The Pretenders

THE PRETENDERS
(1863)

CHARACTERS.

• Håkon Håkonsson, the King elected by the Birchlegs.
• Inga of Varteig, his mother.
• Earl Skule.
• Lady Ragnhild, his wife.
• Sigrid, his sister.
• Margrete, his daughter.
• Guthorm Ingesson.
• Sigurd Ribbung.
• Nicholas Arnesson, Bishop of Oslo.
• Dagfinn the Peasant, Håkon’s marshal.
• Ivar Bodde, his chaplain.
• Vegard Væradal, one of his guard.
• Gregorius Jonsson, a nobleman.
• Paul Flida, a nobleman.
• Ingeborg, Andres Skialdarband’s wife.
• Peter, her son, a young priest.
• Sira Viliam, Bishop Nicholas’s chaplain.
• Master Sigard of Brabant, a physician.
• Jatgeir Skald, an Icelander.
• Bård Bratte, a chieftain from the Trondhiem district.
• Populace and Citizens of Bergen, Oslo, and Nidaros.
• Priests, Monks, and Nuns.
• Guests, Guards, and Ladies.
• Men-at-Arms, etc. etc.

The action passes in the first half of the Thirteenth Century.

Pronunciation of Names: Håkon=Hoakoon (“oa” as in “board”); Skule=Skoolë; Margrete=Margraytë; Guthorm=Gootorm; Sigurd Ribbung=Sigoord Ribboong; Dagfinn (“a” as in “hard”); Ivar Bodde=Eevar Boddë; Vegard=Vaygard; Jonsson=Yoonson; Flida=Fleeda; Ingeborg=Ingheborg; Jatgeir=Yatgheir; Bård Bratte=Board Brattë. The name “Ingeborg” appears as “Ingebjörg” in Ibsen’s text. The form I have substituted is equally current in Norway, and less troublesome to pronounce.

THE PRETENDERS.

HISTORIC PLAY IN FIVE ACTS.