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Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson

840 – 894

9th century Norse viking and first Jarl of Møre

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About Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson

Lived 840 – 894 (aged 53–54). Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson was a Norwegian.

Rognvald Eysteinsson was the founding Jarl (or Earl) of Møre in Norway, and a close relative and ally of Harald Fairhair, the earliest known King of Norway. In the Norse language he is known as Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson (Mǿrajarl) and in modern Norwegian as Ragnvald Mørejarl. He is sometimes referred to with bynames that may be translated into modern English as "Rognvald the Wise" or "Rognvald the Powerful".

The earliest available sources regarding Rognvald are mutually contradictory and were compiled long after he died. The best known are the Norse Sagas, although modern scholars highlight many inconsistencies and improbable claims regarding Rognvald in the sagas, and believe that they must be treated with caution:

Modern scholars also highlight inconsistencies and improbable claims in the sagas' claims regarding: the relationship between Rognvald and Harald; the names and biographies of Rognvald's immediate family; and, the founding of the earldom of Møre.

Rognvald was the father of Torf-Einarr (d. circa 910) an earl of Orkney. Some Norse accounts claimed that another son, Hrólfr, settled in France and, under the name Rollo (d. 930), founded the Duchy of Normandy. However, French sources suggest that Rollo's father was an unnamed Danish or Norwegian nobleman, or a viking named Ketill.

Traditional accounts

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Important facts

Born
840, Norway
Birth century
Died
894
Nationality
Also known as
Ragnvald Eysteinsson, Røgnvald Eysteinsson, Rögnvaldur Eysteinsson, Rognvald Eysteinsson, Rǫgnvaldr Mœrajarl, Ragnvald Mørejarl
moreRögnvaldur Mærajarl, Rognvald, Jarl of Møre

Family & relationships

Spouse
Hildr Hrólfsdóttir
Parent
Eystein Ivarsson

People in Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson?

9th century Norse viking and first Jarl of Møre

When was Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson born?

Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson was born in 840 in Norway.

When did Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson die?

Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson died in 894.

What nationality was Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson?

Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson was Norwegian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson

· Wikidata: Q1367604

· DBpedia: Rognvald Eysteinsson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson. https://biography.guide/rognvaldr-eysteinsson/

MLA: "Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/rognvaldr-eysteinsson/.

Chicago: "Rǫgnvaldr Eysteinsson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/rognvaldr-eysteinsson/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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