Across the Fence #391
Gaut
had two sons who are listed in records: Jon Gautsson of Ænes, my 22nd
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 21st 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 20th 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.
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 20th 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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