The opening of the book introduces readers to the Norsemen, detailing their origins as an Aryan race and their migration to Scandinavia. Boyesen explores the physical traits and societal structure of early Norse settlers, emphasizing their love for independence and innate aptitude for self-governance despite their violent tendencies. The author paints a vivid picture of the Norwegian landscape and the challenges faced by its inhabitants. He discusses the significance of their communal gatherings, or "thing", in maintaining order and governance among the tribes, and establishes the foundation for the complex history that will follow in later chapters. Overall, the beginning sets up a rich exploration of Norway's historical narrative while providing context for its cultural identity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)