Ragnall V Olafsson
Encyclopedia
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 Rushen
, on the Isle of Man
. Rögnvaldr was succeeded by his cousin, Haraldr Guðrøðarson (fl.
1250), who may have had a part to play in his assassination. Haraldr was later deprived of the kingship by the Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway (d. 1263).
1249).
of sea-kings that ruled the Isle of Man
(Mann) and parts of the Hebrides
from the late 11th century to the mid 13th century. Although the identity of the mother of Óláfr's sons is uncertain, she is generally considered to have been his second wife, Christina, daughter of Ferchar
, Earl of Ross
(d. circa
1251).
. On the couple's return voyage, their ship floundered off Shetland and all aboard were lost. According to the Chronicle of Mann
, Rögnvaldr succeeded to the kingship on 6 May 1249. His reign was however an extremely short one. The chronicle records that on 30 May 1249, Rögnvaldr was slain in a meadow
near the church of the Holy Trinity at Rushen
, and buried at the Church of St Mary at Rushen. The chronicle names Rögnvaldr's killers as a certain Ívarr, who is described as a knight
, and several followers of Ívarr. Following Rögnvaldr's death, the kingship was then taken by Haraldr Guðrøðarson, son of Guðrøðar Rögnvaldsson, King of the Isles
(d. 1231), son of Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles (d. 1229).
The chronology of events surrounding Rögnvaldr Óláfsson's death suggests that Haraldr Guðrøðarson and Ívarr were allies. Moreover, a letter of Henry III, King of England, dated April 1256, commands his men not to receive the Haraldr and Ívarr who "wickedly slew" Rögnvaldr. The identity of Ívarr is uncertain. It has been suggested that he might have a member of the Crovan dynasty. A man of the name was one of the sons of (Óláfr's father) Guðrøðr Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles (d. 1187), although nothing more is known of him, and it is unlikely that man born before 1187 would have been active in 1249. The unknown Ívarr's designation as a knight (Yuaro milite) may indicate that he was an élite
of some sort. The chronicle makes no mention of his 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 the domino Yuor' de Mann ("Lord Ívarr of Mann") who is recorded in one of Haraldr Óláfsson's charters of 1246.
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...
, on 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...
. Rögnvaldr was succeeded by his cousin, Haraldr Guðrøðarson (fl.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1250), who may have had a part to play in his assassination. Haraldr was later deprived of the kingship by the Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway (d. 1263).
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 Rögnvaldr Óláfsson (shown in boldface) is shown in relation to his successor, Haraldr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles (fl.Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1249).
Background
Rögnvaldr was a son of Óláfr Guðrøðarson, King of Mann and the Isles (d. 1237). Rögnvaldr and his father were members 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 that 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. Although the identity of the mother of Óláfr's sons is uncertain, she is generally considered to have been his second wife, Christina, daughter of Ferchar
Fearchar, Earl of Ross
Fearchar of Ross or Ferchar mac in tSagairt , was the first Mormaer or Earl of Ross we know of from the thirteenth century, whose career brought Ross into the fold of the Scottish kings for the first time, and who is remembered as the founder of the Earldom of Ross.-Origins:The traditional...
, Earl of Ross
Earl of Ross
The Mormaer or Earl of Ross was the leader of a medieval Gaelic lordship in northern Scotland, roughly between the River Oykel and the River Beauly.-Origins and transfers:...
(d. circa
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1251).
Ascension and assassination
Óláfr died and in 1237, and was succeeded by his son, Haraldr, who ruled the island-kingdom for 12 years. In about 1248, Haraldr travelled to Norway and married Cecilia, daughter of Hákon Hákonarson, King of NorwayHaakon 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....
. On the couple's return voyage, their ship floundered off Shetland and all aboard were lost. According to the 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....
, Rögnvaldr succeeded to the kingship on 6 May 1249. His reign was however an extremely short one. The chronicle records that on 30 May 1249, Rögnvaldr 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 buried at the Church of St Mary at Rushen. The chronicle names Rögnvaldr's killers as a certain Ívarr, who is described as 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....
, and several followers of Ívarr. Following Rögnvaldr's death, the kingship was then taken by Haraldr Guðrøðarson, son of Guðrøðar 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), son of Rögnvaldr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles (d. 1229).
The chronology of events surrounding Rögnvaldr Óláfsson's death suggests that Haraldr Guðrøðarson and Ívarr were allies. Moreover, a letter of Henry III, King of England, dated April 1256, commands his men not to receive the Haraldr and Ívarr who "wickedly slew" Rögnvaldr. The identity of Ívarr is uncertain. It has been suggested that he might have a member of the Crovan dynasty. A man of the name was one of the sons of (Óláfr's father) Guðrøðr Óláfsson, King of Mann and the Isles (d. 1187), although nothing more is known of him, and it is unlikely that man born before 1187 would have been active in 1249. The unknown Ívarr's designation as a knight (Yuaro milite) 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. The chronicle makes no mention of his 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 the domino Yuor' de Mann ("Lord Ívarr of Mann") who is recorded in one of Haraldr Óláfsson's charters of 1246.