Gilli (jarl)
Encyclopedia
Gilli, also known as Gilla, was an early 11th century Norse-Gaelic lord. According to Njáls saga, Gilli was a Hebridean jarl, centred at on the island of Coll
, who paid tribute to his brother-in-law, Sigurðr 'the Stout', Jarl of Orkney (d. 1014). Historian Barbara E. Crawford suggested that Gilli must have controlled an extensive area in the southern Hebrides. Another saga, Orkneyinga saga
, also notes Sigurðr's influence in the Irish Sea
region; yet it makes no mention of Gilli. During this period in history, Sigurðr governed the Northern Isles
, and is thought to have ruled parts of northern Scotland
. Sigurðr is also said to have fought in Ireland, at the Battle of Clontarf
in 1014. Recently, Clare Downham, noted that while it is possible that Sigurðr was testing his power in the Hebrides, as the saga literature implies, contemporary sources give little insight on the matter. Crawford noted that the portion of the hoard
s, found in 'Scandinavian Scotland', which date to the years 975–1025, coincide with the time when Sigurðr is thought to have extended his power into the Hebrides and the aftermath of his defeat at Clontarf.
Gilli's wife is recorded in Njáls saga as Hvarflǫð. This name, according to Donnchadh Ó Corráin
, is an Old Norse
form of the very rare Irish language
name Forbfhlaith. Gilli's own name has also been considered to be at least represented in a Gaelic form. "Gilli" may only the first half of his name. For example, a king of Norway named Haraldr Gilli was born and raised in Ireland; and likely originally bore the name of Giolla Criost, which was afterwards shortened in Norway. In this way, Gilli's full Gaelic name could equate to Gaelic forms of Gillecolum, Gillepatrick, Gillechrist; or any name composed of the Gaelic Giolla (meaning "servant") + [a saint's name].
It has been suggested that the 12th century Norse-Gaelic lords Fergus of Galloway
, and Somerled
, could have been descendants of Gilli.
The saga states that Jarl Sigurðr sent one of his bodyguards, Kári
, to the Hebrides
to collect tribute from Jarl Gilli. Several years later Kári and the sons of Njál
, harried Anglesea
and the Hebrides. After a successful raid on Kintyre
, they went south and harried Wales
. They then turned for the Isle of Man
where they fought a Manx king called Guðrøðr, killed his son Dungal, and took great spoil. They then travelled to Coll where Gilli greeted them kindly and stayed with him for a while. Gilli then accompanied them back to Orkney to meet Sigurðr. The next spring, Sigurðr gave his sister, Nereiði, to Gilli; and together the newly-weds travelled back to the Hebrides. At Yule
, Gilli revisited Orkney on the invitation of his brother-in-law
, Sigurðr. After returning to the Hebrides, the next spring, Gilli had a dream in which a man named Herfinnur came from Ireland and sang a song of the death of Brian Boru
.
Coll
Coll is a small island, west of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Coll is known for its sandy beaches, which rise to form large sand dunes, for its corncrakes, and for Breachacha Castle.-Geography and geology:...
, who paid tribute to his brother-in-law, Sigurðr 'the Stout', Jarl of Orkney (d. 1014). Historian Barbara E. Crawford suggested that Gilli must have controlled an extensive area in the southern Hebrides. Another saga, Orkneyinga saga
Orkneyinga saga
The Orkneyinga saga is a historical narrative of the history of the Orkney Islands, from their capture by the Norwegian king in the ninth century onwards until about 1200...
, also notes Sigurðr's influence in the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
region; yet it makes no mention of Gilli. During this period in history, Sigurðr governed the Northern Isles
Northern Isles
The Northern Isles is a chain of islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The climate is cool and temperate and much influenced by the surrounding seas. There are two main island groups: Shetland and Orkney...
