Eysteinn Erlendsson
Encyclopedia
Eysteinn Erlendsson (died 26 January 1188) was Archbishop of Nidaros from 1161 to his death in 1188.
, and he was related to most of the local nobility. His birth date and place of birth is not recorded. Øystein was probably born sometime between 1120 and 1130 on the farm or Råsvoll south of Trondheim
in Verdal
, Nord-Trøndelag
. His father was known as Erlend Himalde. He was the grandson of Tørberg Arnesson (d. ca. 1050), who served as an advisor to several Norwegian kings and the great-grandson of Ulv Uspaksson (died 1066), who was a councilman under King Harald Hardrada.
He was educated at Saint-Victor
, in Paris
. As a priest he served as steward
to King Inge Krokrygg of Norway
. When Archbishop Jon Birgersson died 24 February 1157, King Inge appointed Eysteinn as the new archbishop.
, where his appointment was confirmed by Pope Alexander III
in 1161. He returned to Norway in 1161 and attempted to strengthen the ties between Rome and the Norwegian Church. He established the communities of Augustinian canons regular
and consecrated Saint Thorlak
.
. Before Eysteinn could return to his seat, King Inge was killed by his nephew, Håkon Herdebrei
. King Inge's supporters had rallied under the leadership of Erling Skakke
with his son Magnus
as candidate for king. Erling Skakke was married to Kristin
, daughter of King Sigurd Jorsalfar. This was the first time the throne had passed to someone who was not a king's son.
Håkon Herdebrei was defeated and slain in 1162; however, the possibility remained that another claimant would appear. In this situation, Bishop Eysteinn and Erling became natural allies. The Church had long wished to reform the Norwegian kingdom on a more European model. Especially it wanted an end to the tradition of having several co-kings, which in the past had often led to war and unrest. In addition Bishop Eysteinn wanted only legitimate sons to be eligible. By sponsoring Magnus Erlingsson, both these goals would be achieved. In 1163 the new law of succession
(agnatisk suksesjon) , was introduced. In return, Bishop Eysteinn crowned Magnus King of Norway. This was the first time such a ceremony had taken place in Norway.
Eysteinn is thought to have written Passio Olavi, a hagiographical work written in the Latin language. This is about the history and work of St. Olaf II of Norway
, with particular emphasis on his missionary work. The title is an abbreviation for Passio Et Miracula Beati Olaui, meaning Holy Olav's sufferings and miracles.
Background
His family came from TrøndelagTrøndelag
Trøndelag is the name of a geographical region in the central part of Norway, consisting of the two counties Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag. The region is, together with Møre og Romsdal, part of a larger...
, and he was related to most of the local nobility. His birth date and place of birth is not recorded. Øystein was probably born sometime between 1120 and 1130 on the farm or Råsvoll south of Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
in Verdal
Verdal
Verdal is a municipality in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Innherad region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Verdalsøra...
, Nord-Trøndelag
Nord-Trøndelag
is a county constituting the northern part of Trøndelag in Norway. As of 2010, the county had 131,555 inhabitants, making it the country's fourth-least populated county. The largest municipalities are Stjørdal, Steinkjer—the county seat, Levanger, Namsos and Verdal, all with between 21,000 and...
. His father was known as Erlend Himalde. He was the grandson of Tørberg Arnesson (d. ca. 1050), who served as an advisor to several Norwegian kings and the great-grandson of Ulv Uspaksson (died 1066), who was a councilman under King Harald Hardrada.
He was educated at Saint-Victor
Saint-Victor
Saint-Victor may refer to:* Paul Bins, comte de Saint-Victor , French authorIt is also the name or part of the name of several communes in France:*Saint-Victor, Allier, in the Allier département...
, in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. As a priest he served as steward
Steward (office)
A steward is an official who is appointed by the legal ruling monarch to represent him or her in a country, and may have a mandate to govern it in his or her name; in the latter case, it roughly corresponds with the position of governor or deputy...
to King Inge Krokrygg of Norway
Inge I of Norway
Inge Haraldsson was king of Norway from 1136 to 1161. Inge’s reign fell within the start of the period known in Norwegian history as the civil war era. He was never the sole ruler of the country. He is often known as Inge the Hunchback , because of his physical disability...
. When Archbishop Jon Birgersson died 24 February 1157, King Inge appointed Eysteinn as the new archbishop.
