Person Page - 1655

     Arnkel (?) Earl of Orkney died in 954.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, p. 442] ARNKEL earl of Orkney, 920 (or later)-54; jointly with ERLEND (I) earl of Orkney 920 (or later)-54. The sons of Torf-EINAR, they ruled the earldom jointly, probably splitting the territory along the lines of the original arrangement between SIGURD (I) and THORSTEIN, with one ruling the Nordreys (Orkney and Shetland) and the northern Hebrides, and the other the mainland of Caithness and Sutherland. During their rule their earldom was taken over by ERIK BLOODAXE, the deposed king of Norway. They had to submit to his authority, and he installed himself as king of Orkney some time around 937. He used the Orkneys as the base for raiding the Scottish coast and islands, and Arnkel and Erlend accompanied him on his raids. Both brothers were eventually killed with Eric when they were ambushed on Stainmore in 954. This suggests they had installed themselves alongside Eric in his kingship of York. They were succeeded by their younger brother, THORFINN SKULL-SPLITTER. between 920 and 954.¹

     Erlend I (?) Earl of Orkney died in 954.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, p. 442] ARNKEL earl of Orkney, 920 (or later)-54; jointly with ERLEND (I) earl of Orkney 920 (or later)-54. The sons of Torf-EINAR, they ruled the earldom jointly, probably splitting the territory along the lines of the original arrangement between SIGURD (I) and THORSTEIN, with one ruling the Nordreys (Orkney and Shetland) and the northern Hebrides, and the other the mainland of Caithness and Sutherland. During their rule their earldom was taken over by ERIK BLOODAXE, the deposed king of Norway. They had to submit to his authority, and he installed himself as king of Orkney some time around 937. He used the Orkneys as the base for raiding the Scottish coast and islands, and Arnkel and Erlend accompanied him on his raids. Both brothers were eventually killed with Eric when they were ambushed on Stainmore in 954. This suggests they had installed themselves alongside Eric in his kingship of York. They were succeeded by their younger brother, THORFINN SKULL-SPLITTER. between 920 and 954.¹

     Arnfinn Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney married Ragnhild Eriksdottir (?), daughter of Erik Bloodaxe Haraldsson (?) King of Norway, Orkney & York (Northumbria) and Gunnhildr (?) Queen of Orkney, in 954
; her 1st husband.^1,2
Arnfinn Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney died circa 979.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, p. 444] ARNFINN earl of Orkney, 977-?9. Arnfinn was the son of THORFINN SKULL-SPLITTER. Through his mother he also inherited a right to the Scottish earldom of Caithness which his great-grandfather THORSTEIN had previously conquered. However, the right to Caithness was almost certainly claimed by his mother's kin of the family of Duncan, the mórmaer of Caithness, and from Arnfinn's day conflict grew between the Picts of Caithness and the Norse of Orkney over control of the mainland. In 954 Arnfinn had married Ragnhild, the daughter of ERIK BLOODAXE who, according to the Orkneyinga Saga was a scheming and wicked woman. She sought power and decided Arnfinn was not what she wanted, so she had him murdered at Murkle in Caithness. The date is not known, but it was probably only a year or two after he inherited the earldom. She then moved on to his brother, HAVARD. between 977 and 979.¹

     Ragnhild Eriksdottir (?) married Arnfinn Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney, son of Thorfinn I Hausakliffer "Skull-Splitter" (?) Jarl of Orkney and Grelod/Grelanga Duncansdatter (?), in 954
; her 1st husband.^1,2 Ragnhild Eriksdottir (?) married Havard Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney, son of Thorfinn I Hausakliffer "Skull-Splitter" (?) Jarl of Orkney and Grelod/Grelanga Duncansdatter (?), circa 979
; her 2nd husband.^5,2 Ragnhild Eriksdottir (?) married Liot (Ljot) Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney, son of Thorfinn I Hausakliffer "Skull-Splitter" (?) Jarl of Orkney and Grelod/Grelanga Duncansdatter (?), circa 981
; her 3rd husband.^6,2

