| Notes |
- Sigtrygg Silkbeard
King of Dublin
Reign 989/995–1036
Predecessor Glúniairn / Ivar of Waterford
Successor Echmarcach mac Ragnaill
Born c. 970
Dublin, Ireland
Died 1042 (aged ≈ 72)
Dublin
Spouse Sláine
House Uí Ímhair
Father Olaf Cuarán
Mother Gormflaith ingen Murchada
Sigtrygg Silkbeard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sigtrygg II Silkbeard Olafsson (also Sihtric, Sitric[1] and
Sitrick in Irish texts; or Sigtryg[2] and Sigtryggr[3] in
Scandinavian texts) was a Hiberno-Norse king of Dublin
(possibly AD 989–994; restored or began 995–1000; restored
1000 and abdicated 1036) of the Uí Ímair dynasty. He was
caught up in the abortive Leinster revolt of 999–1000, after
which he was forced to submit to the King of Munster, Brian
Boru. His family also conducted a double marriage alliance
with Boru, although he later realigned himself with the main
leaders of the Leinster revolt of 1012–1014. He has a
prominent role in the 12th-century Irish Cogadh Gaedhil re
Gallaibh and the 13th century Icelandic Njal's Saga, as the
main Norse leader at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
Sigtrygg's long reign spanned 46 years, until his abdication
in 1036.[4] During that period, his armies saw action in four
of the five Irish provinces of the time. In particular, he
conducted a long series of raids into territories such as
Meath, Wicklow, Ulster, and perhaps even the coast of
Wales. He also came into conflict with rival Norse kings, especially in Cork and Waterford.
He went on pilgrimage to Rome in 1028 and is associated with the foundation of Christ Church Cathedral in
Dublin. Although Dublin underwent several reversals of fortune during his reign, on the whole trade in the city
flourished. He died in 1042.[4]
Contents
1 Life
1.1 Family
1.2 King of Dublin
1.2.1 First Leinster revolt against Brian Boru
1.2.2 Years between the revolts
1.2.3 Second Leinster revolt against Brian Boru
1.2.4 Reign after Clontarf
2 Issue and legacy
3 See also
4 Footnotes
5 References
6 External links
Life
Family
A posthumous "Sihtric" coin from the
British Museum, minted at Dublin c.
1050
Sigtrygg was of Norse and Irish ancestry.[2] He was a son of Olaf Cuarán (also called Kváran), King of York
and of Dublin, and Gormflaith ingen Murchada.[3] Gormflaith was the daughter of the King of Leinster,
Murchad mac Finn,[5] and the sister of his successor, King Máel Mórda of Leinster.[3] She had previously been
married to the King of Meath and High King of Ireland, Máel Sechnaill[3] — the first of her three husbands.
She was a beautiful, powerful and intriguing Irish woman,[3] who according to the 13th-century Icelandic Njál's
saga, was "the fairest of all women, and best gifted in everything that was not in her own power, but it was the
talk of men that she did all things ill over which she had any power".[3][6] Sigtrygg's paternal half-brother was
Glúniairn, "Iron-knee", who ruled as King of Dublin from 980–989.
An incident involving the ransom of one of Sigtrygg's sons late in his reign, in which "seven score British
horse" were mentioned in the list of demands,[7] suggests that Dublin was one of the main ports for importing
horses into 11th century Ireland, and that Sigtrygg and his family may have been personally involved in animal
husbandry.[8]
King of Dublin
Sigtrygg may have succeeded his paternal half-brother Glúniairn as king
of Dublin in 989,[4] but it is just as likely his rival Ivar of Waterford
came to power in the city then.[9] The Irish annals record little
information about Sigtrygg, his family or Dublin during these first five
years of his reign.[10] Benjamin Hudson claims this was because of the
arrival of the future King of Norway, Olaf Tryggvason, who took up
residence in Dublin for a few years after marrying Sigtrygg's sister
Gytha.[10] Tryggvason had met Gytha while raiding along the coasts of
the Irish Sea.[10] The presence of a powerful Viking leader in Dublin
was a deterrent to Irish raids, and Trygvason may have weakened
Sigtrygg's foes by plundering them.[11]
Hudson argues that Tryggvason's return to Norway in 994 coincided
with the temporary expulsion of Sigtrygg from Dublin by his rival Ivar
of Waterford,.[12] Ivar may have already ruled there from 989 until
forced out by Sigtrygg in 993. Much depends on the interpretation.
