Guðrøðr Magnússon facts for kids
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Guðrøðr Magnússon (active around 1275), also known as Godred Magnusson, was a son of Magnús Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles. In 1275, the Island of Mann was controlled by Scotland. Guðrøðr led a rebellion on the island. This revolt was not successful. A historical record says that over 500 people died when the Scottish army invaded and stopped the Manx rebellion. It is not known for sure if Guðrøðr escaped the big defeat at the Battle of Ronaldsway or if he died there.
A Look Back: How Mann Was Ruled
Guðrøðr was a son of Magnús Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles. His family was part of the Crovan dynasty, a line of rulers. Guðrøðr's father became king in 1252. This happened after a time of confusion and arguments over who should rule the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles. King Magnús's right to rule was accepted by Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway. Norway was the main power over Mann at that time.
In the years before, Alexander II, King of Scotland tried many times to take over the Hebrides islands. These islands were part of the Scottish kingdom. In the 1260s, Alexander's son, Alexander III, King of Scotland, continued this fight. He wanted to take the region from Norway's control. This made King Hákon of Norway send his army to fight back. However, King Hákon got sick and died in 1263, and his plan failed.
After King Hákon died, King Alexander III of Scotland took advantage of the situation. He sent his armies to invade the Isles and northern Scotland. King Magnús Óláfsson saw this big change in power. He quickly agreed to be under King Alexander III's rule within a year. This showed that Norway no longer had control over the Isles. The next year, King Magnús died. He did not have a son born in marriage to take his place. He was the last ruling king from the Crovan family. In 1266, King Alexander III peacefully gained control of the Hebrides and Mann. He got them from King Hákon's son, Magnús Hákonarson, King of Norway. This was done through a peace agreement called the Treaty of Perth.
After this treaty, King Alexander III put his own officials in charge of Mann. We know of four such officials or governors. Their names were Godredus Mac Mares, Alan (who was a son of Thomas fitz Roland, Earl of Atholl), Mauricio Acarsan, and Reginald (the king's chaplain). It seems the people of Mann did not like being ruled by Scotland. Records from Scotland show that the Scottish king held several Manx people as hostages. This was to make sure the island stayed peaceful.
Guðrøðr's Rebellion
In 1275, old historical books like the Chronicle of Mann tell us that Guðrøðr led a rebellion on the island. He was fighting against the Scottish king. One old book says that Guðrøðr took control of the island's castles. He also forced out the Scottish officials. King Alexander III quickly sent a large fleet of ships. These ships came from the Hebrides and Galloway. Their goal was to invade Mann and bring it back under Scottish control.
The leaders of this Scottish army were: John de Vesci, John Comyn I, Lord of Badenoch, Alan, Alasdair Mac Dubhghaill, Lord of Argyll, and Ailéan mac Ruaidhrí. These leaders suggest the Scottish force was made up of a few heavily armed knights. It also had foot soldiers from the common army of Galloway. And there was a fleet of fast ships from the Hebrides.
The Scottish soldiers landed on the southern coast of Mann. One old book, the Chronicle of Lanercost, says the invaders first tried to end the rebellion peacefully. They asked the rebels to give up and accept King Alexander III's rule. Another book, Historia rerum Anglicarum, says that the Manx rebels were not well-armed or trained. They were easily defeated by the well-armed Scottish warriors. The Annals of Lanerost states that "the wretched Manxmen turned their backs, and perished miserably."
The Chronicle of Mann says that 537 people were killed by the Scots. However, this number might be from an old poem or song. The book even quotes a sad rhyming verse: "ten times fifty, three times ten and five and two did fall; O Manx race, beware lest future catastrophe you befall." It is not known if this verse was written for the book or if it was already a popular saying. Either way, this verse seems to show that the Manx people felt it was a warning for the future.
It is not certain if Guðrøðr died in the defeat or if he escaped. One historical record, Historia rerum Anglicarum, says that he and his wife managed to escape the terrible fighting on Mann. They supposedly fled to Wales. If this is true, it shows that the Crovan family had strong connections with Wales. In fact, it is possible that Guðrøðr started his rebellion after arriving from Wales.
What Happened Next
After the Manx people were defeated, King Alexander III put his son, Prince Alexander, in charge of Mann. Prince Alexander was only eleven years old, so he was too young to rule by himself. But making him the Lord of Mann showed how strongly Scotland now controlled the island. Giving Mann to the prince also showed that he was the next in line for the Scottish throne. It also meant the Scottish king's power was personally represented on the island.
There is some evidence that the Scots still faced problems on Mann. In 1288, records show that the Sheriff of Dumfries paid for guarding the lands of someone killed on the island while serving the Scottish king. However, Scottish control did not last very long. Before the end of the century, the people of Mann decided to be under the rule of the English King instead.
Guðrøðr was not the last person to claim the island. Two women also tried to claim it in the late 1200s and early 1300s. They were Aufrica de Connoght and Maria, who was the daughter of King Rǫgnvaldr Óláfsson of Mann and the Isles.
