Åsta Gudbrandsdóttir, Queen of Norway

• Daughter of småkonge Gudbrand "Kula" Olavsson Breid and Ulfhilde Thorasdottir
• Åsta Gudbrandsdatter was a Norwegian royal mother who lived in the late 900s and early 1000s. According to the saga tradition, she was the mother of two Norwegian kings. In her first marriage, with Harald Grenske , she became the mother of Olav Haraldsson (the saint). In her second marriage, with Sigurd Syr , she became the mother of Harald Hardråde .

Project MedLands Norway Kings

BJÖRN, son of HARALD I "Hårfagre/Harfagri/Fairhair" King of Norway & his third wife Svanhild. The Historia Norwegie names "Berno" as fourth son of "Haraldus Comatus", recording that he was reared "in Grenlandia"[232]. Under his father's division of territories, Vingulmark, Raumarike, Vestfold and Thelamark were granted to Olav, Björn, Sigtryg, Frode and Thorgils[233]. King in Vestfold, based at Tunsberg, and "promised to become a good ruler". He promoted merchant expeditions to procure "for himself costly articles", earning himself the nicknames "Farman/Seaman" and "Kaupman/the Chapman" among his brothers. He was killed by retainers of his half-brother Erik after a dispute about who should deliver the tribute from his kingdom to their father. He was buried "in the mound of Farmanshaug at Saeheim"[234].
married unknown. Snorre records that Björn "made a good and suitable marriage" but does not name his wife[235].

Björn Haraldsson had one child

• 1. GUDRÖD Bjornsson (-murdered Tunsberg [960/65]). The Historia Norwegie names "Gudrodus" as son of "Berno…filius Harald Comati"[236]. Snorre names Gudröd as the son of Björn & his wife, recording in a later passage that he was brought up by his paternal uncle Olav after his father was killed[237]. Along with his cousin Tryggve, he supported his uncle Haakon after the latter's return to Norway and was installed as King in Vestfold 935, ruling through an appointee as he was "in the years of childhood"[238]. He was murdered by King Harald II[239]. married CECILIA, daughter of ---. Snorre records that Gudröd made "a good and suitable marriage" but does not name his wife[240]. The primary source which confirms her marriage has not yet been identified.

Gudröd Bjornsson had one child

• a) HARALD "Grenske [947]-murdered 995). The Historia Norwegie names "Haroldum Grensca" as son of "Gudrodus", commenting that he acquired his nickname from having been brought up "in Grenlandia"[241]. Snorre names Harald as son of Gudröd & his wife, recording that, after his father's death, he fled to the Uplands and from there eastwards into Svithjod[242]. He supported the invasion of Norway by Harald King of Denmark in 965, and was rewarded with Vingulmark, Vestfold and Agder with the title of king[243]. He was murdered on the orders of Sigrid "Storrada/the Haughty", widow of Erik King of Sweden, to whom Harald "Grenske" proposed marriage (despite already being married to Asta)[244]. married as her first husband, ASTA Gudbransdatter, daughter of GUDBRAND Kula. The Historia Norwegie records the marriage of "Haroldum Grensca" and "Asta filiam Gudbrandi Culu", and her second marriage to "Siwardus Scroffa rex montanus" who was the son of Halfdan, son of "Siwardus Risi…filius Haraldi Comati"[245]. She and her father are also named by Snorre, which also records both her marriages[246]. She returned to her father after learning that her husband had visited Sigrid "Storrada/the Haughty", widow of Erik King of Sweden, with a view to proposing marriage to her[247]. She married secondly Sigurd Syr King in Ringerike. Morkinskinna records that “Sigurdr sýr” married “Ásta daughter of Gudbrandr”, previously wife of “Haraldr grenski”[248].
  

