Finn Arnesson
Encyclopedia
Finn Arnesson was a Norwegian nobleman and advisor to both King Olaf II of Norway
and King Harald III of Norway and later served King Sweyn II of Denmark
. Finn Arnesson was the feudal lord (lendmann) of Austrått
.
, and his wife Tora Torsteinsdatter (daughter of Thorstein Gallows). Finn was married to King Harald's niece Bergljot Halvdansdottir, the daughter of Halvdan Sigurdsson (Halfdan Hadafylke) and sister of Sigurd Syr
.
The main source for Finn's life is Snorri Sturluson
's Heimskringla
. Finn and his brothers Kalv Arnesson, Arni Arnesson and Torberg Arnesson all appear in the Sagas. Snorre rendered an episode where Finn acting energetically on the King Olaf's behalf to Thorir Hund, with the requirement that Tore provide remedy for the murder of Karle, one of the king's courtiers. Kalv governed Trøndelag
under Olaf Haraldsson.
In 1028, Finn and his brother Arni and Torberg together with Rognvald Brusason
went with Olaf Haraldsson into exile in Kievan Rus. They returned with him, fighting at the Battle of Stiklestad
in 1030, where Olaf was killed. Kalv Arnesson was one of the leaders of the opposing army.
Under King Harald, Finn held the manor and lands of Austrått
near Ørland
in Trøndelag. In 1051, his brother, Kalv, was killed in battle serving King Harald on the island of Funen
. Finn believed King Harald had sent Kalv to his death on purpose and turned against the king. He left for Denmark to serve King Sweyn, who made him a jarl and appointed him to rule Halland
.
In 1062, Finn fought in the Battle of Niså (Slaget ved Niså) off the coast of Halland
between King Sweyn and King Harald. King Harald was victorious and King Sweyn escaped. However Finn, who refused to flee, was captured. King Harald spared his life and set him free in Halland.
married Thorfinn Sigurdsson, Earl of Orkney
and Máel Coluim mac Donnchada
, King of Scots. Another daughter, Sigrid Finnsdatter, married the earl Orm Eilivsson, daughter-son of Haakon Sigurdsson
.
Olaf II of Norway
Olaf II Haraldsson was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. He was posthumously given the title Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae and canonised in Nidaros by Bishop Grimkell, one year after his death in the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030. Enshrined in Nidaros Cathedral...
and King Harald III of Norway and later served King Sweyn II of Denmark
Sweyn II of Denmark
Sweyn II Estridsson Ulfsson was the King of Denmark from 1047 to 1074. He was the son of Ulf Jarl and Estrid Svendsdatter. He was married three times, and fathered 20 children or more, including the five future kings Harald III Hen, Canute IV the Saint, Oluf I Hunger, Eric I Evergood and Niels...
. Finn Arnesson was the feudal lord (lendmann) of Austrått
Austrått
thumb|The manor’s entry portal with the coat of arms carved in [[soapstone]].Austrått or Austrått Manor is a manor in Ørland municipality, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway. Since the 10th century Austrått has been the residence for many noblemen, noblewomen and officials who played a significant role in...
.
Biography
Finn was one of the eight children, seven brothers and a sister, of Arne Arnmodsson, a LendmannLendmann
Lendmann , was a title in medieval Norway. Lendmann was the highest rank attainable in the hird of the Norwegian king, and a lendmann stood beneath only earls and kings...
, and his wife Tora Torsteinsdatter (daughter of Thorstein Gallows). Finn was married to King Harald's niece Bergljot Halvdansdottir, the daughter of Halvdan Sigurdsson (Halfdan Hadafylke) and sister of Sigurd Syr
Sigurd Syr
Sigurd Syr Halfdansson was a petty king in northern Ostlandet in Norway.Sigurd was subking of Ringerike, an ancient territory in the county of Buskerud, southern Norway. Through his marriage with Åsta Gudbrandsdatter, he was the stepfather of King Olav II of Norway and father of King Harald III...
.
The main source for Finn's life is Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
's Heimskringla
Heimskringla
Heimskringla is the best known of the Old Norse kings' sagas. It was written in Old Norse in Iceland by the poet and historian Snorri Sturluson ca. 1230...