Either way, Sigtrygg was back within a year. In 995, he and his nephew, Muirchertach Ua Congalaich, attacked
the church at Donaghpatrick in County Meath.[12] In retaliation, Máel Sechnaill entered Dublin and took the
ring of Thor and the sword of Carlus.[12] Sigtrygg then attacked Kells and Clonard in 997.[12] In 998, Máel
Sechnaill and the King of Munster, Brian Boru, forced Sigtrygg to recognise their lordship by giving
hostages.[12]
Sigtrygg realised that Dublin's wealth made him a target, and that his city needed powerful allies and walls.[12]
The Dublin countryside did not provide sufficient resources for competition against powerful Irish princes.[12]
Sigtrygg first allied with his maternal uncle, Máel Mórda mac Murchada, King of the Uí Fáeláin of north
Leinster.[12] In 999, they defeated their cousin the King of Leinster Donnchad mac Domhnaill, and imprisoned
him in Dublin.[12]
First Leinster revolt against Brian Boru
Late in 999, the Leinstermen, historically hostile to domination by either the Uí Néill overkings or the king of
Munster, allied themselves with the Norse of Dublin and revolted against Brian Boru.[1] This provided the
opportunity for Sigtrygg's second alliance with Máel Mórda mac Murchada.[12] Brian's forces inflicted a
crushing defeat on the united Leinster-Dublin army at the Battle of Glenmama, and followed the victory with
Inch Abbey (Inis Cumhscraigh),
plundered by Sigtrygg in 1002
an attack on the city of Dublin.[1] The 12th-century Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh gives two accounts of the
occupation: Brian remained in Dublin from Christmas Day until Epiphany (6 January), or from Christmas Day
until St. Brigid's Day (1 February).[12] The later Annals of Ulster date the Battle of Glenmama to 30 December
999,[13] while the Annals of Inisfallen date Brian's capture of the city to 1 January 1000.[14] In any case, in
1000 Brian plundered the city, burned the Norse fortress and expelled Sigtrygg.[1]
According to the Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh, Sigtrygg's flight from the city took him north, first to the Ulaid
and then to Aéd of Cenél nEógain.[15] Both tribes refused to help him.[15] As Sigtrygg could find no refuge in
Ireland, he eventually returned, submitted to Brian, gave hostages and was restored to Dublin three months
after Brian ended his occupation in February.[1][12] In the meantime, Sigtrygg may have temporarily "turned
pirate" and been responsible for a raid on St David's in Wales.[15]
Brian's daughter by his first wife was married to Sigtrygg,[3] and Brian in turn took Sigtrygg's mother, the now
thrice-married Gormflaith, as his second wife.[3]
Years between the revolts
Dublin enjoyed a sustained period of peace while Sigtrygg's men served
in the armies of Brian.[16] Sigtrygg never forgot the Ulaid's refusal of
aid when he fled from Dublin, and in 1002 he had his revenge when his
soldiers served in Brian's campaign against the Ulaid and ravaged their
lands.[12][16] His fleet raided Ulster, and he plundered Kilclief and Inis
Cumhscraigh, taking many prisoners from both.[17] They served under
Brian against the Ulaid again in 1005, and against the Northern Uí Néill
in 1006 and 1007.[16] Cenél Conaill, the last of the Northern Uí Néill
Kingdoms, submitted in 1011, and Brian was formally recognised as
High King throughout Ireland.[16]
A remembrance of Sigtrygg's reign during these years is preserved in
the late medieval Icelandic Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent's Tongue.[18] Only fragments survive of the verses in the
Sigtryggsdrápa, a drápa composed by the skald Gunnlaug Illugason while visiting Sigtrygg's court.[18] The
verses praise Sigtrygg for his royal ancestry, and describe Dublin as a busy, thriving port.[18] Archaeological
excavations of ships, gold, clothing, and pieces for games from around this time seem to confirm the
description.[18] According to the prose, Sigtrygg considered rewarding the poet with ships and gold, but instead
granted him a new suit of clothes.[18]
Second Leinster revolt against Brian Boru
Some time during the 1010s, Brian Boru divorced Queen Gormflaith, and she began to engineer opposition to
the High King.[19] Around 1012, relations between Brian and Leinster had become so strained that revolt broke
out among the Leinstermen.[20] Sigtrygg aligned himself with the forces of Máel Mórda, leader of the revolt,
and the chiefs Ua Ruairc, Ua Néill, and others.[21] Together, they defeated Brian's ally Máel Sechnaill near the
town of Swords, and Brian for the moment was unable to render assistance.[21]
Sigtrygg sent his son Oleif to lead a fleet south to Munster to burn the Viking settlement of Cork.[16] The fleet