Harald & his wife Ásta Gudbransdatter had one child

• i) St. OLAV Haraldson, (maybe posthumously 995-killed in battle Stiklestad 29 Jul 1030, bur in a sandbank in the river at Trondheim, transferred to St Clement's church later transformed into Trondheim Cathedral). Snorre records the birth of Olav son of Harald "Grenske" & his wife in Summer 995, implying that he was born after his father was killed[249]. The Historia Norwegie names "Olauum perpetuum regem Norwegie" as son of "Haroldum Grensca" & his wife[250]. According to William of Jumièges, Olav was christened [998] at Rouen[251]. He defeated Erik Haakonsson Ladejarl Regent of Norway at Nesjar[252] and succeeded in imposing himself 1016 as OLAV II King of Norway. The Gwentian Chronicle records that "Eulaf came to the island of Britain…to Menevia…and devastated Dyved" in 1021[253]. He reunified Norway, by incorporating the interior eastern parts of the country and the Vik area. He imposed a feudal system of administration modelled on Normandy, where he had spent time in his youth. The heads of the major farming families entered his service as vassals ("lendmenn") in return for receiving revenues from royal farms and a share of fines imposed by the courts. He completed the process of Christianisation of Norway, became head of the church in Norway and appointed a national bishop, placed under the supervision of the Archbishop of Bremen. Ecclesiastical administration was organised under an Act passed by a national meeting ("riksting") in 1024. In alliance with Sweden, King Olav defeated Knud King of Denmark in a naval battle off Scania. However, his Swedish allies deserted him, and revolt broke out against him in Norway. He was forced into exile in 1028 by King Knud, who imposed himself as king of Norway. Olav sought refuge in Russia with his brother-in-law Iaroslav Grand Prince of Kiev. He was defeated and killed on his return to Norway in 1030. Adam of Bremen records that King Olav died "IV Kal Aug" and that he reigned 12 years[254]. Soon after his death he was seen as a national hero, and considered a saint. married (Feb 1019) ASTRID Olofsdottir, illegitimate daughter of OLOF "Skotkoning" King of Sweden & his mistress. Snorre names "Emund, Astrid, Holmfrid" as the children of King Olof by his concubine Edla, specifying that Astrid was brought up in West Gautland in the house of Egil[255]. Adam of Bremen records that the wife of Olav King of Norway was "rege Sueonum…filiam"[256]. The Historia Norwegie records that Olav married "soror Margarete" after his betrothal to the latter was terminated by her marriage to "rex Iarezlafus de Ruscia"[257]. Snorre records the marriage of King Olav and "Astrid, daughter of the Swedish king Olaf"[258]. Her marriage was arranged to appease Swedish opposition to King Olav II's recently assumed rule. She remained in Sweden with her daughter when her husband left for Russia[259]. Mistress (1): ALVHILD [Elfhildis], daughter of --- (-after 1047). Snorre names "Alfhild…the king's slave-woman…of good descent"[260]. According to William of Malmesbury, she was English and captured by the Norwegians. Morkinskinna records that King Magnus´s mother grieved for her son when he died[261].
  

King Olav II & his wife ASTRID Olofsdottir had one child

• (a) ULFHILD Olavsdatter, (-24 May 1071). Snorre names Ulfhild as the daughter of King Olav & his wife[262]. Adam of Bremen records the betrothal of "soror Magni regis" and "Ordulfo ducis filio" at a meeting in Schleswig between Bernhard Duke of Saxony and Magnus King of Norway[263]. Morkinskinna names “King Magnus…sister…Úlfhildr…daughter of King Óláfr” and records her marriage to “a powerful duke named Otto south in Saxony [264]. The Annalista Saxo names "Wifhildem…filiam Olaph Nortmannorum regis et martiris" as wife of Duke Ordulf[265]. The necrology of Lüneburg records the death "24 May" of "Wulfhild ductrix"[266]. married (Nov 1042) as his first wife, ORDULF Duke in Saxony, son of BERNHARD II Duke in Saxony [Billung] & his wife Eilika von Schweinfurt (28 Mar 1072, bur Lüneburg St Michaelis).
  

King Olav II had one illegitimate son by Mistress (1): ALVHILD

• (b) MAGNUS ([Apr/Jun] [1024]-25 Oct 1047). Snorre records the birth of Magnus, son of King Olav by his concubine Alfhild[267]. Adam of Bremen names "Magnum" as son of "Olaphus martyris a concubina" when recording his election as king of Norway[268]. Morkinskinna records that “Queen Ingigerđr the daughter of King Óláfr the Swede”, wife of “King Yaroslav [of] Russia”, requested “King Óláfr in Norway” to send his “young son [born] out of wedlock…Magnús” to Russia to be fostered[269]. His date of birth is suggested by Morkinskinna which records King Magnus´s twentieth birthday “the following spring”, dateable from the context to 1044[270]. He was recalled from Novgorod by chiefs from the Trondheim area who were dissatisfied with Danish rule, and installed in 1035 as MAGNUS II "the Good" King of Norway. He claimed the throne of Denmark in 1042, on the basis of an alleged agreement with King Hardaknud in 1039. He also claimed the throne of England on the same basis, maybe with the support of Queen Emma[271]. He threatened to invade England but was too preoccupied with conquering Denmark to carry out the threat[272]. He was master of Denmark before the end of 1046. He defeated the Wends, a Slavish people from the southern shore of the Baltic, who were attempting to expand into Denmark. He died on an expedition against Svend Estridsen who succeeded him as King of Denmark. He was succeeded in Norway by his father's half-brother, Harald "Hardråde". Mistress: ---. No information has been identified concerning King Magnus's concubine.
  

