THE HISTORY OF MY ICELANDIC AND ROYAL ANCESTORS (ON MY MOTHERS SIDE OF THE FAMILY )

line will be in Blue, Grandmothers will be in Red, Danish in Green, when they are linked together it will be in Black.

(37) Haraldur “harfagri” Halfdanarson, (Fair hair) b. in 850, d. in 933, he was the founder and first King of Norway. He succeeded, on the death of his father Halfdan the Black Gudrodsson in A,D. 860, to the sovereignty of several small, and somewhat scattered kingdoms in Vestfold, which lay chiefly in southeast Norway. In 866, Harald made the first of a series of conquests over the many petty kingdoms which then composed Norway, including Varmland in Sweden, which had sworn allegiance to the Svea king Erik Eymundsson. In 872, after a great victory at Hafrsfjord near Stavanger, Harald found himself king over the whole country. His realm was, however, threatened by dangers from without, as large numbers of his opponents had taken refuge, not only in Iceland, then recently discovered; but also in the Orkney islands, Shetland islands, Hebrides islands and Faroe islands, and in Scotland itself, and from these winter quarters sallied forth to harry Norway, as well as the rest of northern Europe. However, his opponents leaving on their own wasn’t entirely voluntary. Many Norwegian chieftains that were wealthy and respected posed a threat to harald; therefore, they were subjected to much harassment from Harald, prompting them to vacate the land. This course of action led to the major settling of Iceland and beyond. In away, King Harald contributed to modern Icelandic society, and the writing of the Icelandic Sagas. Their numbers were increased by “malcontents” from Norway, who resented Harald’s claim of rights of taxation over lands, which the possessors appear to have previously held in absolute ownership. At last, Harald was forced to make an expedition to the west, to clear the islands and Scottish mainland of Vikings. A great number of them fled to Iceland, which grew into an independent commonwealth, while the Scottish isles fell under Norwegian rule. Harald died at a good old age of 83 years, in 933, having had eight wives and 23 children. I am a direct ancestor through two of his sons, Pordur vikingsson Haraldsson, and Sigurdur “hrisi” Haraldsson, and it is through Sigurdur that I will continue this ancestral line.

(36) Sigurdur “hrisi” Haraldsson, b. in 890, d. in 934, King of Hringarikis Oslo area in southern Norway. He became king of Hringarikis, when his father king Harald divided the lands in Norway amongst his sons.

(35) Halfdan Sigurdsson, b. in 930, King of Hringarikis Norway.

(34) Sigurdur “syr” Halfdanarson, b. in 980, d. in 1018, King of Hringarkis Norway, Married Asta Gudbrandsdottir, b. in 980, Queen of Hringarkis Norway.

he saw rising from the hot springs. This is now the site of the capital city of Iceland, Reykjavik.

(33) Haraldur “Hardraada” Sigurdsson, (“Hard or Severe”) b. in 1015, d. 25. Sept. 1066, at the battle of Stamford bridge England. King of Norway from 1046. Married Pora Porbergsdottir, b. in 1010. Queen of Norway. He returned to Norway after his service to the Byzantine Empire in 1045, and a year later he became king. In September 1066, Hardraada with Tostig Godwinson invaded Northumbria, to conquer England and claim the English throne and for Tostig to get his Earldom back. They defeated the Earls Morcar Edwin and Waltheof, at the battle of Fulford on the 20. Sept. 1066. Five days later on the 25^th they were defeated and killed in battle, at Stamford bridge near York by King Harold and his army. Three weeks later on the 14. Oct. 1066, Harold was himself killed, and his army were defeated by William Duke of Normandy and his army in one of the most famous battles in history, at the battle of Hastings in Sussex. The events of 1066 marked a turning point in English history, and this was to have a profound and lasting impact on the development of English society, culture, religion and government.

(32) Olafur “kyrri” Haraldsson, (the Tranquil or Easygoing) b. in 1050, d. 22. Sept. 1093, King of Norway from 1066. Married Pora Rognvaldsdottir, b. in 1040. Queen of Norway. He sailed with his fleet from England with Tostig son Skule, who became the kings foster son and married the daughter of Hardraadas sister Ingrid, a link with my Grandmothers ancestral line, and he was given some of the best properties and land in Norway. A feature of King Olafs peaceful reign, was the increasing importance of the towns including Bergen, in which Olaf founded in about 1070.

