Skule Bårdsson (1189 - 1240)

Born 1189 in Rein, Rissa, Sor-Trondelag, Norway

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 24 May 1240 at about age 51 in Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag, Norway

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Biography

Skule Bårdsson was a Norwegian Earl , later Duke and King regent. He was the son of Bard Guttormsson on Rein and half-brother of King Inge Bardsson . When King Inge died in 1217 Skule had a fairly strong inheritance claim. His claims against the illegitimate son and recognized ruler Haakon Håkonsson led to years of friction. Many doubted moreover that Haakon was a prince. A birkebeiner following gave Haakon his royal name. Skule retained the jarle title and was in fact the one that ruled the country till Haakon was able to wrestle control from his father-in-law.

Norwegian Nobleman and Literary Figure. He is mentioned in several medieval Scandinavian sagas and poems, and was one of the main characters in Henrik Ibsen's 1863 play "Kongs-Emnerne" which is about the dispute between Skule and King Haakon IV. He was born around 1189 into Norwegian nobility and was a half-brother to King Inge II, who had bestowed on him the title of earl in the last years of his reign. When King Inge died in 1217, Haakon Haakonsson, the illegitimate son of King Haakon III, was chosen king as Haakon IV at the age of 13, against the candidacy of Skule and several others. During the early part of Haakon IV's reign, Skule held much of the real power. However, as Haakon became older, they constantly feuded as Haakon wanted more power for himself. In an attempt to bring an end to the feuding, his oldest daughter, Margret, was married to Haakon in 1225. In spite of this marriage, he continued to oppose Haakon and in an attempt to appease him, Haakon gave him the first Norwegian title of duke. In 1239, he proclaimed himself as king in Nidaros (now Trondheim), which was the center of his power base and it resulted in open warfare. Haakon's army was finally to defeat him in May 1240. He sought refuge in the Elgeseter Priory in Nidaros but Haakon's men burned it down, captured him, and he was executed. This brought about the final end to the internal civil wars which had plagued Norway for over 100 years.^[1]

Sources

• Isl.Ann.
• RN, Vol. 1, 1989
• Bǫglunga sǫgur, ed. H. Magerøy, 2 bd., 1988
• Hákonar saga hákonarsonar, the Council Kongesoger , Vol. 4, 1979
• Sturlunga saga, ed. by K. Kaalund, Vol. 1, 1906
• NFH, Part 3, 1857
• HE Kinch: heyday, 1922
• C. Brinchmann: Norwegian king-Seal and other prince-Seal medieval, 1924
• H. Koht: "Earl Skule", in HT, rk. 5, vol. 5, 1924
• ds: biography in NBL1, Vol. 14, 1962
• N. Bjørgo: "Hakon Håkonssøn legacy", in Soga, Vol. 74, 1968
• K. Helle: kings and great men in Norwegian national control approximately 1150-1319, 1972
• BC Lange: "Duke Skule tombstone" in FMF Yearbook 1973 1974
• O. Grønli: "The inscription on the stone Skule", in FMF Yearbook 1975 1976
• K. Skaare: Norwegian coin history, 2 bd., 1995
• KPL Gjestgjevarstad: " '... strange forjaget and aimless ...'? Strategy and commander in the field properties in Norway in the early part of the 1200s ", in ds (ed.): Warfare in the Middle Ages. Strategy, ideology and organization ca. 1100-1400, the Armed Forces Museum pamphlets no. 35, 2003
• https://snl.no/Skule_B%C3%A5rdsson

Notes

1. ↑ this bio was written by William Bjornstad Find A Grave: Memorial #8061464

Duke Skule Bårdsson was a member of the aristocracy in Europe.