Sigmundur Brestisson

Sigmundur Brestisson
Sigmundur Brestisson
	Heri.
Parent(s)	Brestir Sigmundsson and Cæcilia.

Sigmundur Brestisson (961–1005) was a

Viking chieftain, and was responsible for introducing Christianity to the Faroe Islands in 999. He is one of the main characters of the Færeyinga saga

.

According to the Færeyinga saga, emigrants who left Norway to escape the tyranny of

Olaf Tryggvason

, king of Norway.

Sigmundur was the first Faroe Islander to convert to the Christian faith, bringing Christianity to the Faroes at the

angry mob. He then changed his tactics, went with armed men to the residence of the chieftain Tróndur í Gøtu and broke in his house by night. He offered him the choice between accepting Christianity or face beheading

; he chose the former.

Later, in 1005, Tróndur í Gøtu attacked Sigmundur by night at his yard in Skúvoy, whereupon he fled by swimming to Sandvík on Suðuroy. He reached land in Sigmundargjógv in Sandvík, but a farmer in the village killed the exhausted Sigmundur, and stole his precious golden arm ring.

According to tradition, his gravestone is located in the so-called Sigmundarsteinur in Skúvoy. It bears a carved cross and was part of the old church.

External links

Færeyinga saga

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