Norwegian Constituent Assembly, Constitution of Norway and re-establishment of the Royal Norwegian Navy

Background. Prior to 1814, Norway was part of the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, sharing a navy known as the Common Fleet. Following the Treaty of Kiel, which ceded Norway to Sweden, Norwegian officials sought international backing for sovereignty. The political landscape shifted as Christian Frederik, previously sent as stattholder to promote loyalty, became a central figure in the assertion of Norwegian independence.

Constitutional Process. The Norwegian Constituent Assembly met at Eidsvoll Manor from 10 April to 20 May 1814. The constitution was written during five weeks in the spring, influenced by the Spanish Constitution of 1812. The Assembly agreed upon the text of the Constitution on 17 May 1814, a date that from the 1820s began to be celebrated as Norway's National Day, although the document was actually signed and dated on the 18th.

Naval Reorganization. The Royal Norwegian Navy was founded on 12 April 1814, restructuring the remnants of the Dano-Norwegian Navy. Fredriksvern became the main base for the Royal Norwegian Navy after the split between Norway and Denmark. The leadership was later reorganized into a navy ministry in 1815, with Fasting becoming the first navy minister.