Olaf the White facts for kids

Olaf the White (also known as Óláfr hinn Hvíti) was a powerful Viking leader. He was a "sea-king," which means he led Viking fleets and ruled over lands he conquered. Olaf lived in the late 800s. He is an important figure in the history of Ireland and Scotland during the Viking Age.

Olaf's Life and Family

Olaf was likely born around 820 in Ireland. His father was a Hiberno-Norse warlord named Ingjald Helgasson. The Hiberno-Norse were Vikings who settled in Ireland.

Family Connections

Some old stories, like the Eyrbyggja Saga, say Olaf was related to the famous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok. They claim Olaf's grandmother was the daughter of Ragnar's son, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye. However, many historians think this connection is unlikely. Ragnar and Sigurd lived around the same time as Olaf, making this family tree difficult.

King of Dublin

Around 853, Olaf became the King of Dublin. Dublin was an important Viking settlement in Ireland. Irish records say Olaf ruled Dublin together with a relative named Ímar.

Olaf married a woman named Aud the Deep-minded (Auðr). She was the daughter of Ketil Flatnose, who ruled the Hebrides islands. This information comes from Icelandic stories like Landnámabók. Irish records only mention Olaf's wife as the daughter of a "King Aedh."

Olaf's Son, Thorstein the Red

Olaf and Aud had a son named Thorstein the Red (Þorsteinn rauðr). Thorstein tried to conquer parts of Scotland in the 870s.

At some point, Olaf and Ketil Flatnose's family had a disagreement. Olaf sent Aud and their son Thorstein back to her father's home. According to Landnámabók, both Olaf and Thorstein the Red were killed in the British Isles.

Thorstein the Red was married to Þuriðr Eyvindardóttir Austmann. They had several children, including Gróa, Álof, Þorgerðr, Þórhildr, Vigdís, Ósk, and Ólafr feilan. This family was connected to the famous Vinland explorers.

Who Was Olaf the White?

Historians often try to figure out if different historical figures are actually the same person. This is true for Olaf the White.

Connecting Olaf to Amlaíb Conung

Olaf the White might be the same person as a Viking leader called Amlaíb Conung. Irish records say Amlaíb Conung was killed in 871 or 872 by Causantín mac Cináeda, who was the king of Alba (an early name for Scotland). However, some historians like Gwyn Jones and Peter Hunter Blair disagree with this idea.

Olaf and the Gokstad Ship

Old Norse stories mention two Olafs from the 800s who were part of the Vestfold family in Norway. One of these is Olaf the White, known for his ties to Dublin and Ketil Flatnose. This Olaf is likely the same King of Dublin mentioned in Irish and Scottish records.

Another Olaf, Olaf Guthfrithsson of Vestfold, is believed to be the king buried in the famous Gokstad ship. This ship was a Viking burial ship found in Norway.

It's possible that Olaf the White and Olaf Guthfrithsson were the same person. This theory suggests that Olaf Guthfrithsson ruled in Dublin and raided Scotland when he was younger. Then, around 871, he might have returned to Norway to claim his kingdom in Vestfold. Some old Irish writings support this idea, saying Olaf of Dublin left Ireland around 871 to help his father, Guthfrith, fight for a kingdom in Norway. This would mean Olaf of Dublin (Olaf the White) was indeed the same as Olaf Guthfrithsson of Norway.