Crovan dynasty facts for kids

The division between the lands of the Crovan dynasty and Clann Somhairle, in about 1200.

The Crovan dynasty was a powerful family that ruled a kingdom of islands from the late 1000s to the mid-1200s. This kingdom was known by different names, like the Kingdom of Mann or the Kingdom of the Isles. The family's founder was Godred Crovan. He appeared suddenly in the late 1000s and took control of the Isle of Man and Dublin. The Crovan family had both Gaelic-Scandinavian (Irish/Scottish and Norse) roots. They were part of the Uí Ímair family, a strong group in the Irish Sea area since the late 800s.

Important members of the Crovan dynasty made marriage agreements with Irish and Norwegian kings. They also allied with powerful lords from the Hebrides, Galloway, and Anglo-Norman areas. They might have even allied with Welsh princes. The Crovan rulers were often surrounded by strong English, Norwegian, and Scottish monarchs. They also faced various warlords from western Scotland. To survive, they sometimes wisely accepted the rule of the kings of Norway and England, and even the Papacy (the Pope).

The Crovan dynasty's military strength came from their fleets of galleys (fast, oared ships). Their forces fought in Ireland, the Hebrides, Wales, and the Isle of Man. The importance of these galleys to the Crovan sea-kings is clear. They even put images of galleys on their official seals.

Some historians, like Alex Woolf, believe that the Clann Somhairle family was a branch of the Crovan dynasty. This branch came from a female line.

After a leader named Somerled took power, the Crovan dynasty temporarily lost most of their kingdom. They only kept the Isle of Man and Dublin. When Somerled died, they were allowed to get back some parts of the kingdom. These included Lewis, Harris, and Skye.

Who Were the Crovan Rulers?

The Crovan dynasty had many important rulers. Here are some of the key figures:

• Godred Crovan: The founder of the dynasty, who died in 1095.
• Logmann: Godred's son, who died in 1103.
• Olaf: Another son of Godred, who died in 1153.
• Godred: Olaf's son, who died in 1187. He lost much of the kingdom to Somerled's family.
• Reginald: Olaf's son and Godred's half-brother. He ruled only in the Northern Isles around 1164.
• Godred: He was later restored to power.
• Reginald: Godred's son, who died in 1229.
• Olaf the Black: Godred's son and Reginald's half-brother, who died in 1237.
• Godred: Reginald's son, who died in 1231.
• Harald: Olaf's son, who died in 1248.
• Reginald: Another son of Olaf, who died in 1249.
• Harald: Godred's son, around 1249.
• Magnus: Olaf's son, who died in 1265.

During Magnus's time, Ewan MacDougall was appointed king of the Hebrides. Ewan was a descendant of Somerled. He was chosen by Haakon, the Norwegian king. Magnus remained the king of Man in name. The year after Magnus died, in 1266, the Treaty of Perth was signed. This agreement officially transferred control of the Isles and Man to the Scottish king.