     Erik Bloodaxe Haraldsson (?) King of Norway, Orkney & York (Northumbria) married Gunnhildr (?) Queen of Orkney, daughter of Gorm "den Gamle/the Old" Haraldsson (?) King of Denmark and Thyra "Danebod" (?) of Jutland, Queen of Denmark.^5,6,2
Erik Bloodaxe Haraldsson (?) King of Norway, Orkney & York (Northumbria) was born circa 895.²
Erik Bloodaxe Haraldsson (?) King of Norway, Orkney & York (Northumbria) died in 954; murdered.^1,2
      ; [6m.] Erik "Blood-axe", King of Norway (930-945) and Northumbria, *ca 895, +murdered 954; m.Gunhild of Denmark (+after 970.)² He was King of Norway between 933 and 934.¹ He was King of Orkney between 937 and 954.¹ He was King of York: [Ashley, pp. 442-443] ERIK or EIRIKR BLOODAXE king of Norway, 933-c4; king of Orkney, 937-54; king of York, (?939-40?), 947-8, 952-4. As his nickname suggests, Erik was the epitome of the modern-day image of the Viking - one who delighted in plundering, raping and slaughter. He was the favourite son of Harald Finehair, the first king of all Norway, and was probably spoilt. When he came to the throne after Harald's abdication in 933 he instigated a reign of terror that resulted in him being deposed in favour of his more mild-mannered half-brother, Haakon, who had been educated in England at the court of ATHELSTAN. Erik commanded a fleet of ships and a crew every bit as vicious as himself and set off to see what he could conquer. He came first to the Orkneys, governed by the descendents of his father's commander RAGNALD, ARNKEL and ERLEND, and immediately imposed his authority. Some authorities disagree on this early date for Erik's exile, preferring to place it a decade later. The difference is significant as it means Erik would not have been able to negotiate with Athelstan to be made a vassal ruler of York, as some records suggest he did in the summer of 939. This might have accounted for the invasion of York by OLAF GOTHFRITHSON in November 939, to claim what he regarded as his birthright, but the record also suggests that Olaf entered York unopposed. If Erik had been installed as vassal king he was either absent, or had made good his exit before Olaf's arrival. Erik remained in Orkney, continuing his life of piracy until another opportunity presented itself in 947 after the death of EDMUND of Wessex, who had previously driven out the other Norse kings of York. Although the witan of York pledged their allegiance to Edmund's successor EADRED, Wulfstan, the archbishop of York, extended an invitation to Erik to become their king. Why Wulfstan should wish York to be ruled by such a bloodthirsty pagan is not clear, unless Wulfstan expected Erik to defeat Eadred and take over the English throne. To the Norse of York, however, Erik was welcome as a son of their royal house. No sooner was he ensconced, however, towards the close of 947, than Northumbria was invaded by Eadred, with limited success but enough to threaten devastation of the land unless they deposed Erik. At the same time OLAF SITRICSON, himself incensed at a rival claiming the throne he believed was his, had brought his army from Dublin to Scotland and allied with MALCOLM. The two invaded York and Erik was expelled. Eadred allowed Olaf to rule on the basis that he kept Erik at bay. However, in 954, through the machinations of Wulfstan, Olaf was himself expelled from York and Erik welcomed back. Eadred would have none of this and invaded Northumbria, capturing and imprisoning Wulfstan. It seems that during this second (or third) reign, Erik had brought with him Arnkel and Erlend from Orkney, and it suggests he retained as much interest in continuing a life of plunder from York as he had from Orkney, even though by now he was approaching his late sixties. However, with his main agent gone, support for Erik began to fade and in 954 he was driven from York. This time an army, led by Earl Maccus of Stainmore, lay in wait and ambushed Erik and his companions on their journey north, where most were killed. His wife, GUNNHILDR, and two of their sons survived and returned to Orkney to reimpose their rule. between 947 and 954.¹

     Gunnhildr (?) Queen of Orkney married Erik Bloodaxe Haraldsson (?) King of Norway, Orkney & York (Northumbria), son of Harald I "Haarfagre/Fairhair" (?) King of Norway and Ragnhild "the Rich" (?) Princess of Haithabu/Jütland.^1,2,5

