Over the preceding centuries, Scandinavia had been changing. The Viking raids had brought wealth and prestige, not to mention power, to the emerging warrior ruling class.

There had been attempts by the leaders of Denmark and Norway to create larger states by consolidating various kingdoms. While these were intermittently successful, they didn’t create a permanent unified state.

Meanwhile, Harald Fairhair did manage to gain control over his neighbours and unified Norway and the Orkneys in around 900 CE.