Aralt mac Gofraid
Encyclopedia
Haraldr Guðrøðarson was a mid-13th century King of the Isles. He was the son of Guðrøðr Rögnvaldsson, King of the Isles
(d. 1231), who was the son of Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles (d. 1229). Haraldr and his predecessors were members of the Crovan dynasty
. The 13th century Kings of the Isles (and Kings of Mann and the Isles) ruled an island-kingdom which encompassed the Isle of Mann (Mann) and portions of the Hebrides
.
In the early 13th century, Haraldr's paternal grandfather, Rögnvaldr, fought over the kingship with his younger half-brother, Óláfr Guðrøðarson (d. 1237). The kin-strife between the two continued on down through their descendants, and in time included Haraldr himself. Rögnvaldr was slain in 1229, whereupon Óláfr took up the kingship. In 1231, Óláfr co-ruled a split kingdom with Rögnvaldr's son, Guðrøðr. On Guðrøðr's death in the same year, Óláfr ruled the entire kingdom until his own death in 1237, whereupon he was succeeded by his son, Haraldr (d. 1248), who was in turn succeeded by another son of Óláfr, Rögnvaldr
(d. 1249).
In 1249, Rögnvaldr Óláfsson was slain by a knight
who appears to have been an accomplice of Haraldr Guðrøðarson. Immediately following the assassination, Haraldr first appears in the mediaeval Chronicle of Mann
, the main historical source for the Crovan dynasty, when it records that he took control of the island-kingdom and replaced the chieftains of the old regime with followers of his own choosing. Although he was recognised as the legitimate ruler of the kingdom by Henry III, King of England (d. 1272) at first, he was later summoned to Norway by Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway
(d. 1263), for his seizure of the kingdom. Upon his removal from Mann, Haraldr is not heard from again. In his absence, Magnús Óláfsson (d. 1265), yet another son of Óláfr, with Hebridean and Norwegian support, unsuccessfully attempted to seize Mann by force. The leadership of the victorious Manx-defenders during this encounter may have been adherents to Haraldr's cause against that of the Óláfssons. Even so, Magnús returned two years later and succeeded to the kingship, becoming the last of the sea-kings of the Crovan dynasty.
of sea-kings who ruled the Isle of Man
(Mann) and parts of the Hebrides
from the late 11th century to the mid-13th century. He was the son of Guðrøðr Rögnvaldsson, King of the Isles
(d. 1231), who was the son of Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles (d. 1229). Although Rögnvaldr may have managed to rule a somewhat independent kingdom, surrounded by formidable Norwegian, Scottish, and English monarchs, his successors fell under the shadow of Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway
(d. 1263), and rendered tribute to him in recognition of his overlordship of the western seaboard of Scotland and Mann itself.
Rögnvaldr and his younger half-brother, Óláfr Guðrøðarson (d. 1237), warred over the dynasty's island-kingdom in the early 13th century, until Rögnvaldr was slain battling Óláfr in 1229. Rögnvaldr's son, Guðrøðr, who was also in conflict with Óláfr, took up his father's claim to the throne, and at his height co-ruled the kingdom with Óláfr in 1231. Guðrøðr was slain in 1231, and Óláfr ruled the entire island-kingdom peacefully until his own death in 1237. Óláfr was succeeded by his son, Haraldr Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles, who later travelled to Norway and married a daughter of Hákon, but lost his life at sea on his return voyage in 1248.
In the year of Haraldr Óláfsson's drowning, two prominent members of Clann Somairle, Eógan mac Donnchada
, Lord of Argyll
(d. in or after 1268) and his second cousin Dubgall mac Ruaidrí (d. 1268), travelled to Hákon in Norway and requested the title of king in the Hebrides. Hákon subsequently bestowed the title upon Eógan, and in 1249, upon learning of Haraldr Óláfsson's death, Hákon sent Eógan westward to take control of the Hebrides. In May 1249, Haraldr's brother, Rögnvaldr Óláfsson
(d. 1249), formally succeeded to the kingship of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles.
records that, on 30 May 1249, Rögnvaldr Óláfsson was slain in a meadow
near the Church of the Holy Trinity at Rushen
, and later buried at the Church of St Mary at Rushen. The chronicle names Rögnvaldr's killers as a certain knight
named Ívarr, along with several of the knight's followers. Immediately following Rögnvaldr's death, Haraldr Guðrøðarson makes his first appearance in the chronicle, as it records that he then seized the kingship.