Gunnhildr (?) Queen of Orkney died circa 977; Ashley says s. ca 977; Genealogy.EU Denmark 1 page says d. aft 970.^1,2
     She was co-ruler of Orkney, [Ashley, p. 443] Gunnhildr was the widow of ERIK BLOODAXE who bore him eight sons and one daughter. She was the daughter of Gorm the Old, the first king of united Denmark and their marriage had no doubt been a political alliance between Gorm and Erik's father, Harald Finehair of Norway. Nevertheless the two seemed well matched, for Gunnhildr supported her husband throughout his turbulent life. After his death at Stainmore in 954 she and her sons Ragnfred and Godred returned to Orkney with as much treasure from York as they could transport. There she established herself as queen with her sons taking over the earlship from THORFINN. They returned to Denmark in the following year. She lived well into her seventies, for she came back to the Orkneys in 976 when support for her brother waned in Denmark, but she left again in 977 to return finally to her homeland. Although she imposed herself as queen she no doubt used the islands as a quiet retreat, leaving the government to Thorfinn. Her daughter, Ragnhild, was married first to Thorfinn's son ARNFINN, and later to Arnfinn's other brothers HAVARD and LIOT after killing the first two. between 954 and 977.¹ She was [Ashley, p. 443] GUNNHILDR queen of Orkney, 954-5, 976-7. GODRED or GOTHFRITH co-ruler of Orkney, 954-5, 976-7. RAGNFRED co-ruler of Orkney, 954-5, 976-7.
Gunnhildr was the widow of ERIK BLOODAXE who bore him eight sons and one daughter. She was the daughter of Gorm the Old, the first king of united Denmark and their marriage had no doubt been a political alliance between Gorm and Erik's father, Harald Finehair of Norway. Nevertheless the two seemed well matched, for Gunnhildr supported her husband throughout his turbulent life. After his death at Stainmore in 954 she and her sons Ragnfred and Godred returned to Orkney with as much treasure from York as they could transport. There she established herself as queen with her sons taking over the earlship from THORFINN. They returned to Denmark in the following year. She lived well into her seventies, for she came back to the Orkneys in 976 when support for her brother waned in Denmark, but she left again in 977 to return finally to her homeland. Although she imposed herself as queen she no doubt used the islands as a quiet retreat, leaving the government to Thorfinn. Her daughter, Ragnhild, was married first to Thorfinn's son ARNFINN, and later to Arnfinn's other brothers HAVARD and LIOT after killing the first two. between 976 and 977.¹

     Ragnfred Eriksson (?) co-ruler of Orkney died circa 977; Ashley says s. ca 977; Genealogy.EU Denmark 1 page says d. aft 970.²
     He was co-ruler of Orkney, [Ashley, p. 443] Gunnhildr was the widow of ERIK BLOODAXE who bore him eight sons and one daughter. She was the daughter of Gorm the Old, the first king of united Denmark and their marriage had no doubt been a political alliance between Gorm and Erik's father, Harald Finehair of Norway. Nevertheless the two seemed well matched, for Gunnhildr supported her husband throughout his turbulent life. After his death at Stainmore in 954 she and her sons Ragnfred and Godred returned to Orkney with as much treasure from York as they could transport. There she established herself as queen with her sons taking over the earlship from THORFINN. They returned to Denmark in the following year. She lived well into her seventies, for she came back to the Orkneys in 976 when support for her brother waned in Denmark, but she left again in 977 to return finally to her homeland. Although she imposed herself as queen she no doubt used the islands as a quiet retreat, leaving the government to Thorfinn. Her daughter, Ragnhild, was married first to Thorfinn's son ARNFINN, and later to Arnfinn's other brothers HAVARD and LIOT after killing the first two. between 954 and 977.¹

     Havard Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney married Ragnhild Eriksdottir (?), daughter of Erik Bloodaxe Haraldsson (?) King of Norway, Orkney & York (Northumbria) and Gunnhildr (?) Queen of Orkney, circa 979
; her 2nd husband.^1,2
Havard Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney died circa 981.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, pp. 444-445] HAVARD earl of Orkney, ?979-?81. Havard succeeded his brother ARNFINN who had been murdered by his wife, Ragnhild. Havard may have been involved in the murder, because he promptly married Ragnhild. However, he soon fell victim to her scheming as, once she realised Havard was not going to give her the power she wanted, she plotted with his nephew, Einar, that she would marry him and make him earl if he killed Havard. Einar was known by the delightful nickname of Klining, or "buttered-bread"! Einar murdered Havard at Stenness, on Orkney, though we do not know when. As with Arnfinn, Ragnhild probably wasted little time. It has been pointed out that as Havard was known as "Season-prosperous" and that he was good with harvests, that several years must have passed for him to earn that reputation. However, he may already have been known as that before he became earl, as he was probably nearly forty at the time. It only needed one good summer to continue the reputation. He may therefore have ruled only from about 979-980 or 981. Ragnhild did not fulfill her promise and instead contrived with another nephew, called Einar Hard-Jaw, to murder the first Einar in return for her hand. This was duly done, but then Ragnhild married LIOT instead who killed Einar for his crime. between 979 and 981.¹

