Sigmundur Brestisson

Sigmundur Brestisson

The tomb of Sigmundur (on the left) in the graveyard of Skúvoy church
Born 961
Skúvoy, Faroe Islands
Died 1005
Sandvík, Faroe Islands
Spouse(s) Turið Torkilsdóttir
Children Tóra, Tórálvur, Steingrímur, Brandur and Heri.
Parent(s) Brestir and Cæcilia.

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

According to the Færeyinga saga, emigrants who left Norway to escape the tyranny of Harald I of Norway, settled in the islands about the beginning of the 9th century. Early in the 11th century, Sigmundur, whose family had flourished in the southern islands but had been almost exterminated by invaders from the north, was sent back to the Faroe Islands, whence he had escaped, to take possession of the islands for Olaf Tryggvason, king of Norway.

Sigmundur was the first Faroe-man to convert to the Christian faith, bringing Christianity to the Faroes at the decree of Olaf 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 and broke in his house by night. He offered him the choice between accepting Christianity or face beheading; he chose the former.

Monument in Sandvík, made by sculptor Hans Pauli Olsen in 2006 in memory of Sigmundur Brestisson.

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.

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