Fishing Village - The Last Viking Battle

Never in a million years did I think I would be interested in something called "The Last Viking Battle", but the history and the storytelling of our guide were so real and so human I got sucked in to the magnificence of it all.

Fishing village was founded by a man who soon owned all the rights, homes, stores and economy in this town.  One year when the fish came swimmming down south, somehow they all swam in to the Troll fjord (little inlet of water between mountains).  Fish trapped under frozen water, no way to get them but to send boats in to the narrow fjords, break ice, then fish.  Fishing Village owner was smart, he blocked passage in to the fjord with large steam boats and would not let fisherman in unless they agreed to pay him 40% of the catch.  Most said no and the Last Viking Battle ensued.
Fisherman climbed up on to the steamboats but were pushed back down with hot water hoses.  Some swam under the steamboats and climbed up to fight the steamboat men.  I think finally the fishermen won.  Gee, I will have to watch the movie (not) to remember what happens at the end.

Fisherman's son doesn't want to inherit his father's business and leaves--becomes a painter.  He paints this famous scene depicting the Last Viking Battle (above), bequeaths it to the woman he loves, then dies.  Woman he loves has no proof it is hers until a lottery is drawn -- thousands of people buy tickets to vie for this historic painting.  SHE WINS.  Good prevails and fate once again comes in to play--it was meant to be hers all along.  Later she donates it to the town and I'm glad she did as it brought to life this history for me.  Look closely at the painting and you can see what I've just described.  For those of you who know me, aren't you surprised that I am fascinated by all of this?

Here's our tour guide, in the recreated fishing village store.  Now a restaurant.

Fishing village owner runs store, fishermen have no choice but to buy goods here, & some soon become indebted to him:  year after year.