     Liot (Ljot) Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney married Ragnhild Eriksdottir (?), daughter of Erik Bloodaxe Haraldsson (?) King of Norway, Orkney & York (Northumbria) and Gunnhildr (?) Queen of Orkney, circa 981
; her 3rd husband.^1,2
Liot (Ljot) Torfinnsson (?) Jarl of Orkney died circa 984.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, p. 445] LIOT or LJOT earl of Orkney, ?981-?4. Liot was the fourth son of THORFINN SKULL-SPLITTER and the next victim of Ragnhild's master scheme of power. He succeeded his brothers ARNFINN and HAVARD whom Ragnhild had previously married, and he now married her, killing her previous paramour, his nephew Einar. Liot was probably about thirty-five or slightly less. Ragnhild was now in her early fifties, but as the granddaughter of both Harald Finehair of Norway and Gorm the Old of Denmark she wielded tremendous power, and was looking for the man who could fulfill her dreams. Liot may have been that man, as he certainly did not avoid a fight. Liot's younger brother, Skuli, disputed Liot's claim to Orkney, and sought support from KENNETH II of Scotland, who made Skuli earl of Caithness. This shows that the earls of Orkney recognized the Scottish king's authority over mainland Scotland, despite their earlier conquest of Caithness. Skuli invaded Orkney but was driven back into Caithness. Liot followed him and reclaimed Caithness, driving Skuli south back into Scotland. Skuli raised an army with the support of Kenneth II and advanced again on Liot, but again Liot was victorious and Skuli was killed. Liot now openly claimed sovereignty over much of northern Scotland, so that Maelbrigte, the mórmaer of Moray, and ancestor of MACBETH, raised his army against Liot. They met at the battle of Skidmoor in Caithness. Maelbrigte was defeated but Liot died of his wounds. Nothing more is heard of Ragnhild after this. Liot was succeeded by his elder brother HLODVIR. It is possible that Liot's name was sufficiently well known across Britain for it to influence the Arthurian legends in placing Lot (LEUDONUS) as king of Orkney rather than of Lothian. between 981 and 984.¹

     Skuli (?) Jarl of Orkney died circa 984.¹

     Hlodvir/Hundi (?) died circa 997.¹

     Somerled (?) Earl of Orkney died circa 1015.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, p. 446] SOMERLED earl of Orkney, April 1014-?1015. The son of SIGURD II, he shared the earldom with his brothers BRUSI and EINAR but died about a year later, opening up a problem of territorial succession with his half brother THORFINN. He was, apparently, a quiet and mild-mannered man, far from the traditional Viking. between 1014 and 1015.¹

     Einar II Rangmund (?) Earl of Orkney died in 1020.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, pp. 446-447] EINAR II RANGMUND (FALSEMOUTH) co-earl of Orkney 23 April 1014-14 October 1020. Unlike his two elder brothers, Einar was ambitious and cruel and clearly wanted the whole of the Orkneys to himself. After SOMERLED'S death in 1015, Einar inherited his share and when their half-brother THORFINN objected, BRUSI bequeathed Einar his share provided he shared part of the earldom with Thorfinn. Einar was a notorious summer warrior and pirate, giving little concern to the welfare of his subjects, which task subsequently fell to Brúsi. Einar was regularly involved in battles in Ireland, and with the Norse kings of Dublin, but he suffered a significant defeat in 1018. This dented his pride and made him even more intolerable. In 1019 he killed the Norse earl Eyvind, who was stormbound on Hoy. This angered the Norse king Olaf, and it was almost certainly with Olaf's support that Einar was murdered the following year by Thorkel, Thorfinn's foster-father, while Einar was a guest at Thorkel's home in Sandwick. Einar's territories passed back to Brúsi. between 23 April 1014 and 14 October 1020.¹