(31) Magnus “ berfaettur “ Olafsson, (Barefoot, or Bare leg,) b. in 1073, d. 24. Aug. 1103, was King of Norway from 1093.

(30) Haraldur “ gilli “ Magnusson, b. in 1103, d. 13. Dec. 1136, King of Norway. His misstress Pora Guttormsdottir, b. in 1105. He was born in Ireland, an illegitimate son of Magnus. After the death of King Sigurdur, his half bother Magnus became king. War broke out between Harald and Magnus, and after several battles Harald captured Magnus and took the throne. He then had Magnus blinded and thrown into prison. This was the beginning of the Norwegian civil wars, which lasted from 1130 to 1217. From Haraldur “gilli” to Hakon Sverrisson the ancestral line is questionable, because of his paternity. (29) Sigurdur “ munnur “ Haraldsson, b. in 1133, d. 10. June. 1155, King of Norway from 1137. His mistress Gunnhildur, b. in 1135. He was made king upon the murder of his father. The young king’s supporters, fought several battles against the pretenders Sigurd Slembedjakn and Magnus the Blind. These two were finally defeated and killed in a battle at Hvaler in 1139.

(28) Sverrir Sigurdsson, b. in 1152, d. 9. Mar. 1202, King of Norway. His concubine Astridur Hroadottir, b. in 1155. His claim to be the son of king Sigurdur is questionable, some historians claim that he is the son of a Faeroe Islands comb maker. Sverrir was a talented improviser, both in political and military life. He was leader of the Birkebeiner party, and a very skilful military commander, during the on going Norwegian civil wars. There were two opposing sides who eventually became known as Baglers and Birkebeiners. Their rallying point was typically a male of the royal line, who served as party figurehead, opposing the rule of his rival from the contesting party. His opponent King Magnus Erlingsson fell at the battle of Fimreite in 1184, Sverrir then ruled as sole king of Norway. Differences with the Church, however, led to his excommunication in 1194.

(27) Hakon Sverrisson, b. in 1178, d. 1. Jan. 1204, King of Norway from 1202. His mistress Inga Af Varteigi, b. in 1180. The second illegitimate son of King Sverrir. He invited the exiled bishops to return to Norway, and made overtures towards the Bagler party, so as to ease the struggle between Church and King. At his death the questionable ancestral line ends.

(26) Hakon “gamli” Hakonarson, b. in 1204, d. 15. Dec. 1263, King of Norway Greenland from 1261 and Iceland 1262. Married (26) Margret Skuladottir, b. in 1210. Queen of Norway, the daughter of Earl Skuli Bardarson, (Linking to my Grandmothers ancestral line which is in red). After the rebellion by his father-in-law Skuli ended when he was put to death in 1240, from then on Hakon’s reign was marked by internal peace and more prosperity than Norway had Known for years.

(33) Godwin Ulfnadsson, b. in 1000, d. 15. April 1053. Earl of Wessex. Married a cousin of King Canute, Gytha Porgilsdottir, b. in 1000. (Also the parents of King Harold ) He rose from the lowest reaches of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy, and was appointed Earl of Wessex by King Canute in 1018, which made him the most powerful man in England after the King. In 1051 King Edward gave Godwin an order to sack the city of Dover after some Norman Knights were attacked and killed there, Godwin refused and was banished along with his family in to exile. A year later after receiving support, he sailed up the River Thames ware he was met by a fleet of Royal ships who refused to attack, and so therefore his Earldom was reluctantly restored by King Edward.

(32) Tostig Godwinson, b. in 1025, d. 25. Sept. 1066.At the battle of Stamford bridge. Married Judith Baldwinsdottir, b. in 1025. The daughter of Baldwin IV the Count of Flanders. Tostig was Earl of Northumbria from 1055 to 1065 (Bother of King Harold). After the Northumbria revolt in 1065, Tostig was forced to flee in exile. He returned a year later with Haraldur Hardraada King of Norway to invade Northumbria to get his Earldom back, and to help Hardraada in his claim to the English throne. They made their way along the banks of the river Ouse just south of York, and at Fulford gate they met and defeated the

(31) Skuli Tostason, b. in 1052, Married Gudrun Nefsteinsdottir, b. in 1055. The daughter of Hardraadas sister Ingerid, a link with my Grandfathers ancestral line. He sailed with Hardraadas son new King Olafur “kyrri” Haraldsson (The Tranquil or Easygoing) to Norway, after the battle of Stamford Bridge near York in 1066. He was adopted as the kings foster son and was given some of the best properties and land in Norway. A feature of King Olafs peaceful reign was the increasing importance of the towns including Bergen, in which Olaf founded in about 1070.

