Norwegian Constituent Assembly

Constitutional assembly held at Eidsvoll, Norway in 1814

The Norwegian Constituent Assembly (called Grunnlovsforsamlingen or Riksforsamlingen in Norwegian) is the name for the meeting in 1814 at Eidsvoll in Norway. This meeting created the Norwegian Constitution and ended the union with Denmark.[1][2] In Norway, people often call it Eidsvollsforsamlingen, which means The Assembly of Eidsvoll.[3]

"Riksforsamlingen på Eidsvoll 1814" by Oscar Wergeland

The assembly

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They first met on 10 April near Eidsvoll Church, and the assembly officially started the next day. Delegates from all over the country were supposed to attend, but parts in the north were not represented because the distance was too far, and there was not enough time.[4]

The leaders of the assembly were called presidents and vice presidents. The presidents were: Peder Anker (10–17 April), Diderik Hegermann (18–24 April),[5] Jens Schou Fabricius (25 April-1 May),[6] Christian Adolph Diriks (2–8 May), Christian Magnus Falsen (9–16 May),[7] and Georg Sverdrup (17–20 May). Wilhelm Frimann Koren Christie was the permanent secretary.

The Assembly finished the Constitution on 17 May 1814, which became Norway's National Day, though the document was signed on the 18th.[8] Sverdrup, the last president, gave the final speech. The assembly members left on 20 May, promising to stay united and loyal.[9]

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References

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  1. "Eidsvoll og Grunnloven 1814" [Eidsvoll and the 1814 Constitution]. Stortinget (in Norwegian). 25 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  2. "Grunnlov og union 1814" [Constitution and Union 1814]. The Royal House of Norway. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  3. Mardal, Magnus (10 September 2021). Hyvik, Jens (ed.). "Eidsvollsforsamlingen" [The Eidsvoll Assembly]. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia (in Norwegian). University of South-East Norway. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  4. Amoriza, Silje; Mardal, Magnus (24 November 2021). Hyvik, Jens (ed.). "Riksforsamlingen på Eidsvoll 1814" [The National Assembly at Eidsvoll 1814]. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia (in Norwegian). The University of South-East Norway. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  5. "Diderich Hegermann". Hemnesletkt (in Norwegian). Retrieved 29 May 2024. He played a significant role during the National Assembly at Eidsvoll in 1814
  6. Dørum, Knut, ed. (31 July 2023). "Jens Schow Fabricius". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). University of Agder. Retrieved 29 May 2024. Jens Schow Fabricius was a Norwegian naval officer and member of the National Assembly at Eidsvoll in 1814.
  7. Mykland, Knut; Dørum, Knut (17 August 2023). "Christian Magnus Falsen". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Retrieved 29 May 2024. Falsen was a lawyer and the leading representative at the National Assembly at Eidsvoll in April and May 1814
  8. "Celebrating May 17th". The Royal House of Norway. 17 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  9. Mestad, Ola (4 January 2023). Dørum, Knut (ed.). "Grunnlovas historie" [History of the Constitution]. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia (in Norwegian). University of Agder. Retrieved 29 May 2024.