The chronology of events surrounding Rögnvaldr's death suggests that Haraldr and Ívarr were allies. Moreover, a letter of Henry III, King of England (d. 1272), dated April 1256, further supports the likelihood of an alliance, as the letter commands Henry's men not to receive the Haraldr and Ívarr who "wickedly slew" Rögnvaldr. The identity of Ívarr is uncertain. His designation as a knight may indicate that he was an élite
of some sort. One suggestion is that he may have been a member of the Crovan dynasty. One man of the name is known to have been a son of Guðrøðr Óláfsson, King of the Isles, King of Dublin (d. 1187), although nothing more is known of him, and it is unlikely that a man born before 1187 would have been active in 1249. The chronicle makes no mention of the knight's ancestry, and this may be evidence that he was not related to the Crovan dynasty in any meaningful way. It is likely that he is identical to the "domino Yuor' de Mann" ("Lord Ívarr of Mann") who is recorded in one of Haraldr Óláfsson's charters
of 1246.
Following Haraldr Guðrøðarson's takeover, the chronicle records that he then drove out all of the chiefs and nobles of the old regime who had been supporters of the deceased Haraldr Óláfsson, and then replaced them with men whom the latter had previously exiled.
In several instances, the chronicle reveals a bias against the descendants of Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson (Haraldr Guðrøðarson's paternal-grandfather), in favour of the descendants of his half-brother Óláfr. One such instance relates of a miracle
attributed to St Mary, which may have been added to the chronicle to illustrate the supposed oppressive reign of Haraldr Guðrøðarson. The story concerns an aged chieftain named Domnall, who is described as a close friend of Haraldr Óláfsson. The chronicle states that Domnall and his young son fled from Haraldr Guðrøðarson to the sanctuary of the Church of St Mary at Rushen; Haraldr, however, tricked the two into leaving the church-grounds whereupon he had them immediately seized. The chronicle relates how Domnall's prayers to Mary were ultimately answered, and that it was through her intervention that he and his son escaped from their imprisonment.
Haraldr may have attempted to strengthen his hold on the kingdom by entering into negotiations with Henry, and was, for a time, regarded as a legitimate ruler by that English king, as a license of safe-passage granted by him, valid from 28 December 1249 until 29 September 1250, names Haraldr as king and gives him free pass to travel to the English court.
In the same year, the chronicle records that Magnús Óláfsson (another son of Óláfr) and Eógan arrived on Mann with a force of Norwegians. The exact intentions of the invaders are unknown for certain. It is possible that they may have intended to install Magnús as king. At the very least, Eógan was likely looking for some form of compensation, as he had previously been forcefully dispossessed of his mainland Scottish lordship by Alexander II, King of Scots (d. 1249) for his refusal to renounce his allegiance to Hákon. The chronicle states that the invaders made landfall at Ronaldsway
, and entered into negotiations with the Manx people; although, when it was learned that Eógan styled himself "King of the Isles" the Manxmen took offence and broke off all dialogue. The chronicle describes how Eógan had his men form-up on St Michael's Isle, an island that was attached to Mann by a tidal causeway
, and that the Manxmen formed-up on the mainland, on the beach opposite the island. When the tide
began to recede, the chronicle states that Eógan and those men closest to him boarded their ships, although much of his force remained stationed on the island. As evening drew near, the chronicle records that an accomplice of Ívarr led an attack upon the island and routed Eógan's forces there. The next day, the chronicle states that the invading forces left the shores of Mann.
Ívarr's connection to the Manx attack on the invading forces of Eógan and Magnús may suggest that there was still considerable opposition on Mann by adherents of Haraldr to the prospect of Magnús' kingship there. Two years later, the Chronicle of Mann and the Chronicle of Lanercost record that Magnús returned to Mann and with the consent of the Manxmen began his reign. There are indications that opposition to Magnús, and thus possibly support of Haraldr, continued into the mid 1250s. For example, the chronicle records that Hákon bestowed upon Magnús the title of king in 1254; it further notes that when Magnús' opponents heard of this, they became dismayed and that their hopes of overthrowing him gradually faded away. Also, Henry's 1256 letter, which orders his men not to receive Haraldr and Ívarr, may have indicated that the two were still alive and active. Magnús, the last of the Crovan dynasty of sea-kings, reigned peacefully as King of Mann and the Isles until his death in 1265.
