Dag Ringsson

Who is Dag Ringsson?

Dag Ringsson was a Norwegian chieftain from Oppland.

According to Snorri Sturluson, Dag Ringsson was a descendant of Harald Fairhair. His family had settled in Sweden, where Dag was a nobleman at the service of the Swedish king. In 1026, King Olaf II of Norway had lost the Battle of the Helgeå, and in 1029 the Norwegian nobles, seething with discontent, rallied round the invading Cnut the Great of Denmark, forcing Olaf to flee. During his exile, King Olaf stayed some time in Sweden in the province of Närke with Sigtrygg of Nerike. While in Sweden, King Olaf was able to recruit Dag and his manpower to his project of recapturing Norway.

Dag Ringsson was a member of King Olaf's army at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030. After King Olaf had fallen at Stiklestad, Dag led his forces for the remainder of the battle. However, the peasant army soon overwhelmed the remnants of the king's men. Dag and his followers fled back to Sweden. Dag Ringsson did not appear on the political scene of Norway at any point later.