Sigurd Hlodvirsson, Earl of Orkney
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Earl Sigurd Hlodvirsson ("Sigurd the Stout") was the 14th Jarl of Orkney and a key figure in the Battle of Clontarf. He was born around AD 960, and is mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga and other Medieval sources. According to the 13th century Njal's Saga, Gormflaith prompted her son, Sigtrygg Silkbeard, into getting Sigurd to fight against her former husband, Brian Ború:
- "...she sent him to Earl Sigurd to ask for support... Sigtrygg sailed back to Ireland and told his mother that the jarl had joined him."
The 12th century Irish source, the Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh, records the events of the battle. The "foreigners and Leinstermen" were led by Brodir of the Isle of Man and Sigurd, and the battle lasted all day. Though Brian was killed in the battle, the Irishmen ultimately drove back their enemies into the sea. Sigurd also died that day at Clontarf, in 1014.