways. Runskog did not respond at first, but at a later an army of 870. Einar Eiriksønn Langskjegg did already have an army of men 4150 in the area, and Nordaland already had a force of 83 men under the control of Olaf Ragnarsønn Rimøks there. Altogether the army of Norden consisted of about 6850 men.

Along the way, the army was harassed by Nordic ski-troops.

The Battle of Gransjø
After marching through the forest for several weeks, the army of The Skilamrilusian Empire met the Nordic force by the lake Gransjø located along the border between Argensoll and Åsmark. The nordic forces retreated into the lake, and the imperial army follwed. At The Battle of Gransjø the imperial army was defeated.

The Battle of Naumelv
The Battle of Naumelv