Frei

Frei is a former municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The 65-square-kilometre (25 sq mi) municipality existed from 1838 until its dissolution in 2008 when it was incorporated into Kristiansund Municipality. It was located between the Kvernesfjorden and Freifjorden, primarily including the island of Frei and the smaller surrounding islands.[3]

View of Rensvik, the largest urban area in Frei
View of the old municipal offices for Frei Municipality
This article is about the former municipality in Norway. For other uses, see Frei (disambiguation).
Frei kommune
Fredø herred (historic)
Former municipality
Flag of Frei kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Frei kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Frei kommune
Møre og Romsdal within
Norway
Frei within Møre og Romsdal
Frei within Møre og Romsdal
Coordinates: 63°03′45″N 07°48′11″E
CountryNorway
CountyMøre og Romsdal
DistrictNordmøre
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Disestablished1 Jan 2008
 • Succeeded byKristiansund Municipality
Administrative centreRensvik
Area
 (upon dissolution)
 • Total65 km2 (25 sq mi)
 • Land64 km2 (25 sq mi)
 • Water1 km2 (0.4 sq mi)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total5,274
 • Density81/km2 (210/sq mi)
DemonymFreiøying[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1556
Data from Statistics Norway

The administrative centre of the municipality was the village of Rensvik, the largest village on the island, located on the northern end of the island. Other main villages that were in Frei Municipality include the village of Nedre Frei, located on the southern end of the island and the village of Kvalvåg, located on the eastern side of the island. The main church for the municipality was Frei Church, located in the village of Nedre Frei.

History

The municipality of Fredø was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 January 1882, a small part of Fredø (population: 40) was merged into the neighboring Øre Municipality to the south. On 1 September 1893, an area of Frei (population: 231) was merged into the new Gjemnes Municipality. In 1897, the Grip archipelago (population: 198) was separated from Frei to form the new Grip Municipality.[3][4]

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the northern part of the island of Frei (population: 884) was transferred from Bremsnes Municipality to Frei Municipality. Also on the same date, the part of Frei on the island of Aspøya (population: 147) was transferred to the neighboring Tingvoll Municipality. On 1 January 2008, Frei Municipality ceased to exist when it was merged into the neighboring Kristiansund Municipality to the north.[4]

Name

The municipality is named after the island of Frei (Old Norse: Freiðr). The name's original meaning is unknown, but it may be derived from fríðr which means "lovely", "beautiful", or "fair". Prior to 1889, the name was spelled Fredø.[5]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 6 February 1987 and it was in use until 2008 when the municipality ceased to exist. The official blazon is "Gules, two crowns Or in pale" (Norwegian: I rødt to gull kroner, 1-1). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a two gold crowns. The crowns have a tincture of Or which means they are commonly colored yellow, but if the shield is made out of metal, then gold is used. The two crowns symbolize the relationship between Frei and two Norwegian Kings: King Haakon the Good had a hunting lodge in Bjerkestrand in Frei in the 10th century, and the King and the villagers took part on the Battle of Rastarkalv in the municipality in the year 955. King Haakon VII visited the village in 1955 at the 1000th anniversary of the battle. The arms were designed by the local architect and painter Nils Fiske. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[6][7][8]

Churches

The Church of Norway had one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Frei. It was part of the Ytre Nordmøre prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Møre.

Churches in Frei
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
FreiFrei ChurchNedre Frei1897

Government

While it existed, this municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment, social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. During its existence, this municipality was governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[9]

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Frei was made up of 23 representatives that were elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the final municipal council was as follows:

Frei kommunestyre 2004–2007 [10]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
 Children's Party (Oppvekstpartiet)3
Total number of members:23
Frei kommunestyre 2000–2003 [10]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Frei free voters (Frei frie velgere)2
Total number of members:25
Frei kommunestyre 1996–1999 [11]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Free voters (Frie velgere)10
Total number of members:25
Frei kommunestyre 1992–1995 [12]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Free voters (Frie velgere)7
Total number of members:25
Frei kommunestyre 1988–1991 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
 Free Voters (Frie Velgere)4
Total number of members:25
Frei kommunestyre 1984–1987 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:21
Frei kommunestyre 1980–1983 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:21
Frei kommunestyre 1976–1979 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:21
Frei kommunestyre 1972–1975 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:21
Frei kommunestyre 1968–1971 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:21
Frei kommunestyre 1964–1967 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:21
Frei herredsstyre 1960–1963 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 6
Total number of members:17
Frei herredsstyre 1956–1959 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 7
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 4
Total number of members:17
Frei herredsstyre 1952–1955 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 6
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 3
Total number of members:12
Frei herredsstyre 1948–1951 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 4
Total number of members:12
Frei herredsstyre 1945–1947 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 2
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:12
Frei herredsstyre 1938–1941* [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 12
Total number of members:12
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

The mayors of Frei:[26]

  • 1838–1841: Einer Eriksen Aspen
  • 1842–1843: Robert Williamsen
  • 1844–1847: Ole Aslaksen Sandnes
  • 1848–1851: Einer Eriksen Aspen
  • 1852–1855: Nils Frei
  • 1856–1856: Johan Ryther
  • 1857–1857: Nils Frei
  • 1858–1859: Ole Nilsen
  • 1860–1872: Jacob Messel Williamsen
  • 1873–1875: Eisten H. Storvik
  • 1876–1877: Johannes Bugge
  • 1878–1883: Eisten H. Storvik
  • 1884–1885: Erik Jordal
  • 1886–1897: Nils Williamsen (H)
  • 1898–1907: Eystein Andreas Nilssen (V)
  • 1908–1913: Didrik Frei (V)
  • 1914–1916: Nils Williamsen (H)
  • 1917–1919: Didrik Frei (V)
  • 1920–1922: Jacob Messel Williamsen
  • 1923–1931: Anders Grimstad
  • 1932–1934: Jacob Messel Williamsen
  • 1935–1937: Nils Bjerkestrand
  • 1938–1941: Eisten O. Bjerkestrand
  • 1942–1944: Peder E. Husby
  • 1944–1945: Kristian Williamsen
  • 1945–1945: Eisten O. Bjerkestrand
  • 1946–1947: Nils Bjerkestrand (KrF)
  • 1948–1959: Axel Fiske (KrF)
  • 1959–1959: Lars Grimstad (LL)
  • 1960–1967: Harald Bergem (KrF)
  • 1968–1969: Jakob Knutsen (Ap)
  • 1970–1971: Edvin Kvalvik (Ap)
  • 1972–1975: Arne Lillevik (V)
  • 1976–1979: Torbjørn Nyland
  • 1980–1981: Arne Lillevik (V)
  • 1982–1983: Erling Bjerkestrand (KrF)
  • 1984–1991: Tord M. Kvalvåg (Ap)
  • 1992–1999: Anders O. Bergem (LL)
  • 1999–2007: Maritta B. Ohrstrand (Sp)

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Frei.

References
  1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (22 February 2017). "Frei - tidligere kommune". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  4. Jukvam, Dag (1999). Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  5. Rygh, Oluf (1908). Norske gaardnavne: Romsdals amt (in Norwegian) (13 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 348.
  6. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  7. "Frei, Kristiansund, Møre og Romsdal (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  8. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 6 February 1987. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  9. Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  10. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  11. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  12. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  13. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  14. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  15. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  16. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  17. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  18. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  19. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  20. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  21. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  22. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  26. Williamsen, Kristian (1986). Kulturhistorie for Frei (in Norwegian). Vol. 3. Frei kulturstyre. p. 243.

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