Ragnvald II Brusasson, Earl of Orkney

Ragnvald Brusasson (died 1046), son of Brusi Sigurdsson, was Earl of Orkney jointly with Thorfinn Sigurdsson from about 1037 onwards. His life is recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga.

Parents: Brusi Sigurdsson & perhaps Ostrida Regenwaldsdottir We're Still looking for more Sources: See Discussion

Wife: possibly a noblewoman from Kiev (Arlogia).

Children: 1. Tora Ragnvaldsdóttir (mother of Magnus III of Norway) 2. Duvnjall (Domhnall/Gunnar) of Godey

NB: Ragnvald was NOT the father of Robert I de Brusse, who came to England from Normandy.

Sources

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rognvald_Brusason
• http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#SigurdDigri...

MEDIEVAL LANDS

i) SIGURD "Digri/the Stout"
m firstly ---. The name of Sigurd´s first wife is not known. Sigurd & his [first wife] had four children:

1. SOMERLED (-[1015/20]).
2. BRUSI (-[1030/35]). Orkneyinga Saga records that Earl Sigurd had “three other sons…Sumarlidi, Brusi and Einar Wry-Mouth”, adding that he left them “in charge of the earldom” when he left for Ireland and that they divided the earldom between them after he was killed[869]. Snorre names "Sumarlide, Bruse and Einar Rangmund" as "older sons" of "Sigurd the Thick", recording that they succeeded on the death of their father when the country was divided into three parts[870]. He succeeded his father 1014 as Jarl of 1/3 Orkney, and disputed the share of his deceased brother Einar with his half-brother Thorfinn. Orkneyinga Saga records the death of “Brusi”, dated from the context to after the death of Malcolm II King of Scotland[871]. m ---. The name of Brusi´s wife is not known. Brusi & his wife had one child: (Cawley's Medlands)

a) RAGNVALD Brusason ([1010/15]-Dec 1046, bur Papa Westray). Orkneyinga Saga names “Rognvald” as son of Brusi, adding that he was two years old when his father took him to Norway after the death of his brother Einar[872]. A later passage records that Olaf II King of Norway kept Ragnvald in Norway when his father returned to Orkney and that “at an early age he grew to be tall and strong…and he stayed with King Olaf for a long time”[873]. As King Olaf´s reign ended in 1028, this passage is inconsistent with Ragnvald having been two years old when he arrived in Norway. The best estimate that can be made is that Ragnvald must have been at least 15 years old in 1030, so must have been born in [1010/15]. Snorre names Ragnvald son of Earl Bruse when recording that he was given as a hostage to Olav King of Norway in 1021, and accompanied the king into exile in Novgorod[874]. Orkneyinga Saga records that “Rognvald Brusason” took part “in the battle of Stiklestad in which King Olaf the Saint was killed” (elsewhere dated to 29 Jul 1030), then travelled to Novgorod “where King Jaroslav gave them a kindly welcome”, before returning to Norway with King Magnus II (who succeeded in 1035), and eventually sailing to Orkney to claim his father´s inheritance[875]. Morkinskinna records “Rognvaldr Brúsason…a very valiant and popular man” as leader of the “Russian defence forces” under “King Yaroslav”[876]. Morkinskinna records that Magnus King of Norway “put Rognvaldr Brúsason in authority to the west in Orkney and gave him the title of jarl” but that “great strife broke out between Rognvaldr jarl and Thorfinnr jarl his uncle”[877]. Orkneyinga Saga records that Ragnvald left Orkney to seek help from Magnus King of Norway after a dispute with his uncle, was defeated when he returned to Orkney, succeeded in expelling Thorfinn after returning with a second invasion fleet, but was murdered by Thorfinn´s forces, and buried at “Papa Westray”[878]. The Complete Peerage dates Ragnvald´s death to Dec 1046 but does not cite the primary source on which this is based[879]. (Cawley's Medlands)

3. EINA "Rangmund/Wrymouth" (-murdered Sandwick [1023/25]).
4. HUNDI [Hlodvir] ([990]-[996/1000]).

m ([1005 or after]) --- of Scotland, daughter of MALCOLM II
Sigurd & his second wife had one child:

5. THORFINN "the Black" ([1009]-[1060/65], bur Birsay, Christchurch).

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WIKIPEDIA

Rognvald Brusason (died 1046), son of Brusi Sigurdsson, was Earl of Orkney jointly with Thorfinn Sigurdsson from about 1037 onwards. His life is recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga.