Gofraid Donn
Gofraid mac Ragnaill was a 13th century Hebridean king, who descended from a long line of kings who ruled the Hebrides and the Isle of Man...
(d. 1231), who was the son of Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles (d. 1229). Haraldr and his predecessors were members of the Crovan dynasty
Crovan dynasty
The Crovan dynasty, from the late 11th century to the mid 13th century, was the ruling family of an insular kingdom known variously in secondary sources as the Kingdom of Mann, the Kingdom of the Isles, and the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles...
. The 13th century Kings of the Isles (and Kings of Mann and the Isles) ruled an island-kingdom which encompassed the Isle of Mann (Mann) and portions of the Hebrides
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
.
In the early 13th century, Haraldr's paternal grandfather, Rögnvaldr, fought over the kingship with his younger half-brother, Óláfr Guðrøðarson (d. 1237). The kin-strife between the two continued on down through their descendants, and in time included Haraldr himself. Rögnvaldr was slain in 1229, whereupon Óláfr took up the kingship. In 1231, Óláfr co-ruled a split kingdom with Rögnvaldr's son, Guðrøðr. On Guðrøðr's death in the same year, Óláfr ruled the entire kingdom until his own death in 1237, whereupon he was succeeded by his son, Haraldr (d. 1248), who was in turn succeeded by another son of Óláfr, Rögnvaldr
Ragnall V Olafsson
Rögnvaldr Óláfsson was a mid 13th century King of Mann and the Isles. After the death of his brother, Haraldr Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles, in 1248, Rögnvaldr succeeded to the kingship in 1249. His reign was a short one; only weeks after his succession, Rögnvaldr was assassinated in near...
(d. 1249).
In 1249, Rögnvaldr Óláfsson was slain by a knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
who appears to have been an accomplice of Haraldr Guðrøðarson. Immediately following the assassination, Haraldr first appears in the mediaeval Chronicle of Mann
Chronicle of Mann
The Chronicles of the Kings of Mann and the Isles or Manx Chronicle is a medieval Latin manuscript relating the early history of the Isle of Man....
, the main historical source for the Crovan dynasty, when it records that he took control of the island-kingdom and replaced the chieftains of the old regime with followers of his own choosing. Although he was recognised as the legitimate ruler of the kingdom by Henry III, King of England (d. 1272) at first, he was later summoned to Norway by Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway
Haakon IV of Norway
Haakon Haakonarson , also called Haakon the Old, was king of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Under his rule, medieval Norway reached its peak....
(d. 1263), for his seizure of the kingdom. Upon his removal from Mann, Haraldr is not heard from again. In his absence, Magnús Óláfsson (d. 1265), yet another son of Óláfr, with Hebridean and Norwegian support, unsuccessfully attempted to seize Mann by force. The leadership of the victorious Manx-defenders during this encounter may have been adherents to Haraldr's cause against that of the Óláfssons. Even so, Magnús returned two years later and succeeded to the kingship, becoming the last of the sea-kings of the Crovan dynasty.
Background
Haraldr was a member of the Crovan dynastyCrovan dynasty
The Crovan dynasty, from the late 11th century to the mid 13th century, was the ruling family of an insular kingdom known variously in secondary sources as the Kingdom of Mann, the Kingdom of the Isles, and the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles...
of sea-kings who ruled the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
(Mann) and parts of the Hebrides
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
from the late 11th century to the mid-13th century. He was the son of Guðrøðr Rögnvaldsson, King of the Isles
Gofraid Donn
Gofraid mac Ragnaill was a 13th century Hebridean king, who descended from a long line of kings who ruled the Hebrides and the Isle of Man...
(d. 1231), who was the son of Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles (d. 1229). Although Rögnvaldr may have managed to rule a somewhat independent kingdom, surrounded by formidable Norwegian, Scottish, and English monarchs, his successors fell under the shadow of Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway
Haakon IV of Norway
Haakon Haakonarson , also called Haakon the Old, was king of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Under his rule, medieval Norway reached its peak....
(d. 1263), and rendered tribute to him in recognition of his overlordship of the western seaboard of Scotland and Mann itself.