     Brusi (?) Earl of Orkney died circa 1031.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, p. 447] BRUSI earl of Orkney, 1014-18, 1020-c30/1. Son of SIGURD II, he initially shared the earldom with his brothers SOMERLED and EINAR. He was apparently a mild and peace-loving man who sought to be fair in all of his dealings, and he thus became the voice of sanity in the inheritance dispute that followed the death of Somerled in 1015, most of which is detailed under THORFINN. At one point he handed over his share of the inheritance to Einar on the basis that if he outlived Einar he would receive it back along with Einar's share. This happened after Einar's murder, and from 1020-8 Brúsi was the senior earl of Orkney, responsible for its defence and upkeep. He ruled wisely and was very popular with the Orcadians. After 1028 he handed the administration over the Thorfinn and by 1030, when he was about fifty, he retired all together. He died soon after, though the date is not recorded. His son was RAGNALD (n). between 1014 and 1031.¹

     Ragnald II (?) died in 1046.¹
     He was Earl of Orkney: [Ashley, p. 450] RAGNALD II earl of Orkney jointly with THORFINN II 1038-46. Had Ragnald lived at another time he might have been better remembered, and achieved more, for he was a valiant earl, tall and strong, intelligent and gifted. He was the son of BRUSI and thus the nephew of Thorfinn. He was born in 1011, and remained at the court of the Norwegian king Olaf after 1021 in return for Brúsi's government of the Orkneys. Ragnald grew into a powerful young man who accompanied Olaf on many expeditions throughout Norway and into Russia. He fought alongside Olaf in the disastrous battle of Stikklestad in July 1030, from which he fled to Sweden and again to Russia where he joined the guard of the Russian Grand Duke Yaroslav. He eventually returned to Norway with the young king Magnus in 1036, when he was confirmed in his share of the earldom of Orkney. As detailed under the entry on Thorfinn, the two worked well together at the outset and between them conquered all of the Western Isles and ruled territory which stretched from Shetland in the north to Man in the south, with domain over much of the fords and inlets of western Scotland. Unfortunately in 1046 he and Thorfinn became enemies over money issues (sparked off by a relatively minor matter over the upkeep of the refugee earl Kalf Arnesson, but probably more deeply rooted in territorial claims) and the ensuing dispute resulted in the death of Ragnald at the hands of Thorfinn's now aged foster-father Thorkel in December 1046. Early in their argument Ragnald defeated Thorfinn, and it is interesting to speculate whether Ragnald would have gone on to be a more stable and wise governor than Thorfinn became. Although Ragnald had a son, Eilaf, he never endeavoured to claim his inheritance. between 1038 and 1046.¹

     Thorberg/Bergliot Halvdansdottir (?) av Ringerike married Finn Arnesson (?) of Vrjar, Jarl of Halland, son of Arne Arnmodsson (?) and Tora Torsteindatter (?).^{1,7,2,6,8,3,5,4}
Thorberg/Bergliot Halvdansdottir (?) av Ringerike was born circa 1018; Genealogics says b. ca 1018; Med Lands says b. 1018/20.^5,4
     Reference: Genealogics cites: Burke's Guide to the Royal Family London, 1973 , Reference: 313.⁵ GAV-28.

; Per Genealogics: "her existence is based on Norse Saga material”.⁵ Thorberg/Bergliot Halvdansdottir (?) av Ringerike was also known as Bergljot Halvdansdatter.^9,10 Thorberg/Bergliot Halvdansdottir (?) av Ringerike was also known as Thorberg.⁶

; Per Med Lands:
     "THORBERG [Bergliot] Halfdansdatter ([1018/20-). Snorre names "Bergliot, a daughter of Halfdan…son of Sigurd Syr" as the wife of "Fin Arnason"[297]. Her birth date is estimated from the marriage date of her paternal grandparents, but bearing in mind the tight chronology for the birth of her daughter Ingebjörg. m FIN Arnesson, son of ARNE & his wife --- (-1062). Of Yriar in Austratt Lendermann Norway. Jarl of Halland in Denmark [1051]. Snorre names "Thorberg, Fin and Arne" as the sons of Arne[298]."
Med Lands cites:

; Per Genealogy.EU (Norway 2): “E1. Thorberg; m.Fin Arnesson, Jarl in Halland (+ca 1065)”.¹¹

; Per Med Lands:
     "FIN Arnesson (-1062). Snorre names "Thorberg, Fin and Arne" as the sons of Arne[27]. Of Yriar in Austratt Lendermann Norway. Morkinskinna records that “Finnr Árnason” left Norway for Denmark where “King Sveinn gave him a jarldom and a great fief”, dated to the early 1050s from the context[28]. Jarl of Halland in Denmark [1051].
     "m THORBERG [Bergliot] Halfdansdatter, daughter of HALFDAN Sigurdsson & his wife --- ([1018/20]-). Snorre names "Bergliot, a daughter of Halfdan…son of Sigurd Syr" as the wife of "Fin Arnason"[29]. Her birth date is estimated from the marriage date of her paternal grandparents, but bearing in mind the tight chronology for the birth of her daughter Ingebjörg."
Med Lands cites:

      ; Leo van de Pas cites: Burke's Guide to the Royal Family London, 1973 , Reference: 313.² GAV-29.

