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The Lion of Lade (in English)
Ralph L. Stephenson
Synopsis "The Lion of Lade (in English)"
This is what could have been, the might have been story of Rognvald Morejarl, the Earl of More. Rognvald was a real person who lived from approximately 850 to 905, the beginnings of the Viking Age in Europe. The story of Rognvald, the Viking, is significant because he, and his son, Gongu-Hrolfr, founded the Norman dynasty. The founding of the Norman dynasty has impacted Europe and the world to this very day. Rognvald liked to call himself the friend of Harold Finehair, King of Norway. He was almost certainly related by blood to Harold, probably a cousin. Ragnvald’s only known brother was Sigurd, the first Earl of Orkney, who was given the Orkneys, the Hebrides, and the Shetland Islands by King Harald. Sigard was famous for his assaults on Scotland. Sigard’s son Guttorm succeeded him, but lived only a year, and was succeeded by Torv-Einer, Ragnvalds son. Einer, the son of a slave or concubine, succeeded Sigard’s son, who was childless. We don’t know why Sigard’s son was childless, he was old enough but may not have fathered any children or they may have all died or been killed. From the above only a few things may be surmised. Rognvald was obviously one of the chief Earls of Norway. He commanded a local army and navy. He was obviously wealthy and an able military commander, as were his sons. He had at least one wife and a slave mistress, not uncommon in those days. In fact, Vikings often had several wives and female slaves whom they consorted with. It is also highly likely that Rognvald had more sons and daughters than are mentioned in history. Harold, his friend, had more than 20 sons by several women, and lived to be 80 years old, an incredible age at that time, when the average lifespan was only about 35 years. Harold’s son, Halvdan Halegg, who was attempting to usurp the throne, killed Ragnvald. Halvdan was killed by Torv-Einer in the Orkneys in about 905. Torv died about 910, and his sons succeeded him. Rognvald supported Hakon, later known as “the Good.” There is no mention in history of Rognvald’s age when he died, but his date of death is known. He was probably in his late fifties and possibly even his early sixties. Normans lived a very long time, grave stones reveal that they commonly lived into their eighties and even into the early nineties. This at a time when the average lifespan was less than half that. Rognvald made a point of calling himself a friend of King Harald Finehair, who ascended to the throne at age ten. The court Scald was Thorbjorn Hornklove. There were three prominent men in the Kingdom; in addition to Ragnvold there was Guttorm, and Haakon Grjotgardsson. Since Rognvald called himself Harald’s friend, it is apparent that the two had some sort of close relationship. All the aristocracy of Norway at that time were related somehow, either by marriage, or by direct blood relationships. Since Harold appears to have been about the same age as Rognvald, it is probable that Rognvald served in Harold’s court. Both became highly accomplished military commanders. It is probable Rognvald and Harold were cousins. Ragnvalds oldest son, Thore Teglande, succeeded him and became the Jarl of More. In 912 Harald assembled a Thing and made his son Erik Blood Ax king with his sons under kings. Erik was unpopular and was soon replaced by Hakon. Harald had 16 or 20 sons by various women. He died about 933, over 80 years old. This story is the Viking or Scandinavian “Roots.” The author is a direct descendent of Rognvald through Hrolfr. This is how it might have been, with literary license taken to explain the life and times of the Vikings.