King Magnus II had one illegitimate child by his Unknown Mistress

• (1) RAGNHILD Magnusdatter, Morkinskinna records that King Magnus´s daughter “Ragnhildr” was “no more than a child” when her father died[273]. Snorre records the marriage of "Hakon Ivarson" and "Ragnhild [daughter of] King Magnus"[274]. Morkinskinna records that “Hákon” as son of “Ívarr hvíti” married “King Magnus´s daughter Ragnhildr”, dated to [1062] from the context[275]. married ([1062]) HAAKON Ivarsson Jarl of the Uplands in Norway, son of IVAR Hvide & his wife --- (-after 1065).
  

Kongsmor Åsta Gudbrandsdatter

By The NORWEGIAN BIOGRAPHICAL LEXICON

Kongsmor. Parents: Gudbrand Kula; the mother's name is not known. Married 1) to the little king Harald Grenske (death 990–995); 2) with the grandson Sigurd Halvdansson Syr (death c. 1020). Mother of kings Olav 2 Haraldsson the Holy (995-1030) and Harald 3 Sigurdsson Hard Council (1015–66); aunt (mother's sister) to Tore Tordsson (c. 1030–1095) and possibly to Hallvard Vebjørnsson the saint (death 1043); mother-in-law of Ketil Kalv (c. 995 – c. 1040; see NBL1, vol. 7).

As the mother of two kings, who individually came to the brink of Norwegian history, Åsta also has historical significance. But almost nothing has been handed down about her, and a biography must therefore be limited to a very few data.

The father of Åsta, Gudbrand Kula, is said to have been an immigrant, but where his farm was located (where Åsta presumably grew up), we do not know. During the saga period, the "uplands" denoted a wide area over the interior of eastern Norway. Gudbrand is said to have been of a reputed family, and a sister of Åsta, Isrid, is said to have been married to Tord Guttormsson at Steig and mother of the chief Steigar-Tore. Another sister must have married Vebjørn at Huseby in Lier and been the mother of Hallvard Vebjørnsson (St. Hallvard) - but this may well be a legend.

Åsta was first married to the East Norwegian little king Harald Grenske, and they had the son Olav, the later saint king. But when Olav was born, according to saga chronology 995, according to a consistent tradition, Åsta was at home with his father. The reason was Harald Green's adventure with Sigrid Storråde. But the details of this vary: Legendary saga says that Harald had assaulted Asta before leaving for Sweden on a freeride journey, while Snorre claims that Asta traveled home when she was eventually notified of the freeride and the man's death. A few years later, Åsta married another East Norwegian little king, Sigurd Syr at Ringerike. Olav Haraldsson grew up with stepfather. With Sigurd Syr, Asta got his son Harald, later King Harald Hardråde.

At Snorre, Åsta - together with Sigurd - then appears as advisor to the young Olav Haraldsson, when after 1015 he is about to establish his Norwegian kingdom. But this is clearly a purely narrative technique from Snorre's side (typical of him), so that in dialogue form he can develop certain thoughts about the Norwegian kingdom and link the people together. Another story, the one about Asta's redemption (in the "tåten", ie the short saga, about Olav Geirstadalv), also primarily has to do with the saint king, and does not really say anything about Asta.

Alongside Harald, Åsta and Sigurd had sons Guttorm (variant: Gudrød) and Halvdan (in one text a certain Sigurd is also mentioned), and daughters Gunnhild and Ingrid (variant: Ingebjørg). Gunnhild married Ketil Kalv at Ringnes in Stange, while Ingrid married a certain Nevstein and was the mother of Tore, who was the foster father of King Magnus Berrføtt and his son Sigurd Jorsalfare. Son's daughter (Half dance's daughter) Bergljot married Finn Arnesson.

Translated by Hermann Palsson The Book of Settlements: Landnámabók

177. Audun skökull

There was a jarl in England called Hunda-Steinar. He married Álöf, Ragnar loðbrók’s daughter, and their children were Bjorn, father of Audun skökull, Eirik, father of Sigurd Bjodaskallo and Isgerd who married Earl Thorir of Vermaland.

