Audbjörn Frøybjørnsson Explained

Honorific Prefix:King
Audbjørn Frøybjornsson
Native Name:Audbjörn Frøybjornsson
Birth Date:840
Death Date:870
Death Place:Solskjel
Death Cause:Killed in battle
Body Discovered:Nordfjordeid
Burial Place:Nordfjordeid
Monuments:Burial mound (Rundehogjen)
King of Firda
Successor:Vemund Kamban
Opponents:Harald Fairhair
Father:Frøybjørn Frøygardsson
Family:Myklebust Dynasty

Audbjörn Frøybjørnsson (Norwegian: Audbjørn Frøbjørnsson) was the King of the Kingdom of Firda (Norse: Firðafylkí). One of the petty kingdoms of Norway during the Viking age. He lived approximately between 840 and 870.

Audbjörn was killed during the second battle of Solskjel in 870 defending against Harald Fairhair. Harald was on a conquest to unite Norway under one rule leading to the Unification of Norway. Audbjörn wanted to maintain the current structure of petty kingdoms in Norway, in order to maintain his power. When news arrived that Harald was marching south from Trondheim, with a massive army; Audbjörn and King Arnvid of Sunnmøre gathered an army to defend their territories. A massive battle ensued with large casualties on both sides, both Kings fell during the battle.[1] [2]

Audbjörn was returned home to Nordfjordeid, and buried in the gravemound known as "Rundehogjen" with the original Myklebust ship.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Audbjørn - Allkunne . 2022-05-24 . www.allkunne.no . no.
  2. Web site: ca 863 - Slaget ved Solskjel . 2022-05-24 . sunnmiddelalder.net.
  3. Web site: King of the Fjord . 2022-05-24 . Sagastad . en-US.