Rögnvaldr and his younger half-brother, Óláfr Guðrøðarson (d. 1237), warred over the dynasty's island-kingdom in the early 13th century, until Rögnvaldr was slain battling Óláfr in 1229. Rögnvaldr's son, Guðrøðr, who was also in conflict with Óláfr, took up his father's claim to the throne, and at his height co-ruled the kingdom with Óláfr in 1231. Guðrøðr was slain in 1231, and Óláfr ruled the entire island-kingdom peacefully until his own death in 1237. Óláfr was succeeded by his son, Haraldr Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles, who later travelled to Norway and married a daughter of Hákon, but lost his life at sea on his return voyage in 1248.
In the year of Haraldr Óláfsson's drowning, two prominent members of Clann Somairle, Eógan mac Donnchada
Eóghan of Argyll
Eóghan MacDubhghaill was a 13th century Scottish nobleman and warrior who was styled "King of the Isles", "Lord of Argyll"...
, Lord of Argyll
Lord of Argyll
The sovereign or feudal lordship of Argyle was the holding of the senior branch of descendants of king Somhairle, this branch becoming soon known as Clan MacDougallConstruction of the Lordship of Argyll-Lorne essentially started with Donnchad mac Dubgaill....
(d. in or after 1268) and his second cousin Dubgall mac Ruaidrí (d. 1268), travelled to Hákon in Norway and requested the title of king in the Hebrides. Hákon subsequently bestowed the title upon Eógan, and in 1249, upon learning of Haraldr Óláfsson's death, Hákon sent Eógan westward to take control of the Hebrides. In May 1249, Haraldr's brother, Rögnvaldr Óláfsson
Ragnall V Olafsson
Rögnvaldr Óláfsson was a mid 13th century King of Mann and the Isles. After the death of his brother, Haraldr Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles, in 1248, Rögnvaldr succeeded to the kingship in 1249. His reign was a short one; only weeks after his succession, Rögnvaldr was assassinated in near...
(d. 1249), formally succeeded to the kingship of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles.
Dynastic relations and rivals
The following pedigree illustrates the male patrilineal descendants of Guðrøðr Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles, King of Dublin (d. 1187). The ancestry of Haraldr Guðrøðarson (shown in boldface) is shown in relation to the rival sons of Óláfr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles (d. 1237).Haraldr Guðrøðarson's ascension
The mid-13th century Chronicle of MannChronicle of Mann
The Chronicles of the Kings of Mann and the Isles or Manx Chronicle is a medieval Latin manuscript relating the early history of the Isle of Man....
records that, on 30 May 1249, Rögnvaldr Óláfsson was slain in a meadow
Meadow
A meadow is a field vegetated primarily by grass and other non-woody plants . The term is from Old English mædwe. In agriculture a meadow is grassland which is not grazed by domestic livestock but rather allowed to grow unchecked in order to make hay...
near the Church of the Holy Trinity at Rushen
Rushen
Rushen , formerly Kirk Christ Rushen , is a parish in the sheading of the same name in the Isle of Man. The parish is a fishing and agricultural district at the south-westernmost point of the island. The parish is one of three in the sheading of Rushen...
, and later buried at the Church of St Mary at Rushen. The chronicle names Rögnvaldr's killers as a certain knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
named Ívarr, along with several of the knight's followers. Immediately following Rögnvaldr's death, Haraldr Guðrøðarson makes his first appearance in the chronicle, as it records that he then seized the kingship.
The chronology of events surrounding Rögnvaldr's death suggests that Haraldr and Ívarr were allies. Moreover, a letter of Henry III, King of England (d. 1272), dated April 1256, further supports the likelihood of an alliance, as the letter commands Henry's men not to receive the Haraldr and Ívarr who "wickedly slew" Rögnvaldr. The identity of Ívarr is uncertain. His designation as a knight may indicate that he was an élite
Elite
Elite refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence...
of some sort. One suggestion is that he may have been a member of the Crovan dynasty. One man of the name is known to have been a son of Guðrøðr Óláfsson, King of the Isles, King of Dublin (d. 1187), although nothing more is known of him, and it is unlikely that a man born before 1187 would have been active in 1249. The chronicle makes no mention of the knight's ancestry, and this may be evidence that he was not related to the Crovan dynasty in any meaningful way. It is likely that he is identical to the "domino Yuor' de Mann" ("Lord Ívarr of Mann") who is recorded in one of Haraldr Óláfsson's charters
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
of 1246.
Following Haraldr Guðrøðarson's takeover, the chronicle records that he then drove out all of the chiefs and nobles of the old regime who had been supporters of the deceased Haraldr Óláfsson, and then replaced them with men whom the latter had previously exiled.
