Gofraid mac Arailt facts for kids

Gofraid mac Arailt (died 989) was a powerful king from the Norse or Norse-Gaelic people. His name in Old Norse was Guðrøðr Haraldsson. He and his brother, Maccus, were very active around the Irish Sea in the 970s and 980s. They were important leaders in this region.

Who Was Gofraid's Family?

Historians believe Gofraid and Maccus belonged to a famous family called the Uí Ímair. This family traced its roots back to a leader named Ímar, who died in 873. Some people think Ímar might be the same person as Ivar the Boneless, a famous character from old Norse stories called sagas.

Their father, Aralt or Harald, is often thought to be Aralt mac Sitric. He was a Norse-Gael king of Limerick who died in 940. If this is true, it would mean Gofraid and Maccus were the nephews of Amlaíb Cuarán, who was the King of Dublin.

Another idea, suggested by Benjamin Hudson, is that Gofraid and Maccus were sons of a Viking chief named Harald who was active in Normandy. However, most historians don't agree with this idea.

Gofraid's Adventures and Battles

Gofraid was a busy leader, often involved in raids and battles.

Early Raids in Wales

The first time we hear about Gofraid is probably in 971. A son of Harald attacked Anglesey, an island off the coast of Wales. An old Welsh book called the Brut y Tywysogion says it was Gofraid who led this attack. The very next year, he went back to Anglesey to collect tribute, which was like a payment from the people there.

In 979, he likely led a raid into Powys, another part of Wales. The next year, in 980, he teamed up with Custennin ap Iago. They attacked Anglesey again, causing a lot of damage. However, Custennin was killed by Hywel ap Ieuaf during this time. The city of Chester was also attacked in 980, and Gofraid might have been the leader of that attack too. In 982, he was back in Wales, attacking Dyfed in the southwest.

Joining Forces and Later Campaigns

In 984, Gofraid and his brother Maccus brought their fleet to Waterford in Ireland. There, they joined forces with Brian Bóruma, who was the king of Munster, and Ivar of Waterford, the king of Waterford. Together, their armies and fleets launched a big attack on Dublin.

In 987, a son of Harald won a battle on the Isle of Man. It's not clear if this was Maccus or Gofraid. Later that same year, Gofraid attacked Anglesey for a third time. The Brut y Tywysogion says he captured 2,000 people during this raid.

Gofraid's Death

Gofraid died in 989. Records say he was killed in Dál Riata. It's not completely clear if this means the Glens of Antrim in Ireland or a part of western Scotland. When he died, he was called the king of Innse Gall, which means the Hebrides, a group of islands off Scotland. Both Gofraid and Maccus are usually listed as rulers of the Isle of Man.

Gofraid's Children and Grandchildren

Gofraid had a son named Ragnall, who died in Munster in 1005. Ragnall was also called king of the Hebrides, just like his father.

It's thought that Lagmann was another son of Gofraid. Lagmann was called "king of the Sudreys," which was the Norse name for the Hebrides. Lagmann's son, Amlaíb, is mentioned in an old Irish book called the Cogadh Gáedhel re Gallaibh. It says Amlaíb was killed at the Battle of Clontarf, and his family tree links him back to Lagmann and Gofraid.

Gofraid also had a daughter named Máel Muire. She married Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada, who was the king of Osraige. If this is correct, then Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic, who later became the King of Leinster, was Gofraid's grandson. This would mean that all the kings of Osraige and members of the FitzPatrick dynasty who came after them are Gofraid's descendants.