also attacked Cape Clear, crippling Brian's naval power, which was concentrated in Cork.[16]
The Viking settlements of Cork,
Limerick, Waterford and Wexford
(Part of the Kingdom of Munster,
under the control of Boru)
The Kingdom of Dublin, under
the control of Sigtrygg
According to Njál's saga, Gormflaith "egged on her son Sigtrygg very
much to kill King Brian",[6] sending him to win the support of Earl
Sigurd of Orkney, and Bróðir and Óspak of Man at any price.[21]
Sigtrygg arrived in Orkney for Sigurd's Yule feast, where he sat in a
high seat between the two brothers-in-law, Earl Sigurd of Orkney and
Earl Gilli of the Southern Isles.[6] The saga also records that Sigtrygg
was very interested in the Burning of Njáll Þorgeirsson at Bergþórshvoll
and what had happened since.[6] Afterwards, Sigtrygg bade Sigurd to go
to war with him against Brian.[22] Despite Sigurd's initial hesitance and
against the advice of his men, he eventually agreed to arrive in Dublin
by Palm Sunday with all his men, on the condition that if Brian was
slain, Sigurd would marry Gormflaith and become King of
Ireland.[22][23]
Sigtrygg went next to Man, where he also persuaded Bróðir to be in
Dublin by Palm Sunday,[20][24] and he promised Bróðir too that, if
successful, he would be allowed marry Gormflaith and become King of
Ireland; the terms of this agreement were kept secret.[25] Óspak was
dissatisfied with the arrangement,[23] and refused to "fight against so good a king".[22]
The two forces met at the Battle of Clontarf, on Good Friday in 1014, a battle that claimed the lives of the main
commanders on both sides: Brian and his son Murchad on the Munster side; and Máel Mórda, Sigurd and
Bróðir on the Leinster-Norse side.[26] According to Irish sources, Sigtrygg did not take part in the battle, but
held his garrison in reserve in Dublin.[27] The Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh records that Sigtrygg was able to
observe the progress of the battle and the movement of the battle standards from the ramparts of his fortress.[28]
As the modern Irish medievalist historian Donnchadh Ó Corráin notes, Sigtrygg "wisely kept within the city
and lived to tell the tale".[26]
Earlier Scandinavian sources (the Orkneyinga saga, Njál's saga and the Darraðarljóð, composed soon after the
battle) contend that he did actually fight valiantly at Clontarf.[28] The Darraðarljóð, showing the persistence of
paganism among the Vikings of Dublin, describes the Valkyries as following the "young king" Sigtrygg into
battle.[29] Njal's Saga records that Sigtrygg was on the wing opposite Óspak of Man for the whole battle, and
that Óspak eventually put the king to flight.[30]
Reign after Clontarf
Immediately after Clontarf, Sigtrygg's fortunes appear to have declined, even though he emerged with his
kingdom intact.[31] Máel Sechnaill, now again recognised as high king, was undoubtedly the battle's main
beneficiary.[31] In 1015, plague struck Dublin and Leinster, and Máel Sechnaill seized the opportunity to march
south to burn Dublin's suburbs.[31] While Sigtrygg was able to ally with Leinster for another attack on Meath in
1017, the alliance was dissolved when Sigtrygg blinded his cousin Bróen, Máel Morda's son and heir, in
Dublin.[31]
In 1018, Sigtrygg plundered Kells; he "carried off innumerable spoils and prisoners, and slew many persons in
the middle of the church".[32] These captives would either have been ransomed or sold off into Dublin's
lucrative slave trade.[33] When Sigtrygg raided south in 1021, he was defeated at Delgany in County
Wicklow[33] where the new King of Leinster, Augaire mac Dúnlainge, "made a dreadful slaughter of the
foreigners" in the Kingdom of Breifne.[34] In 1022, the Dublin fleet sailed north against the Ulaid, only to be
destroyed in a naval battle against Niall mac Eochaid, after which the Norse crews and ships were taken
prisoner.[33]
The medieval tower of the stone
church of Ardbraccan, County Meath,
in which Sigtrygg burned over 200
men
According to the American medievalist historian Benjamin Hudson, "matters went from bad to worse" for
Sigtrygg after the death of Máel Sechnaill in 1022.[35] The great Irish princes began to compete for the High
Kingship, and the political situation in Ireland became chaotic as there was no clear choice for supremacy.[35]
Accordingly, "Dublin became a prize for those who would rule Ireland and wanted the town's wealth to finance
their ambitions."[35]
Hostages were taken from Sigtrygg by Flaithbertach Ua Néill, King of
Cenél nEógain and the Uí Néill, and Donnchad mac Briain of Munster
in 1025 and 1026 respectively, in support of their bids for the high
kingship.[35] These hostages brought no security, and Dublin was raided
in 1026 by Niall mac Eocada of the Ulaid in revenge for the naval
