The scandinavian Earls trace their descent from the noblest and most heroic of the ruling dynasties of the North. Ivar, Prince of the Uplands in Norway, was the father of Eystein who had issue - Rogenwald and Mulahule. Rogenwald was a supporter of King Harold Harfagr and assisted him in obtaining the mastery over all the other independent Norwegian chiefs. One of his sons, Rollo, founded the line of tSovereign Dukes of Normandy and was ancestor to William the Conquerer (Burke's Extinct Peerages, p.492)
Nearly eleven centuries ago there appeared at the Court of Halfday Huilbein, King of Norway, a soldier of fortune, named Ivar. He was said to have been originally a shepherd. One day he was captured by a roving band of Northmen and carried off to sea. After a series of adventures he made his appearance at the Norse King's court, about the year 700. Being of handsome presence, he became a great favorite with the king who made him General of his army, Prince of the Uplands, and in 725 bestowed upon him in marriage his daughter, Eurittea, the heiress of the realm. Hafdan died in 725, leaving his crown to his grandson Eystein. Ivar war regent during his son's minority. Eystein reigned until 755 and left Harold Harfagr successor, and another son, Rogenwald. Among other issues, Rogenwald left Rolf or Rollo, the most adventurous prince of his age, who overran Normandy in 910. His sixth and youngest son, Walter, received the town and castle of Caen as his inheritance. His great-grandson, Walter de Caen, accompanied William the Conquerer to England. |