Various rebellions and the rival claims of the late Norwegian king's brother, Earl Skule Baardson, had severely limited the power of King Haakon IV.

Skule at the traditional Thing (Øyrating) in Trøndelag during 1239 had allowed his supporters to proclaim him king of Norway.

Skulehas also tried, unsuccessfully, to win his other son-in-law, jarl Knut Haakonsson, to his side.

He had raised a military host against King Haakon and won a battle at Låka in Nannestad, but lost in Oslo.

His party is called the Vårbelgs, a reference to spring pelts of bad quality fur for poor people.

Skule is defeated in May 1240 by King Haakon and his supporters.

He seeks refuge in Elgeseter Priory in Nidaros but Haakon's men burn down the monastery and kill him.

With Skule’s death, the civil war era comes to an end.