According to "Norges Historie", vol. 3 Europe coastal regions got better military organized. Denmark, Norway and Sweden became organized states as well, since the 9th century and Christianized kings didn't wanted a competing military power at their side. It was a relative slow process, which lasted for example in Norway until the end of the civil war in the 12th century. The population in countries like Sweden and Norway was small, which is a disadvantage for military adventures. In Norway the population was less than 200000. Europe became an economical zone which resulted into the important trade with stockfish and the import of wheat. For Norway it was important, because since the 12th century this region was simply not suitable to produce enough wheat. One calorie of fish gave 3 calories of wheat in this trade.

A climatic cool down in the 13th century resulted into a series of epidemics since 1348 and years with starving. It costs Norway 2/3 of the population. Institutions like the church which were part of the administration broke down and the income from taxes vanished. Norway vanished as a state in the Union of Kalmar as a result.