
Rognvaldr Gudrodarson (1164-1229) was Count of Mann from 1187 to 1229, succeeding Gudrodr Olafsson and preceding Olaf the Black.
Biography[]
Rognvaldr Gudrodarson was born in 1164, the son of King Gudrodr Olafsson of Sudreyjar. In the year of his birth, his father was forced to partition Sudreyjar with Ragnall mac Somairle, and Rognvaldr succeeded his father as Chief of Mann in 1187. Rognvaldr aided King William the Lion of Scotland against Jarl Harald Maddadsson of Orkneyar and briefly occupied Caithness, and he also involved himself in Ireland and Wales. From 1205 to 1219, he was a vassal of King John of England, but, after King Inge II of Norway led a destructive expedition to Mann in 1210, Rognvaldr was forced to become his vassal as well. In 1219, he submitted to Pope Honorius III and paid a perpetual tribute for the protection of his realm. From 1214 onwards, Rognvaldr and his brother Olaf the Black fought for control of Mann, and, in 1229, Olaf slew Rognvaldr in battle and seized the throne.