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HARALDSSON Bjorn "The Merchant"
Birth: ABT 900 of Vestfold, Norway
Death: 927
Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bj%C3%B8rn_Farmann
Bjørn Farmann ("Bjørn the Tradesman", also called Bjørn Haraldsson, Farmand and
Kaupman, c. ? – c. 930–934) was a king of Vestfold. Bjørn was one of the sons of
Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway. Bjørn Farmann was also the great-grandfather
of Olaf II of Norway, through his son Gudrød Bjørnsson.
Biography[edit]
Bjørn Farmann was one of the sons born of Harald Fairhair with Svanhild, daughter of
Eystein Earl. When Harald Fairhair died, his kingdom was divided up between his
sons. Bjørn Farmann became the king of Vestfold, the county west of the Oslofjord,
and is considered as the founder of Tønsberg. Bjørn Farmann spent most of his time at
the court at Sæheimr located near Sem, Norway. Erik Bloodaxe (Old Norse: Eiríkr
blóðøx, Norwegian: Eirik Blodøks) was the eldest son of Harald Fairhair and became
the second king of Norway (930–934). Once the power was in his hands, Erik
Bloodaxe began to quarrel with his other brothers and had four of them killed,
including Bjørn Farmann. Bjørn was killed by Eirik Bloodaxe in a feud around 930–934
AD at Sæheimr. Later in battle at Tønsberg, Erik Bloodaxe killed Olaf Haraldsson
Geirstadalf, king of Vingulmark and later also of Vestfold together with Sigrød
Haraldsson, king of Trondheim.[1]
Farmannhaugen[edit]
Bjørn Farmann was reportedly killed by his brother King Eirik Bloodaxe at the Sæheimr
estate. He is said to be buried in Farmannshaugen (from the Old Norse word haugr
meaning burial mound), outside Tønsberg about 3 km east of the village of Sem, close
to the manor of the Jarlsberg family. Farmannhaugen is visible from route 312.
Farmannhaugen was archaeologically investigated during 1917.[2]
Snorri Sturluson[edit]
Snorri Sturluson tells this of Bjørn, in an extract from Heimskringla, Harald Harfager's
Saga:
“ King Harald and Svanhild's son Bjorn, who went by the name Bjorn Farmann, ruled
over Vestfold at that time, and generally lived at Tunsberg, and went but little on war
expeditions. Tunsberg at that time was much frequented by merchant vessels, both
from Viken and the north country, and also from the south, from Denmark, and
Saxland. King Bjorn had also merchant ships on voyages to other lands, by which he
procured for himself costly articles, and such things as he thought needful; and
therefore his brothers called him Farman (the Seaman), and Kaupman (the Chapman).
Bjorn was a man of sense and understanding, and promised to become a good ruler.
He made a good and suitable marriage, and had a son by his wife, who was named
Gudrød Bjørnsson. Eirik Blood-axe came from his Baltic cruise with ships of war, and a
great force, and required his brother Bjorn to deliver to him King Harald's share of the
scat and incomes of Vestfold. But it had always been the custom before, that Bjorn
himself either delivered the money into the king's hands, or sent men of his own with
it; and therefore he would continue with the old custom, and would not deliver the
money. Eirik again wanted provisions, tents, and liquor. The brothers quarrelled about
this; but Eirik got nothing and left the town. Bjorn went also out of the town towards
evening up to Saeheim. In the night Eirik came back after Bjorn, and came to Saeheim
just as Bjorn and his men were seated at table drinking. Eirik surrounded the house in
which they were; but Bjorn with his men went out and fought. Bjorn, and many men
with him, fell. Eirik, on the other hand, got a great booty, and proceeded northwards.
But this work was taken very ill by the people of Viken, and Eirik was much disliked
for it; and the report went that King Olaf would avenge his brother Bjorn, whenever
opportunity offered. King Bjorn lies in the mound of Farmanshaug at Saeheim.
Parents
HALFDANSSON Harald I "Fairhair" ( 860 - 933)
EYESTEINSDOTTIR Svanhild (ABT 850 - )
Siblings
HARALDSSON Olaf (ABT 877 - 934)
HARALDSSON Bjorn "The Merchant" (ABT 900 - 927)
Marriage To ----- ----- ()
m.
Notes
Children by ----- -----
BJORNSSON Gudrod (ABT 925 - 963)
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