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CHAPTER II. 



ON the death of Somerled, the sovereignty of Man and 

 the Nordereys from this period the application of the 

 latter word to the Northern Hebrides is indisputable was 

 seized, during Godred's absence in Norway, by Reginald, a 

 natural son of Olave the Red, the Sudreys falling to the 

 share of Dugall, Somerled's son. Godred hastened from 

 Norway, and deposed and punished, with the usual cruel 

 accessories, the usurper. Before his death, which occurred 

 in 1187, Godred made a tour through his Hebridean 

 possessions where his presence was much needed and 

 was absent from Man for about two years. That the 

 Long Island was at that time a nest of pirates seems to be 

 suggested by the fact that Ljotolf, a powerful chief in 

 Lewis, was the bosom friend of Sweyn Asleifsson of 

 Gairsay, one of the last, and certainly one of the most 

 famous, of the Vikings. Sweyn's brother, Gunni, took 

 refuge with Ljotolf, after a quarrel with Harald, Jarl of 

 Orkney, and we find the rover himself at a later period 

 enjoying the hospitality of his friend in Lewis, where he 

 stayed "a long time." He repaid this hospitality by 

 seizing a vessel belonging to Fogl, Ljotolf s son, who was 

 on his way from Lewis to join the retinue of the Jarl of 

 Orkney. Sweyn of Gairsay was a remarkable personality. 

 He was a warrior and a seer ; a pirate and a courtier ; a 

 powerful friend and a dangerous foe. Notwithstanding 

 his reputation, he was warmly welcomed at the Court 

 of the pious King David I., who compensated the rover's 

 victims, and offered to bestow upon Sweyn himself what- 

 ever honours he might desire. But according to Sweyn's 

 philosophy, it was better to reign at sea than serve on 



