Finn Arnesson

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. ["Saint Olaf's Saga, c. 110.]

In 1028 Finn and his brother Arni and Thorberg and Rognvald Brusason went with Olaf Haraldsson into exile in Kievan Rus. ["Saint Olaf's Saga, c. 180.] They returned with him, fighting at Stiklestad in 1030, where Olaf was killed; Kalf Arnesson was one of the leaders of the opposing army. ["Saint Olaf's Saga, cc. 220–242.]

Under Harald Hardraade, Finn was a landowner in Austrått near Ørland in Trøndelag. He was married to Harald's niece Bergljot Halvdansdottir. ["Saga of Harald Sigurdsson", c. 45.] 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. ["Saga of Harald Sigurdsson", cc. 52–53.]

Finn fought in the battle of Nissan between King Sweyn and King Harald. Harald was victorius and Finn, who refused to flee, was captured. ["Saga of Harald Sigurdsson", cc. 62–63.]

Finn's daughter Ingibiorg married Thorfinn Sigurdsson, Earl of Orkney and Máel Coluim mac Donnchada, King of Scots. ["Orkneyinga Saga", c. 33.]

Another daughter, Sigrid, married the earl Orm Eilivsson, daughter-son of Haakon Sigurdsson. ["Saga of Harald Sigurdsson", c. 46.]

Notes

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

External links

* [http://www.worldwideschool.org/library/catalogs/bysubject-hst-european-Heimskringla.html Heimskringla] at [http://www.worldwideschool.org/ World Wide School]
* [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/orkney/ Orkneyinga Saga] at [http://www.northvegr.org/ Northvegr]