Audun skökull went to Iceland, tookk possession of Vididale and lived at Audunsstead. His comrade Thorgils Gjallandi, father of Thorarin the Priest, came to Iceland with him.

Audun skökull was father of Thora Mosháls , mother of Ulfhild, mother of Asta, mother of King Olaf the Holy. Audun had a son called Asgier of Asgiers River, who married Jorunn, daughter of Ingimund the Old. Their children were Thorvald, father of Dalla, mother of Bishop Gizur, and the Audun, father of Asgeir, father of Audun, father of Egil who married Ulfheid, daughter of Eyjolf Gudmundarson, and their son was Eyjolf, who was killed at the Althing, the father of Bishop Thorlak’s chaplain, Orm.

Links

• http://www.tore-nygaard.com/middelalder/549.htm
• http://heimskringla.no/wiki/Landnamabogen_3 (143)
• http://lind.no/nor/index.asp?lang=&emne=nor&person=%C5sta%20Gudbran...
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%85sta_Gudbrandsdatter
• http://www.snl.no/.nbl_biografi/%C3%85sta_Gudbrandsdatter/utdypning
• http://www.mathematical.com/olafssongudbrand923.html
• http://www.espell.se/saga/p7c0660aa.html

Sources

• Snorre Sturlasson: Olav Trygvassons saga, avsnitt 43-44. Snorre Sturlasson: Olav den helliges saga, avsnitt 32-33. Snorre Sturlasson: Harald Hardrådes saga, avsnitt 98. Cappelen's Norges Historie, Bind 15, side 169. Mogens Bugge: Våre forfedre, nr. 476. Bent og Vidar Billing Hansen: Rosensverdslektens forfedre, side 27, 53, 77.
• Leo, Europäische Stammtafeln, Band II, Frank Baron Freytag von Loringhoven, 1975, Isenburg, W. K. Prinz von, Reference: Page 75.
• Åsta Gudbrandsdatter (Store norske leksikon) - https://www.snl.no/%C3%85sta_Gudbrandsdatter
• Norwegian history from 800 to 1130 - https://snl.no/Norsk_historie_fra_800_til_1130
• Margolis, Nadia. "Aasta of Norway (Late 10th Century-early 11th Century)." Women in the Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia. Eds. Katharina M. Wilson and Nadia Margolis. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2004. Credo Reference. Web. 8 Mar. 2016.
• Palsson, H., and P. Edwards. The Book of Settlements: Landnámabók. University of Manitoba Press, 2014. Print.
• Snorri Sturlason. "King Olaf Tryggvason's Saga." Comp. Douglas B. Killings and David Widger. Section 48. Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Project Gutenberg, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 8 Mar. 2016.
• Åsta Gudbrandsdatter – utdypning (Store norske leksikon) - https://nbl.snl.no/%C3%85sta_Gudbrandsdatter
• Snorri Sturlason. "King Olaf Tryggvason's Saga." Comp. Douglas B. Killings and David Widger. Section 67. Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Project Gutenberg, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 8 Mar. 2016.
• Margolis, Nadia. "Aasta of Norway (Late 10th Century-early 11th Century)." Women in the Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia. Eds. Katharina M. Wilson and Nadia Margolis. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2004. Credo Reference. Web. 8 Mar. 2016.
• Krag, Claus. "Harald 3 Hardråde". Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 March 2016.
• Snorri Sturlason. "Saga of Olaf Haraldson." Comp. Douglas B. Killings and David Widger. Section 4. Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Project Gutenberg, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.
• Snorri Sturlason. "Saga of Olaf Haraldson." Comp. Douglas B. Killings and David Widger. Section 31. Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Project Gutenberg, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.
• Snorri Sturlason. "Saga of Olaf Haraldson." Comp. Douglas B. Killings and David Widger. Section 33. Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Project Gutenberg, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.
• Snorri Sturlason. "Saga of Olaf Haraldson." Comp. Douglas B. Killings and David Widger. Section 74. Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Project Gutenberg, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.
• "Saga of Harald Hardrade." Comp. Douglas B. Killings and David Widger. Section 1. Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway. Project Gutenberg, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.
• Weis, Frederick Lewis Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists Who Came to America Before 1700 (Genealogical Publishing Company. 1992) - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Lewis_Weis
• Koht, Halvdan The Old Norse Sagas (Periodicals Service Co. 1931) - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halvdan_Koht
• Asta Gudbrandsdatter, Find AGrave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86848124/asta-gudbrandsdatter