Gaddgešlar Jarl

The Norse Gael were a folk descended from the first Scandinavian settlers in Scotland. Through intermarriage with the Picts and later the Gael, a mixed race was produced that came to dominate the Orkneys, Hebrides, western Scotland, much of Ireland and northern England. They called themselves in Norse the Gaddgešlar, and in Gaelic the Gall Gael, both meaning outlander Gael. Galloway in southwest Scotland was named after them. Another Norse term for them was Vikingar-Skotar - the Viking Scots.

The Norse Gael combined Scandinavian and Picto-Gaelic cultures to create a vibrant society of warrior farmers. They spoke both Norse and Gaelic tongues, with a population part heathen and part Christian. They were the key players in western Viking history, controlling powerful realms: the Jarldom of Orkney and Caithness, the Kingdoms of Dublin and Jorvik (York), and the royal Norse Kingdom of Man and the Isles. A significant proportion of Norse Gael also colonised Iceland, together with their Irish thralls.

A recent genetic survey carried out in Orkney discovered that after the Norse settlement and intermarriage, the descendants of the original incomers came to have rounder faces, probably from their Pictish blood. Apart from this, the Norse in Scotland differed little from any other Scandinavians in physical appearance, with the usual predominance of blond and red hair. There was however a greater likelihood of dark hair and eyes from the Spanish strain in certain Gaelic tribes. Most men wore beards and some had braided hair, which was usually worn shoulderlength.

They were not Vikings in kilts. Kilts were not even worn at the time. Those who could afford armour, or gain it by plunder, wore domed helmets with nose guards, quilted linen war shirts that could turn a sword stroke, and thigh length chain mail byrnies. They also wore leggings or hose tucked into hide boots. The main weapons of the chief men were the standard Norse broadsword and the long-hafted axe. This was later to give rise to the Lochaber axe of later centuries. They also carried ash spears and round linden shields.

The first impact of Viking Age raids was felt among the scattered monasteries of Scotland, Ireland and northern England. These were the natural targets for heathen pirates intent on plunder, as altar pieces in precious metals and other valuables could be found there. The jewelled reliquary containing bones of Colum-Cille (Columba) had to be hidden due to frequent raids on Iona, where it was normally kept. Irish chroniclers were to complain that although the original pagan Norse were bad to the churches, the Gall-Gael were infinitely worse.

Most Norsemen were karls or warrior farmers. Others traded. Only a proportion were vikings. Vikingr means pirate and to go a-viking was to go on a viking raid for plunder. There were those who made a sort of profession out of it -- they did nothing else. Others joined in summer expeditions after they had seen to their crops, like Sveinn Įsleifarson.

According to Orkneyinga Saga this irrepressible viking wintered at home on Gairsey, feasting with a band of eighty men in a huge beer hall. In spring he planted his seed. Then he raided the Hebrides and Ireland. He called this his spring trip. He sailed home after midsummer and took in his harvest. Then set out on another raid till the first month of winter. He called this his autumn trip. It conjures up the idea of an adventurous vacation.

The legendary hero Fingal or Finn mac Cumhal may have been based on a historical person. As a son of a Norse princess and a Gaelic warlord he would definitely be considered Gall Gael. His name means White Haired Outlander. There are numerous tales of his battles with viking raiders, leading a troop of elite warriors known as the Fianna.

The Norse Scottish Lords of the Isles came to form the most powerful dynasty in Britain after the Kings of Scotland and the Kings of England.

A recent study concluded that Somerled, Norse Gaelic Lord of the Isles, has 500,000 descendants, making him the highest common ancestor next to Genghis Khan. In addition many Scottish clans have Norse origins, which means that a high proportion of folk worldwide with Scottish blood do also. This includes many Icelanders, who can trace their descent from the Gaddgešlar or Gall Gael.