Erlingr Skjálgsson
Erlingr Skjálgsson ( Norwegian Erling Skjalgsson ; * approx. 975; † December 21, 1028 in Bokn ) was a ruler in Sola in southwestern Norway and at that time one of the most powerful men in Norway. He was the brother-in-law of Olav Tryggvason and at first an ally of Olav the Saint . He was later murdered in a battle against him.
Life
Little is known about Erling's origins. His father was called Þórólfr skjálgr ('skjálgr' means 'cross-eyed'), the mother's name is unknown. After 995 Erling married Ástríðr Tryggvadóttir, the daughter of Tryggve Olafsson and Ástríðr Eiríksdóttir, and thus became the brother-in-law of Olav Tryggvasson.
His death
Erlingr was killed in a battle against Olav the Saint in the Boknfjord. Snorri Sturluson says that at the end of the battle, Erlingr was the only one in his army who could still stand. In view of Erling's combat mission, Olav offered him that he could join his service. Erlingr agreed. At that moment Áslákr fitjaskalli, one of Olav's confidants, jumped forward and killed Erlingr with his ax. Olav is said to have said: "Now you have knocked Norway out of my hand." With this he indicated that Erling's support was very important and that this murder would cost him the throne.
Memorial stone
A priest named Álfgeirr erected a stone cross in memory of Erlingr Skjálgsson. It says:
- ALFKAIR BRISTR RAISTI STAIN ÞINA AFT ARLIK TROTIN SIN IS AIN UAS UR ARNI UILTR IS HAN BARIÞISK UIÞ OLAIF.
- Álfgeirr, priest, built this stone for Erlingr, his master, who was abandoned and betrayed by his own when he fought with Olav.
This cross is considered to be one of Norway's oldest historical monuments and stood in Stavanger by the Breiavatnet, a small lake on the entrance road to Jæren , in the Middle Ages . Today the original is in the Stavanger Museum. A copy is in Solakrossen on a hill behind the “Kulturhaus Sola ”.
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Erlingr Skjálgsson |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Erling Skjalgsson (Norwegian) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Norwegian ruler |
| DATE OF BIRTH | around 975 |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 21, 1028 |
| Place of death | Bokn , southwestern Norway |