Rognvald was taken by his father to Norway, to the court of Olaf Haraldsson, when Brusi and Thorfinn went there to have the inheritance of Einar Wry-mouth's third-share of the Earldom settled. Olaf kept Einar's share for himself, appointing Brusi to administer it, and kept Rognvald at his court.[1]

The Orkneyinga Saga says of Rognvald:

   Rognvald was one of the handsomest of men, with a fine head of golden hair, smooth as silk. At an early age he grew to be tall and strong, earning a great reputation for his shrewdness and courtesy ...[2]

Rognvald was a supporter of Olaf Haraldsson, later Saint Olaf, sharing his exile in Kievan Rus, and helping his brother Harald Sigurdsson, better known as Harald Hardraade, escape after the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030. While Harald went on to Constantinople, Rognvald and other exiles remained in Rus, in the service of Yaroslav the Wise. Rognvald returned to Norway with Olaf's son Magnus the Good in 1035.[3]

While Rognvald was abroad, his father had died and Thorfinn Sigurdsson was ruling all of the Earldom of Orkney. Rognvald asked King Magnus for his third part of the Earldom, and Magnus agreed, giving him three ships and granting him the stewardship of Magnus's own third share. When Rognvald arrived in Orkney, he sent to his uncle Thorfinn asking him for the two thirds of the Earldom which Magnus had given him. Thorfinn agreed to give Rognvald his father's third, and the third which Magnus claimed into the bargain, although he claimed not to recognise Magnus's claim and presented this as a gift in return for Rognvald's assistance. and Rognvald worked closely together for eight years, fighting against enemies in the Hebrides and raiding Scotland and England.[4]

However, the Earls eventually fell out. The proximate cause of their quarrel, according to the saga, was the arrival of Kalf Arnesson, the uncle of Thorfinn's wife Ingibiorg Finnsdottir.

   Kalf had a large following which placed a heavy burden on the Earl's finances. Plenty of people told him that he shouldn't let Rognvald have two-thirds of the islands, considering his heavy outlay.[5]

Rognvald and Kalf Arnesson were not friends. The Orkneyinga Saga reports that Rognvald, a staunch supporter of Saint Olaf, came close to attacking Kalf in Rus, who alone among the Arnessons had betrayed Olaf, when he came to pledge his support to Magnus.[6] For that reason, if for no other, Rognvald refused to hand over the third which Thorfinn asked for. From then onwards, relations deteriorated. Rognvald was defeated in a sea-battle and sought refuge in Norway with Magnus while Thorfinn took control of the earldom.[7]

With a single ship, and a crew of picked men, Rognvald returned to Orkney hoping that surprise would enable him to retake the earldom. He succeeded, but not entirely as Thorfinn was able to flee to Caithness. However, soon afterwards, Rognvald was surprised in his turn, but was killed by Thorkell the Fosterer while escaping, given away by the barking of his lap dog.[8]

Rognvald was buried on Papa Westray. The Orkneyinga Saga offers this assessment of Rognvald:

   Everyone agrees that of all the Earls of Orkney he was the most popular and gifted, and his death was mourned by many.[9]

Twelfth-century Earl Kali Kolsson was given the name Rognvald "because Kali's mother claimed that Rognvald Brusason had been the most able of all the Earls of Orkney, and people saw this as a sign of good luck.[10]"

Notes

  1. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, cc. 17–19; Saint Olaf's Saga, cc. 100–102.

  2. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, c. 19; Saint Olaf's Saga, c. 100.

  3. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, cc. 19 &21; Saga of Harald Sigurtharson, c. 1.

  4. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, cc. 21–22; Crawford, pp. 77–78.

  5. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, c. 25.

  6. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, c. 21; Crawford, pp. 77–78.

  7. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, cc. 25–27.

  8. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, cc. 27–29.

  9. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, c. 29.

 10. ^ Orkneyinga Saga, c. 61.

References

   * Anderson, Alan Orr, Early Sources of Scottish History A.D 500–1286, volume 1. Reprinted with corrections. Paul Watkins, Stamford, 1990. ISBN 1-871615-03-8

   * Anon., Orkneyinga Saga: The History of the Earls of Orkney, tr. Hermann Pálsson and Paul Edwards. Penguin, London, 1978. ISBN 0-14-044383-5

   * Crawford, Barbara, Scandinavian Scotland. Leicester University Press, Leicester, 1987. ISBN 0-7185-1282-0

   * Sturluson, Snorri, Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway, tr. Lee M. Hollander. Reprinted University of Texas Press, Austin, 1992. ISBN 0-292-73061-6

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NOTE Ragnvald Orkneyjarl er mest truleg identisk med Ragnvald Jarl som nemnast som far til Tora, mor til Magnus Berrføtt i Sunnmørsættleggen, kjelde frå ca 1220. Ragnvald Orkneyjarl var i lange tider i Noreg.

Den grundigste kilden for Toras opphav er norsk, Sunnmørsættleggen fra omkring 1220/1350 (senere gjengitt i Adversaria Huitfeldiana), og oppgir Tora Magnus' mor som datter av Ragnvald, jarl på Godøy og Orkney. Historiker P.A.Munch skrev en oversikt over denne i 1839 (tavlene fins i Photos): http://www.soga.no/artiklar/pamunch/index.htm

P.A. Munch skriver bl a: "En annen omstendighet, hvori nærværende slegtregistre avvige fra sagaerne, eller nøyere oplyse dem, er den, at Kong Magnus Barfods moder her siges at være datter av en Ragnvald Jarl i Godø, (ikke som i sagaerne Thora Jonsdatter eller Arnesdatter), og siden gift med Ljot Jarl."

