Brusi Sigurdsson

Brusi Sigurdsson (died 1030x1035) was one of Sigurd Hlodvirsson's four sons ( together with Thorfinn, Einar and Sumarlidi ). He was jointly Earl of Orkney from 1014. His life is recorded in the "Orkneyinga Saga".

When Earl Sigurd was killed at the Battle of Clontarf, he left four sons: Brusi, Sumarlidi, Einar and Thorfinn. Thorfinn was only a child, whereas his three brothers were grown men, so the Earldom was divided between the three older brothers. ["Orkneyinga Saga", c. 13; "St Olaf's Saga", c. 96.]

Sumarlidi died soon after, and Einar, called Wry-Mouth, took his share, ruling two-thirds of the Earldom and leaving a third for Brusi. Einar soon became unpopular, demanding heavy taxes and frequent military service from the farmers, and gaining little booty on his raids. He was, the saga says, "a great bully", whereas Brusi was "gentle, restrained, unassuming and a fine speaker" and "well-liked by everyone". ["Orkneyinga Saga", c. 13; "St Olaf's Saga", c. 97.]

Brusi had to make peace between Einar and Thorfinn when the youngest brother grew to manhood, not once but twice. In the end, Einar plotted Thorfinn's death but was found out and killed by Thorfinn. ["Orkneyinga Saga", cc. 14–16; "St Olaf's Saga", cc. 98–99.] The agreement made with Einar meant that Brusi inherited another third of the earldom on Einar's death, leaving Thorfinn with one part of the earldom, Brusi with two. Thorfinn was not pleased with this arrangement, and asked Brusi for a half share. This Brusi refused. However, while Thorfinn could count on the aid of his maternal grandfather, Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, Brusi could rely only on his own resources. ["Orkneyinga Saga", cc. 16–17; "St Olaf's Saga", c. 100.]

To find support Brusi went to Norway, to the court of King Olaf Haraldsson, to have the sharing out of the Earldom settled, and Thorfinn followed him there. Olaf kept Einar's share for himself, appointing Brusi to administer it, and kept Brusi's son Rognvald at his court. ["Orkneyinga Saga", cc. 17–19; "Saint Olaf's Saga", cc. 100–102.] Brusi later gave Thorfinn the disputed third of the islands in return for Thorfinn seeing to the defence of Orkney and Shetland. ["Orkneyinga Saga", c. 19.]

Brusi died before 1035 as the saga says he had died before his son Rognvald accompanied Magnus the Good back to Norway. ["Orkneyinga Saga", c. 21.]

Notes

References

* Anderson, Alan Orr, "Early Sources of Scottish History A.D 500–1286", volume 1. Reprinted with corrections. Paul Watkins, Stamford, 1990. ISBN 1-871615-03-8
* Anon., "Orkneyinga Saga: The History of the Earls of Orkney", tr. Hermann Pálsson and Paul Edwards. Penguin, London, 1978. ISBN 0-14-044383-5
* Sturluson, Snorri, "Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway", tr. Lee M. Hollander. Reprinted University of Texas Press, Austin, 1992. ISBN 0-292-73061-6