attack of 1022.[36] Sigtrygg formed a new alliance with the men of
Brega.[37] In 1027, Sigtrygg's son Olaf joined Donnchad of Brega in a
raid on Staholmock, County Meath.[37] Sigtrygg and Donnchad's army
was defeated by the men of Meath under their king, Roen Ua Mael
Sechlainn.[37][38] Sigtrygg rallied to the fight again at Lickblaw where
Donnchad and Roen were slain.[37][38]
In 1029, Sigtrygg's son Olaf was taken prisoner by the new lord of
Brega, Mathghamhain Ua Riagain.[7] Sigtrygg was forced to pay a
ransom of 1,200 cows, 140 British horses, 60 ounces of gold and of
silver, "the sword of Carlus", the Irish hostages of Leinster and Leath
Cuinn, "four hostages to Ua Riagain as a security for peace, and the full
value of the life of the third hostage."[7] An additional 80 cows "for
word and supplication"[7] were to be paid to the man who entreated for
Olaf's release.[8] The incident illustrates the importance of ransoming
noble captives, as a means of political manipulation, increasing one's own revenues and exhausting the
resources of one's foes.[8]
Sigtrygg's fortunes improved in the 1030s. In 1030, he allied with the King of England, Cnut, and together their
fleets raided Wales.[39] A Dublin colony was established in Gwynedd, and for the following years Sigtrygg was
at the height of his power.[39] In 1032, without allies, Sigtrygg won a victory on the Boyne estuary of a type
previously unseen by his dynasty for two decades, against a coalition of three kingdoms:[37] over 300 members
of the Conailli, the Ui Tortain, and the Ui Meith were captured or killed at the Battle of Inbher Boinne.[40] In
1035, he plundered the celebrated stone church Ardbraccan in Meath, burned 200 men inside, and carried
another 200 off into captivity.[37] (In revenge, the church at Swords was plundered and burned by Conchobhar
Ua Maeleachlainn,[41] who took away cattle and captives.[37])
Meanwhile, in a renewal of ancient feuds that same year, Sigtrygg executed Ragnall King of Waterford, in
Dublin[41] Ragnall was the grandson of the Ivar, Sigtrygg's earliest rival, who had contested for Dublin decades
before.[37] Echmarcach mac Ragnaill, King of the Isles forced Sigtrygg to abdicate in 1036.[39] Sigtrygg died in
exile, at an unknown place, in 1042.[39]
Issue and legacy
Sigtrygg married Brian Boru's daughter, Sláine, and they had one son: Olaf (d. 1034).[4] According to the
Annals of the Four Masters, Olaf "was slain by the Saxons" on his way on a pilgrimage to Rome.[41] He was
survived by one Ragnhild, from whom Gruffudd ap Cynan and the Kings of Gwynedd were descended.[4]
Christ Church Cathedral, founded by
Sigtrygg c.1028
Separately from Sláine, Sigtrygg had five children: Artalach (d. 999),
Oleif (d. 1013), Godfrey (d. 1036), Glúniairn (d. 1031) and Cellach (d.
1042).[4][39] The annals record the death of Oleif—"son of the lord of
the foreigners"—who was killed in revenge for the burning of Cork.[42]
Glúniairn was killed by the people of South Brega in 1031.[43] Godfrey
was killed in Wales in 1036 by one Sitric, "son of Glúniairn"—as
factionalism was common among Viking settlers, this could have been
the same Glúniairn as Sigtrygg's half-brother, thus making Godfrey and
his killer cousins.[44] Sigtrygg's daughter Cellach died in the same
month as her father.[45]
Sigtrygg was also, according to the Oxford Dictionary of National
Biography, "a patron of the arts, a benefactor of the church, and an
economic innovator".[39] In the 990s, he established Ireland's first mint, in Dublin.[39] He established a
bishopric at Dublin and in 1028 he made a pilgrimage to Rome.[39][46] It is thus possible to attribute the origins
of the establishment of territorial bishoprics in Ireland on the Roman model, one of the most important results
of 11th-century Irish Church Reform, to Sigtrygg.[47] He went on to found Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin,
which today is the oldest building in Dublin, but relatively young in comparison to the many monastic
cathedrals in the rest of Ireland. Like many of the other coastal cathedrals in Ireland, it is of Hiberno-Norse
origin. The cathedral, initially a wooden building, was rebuilt in stone in the 1180s following the arrival of the
Anglo-Normans to Ireland, led by Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke.[2]
See also
Early Medieval Ireland 800–1166
History of Dublin
Church of Ireland
Footnotes
1. Ó Corráin, p 123
2. Winn, p 46
3. Mac Manus, p 278
4. Hudson, p 83
5. "Part 13 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text013.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 821. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
6. "Chapter 153 - Kari goes abroad" (http://www.sagadb.org/brennu-njals_saga.en#153). Njal's Saga. www.sagadb.org.
