Somerled, King of the South
Isles, King of Argyll, (1113-1164)
Born circa 1113 Morven, Argyleshire
Died 1 January 1164 Renfrew (in battle)
Married Ragnhild Olafsdatter,
daughter of Olaf 'Morsel', King of Man &
The Isles 1097-1098 1103-1153
Born circa 1117 Isle of Man
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Somerled is a Scandinavian name meaning 'summer wanderer' or Viking.
In the beginning he was ruler of Argyll, but later challenged his brother-in-law,
Godfrey, son of Olaf, King of Man, for mastery in the Isles. In 1156 Somerled
defeated Godfrey in a sea battle and
successors retained the Isle of Man, Skye and Lewis while Somerled
and his descendants took Islay, Mull and perhaps the Uists as well. According
to the "Chronicle of Man", this was the downfall of the Kingdom of the
islands from the time when the sons of Somerled took possession of it.
However, Somerled wished to re-establish the prestige of Iona and tried
unsuccessfully to persuade Flaherty O'Brolchan, Columba's successor in
Ireland, to become Abbot there.
Somerled's growing power in the region presented a serious threat to
the King of Scots. In 1160 he and Malcolm IV reached an agreement, but
despite their treaty Somerled invaded Renfrew in 1164 only to be killed
early in the ensuing battle.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
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