     Sigurd Halfdansson Syr (?) King of Ringeringe married Asta Gudbrandsdatter (?), daughter of Gudbrand Kula (?) of the Upplands and Ulfhilde (?),
;
Her 2nd husband.^2,5,3,4
Sigurd Halfdansson Syr (?) King of Ringeringe died in 1018.^2,3
     Reference: Genealogics cites: Europäische Stammtafeln, J.A. Stargardt Verlag, Marburg, Schwennicke, Detlev (Ed.) 2:109.³

; This is the same person as ”Sigurd Syr” at Wikipedia and as ”Sigurd Syr” at Wikipedia (NO).^6,7

; Per Genealogics:
     “His paternity is highly questionable.
     “Sigurd Syr Halfdansson was a petty king in the northern Ostlandet in Norway. His nickname 'Syr' can be translated as 'sow'. He was sub-king of Ringerike, an ancient territory in the county of Buskerud, southern Norway. With his wife Asta Gudbrandsdottir, widow of Harald Gränske, viceroy of Westfold, and daughter of Gudbrand Kula, he had three children, Harald III, Halfdan and Ingerid, who would all have progeny. Sigurd was also stepfather of King Olav II of Norway, his wife's son by her first marriage.
     “The traditional view of Sigurd's pedigree has been that he was a great-grandson of Harald I Haarfagre, king of Norway. However this is doubted by recent historians and genealogists. The claim that Sigurd's father would have been Halfdan of Hadafylke, a putative male-line grandson of Harald (via Harald's son Sigurd Rise), is based on Islandic saga material from around two centuries later, and is assessed as unlikely. Historically, there are no contemporary attestations of such a Halfdan.
     “Sigurd Syr was a prudent man, taciturn and generally modest, although very wealthy. He was known as a good caretaker of his people's businesses, personally involved in their oversight, and he was knowledgeable about the local Norwegian economy. He was not fond of pomp and ceremony of nobility, but participated in his role.
     “Sigurd Syr was not personally ambitious, but he fully supported the ambitions of his stepson King Olaf II for leadership. In 1014 he successfully petitioned his peers, the other Norwegian regional kings, to garner their support for a new was against Sweden, Denmark and England that commenced in 1015. This was his stepson's cause.
     “Snorri Sturluson, the 13th century historian and mythographer and the author of the _Heimskringla,_ was the principal source of the information regarding the life of Sigurd Syr.”.³ GAV-29 EDV-29.

; Per Med Lands:
     "SIGURD Syr (-1018). The Historia Norwegie names "Siwardus Scroffa rex montanus" as son of Halfdan, son of "Siwardus Risi…filius Haraldi Comati"[282]. Morkinskinna recites the descent of “Harald Sigurdarson” from “Harald hárfagri”, to “Sigurdr hrisi”, to “Hálfdan, father of Sigurdr sýr, the father of Haraldr”, adding that these ancestors were all “kings of Hringaríki in Norway”[283]. He was christened in 998. King of Ringeringe.
     "m (995 or after) as her second husband, ASTA, widow of HARALD "Grenske", daughter of GUDBRAND Kula & his wife ---. The Historia Norwegie records the marriage of "Haroldum Grensca" and "Asta filiam Gudbrandi Culu", and her second marriage to "Siwardus Scroffa rex montanus" who was the son of Halfdan, son of "Siwardus Risi…filius Haraldi Comati"[284]. Morkinskinna records that “Sigurdr sýr” married “Ásta daughter of Gudbrandr”, previously wife of “Haraldr grenski”[285]. She and her father are named by Snorre, who also records both her marriages[286]."
Med Lands cites:

; Per Genealogy.EU (Norway 2): “C1. Sigurd Syr, King of Ringeringe, +1018; m.Asta Gudbrandsdatter, dau.of Gudbrand Kula”.²

