Akershus

The County of Akershus is located in the southeastern part of Norway, forming the core of Danish-Norwegian administration in the region. It stretches from the Oslofjord coastline inland to the forested hills and valleys of southern Norway, encompassing a mix of fertile lowlands, rugged highlands and extensive waterways. The county is dominated by Christiania, the capital and administrative centre of Norway, which was renamed from Oslo in 1624 under the orders of King Christian IV. The county covers an area of 6.6 hexes and has a population of 93,117.

Christiania's placement at the head of the Oslofjord makes it a crucial maritime hub, serving as a gateway for trade, governance and military activity. Overlooking Christiania, Akershus Fortress serves as both the seat of the governor and a key defensive position, ensuring Danish-Norwegian control over the region and protecting against threats, particularly from Sweden to the east. Beyond Christiania, the county includes numerous villages, estates and rural farming habitats, with a strong reliance on timber, fisheries and agriculture to sustain both local populations and the wider trade network of the kingdom.

This part of Norway is a region of both stability and tension, shaped by its proximity to Sweden and its economic dependence on Denmark. While the Norwegian interior remains largely self-sufficient, the lowland areas around Christiania and the fjord are deeply integrated into the Danish-Norwegian trade network, with goods such as timber, iron, fish, and furs exported to Copenhagen and beyond. The region is sparsely populated compared to Denmark, with harsh winters and challenging terrain limiting large-scale settlement beyond the coastal areas and river valleys.

However, Christiania has been steadily growing since its rebuilding in 1624, and it has become a regional centre of commerce and governance, drawing in traders, craftsmen and administrators. The county remains under the firm control of the Danish crown, with local governance handled by noble-appointed officials who oversee taxation, law enforcement and defence. Though Norway is not at war in 1650, tensions with Sweden remain high following the conflicts of the early 17th century, and the region's fortifications and military presence reflect this persistent threat from the east.

Geography

The county encompasses a varied and rugged landscape. The coastline along the Oslofjord is marked by rocky outcrops, small islands and deep natural harbours, with fjord waters that remain relatively calm due to the protection of the surrounding landmasses. Numerous inlets and estuaries cut into the coast, forming a complex shoreline with sheltered bays and peninsulas. The land here is lower in elevation, gradually sloping toward the fjord, with patches of arable soil and meadows interspersed with small lakes and streams.

Further inland, the terrain begins to rise into low hills and rolling uplands, covered in dense coniferous forests, particularly pine and spruce. The transition from coastal lowlands to inland highlands is gradual in some areas, while in others it is marked by steep ridges and rocky plateaus. Numerous rivers and lakes are found throughout the region, with the Glomma River, Norway's longest, flowing through the eastern portion of the county. The river's tributaries and wetlands form a network of interconnected waterways, cutting through valleys and flatlands before reaching the fjord.

In the northern and western reaches of Akershus, the landscape becomes increasingly rugged and uneven, with exposed rock formations, narrow gorges and scattered mountain lakes. The region's climate is cool and temperate along the coast, with mild summers and wet conditions year-round, but it shifts to harsher winters with deep snow as elevation increases. Storms and icy winds from the north and east frequently sweep through the region.

Culture

The people live in small, self-sufficient communities, where kinship and local ties form the foundation of daily life, fostering a culture of practicality and resilience. Hard work, hospitality and communal support are most important. Coastal settlements along the Oslofjord rely heavily on fishing and trade, with families passing down seafaring skills, boat-building knowledge and seasonal fishing practices. Inland, the culture is shaped by farming and forestry, where village life revolves around seasonal cycles of planting, harvest and winter preparations. Even in isolated areas, festivals and gatherings are important, bringing people together for market fairs, religious holidays and storytelling in the long winter months.

Social customs are heavily influenced by both Lutheran values and older folk traditions, with a strong emphasis on duty, faith and self-reliance. Many homes display wood carvings and painted symbols with both religious meaning and protective folklore, blending Christian belief with pre-Reformation superstitions. Music and dance are integral to celebrations, often featuring fiddles, flutes and drums, with performances at weddings, feasts and seasonal gatherings.

The region's isolation from larger Danish cultural centres has allowed older Norwegian customs and dialects to persist, particularly in the forested highlands and smaller farmsteads. While deeply tied to their land and traditions, the people of Akershus are not entirely removed from the broader Danish-Norwegian world, as traders, merchants and officials maintain connections to Christiania and Copenhagen, bringing news, goods and changing ideas to even the more remote corners of the county.

History

Long a strategically significant region, owing to its position along the Oslofjord and its control over key inland routes leading into southern Norway. The area was originally settled by Norse clans and chieftains, with scattered farmsteads and fishing villages dotting the landscape. During the early medieval period, the Oslofjord became an important centre for maritime trade and regional governance, leading to the establishment of Akershus Fortress in the late 13th century under the reign of King Haakon V (1299–1319). The fortress was constructed to protect the growing settlement of Oslo and to assert Norwegian royal authority over the surrounding lands. Over the next several centuries, it played a vital role in defending against both domestic uprisings and foreign threats, particularly from the Swedes.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Norway became increasingly integrated into the Danish realm, as part of the Kalmar Union (1397–1523) and later under direct Danish rule. Akershus remained the political and military centre of the Norwegian lands, with the fortress serving as the seat of the Danish-appointed governor. The Reformation in Denmark-Norway (1536–1537) further consolidated Danish control, as Lutheranism replaced Catholic authority, monasteries were dissolved and local governance was reorganised under Danish nobles and officials.

In 1624, after a devastating fire destroyed much of Oslo, King Christian IV ordered the city rebuilt under the new name Christiania, strengthening its ties to the Danish crown. Throughout the early 17th century, Akershus has seen continued fortification efforts, as wars with Sweden have remained an ongoing concern. Now, in 1650, the region is stable but ever-watchful, serving as a crucial defensive and administrative stronghold within the Danish-Norwegian realm, while Christiania continues to develop as the kingdom's most important city in Norway.