Brusi Sigurdsson
Encyclopedia
Brusi Sigurdsson was one of Sigurd Hlodvirsson's four sons ( together with Thorfinn, Einar and Sumarlidi
). He was jointly Earl of Orkney
from 1014. His life is recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga
.
When Earl Sigurd was killed at the Battle of Clontarf
, he left four sons: Brusi, Sumarlidi
, Einar and Thorfinn. Thorfinn was only a child, whereas his three brothers were grown men, so the Earldom was divided between the three older brothers.
Sumarlidi died soon after, and Einar, called Wry-Mouth, took his share, ruling two-thirds of the Earldom and leaving a third for Brusi. Einar soon became unpopular, demanding heavy taxes and frequent military service from the farmers, and gaining little booty on his raids. He was, the saga says, "a great bully", whereas Brusi was "gentle, restrained, unassuming and a fine speaker" and "well liked by everyone".
Brusi had to make peace between Einar and Thorfinn when the youngest brother grew to manhood, not once but twice. In the end, Einar plotted Thorfinn's death but was found out and killed by Thorfinn. The agreement made with Einar meant that Brusi inherited another third of the earldom on Einar's death, leaving Thorfinn with one part of the earldom, Brusi with two. Thorfinn was not pleased with this arrangement, and asked Brusi for a half share. This Brusi refused. However, while Thorfinn could count on the aid of his maternal grandfather, Máel Coluim mac Cináeda
, Brusi could rely only on his own resources.
To find support Brusi went to Norway
, to the court of King Olaf Haraldsson
, to have the sharing out of the Earldom settled, and Thorfinn followed him there. Olaf kept Einar's share for himself, appointing Brusi to administer it, and kept Brusi's son Rognvald
at his court. Brusi later gave Thorfinn the disputed third of the islands in return for Thorfinn seeing to the defence of Orkney and Shetland.
Brusi died before 1035 as the saga says he had died before his son Rognvald accompanied Magnus the Good back to Norway.
Sumarlidi Sigurdsson
Sumarlidi Sigurdsson was jointly Earl of Orkney with his brothers Brusi and Einar Wry-Mouth following the death of their father, Sigurd Hlodvisson at the battle of Clontarf.Sumarlidi is reported to have died in his bed...
). He was jointly 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...
from 1014. His life is recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga
Orkneyinga saga
The Orkneyinga saga is a historical narrative of the history of the Orkney Islands, from their capture by the Norwegian king in the ninth century onwards until about 1200...
.
When Earl Sigurd was killed at the Battle of Clontarf
Battle of Clontarf
The Battle of Clontarf took place on 23 April 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada: composed mainly of his own men, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by his cousin Sigtrygg, as well as the one rebellious...
, he left four sons: Brusi, Sumarlidi
Sumarlidi Sigurdsson
Sumarlidi Sigurdsson was jointly Earl of Orkney with his brothers Brusi and Einar Wry-Mouth following the death of their father, Sigurd Hlodvisson at the battle of Clontarf.Sumarlidi is reported to have died in his bed...
, Einar and Thorfinn. Thorfinn was only a child, whereas his three brothers were grown men, so the Earldom was divided between the three older brothers.
Sumarlidi died soon after, and Einar, called Wry-Mouth, took his share, ruling two-thirds of the Earldom and leaving a third for Brusi. Einar soon became unpopular, demanding heavy taxes and frequent military service from the farmers, and gaining little booty on his raids. He was, the saga says, "a great bully", whereas Brusi was "gentle, restrained, unassuming and a fine speaker" and "well liked by everyone".
Brusi had to make peace between Einar and Thorfinn when the youngest brother grew to manhood, not once but twice. In the end, Einar plotted Thorfinn's death but was found out and killed by Thorfinn. The agreement made with Einar meant that Brusi inherited another third of the earldom on Einar's death, leaving Thorfinn with one part of the earldom, Brusi with two. Thorfinn was not pleased with this arrangement, and asked Brusi for a half share. This Brusi refused. However, while Thorfinn could count on the aid of his maternal grandfather, Máel Coluim mac Cináeda
Malcolm II of Scotland
Máel Coluim mac Cináeda , was King of the Scots from 1005 until his death...
, Brusi could rely only on his own resources.
To find support Brusi went to Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, to the court of King Olaf Haraldsson
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...
, to have the sharing out of the Earldom settled, and Thorfinn followed him there. Olaf kept Einar's share for himself, appointing Brusi to administer it, and kept Brusi's son Rognvald
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....
at his court. Brusi later gave Thorfinn the disputed third of the islands in return for Thorfinn seeing to the defence of Orkney and Shetland.
Brusi died before 1035 as the saga says he had died before his son Rognvald accompanied Magnus the Good back to Norway.