The Viceroy of Norway, Rigsstatholder in Norwegian or Riksståthållare in Swedish, was the appointed head of the Norwegian Government in the absence of the Monarch.
The office came into existence by the Norwegian Constitution, of November 4, 1814 where the paragraphs 12, 13 and 15 stipulated that a Viceroy of Swedish or Norwegian nationality could be appointed. The Viceroy would reside in Christiania, today Oslo, and lead the Government in the absence of the Monarch, who resided at Stockholm. The Council would be led by the Viceroy, where he had two votes, unless the Monarch was present, at which point he would loose his authority and merely become the first among equals, or Prime Minister, of the Council.
The post was held by Swedish appointees from 1814 until 1829, when it was vacated by natural causes. Protests would however leave the position empty until 1836, when it was filled by a Norwegian appointee. He was succeeded in 1841 but the successor laid down his office in 1856, after which it would not be reinstated. The demands to abandon the office completely was ultimately granted in 1873 by King Oscar II.
List of Viceroys
See also
Last updated: 08-24-2005 03:27:26