(30) Asulfur Skulason, b. in 1085, Asulf of Reine Norway. Married Pora Skaftadottir, b. in 1090.

(29) Guttormur Asulfsson, b. in 1115, Guttorm of Reine Norway. Married Sigridur Porkelsdottir, b. in 1115. During his life a civil war broke out between King Magnus and his half bother Haraldur “gilli” Magnusson, and after several battles Haraldur captured King Magnus and took the throne, he then had Magnus blinded and thrown into prison. Which was the beginning of the Norwegian civil wars which lasted from 1130 to 1217.

(28) Bardur Guttormsson, b. in 1150, d. 3. April. 1194, Bardur of Reine Norway. Married Ragnhildur Erlingsdottir, b. in 1155. He was a prominent lendmann from the Trondelag region, and a supporter of King Sverre, who brought the birkebeiner party to power in the late 12^th century after years of war against King Magnus Erlingsson. His son Inge half bother of Skuli was King of Norway from 1205 to 1217, after his death he was succeeded by Hakon IV.

(27) Skuli Bardarson, b. in 1189, d. 21. May. 1240, Norway. Married Ragnhildur, b. in 1190. Earl Skuli was a tutor to his teenage royal son-in-law King Hakon 4^th of Norway and was involved with his friend Snorri Sturlason Icelandic historian and politician, in trying to solve the disputes between Icelandic and Norwegian merchants. In 1239 he raised a military host and revolted against king Hakon to take power, he won a battle at Laka in Nannestad, but lost in Oslo. In May 1240 he was defeated by King Hakon and his army and killed in one of the battles which ensued. King Hakon, furious at this act of treason thinking Snorri must also have been implicated in the conspiracy, promptly sent orders to send Snorri back to Norway or put him to death. Snorri was then attacked and killed by one of the kings men at his residence, Reykholt, on the 22. Sept. 1241.

(26) Margret Skuladottir, b. in 1210, Norway, Queen of Norway. Married (26) Hakon “gamli” Hakonason, King of Norway Greenland from 1261 and Iceland 1262. (Linking to my Grandfathers line)

(27) Valdimar II “siguraeli” (Victorious) b. 28. June 1170, d. 28. Mar. 1241, King of Denmark. Married Berengaria, b. in

(26) Eirikur Valdimarsson (plough money) b. in 1216, d. 10. Aug. 1250, King of Denmark from 1241. Married Judith Albertsdottir, b. in 1220, Queen of Denmark. His short rule was marked by bitter conflicts and civil wars against his brothers. Especially he fought his brother Abel, Duke of Schleswig who seems to have wanted an independent position and who was supported by the counts of Holstein. Erikir also fought the Scanian peasants, who rebelled because of his hard taxes, among other things, on ploughs. This gave him his epithet “plough money”, Danish (Plovpenning). After a victory over bother Abel in 1250 he negotiated a truce with him but later that year as he passed through Schleswig he was taken prisoner by his brother and was assassinated.

(25) Magnus “lagabietir” Hakonarson, (Make the law better) b. in 1238, d. 9. May. 1280, King of Norway Greenland and Iceland. Married (25) Ingeborg Eiriksdottir, b. in 1244, d. 1287, Queen of Norway, the daughter of Erik 4^th Valdimarsson King of Denmark. (linking to the Danish line) Magnus drew up separate new law codes for Norway and a law book, ( Jons book ) for the Icelanders. The first law book for Iceland was issued in 1271, but only partly accepted by the Icelandic parliament. Because of parliamentary and popular reluctance to accept it, the first law book was revised and issued again in 1280, only then when the greater part of it was endorsed and this law book would remain in effect in Iceland for centuries.

