Bjorn, petty king of Sligo, considered his options. He was 36 and still single, subject to the overking of Connaught, Aed O'Brien (descendant of the last High King of Ireland, Brian Boru), to whom he was second in line to succeed after his fellow petty king, Johann of Mayo. The land was poor, but so was most of Ireland. He had a good group of advisers, though; his marshall, spy master and chancellor who were excellent, and even his steward was above average.
He sent an embassy to Denmark, from where his forefathers had hailed, to ask the hand of Gro Svendsdottir, daughter of King Svend of Denmark. Much to his surprise, his embassy actually succeeded, and he and Gro were united in matrimony on January 11, 1066. Their first son, Knud, was born December 22, 1067. Unfortunately, Gro died in labor when trying to deliver her next child on February 5, 1069, and another embassy was sent to find another bride, since one infant son hardly secured the succession. Unable to find a suitable bride in Denmark, the search was widened to Sweden and Norway, and finally a good match was found in Kunigunde Kamp, spy master to the Bishop of Bergenhus. The banns were read, and the pair were united on February 19, 1069.
On July 9, 1069, Overking Aed O'Brien died, and Johann of Mayo was elected as the new Overking. Bjorn was now next in line to become overking. Kunegunde presented Bjorn with her first child, his second son on December 29, 1069, and was soon expecting another: Bjorn's third son, Hårik, was born on October 25, 1070.
Seeking a better steward, Bjorn found Ruaidri O'DubhGhaill unemployed in the court of Ubbe of Osraige, Overking of Leinster, and attracted Ruaidri to his court by offering to wed him to his spy master, Elizabeth of Sligo.
Kunigunde presented Bjorn with his first daughter, Albinn, on April 9, 1072. Another daughter, Gunnhild, followed on May 9, 1073, but died on October 28.
He sent an embassy to Denmark, from where his forefathers had hailed, to ask the hand of Gro Svendsdottir, daughter of King Svend of Denmark. Much to his surprise, his embassy actually succeeded, and he and Gro were united in matrimony on January 11, 1066. Their first son, Knud, was born December 22, 1067. Unfortunately, Gro died in labor when trying to deliver her next child on February 5, 1069, and another embassy was sent to find another bride, since one infant son hardly secured the succession. Unable to find a suitable bride in Denmark, the search was widened to Sweden and Norway, and finally a good match was found in Kunigunde Kamp, spy master to the Bishop of Bergenhus. The banns were read, and the pair were united on February 19, 1069.
On July 9, 1069, Overking Aed O'Brien died, and Johann of Mayo was elected as the new Overking. Bjorn was now next in line to become overking. Kunegunde presented Bjorn with her first child, his second son on December 29, 1069, and was soon expecting another: Bjorn's third son, Hårik, was born on October 25, 1070.
Seeking a better steward, Bjorn found Ruaidri O'DubhGhaill unemployed in the court of Ubbe of Osraige, Overking of Leinster, and attracted Ruaidri to his court by offering to wed him to his spy master, Elizabeth of Sligo.
Kunigunde presented Bjorn with his first daughter, Albinn, on April 9, 1072. Another daughter, Gunnhild, followed on May 9, 1073, but died on October 28.