Three Norse sources give an account the burial of Håkon the Good who was wounded in the battle at Fitjar in 961. According to legend he died on Håkonshella. Fagrskinna, Ågrip and Heimskringla say he was buried at Seim in Nordhordland. Local tradition links the grave to “Kongshaugen” (the royal mound) southeast of the church.
The mound was heavily damaged and levelled to the ground at the beginning of the1800s. Twice the mound has been examined by archaeologists, in 1879 and 1958. At the excavation in 1958 they found remains of the old rim of the mound and could ascertain that the mound originally must have been around 20m across. Traces of a bier or a coffin base were found. But remains of the king himself or his sword “Kvernbit”, which, legend tells us, is supposed to have accompanied him in the grave, was not found. Thus we have no hard evidence, other than legend, that it was Håkon the Good who was buried in this mound.
The royal mound at Seim was rebuilt for the 1000-year celebration in 1961.