. Finn and his brothers Kalv Arnesson, Arni Arnesson and Torberg Arnesson all appear in the Sagas. Snorre rendered an episode where Finn acting energetically on the King Olaf's behalf to Thorir Hund, with the requirement that Tore provide remedy for the murder of Karle, one of the king's courtiers. Kalv governed Trøndelag
Trøndelag
Trøndelag is the name of a geographical region in the central part of Norway, consisting of the two counties Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag. The region is, together with Møre og Romsdal, part of a larger...
under Olaf Haraldsson.
In 1028, Finn and his brother Arni and Torberg together with Rognvald Brusason
Rognvald Brusason
Rognvald Brusason , son of Brusi Sigurdsson, was Earl of Orkney jointly with Thorfinn Sigurdsson from about 1037 onwards. His life is recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga....
went with Olaf Haraldsson into exile in Kievan Rus. They returned with him, fighting at the Battle of Stiklestad
Battle of Stiklestad
The Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 is one of the most famous battles in the history of Norway. In this battle, King Olaf II of Norway was killed. He was later canonized...
in 1030, where Olaf was killed. Kalv Arnesson was one of the leaders of the opposing army.
Under King Harald, Finn held the manor and lands of Austrått
Austrått
thumb|The manor’s entry portal with the coat of arms carved in [[soapstone]].Austrått or Austrått Manor is a manor in Ørland municipality, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway. Since the 10th century Austrått has been the residence for many noblemen, noblewomen and officials who played a significant role in...
near Ørland
Ørland
Ørland is a municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Fosen region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Brekstad. Other villages include Uthaug, Opphaug, and Ottersbo...
in Trøndelag. In 1051, his brother, Kalv, was killed in battle serving King Harald on the island of Funen
Funen
Funen , with a size of 2,984 km² , is the third-largest island of Denmark following Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy, and the 163rd largest island of the world. Funen is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 454,358 inhabitants . The main city is Odense, connected to the...
. Finn believed King Harald had sent Kalv to his death on purpose and turned against the king. He left for Denmark to serve King Sweyn, who made him a jarl and appointed him to rule Halland
Halland
' is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden , on the western coast of Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Småland, Scania and the sea of Kattegat.-Administration:...
.
In 1062, Finn fought in the Battle of Niså (Slaget ved Niså) off the coast of Halland
Halland
' is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden , on the western coast of Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Småland, Scania and the sea of Kattegat.-Administration:...
between King Sweyn and King Harald. King Harald was victorious and King Sweyn escaped. However Finn, who refused to flee, was captured. King Harald spared his life and set him free in Halland.
Personal life
Finn's daughter Ingibiorg FinnsdottirIngibiorg Finnsdottir
Ingibiorg Finnsdottir was a daughter of Earl Finn Arnesson and Bergljot Halvdansdottir , a niece of the Norwegian Kings Saint Olaf and Harald Hardraade. She is also known as Ingibiorg, the Earls'-Mother. The dates of her life are not certainly known.She married Thorfinn Sigurdsson, Earl of Orkney...
married Thorfinn Sigurdsson, Earl of Orkney
Earl of Orkney
The Earl of Orkney was originally a Norse jarl ruling Orkney, Shetland and parts of Caithness and Sutherland. The Earls were periodically subject to the kings of Norway for the Northern Isles, and later also to the kings of Alba for those parts of their territory in mainland Scotland . The Earl's...
and Máel Coluim mac Donnchada
Malcolm III of Scotland
Máel Coluim mac Donnchada , was King of Scots...
, King of Scots. Another daughter, Sigrid Finnsdatter, married the earl Orm Eilivsson, daughter-son of Haakon Sigurdsson
Haakon Sigurdsson
Haakon Sigurdarsson was the de facto ruler of Norway from about 975 to 995.-Background:Haakon was the son of Sigurd Haakonsson, Jarl of Lade and ruler of Trøndelag and Hålogaland. His mother was Bergljot Toresdatter, daughter of Tore Ragnvaldsson, Earl of Møre...
.