Olaf Odhar The Black Godredson

• General Notes
  • Olaf the Black, also called Olaf Godredsson  (1173/4-1237) was King of Mann and the Isles from 1229-1237. Olaf was the son of Godred V and Findguala from Ireland, and the half-brother of his predecessor, Ragnald.
    
    His younger brother Ragnald IV usurped his succession to the throne and it was only after years of campaigning against his brother's rule that Olaf killed him and took the throne in the year 1229. On the other hand, sources maintain that Findguala was his father's third and last wife, which would presumably make Olaf as the younger brother. He however was the intended successor by his father.
    
    Olaf was driven out of Mann by Alan, Lord of Galloway and forced to flee to Norway for assistance. In early 1230 Olaf and his nephew, Godred Donn, sailed from Norway in a fleet commanded by Gilla Esbuig mac Dubgaill. The fleet of 12 ships was strengthened by 20 more as the fleet stopped at Orkney on its way to the west coast of Scotland. According to saga accounts the fleet had grown to about 80 ships and over 3000 men by the time it entered the Firth of Clyde in around June. The force invaded the Isle of Bute and captured Rothesay Castle which was held by the powerful Stewart dynasty. The sagas tell of how the Norwegian force hewed the wall with their axes, because it was soft. Gilla Esbuig, who was severely wounded in the siege of Rothesay Castle, soon died and was buried in Iona. It was after the death of Gilla Esbuig mac Dubgaill that Olaf took command of the fleet and by Autumn had taken control of Mann with ease.
    
    Olaf died in the year 1237 at Peel Castle. He was succeeded by his son, who became Harald I of the Isle of Man. Later, Olaf's younger son became king Magnus