Olaf Guthfrithson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olaf Guthfrithson
King of Dublin
Reign	934–939
Predecessor	Gofraid ua Ímair
Successor	Blácaire mac Gofraid
King of Northumbria
Reign	939–941
Predecessor	Æthelstan (as King of the English)
Successor	Olaf Cuaran
Died	941
Burial	Auldhame, Scotland (possibly)
Issue	Cammán Gofraid Ímar
Dynasty	Uí Ímair
Father	Gofraid ua Ímair

Olaf Guthfrithson (also known as Anlaf Guthfrithson) was an important Viking leader in the 10th century. He was part Irish and part Viking, and he ruled in both Dublin and Viking Northumbria.

Olaf was the son of Gofraid ua Ímair, who was also a king. This made Olaf a member of the powerful Uí Ímair family. He became the King of Dublin in 934 after his father died. In 937, he showed his power by capturing the king of the Vikings in Limerick.

Later that year, Olaf joined forces with Constantine II of Scotland. They tried to take back the Kingdom of Northumbria in England. However, their armies were defeated by the English king, Æthelstan, at the famous Battle of Brunanburh in 937.

Olaf went back to Ireland in 938. But when King Æthelstan died in 939, Olaf quickly went to York. He became the King of Northumbria, leaving his brother Blácaire mac Gofraid to rule Dublin. Olaf and the new English king, Edmund, even made a deal to divide England between them. But this peace did not last long. Olaf died in 941 and was followed by his cousin, Olaf Cuaran, as king in Northumbria.

Olaf's Early Life and Rise to Power

Olaf first appears in historical records in 933. The records say he raided Armagh in Ireland. He then joined forces with Matudán mac Áeda, the king of Ulaid. They raided an area called Sliabh Beagh. However, they were met by an army and lost many men and their stolen goods.

It is possible that Olaf was also the "son of Gofraid" who raided a monastery in Kildare in 928. But the records do not give a name.

Olaf's father, Gofraid ua Ímair, was the King of Dublin. When his father died in 934, Olaf took over as king. The next year, Olaf raided a settlement called Lagore crannog. He also looted a burial site at Knowth.

Battles and Rule in Ireland

In 937, Olaf was called "Lord of the Foreigners." He went to Lough Ree and captured Amlaíb Cenncairech, the King of Limerick. This showed that Dublin was now more powerful than Limerick among the Vikings in Ireland. This time was a high point for Viking power in Ireland.

After making his position strong in Ireland, Olaf looked towards England. His father had briefly ruled Northumbria before it was taken by King Æthelstan in 927. Olaf made an alliance with Constantine II of Scotland. Constantine's kingdom had been attacked by Æthelstan in 934. So, in 937, Olaf and the Dublin Vikings sailed to England.

The Battle of Brunanburh

Olaf and Constantine's armies fought King Æthelstan's forces at the Battle of Brunanburh. The exact location of this battle is still debated by historians. But many believe it was in Bromborough in Cheshire.

Olaf and Constantine led the Viking and Scottish troops. King Æthelstan and his brother Edmund led the English army. Records from that time say that both sides lost many soldiers. But the English won a clear victory.

Olaf and Constantine survived the battle and returned to their homes. However, one of Constantine's sons died. This battle is mentioned in many old Irish and English records. This shows how important it was seen at the time.

Olaf Becomes King of Northumbria

The records say Olaf returned to Ireland in 938. He also raided Kilcullen in County Kildare, taking many prisoners.

King Æthelstan died in October 939. Soon after, Olaf went to York and quickly became the King of Northumbria. His cousin, Olaf Cuaran, joined him in England. Olaf's brother, Blácaire, stayed in Dublin to rule while Olaf was away.

An old history book says that Olaf and the new English king, Edmund, met in Leicester in 939. They agreed to divide England between them. But this peace did not last long. Within a few years, the Vikings had taken over five important towns. These towns were Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, and Stamford. These were known as the Five Boroughs of the Danelaw.

In 941, records show that Olaf raided an old church in Tyninghame. This area is now in East Lothian and was part of Northumbria then. This attack might have been more than just a raid. It could have been to secure a route for communication between York and Dublin. Olaf died in 941. His cousin, Olaf Cuaran, became the new king of Northumbria. When he died, records called him "king of Danes" and "king of the Fair Foreigners and the Dark Foreigners".

Where Olaf Might Be Buried

In 2005, archaeologists found a skeleton during a dig in Auldhame, East Lothian. The grave contained items like a belt, similar to those worn in Viking-age Ireland. This suggests the skeleton belonged to an important person.

Because of these items and the age of the skeleton, some historians think these might be Olaf's remains. We know that Olaf raided Auldhame and Tyninghame just before he died in 941. These places had churches dedicated to a saint named Saint Baldred.

Historian Alex Woolf believes that while we cannot be absolutely sure, it is very likely the person died during Olaf's attacks in 941. Woolf also suggested that Olaf's followers might have buried him in the saint's cemetery. They may have hoped this would help him after death.

Olaf's Family

Olaf's father was Gofraid, who was King of Dublin from 920 to 934. Gofraid also ruled Northumbria for a short time in 927. Gofraid was a grandson of Ímar. Ímar was the founder of the Uí Ímair family and was one of the first kings of Dublin in the mid-800s.

Olaf had three known brothers: Albann, Blácaire, and Ragnall. Albann was killed in battle in 926. Blácaire ruled Dublin from 939. Ragnall mac Gofraid ruled Northumbria in 943 and 944, possibly with his cousin Olaf Cuaran. They were later driven out by King Edmund I of England.

Some old writings suggest Olaf married a daughter of Constantine II of Scotland before 937. Another old record says Olaf married Aldgyth, the daughter of a Northumbrian earl. This happened after his agreement with King Edmund at Leicester.

Olaf had a son named Cammán mac Amlaíb. Records show Cammán was defeated in battle in 960. Other records mention "sons of Olaf" who raided Ireland in 962. They plundered areas and then went to Munster, where many of them died. In the same year, an unnamed son of Olaf led a naval raid on Anglesey and Britain.

Another individual named Gofraid mac Amlaíb died in 963. He might have been a son of Olaf or a son of Olaf Cuaran. An old list of those who died at Brunanburh includes an Ímar, "son of the king." This Ímar might have been a son of Olaf, but this list is not fully certain.

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