Introduction:
Gofraidh Mearanach Crovan
Gofraidh Mearanach Crovan
The Annals of Ulster and the Chronicles of the Western Isles both speak of a man named either Gofraidh mac meic Arailt or Gorfraid Meranech depending on the source. His name has thus far eluded history, but during early 1066 he forced his way onto Albain political scene when he attempted and failed to capture Dublin and the Isle of Mann. The rest of the year he spent brooding over his loss at his newly constructed Hill Fort on the Isle of Lewis, though come the end of the year he was already spurring his plans into action.
Gofraidh was a man of Gaelic-Norse descent, being either the son or nephew of the King Imar Arailt, also known as Ivar Haraldsson, or the son of Harald the Black of Iceland. Both records describe him as a large man with handsome features, a head of brownish-black hair, and prominent, wide jaw. While both of his possible ancestors were Vikings in all sense of the word, Gofraidh would prove himself to be more inclined to tactical diplomatic victories interspersed with combat. Although not a commander of men at war, his sharp mind and amiable nature served to vault him from obscurity to becoming a regional power over the course of his short reign.
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