(24) Hakon “haleggur” Magnusson, (long legs) b. in 1270, d. in 1319. King of Norway Greenland & Iceland. In 1307 he moved his court from Bergen to Oslo, in to his new castle Akershus, which he had built to protect Oslo. The castle was first used in battle in 1308, when it successfully fought off a siege by Swedish duke Erik of Sodermansland. King Hakon also arranged a marriage between his youngest daughter Ingeborg and the brother of the Swedish king, when she was one year old. Because King Hakon Magnusson, had no male heirs, Ingeborg’s son Magnus, inherited the thrones of Sweden and Norway in 1319, at the age of three. (P.M. Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, Prince William, Prince Harry,) are some of King Hakon ancestors through his youngest daughter Ingeborg. He is mine, through his illegitimate and oldest daughter Agnes.

(23) Agnes Hakonardottir, b. in 1290, Norway. Norwegian Princess. Married Hafpor Jonsson, b. in 1280, d. in 1320, son of Baron Jon Ivarsson the red of Sudurheimum. Norwegian Statesman. King Hakon transferred the kings Manor Borregaard to his son-in-law Hafpor Jonsson in 1312, so therefore Borregaard estate lost its royal status which it had for 300 years. The royal line comes to a end.

(22) Jon Hafporsson, b. in 1310, d. in 1397, Norway. Norwegian Statesman. Married Birgitta Knutsdottir, b. in 1315. Jon inherited Borregaard Manor from his father. He led a revolt against King Magnus Eriksson in 1333, and was a member of the King’s council 1380.

(21) Hakon Jonsson, b. in 1330, d. in 1392, Norway. Norwegian Statesman. After failing to claim the throne after the death of King Oluf, in 1389 Queen Margrete compelled Chancellor Hakon Jonsson, to except her nephew Erik of Pomerania as King of Norway, later Sweden and Denmark. So therefore uniting the whole of Scandinavia, with the formation of the Kalmar union, in 1397. Even though Hakon Jonsson’s claim to the throne was just as valid as that of Margrete’s pretender.

(20) (Onefnd, Name unknown) Hakonardottir, b. in 1370, Norway. Married Kenek Gottskalksson, b. in 1370, Norwegian Statesman. Onefnd translated into English means No Name. There is no record found of her Christian name, in any of the known record books of that period, of Norwegian history.

(19) Rognvaldur Keneksson, b. in 1400, Norway. Norwegian Statesman.

(18) Nikulas Rognvaldsson, b. in 1430, Norway. Married Herborg Bardardottir, b. in 1430. Brother of Olafs Rognvaldsson Bishop of Holum in northern Iceland from 1458 to 1495.

(17) Gottschalk “grimmi” Nikulasson, (Cruel or Fierce) b. in 1469, d. 28. Dec. 1520. Bishop of Holum in northern Iceland from 1496 to 1520. His mistress Valgerdur Jonsdottir, b. in 1460. His son Oddur Gottskalksson while on a visit to Norway he became a Lutheran convert and on his return to Iceland (which was still Catholic), secretly translated the New Testament into Icelandic at Skalholt. His translation, printed and published in Denmark in 1540, was the first book ever printed in the Icelandic language.

(16) Kristin Gottskalksdottir, b. in 1488, d. 1578, Iceland. Married Jon Einarsson, b. in 1490, d. in 1544. She had witnessed the Reformation in1550 which swept through Iceland, when the Lutheran creed became the main Religion in Iceland. The last

(15) Egill Jonsson, b. in 1510, d. in 1560, Iceland. Married Gudrun Porleifsdottir, b. in 1520.

(14) Gudrun Egilsdottir, b. in 1545, Iceland. Married Gudmundur Gislason, b. in 1530.

(13) Helga Gudmundsdottir, b. in 1580, d. in 1651, Iceland. Married Bjorn Porleifsson, b. in 1573, d. in 1650.

(12) Gudrun Bjornsdottir, b. in 1625, d. in 1660, Iceland. Married Arni Einarsson, b. in 1620, d. in 1686.

(11) Helga Arnadottir, b. in 1659, d. in 1735, Iceland. Married Asgeir Sigurdsson, b. in 1650, d. in 1712. In 1707 a terrible smallpox epidemic broke out in Iceland, which killed about 18,000 people, or more than one third of the population.

(10) Hallbjorg Asgeirsdottir, b. in 1682, Iceland. Married Jon Hannesson, b. in 1678, d. in 1735. (My Grandparents line separates again with their two daughters Anna, Grandfathers blue line, Astridur, Grandmothers red line.)

I will continue first with my Grandfathers blue line then my Grandmothers red line until they link together again

(9) Anna Jonsdottir, b. in 1715, Iceland. Married Porsteinn Gudmundsson, b. in 1704, d. 14. May. 1785.