In several instances, the chronicle reveals a bias against the descendants of Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson (Haraldr Guðrøðarson's paternal-grandfather), in favour of the descendants of his half-brother Óláfr. One such instance relates of a miracle
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
attributed to St Mary, which may have been added to the chronicle to illustrate the supposed oppressive reign of Haraldr Guðrøðarson. The story concerns an aged chieftain named Domnall, who is described as a close friend of Haraldr Óláfsson. The chronicle states that Domnall and his young son fled from Haraldr Guðrøðarson to the sanctuary of the Church of St Mary at Rushen; Haraldr, however, tricked the two into leaving the church-grounds whereupon he had them immediately seized. The chronicle relates how Domnall's prayers to Mary were ultimately answered, and that it was through her intervention that he and his son escaped from their imprisonment.
Haraldr may have attempted to strengthen his hold on the kingdom by entering into negotiations with Henry, and was, for a time, regarded as a legitimate ruler by that English king, as a license of safe-passage granted by him, valid from 28 December 1249 until 29 September 1250, names Haraldr as king and gives him free pass to travel to the English court.
Forced exile
Haraldr's reign was not a long one. In 1250, the chronicle records that he was summoned by letter to the Norwegian royal court, because Hákon was displeased at how Haraldr had wrongfully seized the kingship which was not his by right. The chronicle notes that the Norwegian king intended that Haraldr should never return to Mann, and he was consequently kept from returning to the island-kingdom. Nothing further is heard from Haraldr.In the same year, the chronicle records that Magnús Óláfsson (another son of Óláfr) and Eógan arrived on Mann with a force of Norwegians. The exact intentions of the invaders are unknown for certain. It is possible that they may have intended to install Magnús as king. At the very least, Eógan was likely looking for some form of compensation, as he had previously been forcefully dispossessed of his mainland Scottish lordship by Alexander II, King of Scots (d. 1249) for his refusal to renounce his allegiance to Hákon. The chronicle states that the invaders made landfall at Ronaldsway
Ronaldsway
Ronaldsway is a place in Malew in the south of the Isle of Man, between the village of Ballasalla and the town of Castletown. It is notable as the location of Isle of Man Airport and historically RNAS Ronaldsway, together with the adjoining customs free zone and industrial estate.Ronaldsway is the...
, and entered into negotiations with the Manx people; although, when it was learned that Eógan styled himself "King of the Isles" the Manxmen took offence and broke off all dialogue. The chronicle describes how Eógan had his men form-up on St Michael's Isle, an island that was attached to Mann by a tidal causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
, and that the Manxmen formed-up on the mainland, on the beach opposite the island. When the tide
Tide
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun and the rotation of the Earth....
began to recede, the chronicle states that Eógan and those men closest to him boarded their ships, although much of his force remained stationed on the island. As evening drew near, the chronicle records that an accomplice of Ívarr led an attack upon the island and routed Eógan's forces there. The next day, the chronicle states that the invading forces left the shores of Mann.
Ívarr's connection to the Manx attack on the invading forces of Eógan and Magnús may suggest that there was still considerable opposition on Mann by adherents of Haraldr to the prospect of Magnús' kingship there. Two years later, the Chronicle of Mann and the Chronicle of Lanercost record that Magnús returned to Mann and with the consent of the Manxmen began his reign. There are indications that opposition to Magnús, and thus possibly support of Haraldr, continued into the mid 1250s. For example, the chronicle records that Hákon bestowed upon Magnús the title of king in 1254; it further notes that when Magnús' opponents heard of this, they became dismayed and that their hopes of overthrowing him gradually faded away. Also, Henry's 1256 letter, which orders his men not to receive Haraldr and Ívarr, may have indicated that the two were still alive and active. Magnús, the last of the Crovan dynasty of sea-kings, reigned peacefully as King of Mann and the Isles until his death in 1265.
Ancestry
See also
- Domnall mac RagnaillDomhnall mac RaghnaillDomhnall mac Raghnaill was a Hebridean noble in the late 12th- and early 13th-century. He is the eponymous progenitor of Clan Donald . For this reason some traditions accumulated around him in the Later Middle Ages and Early Modern period...
, a member of Clann Somairle, who may be the Domnall whom the Chronicle of Mann states was a friend Haraldr Óláfsson and wrongfully imprisoned by Haraldr Guðrøðarson.