Remembering Our Ancestors

Across the Fence #391

Syttende Mai is a good time to remember our roots and take a look back at some of our ancestors. In previous columns, I’ve told you about one of my ancestors, Hothead Sven, who was executed for murder in 1639 in Norway. Now I’d like to tell you about one of my 23rd great grandparents. We need to go back a few years to find out about Grandpa Gaut. Return with me to those thrilling days of yesteryear in Norway: A time when men were men and women were women. A time when the Age of the Vikings was coming to a close and men were trying to change their ways to conform to Christianity, which was replacing their pagan beliefs. It was when pillaging and plundering other countries was replaced by 110 years of civil warfare within Norway, starting in 1130.

This is when the history of the Ænes (Urnes) family is first recorded. Gaut at Ænes was born around 1100, give or take five years. According to King Sverre’s Saga, Gaut came from an old Viking chieftain family in Hordaland, and was one of the most powerful families in Norway. The saga states that Gaut was a Feudal Lord with King Magnus Erlingson in 1160.

Gaut had two sons who are listed in records: Jon Gautsson of Ænes, my 22^nd great grandfather, and Munan Gautsson. Like their father before them, they were Feudal Lords with King Magnus Erlingson and took part in battles against Sverre, leader of the Birkebeiners.  

In the battle of Fimreite in Norfjord on 15 June 1181, Jon Gautsson led a ship into battle against Sverre and the Birkebeiners. 5,000 men took part in the fierce battle that began in the afternoon and lasted until midnight. Half the men who took part in the battle died, including King Magnus Erlingson. Jon Gautsson, who was in his mid-40s at the time, was severely wounded and retired from fighting to his farm at Ænes. After the victory, Sverre became King, and it appears he came to an agreement with Jon Gautsson that allowed him to keep his property and position, the rank of Feudal Lord.

The sagas also say that Jon Gautsson was the father of three of the most capable chieftains during this time and during the rein of King Håkon Håkonson. Two of them Arnbjørn Jonsson and Gaut Jonsson, are both my great grandfathers in different lines. We will look at Gaut ‘One Eye’ Jonsson in this story.

Gaut ‘One Eye’, born around 1190, is my 21^st great grandfather in both my Sherpe and Østrem lines. Gaut had one eye (the other had been lost in a battle). Once when Snorre Sturlusøn, was in Norway, he composed an unflattering song (poem) about Gaut’s one eye. This is the same Snorre Sturluson who wrote the Heimskringla, The History of the Norwegian Kings. The poem said: “The Lords of battle-magic urged on Hildetann and Ring to battle, and Gaut increased Odin’s power and existence at that time; The warrior (Gaut) from a mighty family, who was famous in battle caused for a long time, dissension between chieftains; the armies leader rejected his judgement.”

Gaut Jonsson became a Birkebeiner chieftain in 1217. Before that, Gaut was not a Birkebeiner supporter. That changed after Sverre died and Gaut aligned himself with the family of Håkon Håkonson. I think he saw in which direction the power was shifting and liked being in a position of wealth and power. 

It’s stated in the records that Gaut Jonsson was an outstanding Birkebeiner Chieftain for King Håkon Håkonsøn and was the King’s close advisor. Gaut was around 28 years old at the time.

In 1218 Gaut started to Jerusalem to fight in the 5th Crusade. However, he encountered a heavy storm and his ship was damaged. He returned to Norway and to King Håkon. Gaut was present during Håkon Håkonsøn’s official crowning as King of Norway in 1223.

When Håkon’s son, Magnus Håkonsøn, was crowned King of Norway in 1260, Gaut carried the crowning sword for Magnus. This ceremony was held at the time of Magnus’ marriage. Magnus didn’t officially ascend to the throne until after his father’s death

In the summer of 1263, King Håkon assembled a huge armada of 160 ships and 20,000 warriors and set sail to Scotland to relieve the Hebrides, which was under attack by the Scottish King and his army. King Håkon had Gaut Jonsson, who was then around 73 years old, remain in Norway with his son Magnus Håkonsøn and be his advisor. King Håkon put Gaut in charge, to oversee the running of the country while he was gone. This shows how highly King Håkon regarded him. Gaut also helped King Håkon cover-up and keep quiet the birth of an illegitimate daughter that the King’s oldest son, Sigurd Håkonson, had with a married woman. Gaut’s son, Gaut Gautsson of Hatteberg, my 20^th great grandfather, would eventually marry that illegitimate daughter, but that’s another story!

During the winter of the Scottish campaign King Håkon became ill and died on December 15, 1263. The following spring his body was returned to Norway where he was buried in the presence of the new king, his son, Magnus, and Magnus’ advisor, Gaut ‘One Eye’ Jonsson.

Old Grandpa Gaut died in 1270, at around 80 years of age, a tough and crafty old warrior right up to the end.

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