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Rognvald was taken by his father to Norway, to the court of Olaf Haraldsson, when Brusi and Thorfinn went there to have the inheritance of Einar Wry-mouth's third-share of the Earldom settled. Olaf kept Einar's share for himself, appointing Brusi to administer it, and kept Rognvald at his court.
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FROM THE SAGAS "Ragnvald, sønn til Bruse, ble igjen østpå hos kong Olav; han var så vakker som få, hadde stort hår, gult som silke; han ble tidlig stor og sterk og var en usedvanlig kjekk kar, både når det gjaldt å ha vett og å føre seg høvisk. Han ble hos kong Olav i lang tid siden. Ottar svarte nevner dette i den dråpa han diktet om kong Olav:

Fast og strengt du holder på storkongens velde; hjaltlendinger teller du blant dine tegner Før deg ingen stridsdjerv yngling her på jorda vant under seg øst fra øyer vest for havet."

fra Heimskringla, Olaf den helliges saga, Snorri Sturluson
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Earl Bruse remained behind, and took his time to get ready. Before his departure the king sent for him, and said, " It appears to me, earl, that in thee I have a man on the west side of the sea on whose fidelity I can depend; therefore I intend to give thee the two parts of the country which thou formerly hadst to rule over; for I will not that thou shouldst be a less powerful man after entering into my service than before: but I will secure thy fidelity by keeping thy son Ragnvald with me. I see well enough that with two parts of the country and my help, thou wilt be able to defend what is thy own against thy brother Thorfin." Bruse was thankful for getting two thirds instead of one third of the country, and soon after he set out, and came about autumn to Orkney; but Ragnvald, Bruse's son, remained behind in the East with King Olaf. Ragnvald was one of the handsomest men that could be seen, -- his hair long, and yellow as silk; and he soon grew up, stout and tall, and he was a very able and superb man, both of great understanding and polite manners. He was long with King Olaf. Otter Svarte speaks of these affairs in the poem he composed about King Olaf: --

"From Shetland, far off in the cold North Sea, Come chiefs who desire to be subject to thee: No king so well known for his will, and his might, To defend his own people from scaith or unright. These isles of the West midst the ocean's wild roar, Scarcely heard the voice of their sovereign before; Our bravest of sovereigns before could scarce bring These islemen so proud to acknowledge their king."

Full text: http://lind.no/nor/index.asp?lang=&emne=&vis=s_e_olav_haraldsson3

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ROGNVALD. Married Felcia OF_NORMANDY. Died 1046, , , ,

        Norway.  !GENEALOGY: Royal Ancestors of Magna Charta Barons;

        Page; 226; G929.72; C6943ra; Denver Public Library; Genealogy

             Children of ROGNVALD and _____:

           28       i   (Robert de_Brusse) BRUSI, b. Orkney, d. Normandy

             ROGNVALD and Felcia OF_NORMANDY had no children.

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Ragnvald II Bruisson Earl of Orkney

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'Castelan og Bruges 1046

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SOURCES:

GENEALOGY: Royal Ancestors of Magna Charta Barons; Page; 226; G929.72;

C6943ra; Denver Public Library; Genealogy

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Kilde: Fossmo/Berglund - slekta. Birger Nytrøen 1995

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http://www.celtic-casimir.com/webtree/4/53153.htm Born: 1011, Orkney, Scotland Married: Abt 1034 Died: Dec 1046, Papa Stronsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland Buried: Papa, Westroy, Orkney, Scotland

  Ancestral File Number: 91WZ-L8.

  Marriage Information:

Ragnvald married Countess Arlogia of Orkney, daughter of Duke Waldemar of Russia and Unknown, about 1034. (Countess Arlogia of Orkney was born about 1015 in Russia.)

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http://www.cft-win.com/getperson.php?personID=I012119&tree=Norway

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http://www.ourfamilyhistories.org/getperson.php?personID=I48683&tre...

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NORSE PREDECESSORS of the EARLS of ORKNEY - subject to King of Norway until after 1379

Ragnvald II Brusisson, Jarl of two-thirds at Orkney Autumn 1038, b. 1011. He was taken by his father to Norway in the spring of 1021 and left as a hostage with St. Olaf (1021-1028), attended him into exile at Novgorod, returned with him to Norway, and was defeated with him at the battle of Stikklestad (29 July 1030); but he escaped to Sweden with St. Olaf’s half-brother Harald Hardradi, then aged about fifteen and wounded in the battle. Thence in the spring of 1031 they went to Novgorod, where the Grand Duke Yaroslav made Harold, Ragnvald and his son Eilif, officers in his guard (Landvarnar-madr). Ragnvald, who "had the wardership of the land in the summers but was in Holmgard (Novgorod) in the winters," returned to Norway with Magnus the Good (then aged 11), son of St. Olaf, in 1036. As a result of the quarrel which ended this alliance, Jarl Ragnvald was killed by Thorfinn’s chief minister, Thorkel Fosterer, in Dec. 1046. His wife’s name is not recorded. He had a son Eilif abovenamed, who does not appear ever to have claimed a share of Orkney.

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Born and died in Scotland, now known as a part of England.