Lagmann mac Gofraid facts for kids

Lagmann mac Gofraid was likely a ruler of the Kingdom of the Isles in the early 1000s. He was probably a son of Gofraid mac Arailt, King of the Isles. His family was part of the Uí Ímair, a powerful group of Viking leaders.

Old records say Lagmann worked closely with Óláfr Haraldsson, who later became King of Norway. They might have helped Knútr, the son of the King of Denmark. Lagmann and Óláfr also helped Richard II, Duke of Normandy. They attacked lands in Brittany for Richard and fought against his enemy, Odo II.

Lagmann might have had to leave the Isles after his brother, Ragnall mac Gofraid, King of the Isles, died around 1004 or 1005. Lagmann's son, Amlaíb, died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. If Lagmann also died around this time, it might explain why Hákon Eiríksson took control of the Isles.

Lagmann: King of the Isles

Locations connected to Lagmann's life and times, including the Isles, England, and Normandy.

An old book from the 1000s, called Gesta Normannorum ducum, says that Knútr asked for help from a king named Óláfr and a king named Lacman. Óláfr was likely Óláfr Haraldsson. The book called Lacman a king of Suauorum. This probably meant a king from the Isles, not Sweden.

The Kingdom of the Isles was known as Suðreyjar in Old Norse. This means "Southern Islands." It referred to the Hebrides and the Isle of Man.

The name of Amlaíb mac Lagmainn, Lagmann's son, in the Annals of Ulster.

The name Lagmann comes from the Old Norse word lǫgmaðr, which means "lawman." This word was first a job title, then became a name. This name was used in the Isles as early as the 900s.

Other old books, like the Annals of Ulster and Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib, also mention a powerful man from the Isles named Lagmann. These books say that Amlaíb, the son of Lagmann mac Gofraid, fought and died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. The name of Lagmann's father suggests he was Gofraid mac Arailt, King of the Isles. This would make him the brother of Ragnall mac Gofraid, King of the Isles. Lagmann's son might have led the fighters from the Hebrides at Clontarf.

Adventures with Óláfr Haraldsson

An old text from Flateyarbók mentioning Hringsfjǫrðr, a place where Óláfr Haraldsson fought.

After Lagmann and Óláfr helped Knútr, they were asked to help Richard II, Duke of Normandy. Richard needed help fighting Odo II, Count of Chartres. Lagmann and Óláfr also fought for the Normans against the Bretons in Brittany. They attacked a place called Dol.

A poem from that time, Víkingarvísur, might talk about these attacks. It praises Óláfr's battles in England, Scandinavia, and Europe. Later, when the King of the Franks, Robert II, King of the Franks, helped make peace, Lagmann and Óláfr received gifts. They were then asked to go back to their own lands.

These stories suggest that Lagmann and Óláfr were "sea-kings." These were Viking leaders who commanded fleets of ships. They looked for riches, traded goods, and worked as hired fighters.

Why Lagmann Left the Isles

The name of Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig in the Annals of Tigernach.

We are not sure exactly when Lagmann did all these things in Europe. Some historians think the story about 1014 might be wrong. It might actually refer to Óláfr's fighting in England earlier, around 1009–1011. No English records connect Óláfr with Knútr in 1014. At that time, Óláfr was busy trying to become King of Norway.

We also don't know for sure who ruled the Isles around the time of the Battle of Clontarf. But it's possible Lagmann had some power on the Isle of Man. The title "king" given to him in Gesta Normannorum ducum suggests he ruled or had a claim to the throne.

One idea is that Lagmann's actions in England and Europe show he had been forced to leave the Isles. This might have happened right after his brother Ragnall died in 1005. If so, Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, High King of Ireland might have taken advantage of Ragnall's death. Brian might have forced Lagmann out to try and control the Isles himself.

The Annals of Ulster calls Brian the "over-king of the Gaels of Ireland, and of the Foreigners, and of the Britons" in 1014. This could mean Brian had power in the Isles, or wanted to. This interference might have made some people from the Isles support Sitriuc and the Dubliners against Brian at the Battle of Clontarf.

After Lagmann and His Son

The name of Hákon Eiríksson in Ágrip af Nóregskonungasǫgum. Hákon might have ruled the Isles after Lagmann and his son died.

If Lagmann and his son died around the same time, there might not have been a good leader from their family to become King of the Isles. This could explain why the region came under the control of the Norwegian, Hákon Eiríksson. An old book, Ágrip af Nóregskonungasǫgum, suggests that Knútr made Hákon the ruler of the Isles.

However, we are not sure if this really happened. No other sources confirm Hákon's rule in the Isles. If Hákon did rule the Isles, his death around 1029 or 1030 might have opened the way for Echmarcach mac Ragnaill, King of Dublin and the Isles. Echmarcach might have been a son of Lagmann's brother. He first appears in records around 1031.

Connections with Normandy

An old text from the 900s or 1000s, Gesta Normannorum, says that the dukes of Normandy worked with people called Hibernenses, which usually means the Irish. The text claims that Richard II's father, Richard I, Duke of Normandy, got military help from the Hibernenses.

Even though this part of the text talks about the late 900s, it seems to be influenced by what was happening in the early 1000s. There is no proof that Richard I had Irish support. Instead, Gesta Normannorum might actually be talking about the Norse-Gaelic rulers of the Kingdom of the Isles and the Irish Sea area. It's possible that Richard II's connection with Lagmann influenced the story about Richard I and the Hibernenses.

Another part of Gesta Normannorum says Richard I helped make peace between the English and the Hibernenses. A papal order from 991 shows that the English and Normans made a peace treaty. In this treaty, the duke was told not to help England's enemies. This treaty and Gesta Normannorum might mean that Richard I had ties with important leaders in the Irish Sea region. These leaders could include Lagmann's father and uncle, Maccus mac Arailt. They were active in the Irish Sea area in the 970s and 980s. So, Lagmann might have continued his family's teamwork with the dukes of Normandy.

Another book, Historiarum libri quinque, also suggests military cooperation between the Isles and Normandy. Although this book is not always reliable, it says that Richard II had a friendly alliance and military help from "the islands beyond the sea." This might partly show connections between the Normans and the Irish Sea region.