Papar facts for kids

The Papar (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈpʰaːpar̥]) were, according to old stories from Iceland, Irish monks. They lived alone as hermits in parts of what is now Iceland. This was before the Norsemen (people from Scandinavia) settled the island. Both old sagas and recent discoveries by archaeologists suggest this. The name "Papar" comes from a Latin word meaning "father" or "pope."

Papar in Iceland

The first Norse people started settling in Iceland around 874 CE. The oldest Scandinavian book that talks about the Papar is the Íslendingabók ("Book of the Icelanders"). Ari Þorgilsson, an Icelandic historian, wrote it between 1122 and 1133. This was quite a while after the events he described.

Ari wrote about "Christian men" whom the Norse called 'Papar'. He said they left the island because they didn't like the Norse people, who were not Christian. This suggests the Papar might have arrived before the Norse settlers.

Another old source that might mention the Papar is a book by Dicuil. He was an Irish monk and geographer in the early 800s. He wrote about "holy men" traveling to lands in the north. However, we don't know for sure if Dicuil was talking about Iceland. Irish hermits also settled on other northern islands like Orkney and Shetland.

Some place names in Iceland are thought to be linked to the Papar. These include the island of Papey and the Vestmannaeyjar. The Vestmannaeyjar means "islands of the Westmen" (a name for Irish people). But so far, archaeologists haven't found proof in these places to confirm the link.

One idea is that Ari Þorgilsson might have used Dicuil's writings when he wrote his history.

The Landnámabók (The Icelandic Book of Settlements) is another important text. Its first version might be from the 1000s. It clearly states that Irish monks lived in Iceland before the Norse settlers arrived. This book says the monks left many things behind. These included Irish books, bells, and crosiers (special staffs used by bishops). These items helped the Norse people know who had been there before them. According to the Landnámabók, the Irish monks either left when the Norse arrived or were already gone.

Papar in the Faroe Islands

There are also several place names related to the Papar in the Faroe Islands. These include Paparøkur near Vestmanna and Papurshílsur near Saksun. Vestmanna itself is short for Vestmannahøvn, which means the "harbour of the Westmen" (Irish people). A churchyard on the island of Skúgvoy also has old gravestones. These stones might show Irish origins or influences.

Some old stories suggest that Grímur Kamban, a Norse explorer, might have made the Papar leave. Even though he was likely a Norse–Gael himself (someone with both Norse and Irish roots), the Faereyinga Saga says he was the first settler in the Faroe Islands. It's possible that when Grímur and his followers took over the land, the hermits decided to leave. His nickname, Kamban, is probably Irish. It might mean he had a physical difference or that he was a good athlete. He likely came to the Faroe Islands as a young man from Viking Ireland. Local stories say he settled at Funningur in Eysturoy.

Papar in the Northern Isles

The Historia Norwegiæ, written in the 1100s, has a different idea. It suggests that the Norse found Picts and Papar when they arrived in Orkney in the early 800s. This text says the Papar were called that because they dressed like priests. It also claims that the books they left behind showed they were from Africa and followed the Jewish faith.

However, this idea doesn't match what Ari Þorgilsson wrote, who said they were Christian and Irish. More recent studies confirm that the Papar were indeed Irish Celtic Christian missionaries. They mostly came from the Dalriadic Gaels before the Norwegians took control.

Historian Joseph Anderson wrote in his Introduction to Orkneyinga Saga about several island place names that come from 'Papar'. This shows their influence in the area:

• The two Papeys in Orkney, the big one and the small one, are now called Papa Westray and Papa Stronsay.
• John of Fordun also mentioned a "third Papey" that we don't know about today.
• There are three islands in Shetland called Papey.
• Both in Orkney and Shetland, there are several areas named Paplay or Papplay. These are likely the same as Papyli in Iceland.

Papar in the Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides also have many place names influenced by the Papar. A key difference here is that the Norse language disappeared early in this area. It's also debated whether Scottish Gaelic ever fully disappeared. There are at least three islands that were originally named Papey and are now called "Pabbay" (Scottish Gaelic: Pabaigh) in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland:

• Pabbay, Barra Isles
• Pabbay, Harris
• Pabay, in the Inner Hebrides near Skye
• Pabaigh, Loch Baghasdail, South Uist

See also

• Culdees
• Gaelic Ireland
• Great Ireland
• Christianization of Scandinavia
• Papa, Scotland