Sigurd Syr

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Sigurd Syr with Åsta, Olav and Rane

Sigurd Syr Halfdansson (sometimes spelled "Halvdansson") (c. 970-1018) was a great-grandson of Harald I of Norway. He was subking of Ringerike, an ancient territory in the county of Buskerud, southern Norway. Sigurd was stepfather of King Olaf Haraldsson and father of Harald III of Norway, through his marriage with Åsta Gudbrandsdatter.¹

Sigurd Syr was baptized into the Christian faith in 988. According to the Heimskringla, "...King Olaf Trygvason came to Ringerike to spread Christianity, Sigurd Syr and his wife allowed themselves to be baptized..."²^,³

His nickname Syr means "sow", and was not complimentary.

Sigurd Syr was a prudent man, taciturn and generally modest, although very wealthy. He was known as a good caretaker of his peoples' businesses, personally involved in their oversight, and he was knowledgeable about the local Norwegian economy. He was not fond of the pomp and ceremony of nobility, but participated in his role.

Sigurd Syr wasn't personally very ambitious, but he fully supported his stepson, King Olaf Haraldsson's ambitions of leadership and command. In 1014, he successfully petitioned his peers, the other Norwegian district Kings, to garner their support for a new war against Sweden, Denmark and England that commenced in 1015. This war was his stepson's cause.

13th century historian and mythographer Snorri Sturluson is the author of the Heimskringla, the source of the information currently documented in this article.