Gofraid ua Ímair facts for kids

Gofraid ua Ímair (also known as Guthfrith of Ivar) was a powerful Viking leader. He lived from about 918 until his death in 934. Gofraid was a "Hiberno-Scandinavian," meaning he had both Irish and Scandinavian roots.

He ruled the Viking kingdom of Dublin in Ireland. For a short time, he also ruled Viking Northumbria in England. Gofraid was a grandson of Ímar, a famous Viking leader. He belonged to the Uí Ímair family, a very important Viking dynasty.

Gofraid was likely among the Vikings forced out of Dublin in 902. Later, he helped his relative Ragnall take control of Northumbria. Another relative, Sitric Cáech, became the ruler of Dublin around the same time.

When Ragnall died in 920, Sitric left Dublin to rule Northumbria. Gofraid then took over as King of Dublin in 921. Sitric's early rule in Northumbria included raids against the native Irish, like one at Armagh.

In 927, Sitric Cáech died. Gofraid went to Northumbria to try and become king there. He left his sons in charge of Dublin. This made Sitric's sons angry, and they took over Dublin. This started a long fight between the Vikings of Dublin and Limerick.

Gofraid's attempt to rule Northumbria failed. He was driven out by Æthelstan, the King of England, within six months. He returned to Dublin, kicked out Sitric's sons, and continued to rule. He led more raids, attacking places like Kildare and Dunmore Cave. In 931, he attacked a camp of Limerick Vikings. Gofraid died from an illness in 934. His son, Amlaíb mac Gofraid, became the new king.

Viking History in Ireland

The ruling Vikings of Dublin were forced out of the city in 902. Irish forces led by Máel Finnia mac Flannacán and Cerball mac Muirecáin drove them away. The Vikings who survived went to different places like France, England, and Wales.

Even after this, Viking raids on Irish settlements continued. In 914, a large Viking fleet arrived in Waterford. This marked the return of Viking rule to parts of Ireland. More Vikings settled in Limerick the next year.

Historians learn about this time from old writings called Irish annals and Norse sagas. The Irish annals, like the Annals of Ulster, are thought to be accurate records from that time. Sagas were written much later and are less reliable.

Gofraid's Life and Rule

Gofraid likely left Dublin with other Vikings in 902. In 917, the Irish annals describe two grandsons of Ímar, Sitric Cáech and Ragnall, bringing their fleets to Ireland. Sitric sailed to Leinster, and Ragnall sailed to Waterford.

Niall Glúndub, a powerful Irish king, saw these Vikings as a threat. He led an army to stop them. Sitric and his army fought Niall's forces and won, thanks to Ragnall's help. They also won another battle against the King of Leinster, who died. These victories allowed the Vikings to return to Ireland. Sitric became king in Dublin, and Ragnall became king in Northumbria.

Gofraid is first mentioned in 918. The Annals of Ulster say he led troops at the Battle of Corbridge in northern England. This battle was between Ragnall and the King of Scotland. It helped Ragnall become king in York. The annals call him "Gofraid ua Ímair," meaning Gofraid, grandson of Ímar. This shows he was a relative of Ragnall and Sitric Cáech.

Ragnall died in 921, and Sitric Cáech became King of Northumbria. In the same year, Gofraid took control of Dublin. One of his first actions was to raid Armagh. The Dubliners caused a lot of damage, but they spared the monastery and prayer-houses. Some of Gofraid's raiders were defeated by Irish forces and had to flee.

In 924, Gofraid led another raid to southern Ireland, taking many captives. He sailed to Limerick and lost many of his followers in a battle there. Two years later, in 926, his son Albann led a raiding force north. They were attacked by the army of Muirchertach mac Néill, an Irish king. Albann and many of his men were killed. Gofraid had to come with his forces to rescue the rest of his army.

In 927, Gofraid's relative Sitric Cáech, King of Northumbria, died. Gofraid left Ireland with many people from Dublin to claim Sitric's throne. While he was away, Gofraid's sons were in charge. However, Sitric's sons, with help from a "son of Helgi" (likely from Limerick), took over Dublin.

Gofraid's attempt to rule Northumbria failed. He was driven out by King Æthelstan of England after only six months. Gofraid quickly returned to Dublin. He kicked out Sitric's sons and continued his rule as king.

After returning to Dublin, Gofraid led more raids. In 929, he attacked Kildare. The next year, he plundered Dunmore Cave, killing many people. Historians believe Dunmore Cave might have been a temporary home or a burial place for the Irish.

In 931, Gofraid left Dublin for Mag Raigne. Here, rival Vikings from Limerick had set up a camp. Gofraid wanted to remove a grandson of Ímar from Mag Raigne, possibly one of Sitric's sons who had taken Dublin earlier. This camp was likely an attempt by the Limerick Vikings to stop Gofraid from expanding his power.

The conflict between Dublin and Limerick lasted until 937. Gofraid's son Amlaíb won a big victory at Lough Ree. He captured the Limerick king and destroyed his ships. Gofraid did not live to see this victory. He died in 934 from an illness. The Annals of Ulster called him "a most cruel king of the Norsemen." His son Amlaíb became the new king of Dublin.

Gofraid's Family

In old writings, Gofraid is called "ua Ímair," which means "grandson of Ímar." But his father's name is never mentioned. This makes it hard to know which of Ímar's sons was Gofraid's father. Maybe his father didn't rule Dublin, or spent most of his time outside Ireland. This would make Gofraid's right to rule depend on his famous grandfather. It's also possible he was Ímar's grandson through a daughter.

Other known grandsons of Ímar include Ímar, Sitric, Amlaíb, and Ragnall. Most of them ruled as King of Dublin or King of Northumbria at some point.

Gofraid had four known sons:

• Amlaíb: He became King of Dublin after Gofraid. He also later took back Northumbria for the Vikings.
• Albann: He was killed in battle in 926.
• Blácaire mac Gofraid: He was King of Dublin from 940 to 945.
• Ragnall mac Gofraid: He ruled Northumbria in 943 and 944, possibly with his cousin Amlaíb Cuarán. They were later driven out by Edmund I of England.

Later family members include Cammán mac Amlaíb, Gofraid's grandson, who was defeated in battle in 960.

Family tree

See also

• Gofraid mac Fergusa, a historical figure sometimes confused with Gofraid ua Ímair