     Hakon Sunivasson (?) of Jutland married Ragnilda/Ragnhild (?), daughter of Erik I Svendson "Ejegod/the Good" (?) King of Denmark.^1,3,2

     Olaf III Kyrre "the Quiet" (?) King of Norway was born circa 1050.^1,2,5 He married Ingrid (?) Princess of Denmark, daughter of Svend II Ulfssen (?) King of Denmark, circa 1070.^2,6,5

Olaf III Kyrre "the Quiet" (?) King of Norway died on 22 September 1093.^1,2,5
      ; [illegitimate by Thora Thorbergsdotter] Olav III "the Gentle", King of Norway (1069-93), *ca 1050, +22.9.1093; m.ca 1070 Pss Ingrid of Denmark.⁴ He was King of Norway between 1066 and 1093.^7,2,5

     Magnus III "Barefoot" (?) King of Norway was born circa 1073.^1,2,3 He married Margareta/Fredkulla (?) of Sweden, daughter of Inge I "the Elder" Stenkilsson (?) of Sweden and Helena (?), circa 1101
; her 1st husband.^2,5,3
Magnus III "Barefoot" (?) King of Norway died on 24 August 1103 at Connaught, Ireland; killed in battle in Ireland.^1,2,3
      ; [illegitimate] Magnus III "Bareleg" "Bear-foot", King of Norway (1095-1103), *ca 1073, +k.a.Connaugt, Ireland 24.8.1103; m.ca 1101 Margareta of Sweden (+before 1130); for their descendants see http://genealogy.euweb.cz/scand/norway3.html
Per Genealogy.EU Norway 3 page, "all his kids were illegitimate."^3,6 He was King of Norway between 1093 and 1103.^7,2

     Sigurd I Jorsalafari "the Crusader" (?) co-King of Norway, King of Orkney and Man was born in 1090.^1,3,2 He married Blathmina/Biadmuin (?) of Ireland, daughter of Muirchertach mac Toirdelbach (?) King of Munster, in 1105
;
His 1st wife; Genealogy.EU Norway 2 page says m. 1102; Med Lands says Betrothed 1102.^1,3,2,4 Sigurd I Jorsalafari "the Crusader" (?) co-King of Norway, King of Orkney and Man married Malmfried/Malfrida Mstislavna (?) of Kiev, daughter of Mstislav I Vladimirovich (Harald) "the Great" (?) Grand Prince of Kiev and Kristina Ingesdotter (Christina) (?) of Sweden, between 1116 and 1118
; his 2nd wife; her 1st husband.^5,3,2,6 Sigurd I Jorsalafari "the Crusader" (?) co-King of Norway, King of Orkney and Man and Malmfried/Malfrida Mstislavna (?) of Kiev were divorced in 1128.^3,6
Sigurd I Jorsalafari "the Crusader" (?) co-King of Norway, King of Orkney and Man died in 1130; died insane.^1,3,2
      ; Per Genealogy.EU (Norway 3): “A2. Sigurd I "Jerusalemfahrer", co-King of Norway (1103-30), *1090, +insane 1130; 1m: 1102 Biadmuin, dau.of King Muikertach of Ireland; 2m: Malmfrid, dau.of Gr Pr Mstislaw of Kiev”.²

; Per Med Lands:
     "BIADMUNIA [Blathmin] ([1094/97]-). Snorre records that King Magnus "contracted in marriage his son Sigurd to Biadmynia, King Myrkjartan's daughter"[1079]. Orkneyinga Saga records that Magnus "Barelegs" King of Norway “arranged the betrothal of Bjadmunja, daughter of King Myrkjartan of Connaught to his son Sigurd”, adding that she was five at the time and his son nine[1080]. Snorre records that Sigurd left "the Irish king's daughter behind" when he left for Norway following his father's death[1081].
     "Betrothed (1102) to SIGURD Magnusson King of Orkney and the Isles, illegitimate son of MAGNUS III "Barelegs" King of Norway & his mistress --- ([1089/90]-Oslo 14 Aug 1130, bur Hallvardskyrka, Oslo). He succeeded his father in 1103 as SIGURD "Jorsalafari/the Crusader" Joint King of Norway."
Med Lands cites:

