Tormod Kark (Old Norse: Þormóðr Karkr [ˈθorˌmoːðz̠ ˈkɑrkz̠]; Modern Icelandic: Þormóður Karkur [ˈθɔrˌmouːðʏr ˈkʰar̥kʏr̥]) was a slave in Viking Era Norway. He appears in the saga Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar. [1]
Biography
His life was closely tied to Haakon Sigurdsson (c. 937 – 995). In 995, a quarrel broke out between Haakon and Olaf Tryggvason (ca 960 –1000) just as Olaf had arrived back in Norway. Hoping for a reward, Tormod Kark killed Haakon and brought his head to Olaf who would become king of Norway. The murder happened at Rimul in Melhus. However, as a punishment for betraying his lord, Kark was himself decapitated, and his head reputedly sat on a stake in Munkholmen alongside Haakon's head. The events are described in the Saga of King Olaf Tryggvason. [2] [3]
See also
References
- ↑ "Tormod Kark (935*-995)". trondheim.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- ↑ Sögur, Fornmanna (1835). "Saga Olafs konúngs Tryggvasonar". Fornmanna sögur, Volum 10. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- ↑ "Olav Tryggvason". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Olaf, the name of five kings of Norway". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.