Engans over the Millennium

..excerpt from the Christmas letter of Richard Engan..Dec. 1999

As we enter this millenium year it seems natural to look back over what our family has gone through this past 1,000 years. What follows is a brief summary of some features of the story of Selbu, Norway where 5 of my great-grandparents were born.

Until the 20th century, children usually heard their family story from their grandparents. The extended family lived in one house, and the grandparents had the responsibility of passing their story on to their grandchildren.

Our Scandinavian ancestors began the millennium worshipping Thor, Oden and other old Norse gods.

Most likely none of our ancestors were aware of the passing of the end of the first millennium. The concept of the calender was introduced during the 1000's. When Norway became Christian it became necessary for the people to know which days they needed to go to church. The "Primstav" came into use noting each day of the year. A symbol noted church holidays and important times for peasants, such as the time for planting.

After Norway was united in 870, a system of local self-rule was established. National issues were decided at Tinghaugen at Frosta about 40 miles south of Selbu. Local issues, decisions relating to defense and the census were decided at Tinghaugen in Selbu. Tinghaugen is located in Harstad on the old main road going up the hill to the north of the church.

From 1130-1240 Norway was in civil war. More than 25 claimed the throne of at least part of Norway during this time. In June 1178, King Sverre visited Selbu with his Birkebeinerne army. He went on to win the battle on Kalvskinnet and become King of Norway. Ruins from his fortifications in Selbu are on the island of Hooya across the Selbusjoen from Fuglem on Selbustrand.

More than anything, this has been the Christian Millennium. Scandinavia converted to Christianity during the initial years of the millennium. In 1016 Olav II Haraldsson (St. Olaf), the grandson of Olav Trygvasson, came to power. In 1028 the king of Denmark came to claim Norway for Denmark. Olav left for Kiev. In 1030 he returned to reclaim Norway. He was defeated at Stiklestad 55 miles from Selbu. His legacy left Norway as a Christian country. The site of his burial was developed into Nidaros Cathedral in present day Trondheim twelve miles from Selbu. The Selbu Church was built 1100-1150.

From about 1150 to 1500 N'daros was a center of pilgrimage on a par with Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostella in Spain. The main pilgrimage road from central Europe and Sweden went through Selbu on the way to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. The road came from Sweden to Tydal, to the Selbu Kirke. From the church it followed a high road around Selbu and Selbustrad.

Engan is the oldest place name recorded in Selbu as "Engiom" in 1345. The name means meadows, and the land has been good grassland since the earliest times.

In 1345 the plague hit Selbu and Norway, as well as most of Europe. It was said that after the plague there was smoke coming from only 3 chimneys in Selbu. The Engan farm was vacant for about 200 years until the population had increased enough to operate the land that was farmed before the plague.

Before 1345, most of Engan was owned by the Catholic church. Engan was confiscated by the King of Denmark in 1537 in the Reformation. Engan belonged to the King until the Crown Land Sale in 1666 when it was sold to Henrik Muller, a Dane. In 1681 it was sold to Tommas Hammond, an Englishman. In 1681, it went to Thomas Angell. In 1921, Utistoggo Engan was sold by the Thomas Angell Foundation to Ole Kristensen Engan for 7,870 kroner and 2,500 kroner to his mother Berit Jonsdt Engan.

This millennium has brought good times as well as trying times. From Viking times, life has centered around the family, the community and the church. Sharing music, food and good times have always been important. It is captivating for me to delve into these things and this brings the millennium into focus for me. I hope it is also of some interest to you.