Retrieved 2009-03-03.
7. "Part 13 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text013.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 819. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
8. Hudson, p 111
9. Etchingham, p. 181
10. Hudson, p 84
11. Hudson, p 85
12. Hudson, p 86
13. "Entry for AD 999 of the Annals of Ulster "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/text568.html.) Annals of
Ulster. University College Cork. p. 745. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
14. Hudson, p 86-87
15. Hudson, p 87
16. Hudson, p 95
17. "Part 10 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text010.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 745. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
18. Hudson, p 94
19. MacManus, p 278-279
References
Etchingham, Colmán, "North Wales, Ireland and the Isles: the Insular Viking zone", in Peritia 15 (2001
[2002]): 145–187.
Hudson, Benjamin T (2005). Viking Pirates and Christian Princes: Dynasty, Religion, and Empire in the
North Atlantic (Illustrated ed.). United States: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195162374, ISBN 978-0-
19-516237-0.
MacManus, Seumas (1921). The Story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland. Ireland: The Irish
Publishing Co. ISBN 0-517-06408-1.
Ó Corráin, Donnchadh (1972). Ireland Before the Normans. Ireland: Gill and Macmillan.
Richter, Michael (2005). Medieval Ireland: The Enduring Tradition (Revised, illustrated ed.). Gill &
Macmillan. ISBN 0717132935, ISBN 978-0-7171-3293-5.
Winn, Christopher (2007). I Never Knew that About Ireland. Illustrated by Osawa, Mai (Illustrated ed.).
Macmillan. ISBN 0312368801, ISBN 978-0-312-36880-7.
External links
20. Ó Corráin, p 129
21. MacManus, p 279
22. "Chapter 154 - Gunnar Lambi's son's slaying" (http://www.sagadb.org/brennu-njals_saga.en#154). Njal's Saga.
www.sagadb.org. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
23. MacManus, p280
24. "Chapter 155 - Of signs and wonders" (http://www.sagadb.org/brennu-njals_saga.en#155). Njal's Saga.
www.sagadb.org. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
25. MacManus, p 279-280
26. Ó Corráin, p 130
27. MacManus, p 281
28. Hudson, p 101
29. Hudson, p 103
30. "Chapter 156 - Brian's battle" (http://www.sagadb.org/brennu-njals_saga.en#156). Njal's Saga. www.sagadb.org.
Retrieved 2009-03-03.
31. Hudson, p 104
32. "Part 12 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text010.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 793. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
33. Hudson, p 108
34. "Part 12 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text012.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 799. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
35. Hudson, p 109
36. Hudson, p 109-110
37. Hudson, p 110
38. "Part 13 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text013.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 815. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
39. Hudson, Benjamin T. "Sihtric (Sigtryggr Óláfsson, Sigtryggr Silkiskegg) (d. 1042)"O. xford Dictionary of National
Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press.d oi:10.1093/ref:odnb/25545 (https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fref%3Aodn
b%2F25545). (Subscription or UK public library membership (https://global.oup.com/oxforddnb/info/freeodnb/libraries/)
required.)
40. "Part 13 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text013.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 825. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
41. "Part 14 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text014.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 831. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
42. "Part 11 of the Annals of the Four Masters" (http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text01.html). Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 769. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
43. "Part 13 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text013.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 823. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
44. Hudson, p 82
45. "Part 14 of the Annals of the Four Masters "(http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text014.html.) Annals of the Four
Masters. University College Cork. p. 843. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
46. Richter, p 124-125
47. Richter, p 125
Njal's Saga
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Glúniairn
(Ivar of Waterford)
King of Dublin
Succeeded by
Echmarcach mac
Ragnaill
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sigtrygg_Silkbeard&oldid=754727687"
Categories: 1042 deaths Monarchs of Dublin Norse-Gaels People from County Dublin
11th-century monarchs in Europe 10th-century monarchs in Europe Uí Ímair
10th-century Irish monarchs 11th-century Irish people
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970 - 1042 (72 years)
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