; Per Genealogy.EU (Rurikid 8): “C2. [1m.] Malfrida, +after 1137; 1m: 1116/18 (div 1128) King Sigurd I of Norway (+26.3.1130); 2m: 1130-32 King Erik II of Denmark (+18.9.1137)”.⁶ He was King of Orkney and the Isles between 1099 and 1105.¹ He was King of Norway, [Ashley, p. 451] SIGURD III later known as JORSALAFARI (THE CRUSADER), king of Orkney and the Isles 1099-1105; king of Norway, 1103-30. He was the son of Magnus III, king of Norway, and was created king of Orkney and the Isles in spring 1099 after the deaths of the incumbent earls PAUL (I) and ERLEND (II), whom his father had deposed. Magnus reconquered the southern Hebrides, which included the Isle of Man, in 1099 and included these in the kingdom. Sigurd was only about ten at this time, and the title was clearly seen as an honorary entitlement to the heir to the throne. His father returned to Norway in the summer of 1099 leaving Sigurd under the charge of Paul's son HAAKON, who had first encouraged Magnus to come to his lands in the Western Seas. Magnus returned in 1102 with a view to further consolidating his territories, particularly in Ireland. That year a political marriage was arranged between Sigurd and Blathmina, the daughter of Murchadh O'Brien, the Irish high king, although she was only five. Magnus died in Ireland in August 1103, causing Sigurd to return to Norway as king. He left Haakon in charge as his lieutenant, creating him the next earl of Orkney in 1105. In Man and the Isles, DOMNALL MAC TEIGE and OLAF THE RED assumed the kingship. Sigurd ruled as king of Norway until 1130. between 1103 and 1130.^1,3,2

     Blathmina/Biadmuin (?) of Ireland was born between 1094 and 1097; [Ashley, p. 451] Blathmina was only five when married; Med Lands says b. 1094/97.^1,5 She married Sigurd I Jorsalafari "the Crusader" (?) co-King of Norway, King of Orkney and Man, son of Magnus III "Barefoot" (?) King of Norway, in 1105
;
His 1st wife; Genealogy.EU Norway 2 page says m. 1102; Med Lands says Betrothed 1102.^1,2,3,5
      ; Per Genealogy.EU (Norway 3): “A2. Sigurd I "Jerusalemfahrer", co-King of Norway (1103-30), *1090, +insane 1130; 1m: 1102 Biadmuin, dau.of King Muikertach of Ireland; 2m: Malmfrid, dau.of Gr Pr Mstislaw of Kiev”.³

; This is the same person as ”Bjaðmunjo Mýrjartaksdóttir” at Wikipedia.⁶ Blathmina/Biadmuin (?) of Ireland was also known as Biadmuin (?) of Ireland.⁴ Blathmina/Biadmuin (?) of Ireland was also known as Biadmuinia/Blathmin (?) of Ireland.⁵

; Per Med Lands:
     "BIADMUNIA [Blathmin] ([1094/97]-). Snorre records that King Magnus "contracted in marriage his son Sigurd to Biadmynia, King Myrkjartan's daughter"[1079]. Orkneyinga Saga records that Magnus "Barelegs" King of Norway “arranged the betrothal of Bjadmunja, daughter of King Myrkjartan of Connaught to his son Sigurd”, adding that she was five at the time and his son nine[1080]. Snorre records that Sigurd left "the Irish king's daughter behind" when he left for Norway following his father's death[1081].
     "Betrothed (1102) to SIGURD Magnusson King of Orkney and the Isles, illegitimate son of MAGNUS III "Barelegs" King of Norway & his mistress --- ([1089/90]-Oslo 14 Aug 1130, bur Hallvardskyrka, Oslo). He succeeded his father in 1103 as SIGURD "Jorsalafari/the Crusader" Joint King of Norway."
Med Lands cites:

     Cormac Magh-tamnagh Mac Carthy Bishop King of Cashel, King of Desmond married Sahl MacCarty, daughter of Teige MacCarthy,
;
Her 2nd husband.¹
Cormac Magh-tamnagh Mac Carthy Bishop King of Cashel, King of Desmond died in 1138; Per Med Lands:
     "The Annals of Tigernach (Continuation) record that “Cormac son of Maic Carrthaig” was killed in 1138 by “Toirdelbach Húa Bríáin his father-in-law, gossip and fosterer” (corrected to “son-in-law” in a footnote to the edition consulted)[507].]"
Med Lands cites:
     Reference: Genealogics cites: The chieftans of Pobul-I-Callaghan, Cork (Journal of Cork Historical and Archaoelogical Society) 1897, v3 #30, Gillman, Herbert Webb. 206.¹