Sigmundur Brestisson

Infobox Person
name = Sigmundur Brestisson

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image_size = 224px
caption = The tomb of Sigmundur (on the left) in the graveyard of Skúvoy church
birth_date = 961
birth_place = Skúvoy, Faroe Islands
death_date = 1005
death_place = Sandvík, Faroe Islands
spouse = Turið Torkilsdóttir
parents = Brestir and Cæcilia.
children = Tóra, Tórálvur, Steingrímur, Brandur and Heri.

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, from 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 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.

External links

* [http://www.heimskringla.no/islandsk/sagaer/faereyingasaga/index.php Færeyinga saga]
* [http://www.faroestamps.fo/index.php?side=db6efa6c9ab07d5f22bc8bfac1a50417#ENGLISH Faroestamps.fo] (public domain)