Finn Arnesson
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Finn Arnesson (died c. 1065) was a nobleman and advisor to Olaf Haraldsson (later Saint Olaf), King of Norway and to Olaf's half-brother Harald Sigurdsson (Harald Hardraade). He later served Sweyn Estridsson, King of Denmark, who made him a jarl. The main source for Finn's life is Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla.
Finn was one of the eight children, seven brothers and a sister, of Arni Arnmodsson, "a landed-man, powerful and prominent", and his wife Thora. Finn and his brothers Kalf, Arni and Thorberg appear in the Sagas. Kalf governed Trøndelag under Olaf Haraldsson.[1]
In 1028 Finn and his brother Arni and Thorberg and Rognvald Brusason went with Olaf Haraldsson into exile in Kievan Rus.[2] They returned with him, fighting at Stiklestad in 1030, where Olaf was killed; Kalf Arnesson was one of the leaders of the opposing army.[3]
Under Harald Hardraade, Finn was a landowner in Austrått near Ørland in Trøndelag. He was married to Harald's niece Bergljot Halvdansdottir.[4] His brother Kalf was killed in battle against King Harald on Funen and this turned Finn against Harald. He left Norway to serve Sweyn Estridsson, who made him a jarl and appointed him to rule Halland.[5]
Finn fought in the battle of Nissan between King Sweyn and King Harald. Harald was victorius and Finn, who refused to flee, was captured. [6]
Finn's daughter Ingibiorg married Thorfinn Sigurdsson, Earl of Orkney and Máel Coluim mac Donnchada, King of Scots.[7]
Another daughter, Sigrid, married the earl Orm Eilivsson, daughter-son of Haakon Sigurdsson.[8]
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Anon., Orkneyinga Saga: The History of the Earls of Orkney, tr. Hermann Pálsson and Paul Edwards. Penguin, London, 1978. ISBN 0-14-044383-5
- Sturluson, Snorri, Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway, tr. Lee M. Hollander. Reprinted University of Texas Press, Austin, 1992. ISBN 0-292-73061-6
