Vestvågøy
Theme - 4
Olaf Tvennumbruni
Historians and other researchers have identified
Lofotr as the medieval name of Vestvågøy.
One of the sources supporting this interpretation
is the "Lándnáma bok". The book
describes the colonization of Iceland, and is
believed to have been written down in the 12th and
13th century AD. The settlement of Iceland is
supposed to have taken place between 870 AD and 930
AD, though there may have been Irish or Scottish
monks there before that.
The "Lándnáma bok" includes Olav
Tvennumbruni from Lofotr as one of the settlers at
Iceland:
"Olav Tvennumbruni was a man.
He went from Lofotr to Iceland.
He took the whole area of Skeid between
Tjorsá and Sandlækiar.
He was a great sacrifier to the gods.
Olav lived at Olafsvellir.
He is buried in the Bruna mound under the Varde
Mountain."
It is possible that Olaf Tvennumbrunni was one
of the chieftains that once lived at the Sacred
Heights of Borg.
So, who was this person Olav Tvennumbruni and
why did he leave for Iceland? The area he took at
Iceland is considered as one of the best
agricultural areas in the country - near Skalholt
(the bishop's residence). The farm Olafsvellir
still exists.
The Lándnáma bók gives a
quite detailed description about Olaf
Tvennumbruni's family and descendants. He was
married to Áshild, and they had three sons:
Helgi Trauste, Tore Drive and Vade. A further
listing of their descendants is to be found in the
book.
One theory explaining Olav's travel is the fury
of King Harald Hårfagre. Several chieftains
got into conflict with him and fled away. Shortage
of land is another possible theory. Chieftains'
emigrations are often explained due to different
conflicts with other, more powerful chieftains.
Even though we do not have much information
about the reason why Olaf left Lofoten, we can be
quite sure that he brought with him his ships,
together with his people and as much of his goods
as possible.
Key
References
- Alf Ragnar Nielssen, 2003. Viking Age
chieftains in Lofoten - the Old Norse
sources.
- Ch. 12 in: Munch, Johansen & Roesdal,
2003. Borg in Lofoten. A chieftain's farm in
North Norway. Arkeologisk Skriftserie 1.
- Landnåmsboken. 1997. Thorleif Dahls
Kulturbibliotek. Aschehoug
View from Olafsvellir
(Photo: Lofotr, The Viking Museum)
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This
project has been supported by the EU as part of the Culture
2000 programme.