Great Heathen Empire

The term Great Heathen Empire refers to the period of the Fagrid rule over the Kingdom of Norway, extending from 986 until 1405. Founded by Knut the Fair in opposition of Christian incursions into Scandinavia. Knut reunified Norway under the rule of a pagan king, and instituted laws to restrict the spread of Christianity within Norway.

Knut's activities attracted the ire of neighboring Denmark and Sweden, and the Empire's negotion of a military alliance between Norway and Lithuania, and later with Django Mirga's Kingdom, founded the Great Heathen Alliance.

Knut waged direct war on Sweden, occupying huge stretches of land, as well as taking all Danish holdings in Britain and Heligoland. Knut personally engaged in War with the Livonian Order during the the First Baltic Crusade, and was emboldened by Lithuania's alliance with Russia.

The ease with which Knut undid centuries of Christianization of Norway, and embolded pagan countries such as Lithuania and Iceland lead to a common belief in medival Europe that he was the Antichrist.

Knut's death marked a gradual decline of his empire, with Norway remaining a major Pagan Empire until around the 15th century, where the Fargid king Harald III converted to Lutheran Christianity and made it the official religion of Norway.