Eidsvoll

Eidsvoll lies beside the Vorma, south of Lake Mjøsa, on a route between the inland districts and eastern Norway. Its ironworks and the manor of their owner, Carsten Anker, became the setting for a decisive gathering in Norway's history. Forests, water power and transport routes had supported the works before political events brought representatives from across the country to its hall.

In February 1814 Christian Frederik met leading Norwegians at Eidsvoll to discuss resistance to Norway's transfer from Denmark to Sweden. An elected constituent assembly gathered at the manor from April to May. Its 112 delegates included officials, farmers and businessmen, although northern Norway was not represented. The assembly declared Norway independent, elected Christian Frederik king and drew up a constitution dated 17 May 1814. Later that year Norway entered a union with Sweden, retaining a revised constitution and its own institutions.