Showing posts with label Olaf the Black Godredsson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olaf the Black Godredsson. Show all posts

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Godred The Black Olafsson

Godred The Black Olafsson also known as Godredd II and Gofraidh mac Amhlaibh, King of Mann, succeeded in 1143, the son of Olaf and Elfrica or Aufrica of Galloway.

He married Phingola or Fionghuala MacLochlan.

In 1156 Doughal mac Somerled, Godred's sister's son, intended to take the throne as King of the Isles. His brother in law Sumarlidhi Hold defeated him in a sea battle. They divided the Isles between them. Godred took the islands north of Ardnamurchand and Somerled took the rest. Somerled died and Godred returned to his lands. In 1158, Somerled returned and attacked the Isle of Mann again, defeating Godred, who was forced to flee to Norway.

Somerled succeeded Godred as King of the Isles.

About 1164, Reginald II, who was Godred's younger brother took the throne of Mann, but not managing to take the other isles from Somerled. Then Godred took the throne of Man from his brother and ruled Mann and the Northern Hebrides. His lands were called the Dudreys or south isles.

Godred the Black Olafsson died November 10, 1187. He was succeeded by his son Reginald IV, despite his having designated his son Olaf as his heir.
Olaf the Black Godredsson, King of Mann and the Northern Isles, born about 1173-1177, the son of Godred the Black Olafsson. His younger brother Ragnald IV usurped his succession. Olaf fought with him for years. After he killed him, Olaf took the throne in the year 1229.

Olaf was driven out of Man in the following year, by Alan of Galloway. He was forced to flee to Norway for assistance.. Early in 1230 he sailed from Norway with his nephew Godred Dunn. Different accounts say he had a fleet of between 20 and 80 ships He invaded the Isle of Bute and captured Rothesay Castle, which the Stewart dynasty held. They then sailed to Mann and took it back. He married a Lady from Kintyre. He married second Joan Unknown and as his third wife he married Christina Ross, daughter of Farquar, Earl of Ross.

Olaf died 1237 at Peel Castle, on the Isle of St. Patrick.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaf_II_of_the_Isle_of_Man

Leod Olafsson

In the year 1237 Leod Olafson or Olafsson became the last king of the Isles, from his name came the family name of MacLeod. He was born about 1200, the son of Olaf the Black,King of Man and the Northern Isles. His mother was Christina Ross.

His ancestry goes back to a Norwegian King of Mann. He married the heiress of Gofra Macrilt Armuinn (Godrey MacHarold the tax gatherer). By this marriage he gained Dun Bheagan. He had two sons Tormod and Torquil In order to keep them from fighting, Leod decided to give them land before his death. Tormod received part of their homeland known as Harris and Skye, or Siol Tormod.

Torquil received Lewis, or Siol Torquil. Tormod did not like the division, because Tormod's land was greater in size. Leod felt that Tormod's land was superior in quality, since it had good farming land, He also told his son that Torquil would have to ask to pass over his brother's land in order to get to Uist.

Tormod based his holdings at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye. It was said to have been built by Norwegians in the 9th century. Skye was the most easily defended island and Dunvegan castle allowed him to do this.

When Leod died, about 1280, he was buried at Iona. Tormod became his heir as oldest son, and Chief of Clan MacLeod.

Torquil married the heiress of the MacNicols, and by this marriage gained Assynt and other land in Wester Ross and was given a charter by David II, and became an independent chieftain. His descendants were known as MacLeod of Raasay.

Sources:
Am Bratach Sith of Dunvegan‎ - Page 87
by Duncan Hamilton - Non-Classifiable - 2008 -
 
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