The History & Cultural Traditions of Telemark and Norway

From the time of the Black Plague until 1905, Norway was ruled by Denmark or Sweden and considered a backwater. Even when nobles in those nations were given estates in Norway, they typically did not live there.  As a result, Norwegian society developed without a resident noble class, which made it unique among European nations.  Those who owned land, the bonder class, represented the highest social order in Norway.  These factors had a significant impact on the development of Norway's culture and traditions.