Rognvald Eysteinsson facts for kids

Rognvald Eysteinsson was an important leader in Norway around the year 865. He was the first Jarl (a type of powerful noble, like an earl) of a region called Møre. Rognvald was also a close relative and friend of Harald Fairhair, who was the first known King of Norway.

In the old Norse language, his name was Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson. People sometimes called him "Rognvald the Wise" or "Rognvald the Powerful."

Who Was Rognvald Eysteinsson?

Rognvald lived a long time ago, so the stories about him were written much later. These stories are called Norse Sagas. While they are exciting, historians today think we need to be careful with them. The sagas were written about 300 years after Rognvald lived. This means some details might not be completely accurate.

Historians also look at other old writings, like those from Ireland and Scotland. These sources were written closer to Rognvald's time. They help us understand his life better.

Rognvald's Role in History

Rognvald played a part in starting the Earldom of Orkney. This was a Norse (Viking) territory on the Orkney islands. The sagas tell a story about Rognvald leading a big trip. They say he attacked Vikings who were causing trouble from Orkney and Shetland. Then, he supposedly raided Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man.

However, many historians now believe this big trip probably happened after Rognvald's time. It's a famous story, but it might not be true.

Historians also question other parts of the sagas. For example, they wonder about the exact relationship between Rognvald and King Harald. They also look closely at the names and lives of Rognvald's family. The way the earldom of Møre started is also something historians discuss.

Rognvald's Family

Rognvald had several children. One of his sons was Torf-Einarr, who became an earl of Orkney.

Some Norse stories say another son, Hrólfr, went to France. They claim he became known as Rollo and started the Duchy of Normandy. This duchy later became very important. However, French writings suggest Rollo's father was a different nobleman, possibly from Denmark.

Stories from the Past

The oldest writings that might mention Rognvald are the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland. These were written around the year 1039. They tell a story about a "Ragnall son of Albdan" who went to the Orkney Islands. This event is placed around 865.

The Orkneyinga saga is another important source. It was likely written between 1170 and 1220. This saga tells many stories about the Orkney earldom. However, it's hard to check if all the information in it is correct.

Snorri Sturluson also wrote about Rognvald in his book Heimskringla around 1230. Snorri was an Icelandic writer.

Christian Krohg's portrait of Snorri Sturluson, a 13th-century writer.

Rognvald's Family Tree

It's not completely clear who Rognvald's parents were. The Irish writings say Ragnall was the son of "Halfdan, King of Lochlann." This might mean Halfdan the Black, making Ragnall King Harald Fairhair's brother.

But the later Norse sagas tell a different story. They say Halfdan was Rognvald's grandfather. The Orkneyinga saga says Rognvald's father was Eystein Ivarsson.

Rognvald was married. The Orkneyinga saga says his wife was Ragnhild. But the Heimskringla calls her Hild.

Both sagas mention Rognvald had six sons. Three older sons were Hallad, Einarr (Torf-Einarr), and Hrollaug. They were grown up when their younger brothers were still children. The younger sons were Ivar, Hrólfr, and Thorir.

Hrólfr was said to be so big that no horse could carry him. So, he was called "Ganger-Hrólf," which means "Hrólf the Walker." The sagas say he was Rollo, who founded the Duchy of Normandy in 911.

Rognvald and King Harald

The Orkneyinga saga says King Harald Fairhair made Rognvald the Earl of Møre. The Saga of Harald Fairhair tells a story about Rognvald helping King Harald get his nickname. Harald had promised not to cut his hair until he ruled all of Norway. Rognvald cut and styled his hair after he became king.

Rognvald went with King Harald on a big military trip. They first cleared the islands of Shetland and Orkney of Vikings who were attacking Norway. Then, they continued to Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. During this trip, Rognvald's son Ivarr was killed. To make up for this, King Harald gave Rognvald the islands of Orkney and Shetland.

Rognvald then went back to Norway. He gave the northern islands to his brother Sigurd Eysteinsson. Sigurd was a brave warrior on Harald's ship. The king made Sigurd an earl. The Heimskringla says Sigurd was the first Earl of Orkney.

The Orkneyinga Saga says Sigurd died in a strange way after a battle. Sigurd's son Gurthorm ruled for only one winter and then died without children. Rognvald's son Hallad then became earl. But Hallad couldn't stop Danish raids on Orkney. He gave up his title and returned to Norway.

The Danish raids made Rognvald very angry. He called his sons Thorir and Hrolluag. He thought Thorir would stay in Norway and Hrolluag would go to Iceland. Then, Torf-Einarr, his youngest son, offered to go to the islands. Rognvald wasn't sure about Torf-Einarr because of his mother's background. He said, "You are not likely to make much of a ruler. But I agree, the sooner you leave and the later you return the happier I'll be."

Despite his father's doubts, Torf-Einarr managed to defeat the Danes. He started a family line that ruled the islands for many centuries.

Rognvald's Death

Rognvald was killed by King Harald's sons, Halfdan Hålegg and Gudrod Gleam. They attacked the house where Rognvald was staying. They surrounded it and burned it down with Rognvald and 60 of his men inside.

King Harald was very angry when he heard this. He sent a large group of warriors after Gudrod, who was then sent away from Norway. Halfdan escaped to the western seas. Rognvald's death was later avenged by Torf-Einarr, who killed Halfdan on North Ronaldsay. After this, Torf-Einarr made peace with King Harald.

Rognvald's son Thorir was then made Earl of Møre by Harald. Harald also gave Thorir his daughter Alof to marry.

The sagas show Rognvald as the main ancestor of the Norse Earls of Orkney. These earls controlled the islands until the early 1200s. Rognvald is also seen as an ancestor of important families in Iceland. Through his son Hrolfr (Rollo), Rognvald is also shown as an ancestor of the Dukes of Normandy. These dukes later became the kings of England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Images for kids

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  A page from the Orkneyinga saga, from the 14th-century Flateyjarbók.