Gofraid of Lochlann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gofraid |
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The viking raven war standard shown on a penny minted in the reign of Amlaíb Cuarán.
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| King of Lochlann (more...) | |
| Reign | pre-849 – 873? |
| Predecessor | Unknown |
| Successor | Ímar |
| Spouse | Unknown |
| Father | "Ragnall son of Gothfraid" (according to the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland) |
Gofraid was an important Viking leader who lived a long time ago. He was known as the King of Lochlann. He helped spread Viking power in Scotland and was one of the first Kings of the Isles. These kings ruled lands around the Irish Sea during the Early Middle Ages.
We don't know much about Gofraid himself. His family, however, became very famous. Their stories are written in old Irish records called annals. Some people also think Gofraid and his family might be connected to characters from old Norse sagas, which are Viking stories.
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Gofraid's Life and Kingdom
The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland are old writings that tell us a few things about Gofraid. They mention that in the year 871, Gofraid's son, Amlaib Conung, traveled from Ireland to Lochlann. He went to help his father, Gofraid, who was fighting a war there.
The annals also say that in 849, Amlaib Conung, who was the son of the King of Lochlann, came to Ireland. He brought news about many taxes and tributes from his father. Later, Amlaib's younger brother, Ímar, also came to collect these payments.
These old records clearly state that Amlaib was the son of Gofraid, the King of Lochlann. The exact location of "Lochlann" is debated by historians. Many think it means "Norway." However, some experts believe that during Gofraid's time, "Lochlann" actually referred to Viking Scotland, and possibly included the Isle of Man. This idea suggests that the Kingdom of the Isles might have been formed very early on.
The Fragmentary Annals also mention Gofraid's death in 873. They say: "The death of the king of Lochlann i.e. Gothfraid of a sudden and horrible fit. So it pleased God."
Some historians are careful about trusting all the details from the Fragmentary Annals. This is because the annals were written down much later, possibly in the 11th century. Still, many agree that Gofraid was a real person and the ancestor of an important Viking family. If his sons were already active in Ireland in their twenties in 849, Gofraid would likely have been in his sixties when he died in 873.
Gofraid's Family
Gofraid had at least three sons: Amlaib Conung, Ímar, and Óisle. These sons became very important Viking leaders in Ireland and Scotland.
The Annals of Ulster also mention a king of "Laithlinne" (another name for Lochlann) whose son, Thórir, brought an army to Ireland in 848. Thórir died in battle that year. While it doesn't specifically say this king was Gofraid, it was just one year before Amlaib first appeared as the king's son.
Amlaib and Óisle
The Fragmentary Annals tell a dramatic story about Gofraid's sons around 867. It says there was a fight between Óisle and his brother Amlaib. The annals describe Óisle as the youngest but also the bravest of the three brothers. He was very skilled with weapons.
His brothers, Amlaib and Ímar, disliked Óisle greatly. Amlaib disliked him the most. The annals say they decided to kill him. The story tells that Óisle visited Amlaib and offered to take Amlaib's wife if Amlaib didn't love her, promising to give Amlaib whatever he had lost. When Amlaib heard this, he became very jealous. He drew his sword and killed Óisle. This led to a fight between their followers.
Amlaib Conung and Ímar, called "the two kings of the Northmen," attacked Dumbarton Castle in 870. They returned to Dublin the next year with many captives.
Ímar and His Descendants
Gofraid may have been followed briefly by his son Ímar, who also died in 873. The Annals of Ulster record his death: "Ímar king of the Norwegian Vikings of the whole of Ireland and Britain ended his life." Amlaib died either the next year while fighting in Scotland, or possibly before 872.
The family of Ímar, known as the Uí Ímair, became very powerful. His grandson, Ragnall ua Ímair, ruled in Northumbria and the Isle of Man. Another descendant, Sitric Cáech, was a King of Dublin and later of York. Amlaíb Cuarán followed him. It is also thought that the later Crovan dynasty of Mann and the Clann Somhairle, who ruled Argyll, came from Ímar's family. This means the Clan Donald Lords of the Isles are also related.
Some people have tried to connect Ímar to a famous Viking character from sagas called Ivar the Boneless. This Ivar is said to be the son of Ragnar Lodbrok. However, the sagas say Ivar the Boneless had many brothers, but not Amlaib or Óisle, and that he died without children. Also, there is no sign in Irish records that Ragnar Lodbrok had any connections to Ireland.
Amlaib's Descendants
Amlaib had two sons, Oistin (who died in 875) and Carlus (who died in 868). Unlike Ímar, no later descendants of Amlaib are recorded.
Amlaib has also been linked to a saga character called Olaf the White. This Olaf married Aud the Deep-Minded and had a son named Thorstein the Red, which sounds similar to the Irish name "Oistin." However, Aud is not mentioned in Irish records. There are also other problems with this connection. For example, one saga says Olaf was killed in battle in Ireland, but no Irish source mentions this battle. Another old record says Amlaib died in Pictavia (an old name for Scotland) fighting against Causantín mac Cináeda. Because of these differences, the connection between Amlaib and Olaf the White has often been suggested but also often disagreed with by historians.