, and is thought to have ruled parts of northern Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Sigurðr is also said to have fought in Ireland, at the Battle of Clontarf
Battle of Clontarf
The Battle of Clontarf took place on 23 April 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada: composed mainly of his own men, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by his cousin Sigtrygg, as well as the one rebellious...
in 1014. Recently, Clare Downham, noted that while it is possible that Sigurðr was testing his power in the Hebrides, as the saga literature implies, contemporary sources give little insight on the matter. Crawford noted that the portion of the hoard
Hoard
In archaeology, a hoard is a collection of valuable objects or artifacts, sometimes purposely buried in the ground. This would usually be with the intention of later recovery by the hoarder; hoarders sometimes died before retrieving the hoard, and these surviving hoards may be uncovered by...
s, found in 'Scandinavian Scotland', which date to the years 975–1025, coincide with the time when Sigurðr is thought to have extended his power into the Hebrides and the aftermath of his defeat at Clontarf.
Gilli's wife is recorded in Njáls saga as Hvarflǫð. This name, according to Donnchadh Ó Corráin
Donnchadh Ó Corráin
Donnchadh Ó Corráin is an Irish historian and Professor Emeritus of Medieval History at University College Cork. He is an early Irish and mediaeval historian and has published on the Viking Wars, Ireland in the pre-Hiberno-Norman period and the origin of Irish language names.-Works:Ó Corráin's...
, is an Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
form of the very rare Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
name Forbfhlaith. Gilli's own name has also been considered to be at least represented in a Gaelic form. "Gilli" may only the first half of his name. For example, a king of Norway named Haraldr Gilli was born and raised in Ireland; and likely originally bore the name of Giolla Criost, which was afterwards shortened in Norway. In this way, Gilli's full Gaelic name could equate to Gaelic forms of Gillecolum, Gillepatrick, Gillechrist; or any name composed of the Gaelic Giolla (meaning "servant") + [a saint's name].
It has been suggested that the 12th century Norse-Gaelic lords Fergus of Galloway
Fergus of Galloway
Fergus of Galloway was King, or Lord, of Galloway from an unknown date , until his death in 1161. He was the founder of that "sub-kingdom," the resurrector of the Bishopric of Whithorn, the patron of new abbeys , and much else besides...
, and Somerled
Somerled
Somerled was a military and political leader of the Scottish Isles in the 12th century who was known in Gaelic as rí Innse Gall . His father was Gillebride...
, could have been descendants of Gilli.
Njáls saga
Njáls saga is a mediaeval Icelandic saga, set during the years 960–1020.The saga states that Jarl Sigurðr sent one of his bodyguards, Kári
Kari Solmundarson
Kári Sölmundarson was a Hebridean viking and soldier of fortune who lived in the late tenth and early eleventh centuries. He is a major character in Njál's Saga. Kári was the son of Solmund, who was the son of Thorbjorn "Jarl's Champion," an Icelander exiled before the establishment of the Althing...
, to the Hebrides
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
to collect tribute from Jarl Gilli. Several years later Kári and the sons of Njál
Njáll Þorgeirsson
Njáll Þorgeirsson was a 10th century Icelandic lawyer who lived at Bergþórshvol and is one of the main protagonists of Njáls saga, a medieval Icelandic saga.Njáll was the son of Þorgeir "gollnir" Ófeigsson...
, harried Anglesea
Anglesea
Anglesea may refer to:*Anglesea, Victoria, an Australian town*Anglesea Football Club, an Australian rules football club*Anglesea Borough, New Jersey, former borough, currently part of North Wildwood, New Jersey, United States...
and the Hebrides. After a successful raid on Kintyre
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
, they went south and harried Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. They then turned for the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
where they fought a Manx king called Guðrøðr, killed his son Dungal, and took great spoil. They then travelled to Coll where Gilli greeted them kindly and stayed with him for a while. Gilli then accompanied them back to Orkney to meet Sigurðr. The next spring, Sigurðr gave his sister, Nereiði, to Gilli; and together the newly-weds travelled back to the Hebrides. At Yule
Yule
Yule or Yuletide is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical Germanic people as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. The festival was originally celebrated from late December to early January...
, Gilli revisited Orkney on the invitation of his brother-in-law
Brother-in-law
A brother-in-law is the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling.-See also:*Affinity *Sister-in-law*Brothers in Law , a 1955 British comedy novel...
, Sigurðr. After returning to the Hebrides, the next spring, Gilli had a dream in which a man named Herfinnur came from Ireland and sang a song of the death of Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
.