Ties with Rome
Eysteinn then travelled to RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, where his appointment was confirmed by Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III , born Rolando of Siena, was Pope from 1159 to 1181. He is noted in history for laying the foundation stone for the Notre Dame de Paris.-Church career:...
in 1161. He returned to Norway in 1161 and attempted to strengthen the ties between Rome and the Norwegian Church. He established the communities of Augustinian canons regular
Canons Regular
Canons Regular are members of certain bodies of Canons living in community under the Augustinian Rule , and sharing their property in common...
and consecrated Saint Thorlak
Saint Thorlak
Saint Thorlac Thorhalli is the patron saint of Iceland. Born in Skálholt in sourthern Iceland, he was bishop of Skalholt from 1178 until his death...
.
Involvement in Civil War
King Inge’s reign fell within the start of the period known as the civil war era in NorwayCivil war era in Norway
The Civil war era of Norwegian history is a term used for the period in the history of Norway between 1130 and 1240. During this time, a series of civil wars were fought between rival kings and pretenders to the throne of Norway. The reasons for the wars is one of the most debated topics in...
. Before Eysteinn could return to his seat, King Inge was killed by his nephew, Håkon Herdebrei
Haakon II of Norway
Haakon II Sigurdsson , also known as Haakon Herdebrei, was King of Norway from 1157 until 1162 during the Civil war era in Norway.-Biography:His nickname, Herdebrei, means broad-shouldered...
. King Inge's supporters had rallied under the leadership of Erling Skakke
Erling Skakke
Erling Skakke was a Norwegian Jarl during the 12th century. He was the father of Magnus V, who reigned as King of Norway from 1161 to 1184....
with his son Magnus
Magnus V of Norway
Magnus V Erlingsson was a King of Norway during the Civil war era in Norway.-Biography:Magnus Erlingsson was probably born in Etne in Hordaland. He was the son of Erling Skakke. His father was a Norwegian nobleman who earned his reputation crusading with Rögnvald Kali Kolsson, the Earl of Orkney...
as candidate for king. Erling Skakke was married to Kristin
Kristin Sigurdsdatter
Kristin Sigurdsdatter was a Norwegian Princess and mother of King Magnus V of Norway.Kristin the daughter of King Sigurd I of Norway and Malmfred of Kiev making her the only legitimate child of King Sigurd. Kristin married Erling Skakke with whom she had a son, Magnus Erlingsson...
, daughter of King Sigurd Jorsalfar. This was the first time the throne had passed to someone who was not a king's son.
Håkon Herdebrei was defeated and slain in 1162; however, the possibility remained that another claimant would appear. In this situation, Bishop Eysteinn and Erling became natural allies. The Church had long wished to reform the Norwegian kingdom on a more European model. Especially it wanted an end to the tradition of having several co-kings, which in the past had often led to war and unrest. In addition Bishop Eysteinn wanted only legitimate sons to be eligible. By sponsoring Magnus Erlingsson, both these goals would be achieved. In 1163 the new law of succession
Norwegian Law of Succession
The Norwegian Law of Succession was introduced in 1163. The law was an accord between Erling Skakke and Archbishop Øystein, whereby Erling's son Magnus Erlingsson inherited the throne, in exchange for greater power to the church...
(agnatisk suksesjon) , was introduced. In return, Bishop Eysteinn crowned Magnus King of Norway. This was the first time such a ceremony had taken place in Norway.
Eysteinn is thought to have written Passio Olavi, a hagiographical work written in the Latin language. This is about the history and work of St. Olaf II of Norway
Olaf II of Norway
Olaf II Haraldsson was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. He was posthumously given the title Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae and canonised in Nidaros by Bishop Grimkell, one year after his death in the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030. Enshrined in Nidaros Cathedral...
, with particular emphasis on his missionary work. The title is an abbreviation for Passio Et Miracula Beati Olaui, meaning Holy Olav's sufferings and miracles.
Other sources
- Gunnes, Erik Erkebiskop Øystein, statsmann og kirkebygger (Oslo: 1996) ISBN 82-03-22144-0
- Vandvik, Eirik Erkebiskop Eystein som politikar (Trondheim: 1961)
- Bagge, Sverre Mennesket i middelalderens Norge (forlaget Aschehoug, Oslo: 2005) ISBN 82-03-23282-5