The earliest available sources regarding Rognvald are mutually contradictory and were compiled long after he died.
11 Facts About Rognvald Eysteinsson
1.
2.
The Orkneyinga saga says that Rognvald Eysteinsson was the son of Eystein Ivarsson and grandson of Ivarr Upplendingajarl.
3.
Rognvald Eysteinsson was married, according to the Orkneyinga saga to Ragnhild, the daughter of a man named Hrolfr Nose, although in the Heimskringla his wife is named Hild.
4.
The Saga of Harald Fairhair in Heimskringla recounts that Rognvald Eysteinsson caused Harald Fairhair to be given his byname by cutting and dressing his hair, which had been uncut for ten years on account of his vow never to cut it until he was ruler of all Norway.
5.
The Danish raids caused Rognvald Eysteinsson to fly into a rage and summon his sons Thorir and Hrolluag.
6.
Rognvald Eysteinsson predicted that Thorir's path would keep him in Norway and that Hrolluag was destined seek his fortune in Iceland.
7.
Rognvald Eysteinsson was killed by King Harald's son Halfdan Halegg and Gudrod Gleam, who engineered a sudden attack, surrounding the house in which Rognvald Eysteinsson was staying, and burned it to the ground with the earl and 60 of his men inside it.
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Harald Fairhair 8.
Halfdan escaped into the western seas and Rognvald Eysteinsson's death was later avenged by Torf-Einarr, who killed him on North Ronaldsay and then made peace with Harald.
9.
Furthermore, through his son Hrolfr, Rognvald Eysteinsson is portrayed as an ancestor of the Dukes of Normandy who, following the Norman conquest of England in 1066, became the kings of England.
10.
Rognvald Eysteinsson's life occurs within the first eight short chapters within the Orkneyinga saga and it is clear that in this early period it contains generally less detail and historical accuracy than in the later events it describes.
11.
Thorir is a compliant son who Rognvald Eysteinsson is happy to keep at home.