(8) Hallbera Porsteinsdottir, b. in 1750, d. 9. Fed. 1805, Iceland. Married Teitur Halldorsson, b. in 1745, d. in 1782. Herself and her son Jon witnessed the terrible Laki volcanic eruptions (1783-1784) Laki is a huge volcanic rift to the west of the vast

(7) Jon Teitsson, b. in 1774, d. 24. April. 1845, Iceland. Married Silpha Johannesdottir, b. in 1776, d. 6. Oct. 1854. When France lost the Napoleonic wars, Denmark suffered badly because the victors agreed on punishing it for supporting Napoleon, In the settlement of 1814 Norway was taken away from Denmark and giving it to Sweden, so therefore dissolving the union which Iceland and Norway had since 1262.

(6) Silfa Jonsdottir, b.13. April. 1818, d. 3. Mar. 1883, Rekavik bak Latur Hornstrandir Iceland. Married Jon Bjornsson, b. 22. June. 1822, d. 3. Mar. 1887.

(5) Palmi Jonsson, b. 27. Sept. 1852, d. 3. Nov. 1914, Rekavik bak Latur Hornstrandir Iceland . Married Gudridur Sigurdardottir, b. 26. Feb. 1850, d. 30. Dec. 1887. He was a big strong bearded man, a farmer in Rekavik bak Latur. Their son Gudmundur Palmason’s marriage to Ketilridur Porkelsdottir, linking the ancestral lines together again.

(10) Astridur Jonsdottir, b. in 1716, d. 22. Nov. 1784, Iceland. Married Jon Palsson, b. in 1710, d. 15. Aug. 1791.

(9) Bjarni Jonsson, b. in 1734, Iceland. Married Margret Halldorsdottir, b. in 1735, d. in 1806.

(8) Halldor Bjarnason, b. 1762, d. 27. June. 1819, Iceland. Married Ingibjorg Benediktsdottir, b. in 1754, d. 11. June. 1816. Both him and his wife witnessed the terrible volcanic eruptions of Laki in (1783-1784)

(7) Bjarni Hallorsson, b. 26. Nov 1789, d. 16. Mar 1879, Iceland. Married Ingibjorg Hermannsdottir, b. in 1790, d. 22. April 1865.

(6) Ketilridur Bjarnadottir, b. 19. Sept 1822, d. 16. Mar 1879,Iceland. Married Gisli Halldorsson, b. 24. Jan 1813, d. 13. Jan 1863.

(5) Maria Gisladottir, b. 13. Oct 1843, d. 20. Sept 1888, Iceland. Married Porkell Isleifsson, b. 28. Nov 1841, d. 13. April 1905. Their daughter Ketilridur Porkelsdottir marriage to Gudmundur Palmason, links the ancestral lines together again.

Above a map of the West Fjords of Northern Iceland, showing you ware the family locations are.

The Hornstrandir the most northern region on Iceland’s northwest coast.

(4) Gudmundur Palmason, b. 28. Jan. 1878, d. 21. Feb. 1951. Born in Rekavik bak Latur Hornstrandir Iceland, a farmer and lighthouse keeper of Straumnesvita. Married (4) Ketilridur Porkelsdottir, b. 18. Aug. 1875, d.18. Nov. 1925. (links the ancestral lines together again) Gudmundur became father to 18 children, 14 with his wife Ketilridur, after she died in 1925, he had 4 more with Bjarneyjar Andresdottir, his house keeper. The Straumnesvita lighthouse Gudmundur used to keep stands at the foot of Straumnes peninsula, the lighthouse helps ships to navigate around the Hornstrandir, which has some of the most dangerously rugged coast lines in the world, with mountains and steep cliffs up to 1700ft high. The picture above of Gudmundur was taken in Hall Yorkshire England, in about 1900. Because English is the main International Language for Lighthouse Keepers, it was in Hull that he learned to speak English.

and Hesteyri to Isafjordur, and then from Isafjordur there were regular boat services to the capital Reykjavik, and other parts of the country.

(2) Michael Philip Pearce 1950. Bishops Stortford Hertfordshire England. A Painter & Decorator, still living in Bishops Storford.

THE GENEALOGY IS BY ORG aettfraedipjonustan ehf. REYKJAVIK ICELAND. www.simmet.is/org