Skip to main content
CountryReports

Select language

ENEnglishESEspañolZH中文HIहिन्दीFRFrançais
Sign In

Expanded History

History of Faroe Islands

From antiquity to the modern era — the historical eras, key events, and narrative that shaped Faroe Islands.

Speed

Overview

The early history of the Faroe Islands is not clear. It appears that about the beginning of the 9th century Grímur Kamban, a Norwegian emigrant who had left his country to escape the tyranny of Harald I of Norway, settled in the islands. Early in the 11th century Sigmund or Sigmundur Brestisson, whose family had flourished in the southern islands but had been almost exterminated by invaders from the northern, was sent from Norway, whither he had escaped, to take possession of the islands for Olaf Tryggvason, king of Norway. He introduced Christianity, and, though he was subsequently murdered, Norwegian supremacy was upheld, and continued till 1386, when the islands became part of the Kalmar Union and later the double monarchy Denmark-Norway. Denmark retained possession of the Faroe Islands at the Treaty of Kiel in 1815.

Historical Eras

The major periods of {country}’s history at a glance.

  1. Early Settlement

    825 – 1035

    Norse settlers, led by figures such as Grímur Kamban, arrived in the Faroe Islands around the early 9th century, displacing or absorbing a small earlier Irish monastic presence. Sigmundur Brestisson later consolidated Norwegian influence and introduced Christianity around 1000 AD, establishing the islands as a Norse Christian community under the authority of Norway.

  2. Norwegian Kingdom

    1035 – 1380

    The Faroe Islands were formally incorporated into the Kingdom of Norway in 1035, functioning as a dependency subject to Norwegian law and taxation. The islands were governed through a local assembly, the Løgting, one of the oldest parliaments in the world, which regulated local affairs under Norwegian royal oversight.

  3. Danish-Norwegian Rule

    1380 – 1814

    When Norway entered the Kalmar Union and subsequently the Denmark-Norway dual monarchy, the Faroe Islands passed under Danish-Norwegian sovereignty. A trade monopoly imposed from 1619 severely restricted economic development, and in 1655 the islands were granted as a fief to the von Gabel family, deepening the burdens on the local fishing population until the monopoly was abolished in 1856.

  4. Danish Crown Colony

    1814 – 1948

    At the Treaty of Kiel in 1814, Denmark retained the Faroe Islands when Norway was ceded to Sweden. The 19th century brought a Faroese cultural revival, including the standardization of the Faroese language, and representation in the Danish parliament was granted in 1849. During World War II, British forces occupied the islands from 1940 to 1945 while Denmark remained under German occupation, accelerating Faroese demands for greater autonomy.

  5. Autonomy & Modern Era

    1948 – present

    The Home Rule Act of 1948 established the Faroe Islands as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with control over most domestic affairs. The islands developed a prosperous fishing-based economy and maintained their distinct language and culture. Independence movements have gained recurring political attention, though a planned referendum in 2001 was canceled, and the question of full sovereignty remains an ongoing national debate.

Timeline Preview

The first 7 key events. View the full chronology on the timeline page.

  1. 1035

    Islands become part of the Kingdom of Norway.

    Islands become part of the Kingdom of Norway.

  2. 1380

    Along with Norway, the Faroe Islands become part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

    Along with Norway, the Faroe Islands become part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

  3. 1655

    Faroe Islands are presented to the von Gabel family.

    Faroe Islands are presented to the von Gabel family. Their oppressive feudal rule ends in 1709 when the Faroes come under direct Danish rule.

  4. 1849

    Faroes are given representation in both houses of the Danish parliament.

    Under the Danish constitution the Faroes are given representation in both houses of the Danish parliament.

  5. 1940

    World War II. British forces occupy the Faroes while Denmark is under German occupation.

    World War II. British forces occupy the Faroes while Denmark is under German occupation.

  6. 1948

    The islands become an autonomous, self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark.

    Home rule act is passed. The islands become an autonomous, self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark.

  7. 2001

    Planned referendum on independence is canceled.

    Planned referendum on independence is canceled after Denmark says a pro-independence result would lead to a halt in annual subsidies.

Back to Faroe Islands
Video LibraryCompareArticlesGlobal ContentActivitiesLessonsRecipesBlogInternet CitationGlossary