Sigmundur Brestisson

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The tomb of Sigmundur Brestisson (on the left) in the graveyard of Skúvoy church

Sigmundur Brestisson (961–1005) introduced Christianity to the Faroe Islands in 999. He is one of the main characters of the Færeyinga saga.

Sigmundur was the son of Brestir and his girlfriend Cæcilia. Sigmundur married Turið Torkilsdóttir and together they had a daughter, Tóra, and four sons: Tórálvur, Steingrímur, Brandur and Heri.

Sigmundur Brestisson was the first Faroe-man to convert to the Christian faith, bringing Christianity to the Faroes at the decree of the Norwegian king Ólavur Tryggvason. Initially Sigmundur sought to convert the islanders by reading the decree to the Alting in Tórshavn, but was nearly killed by the resulting angry mob. He then changed his tactics, went with armed men to the residence of the chieftain Tróndur í Gøtu, broke in his house by night, and gave him the choice between Christianity or beheading. That worked.

Later on, in 1005, Tróndur í Gøtu attacked Sigmund by night at his yard in Skúvoy, whereupon Sigmundur fled by swimming to Sandvík on Suðuroy. He reached land in Sigmundargjógv in Sandvík, but a farmer in the village killed the exhausted Sigmundur, and stole his precious golden arm ring.

According to tradition, his gravestone is located in the so-called Sigmundarsteinur in Skúvoy. It bears a carved cross and was part of the old church.