Uí Ímair
| House of Ivar | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Titles | |
| Founded | 9th century? |
| Founder |
Ímar Ivar Ragnarsson (disputed) Ivar Vidfamne (alt.) |
| Dissolution | disputed |
| Cadet branches | |
The Uí (h)Ímair [iː ˈiːvˠaɾʲ], or Dynasty of Ivar, were a royal Norse dynasty members of which ruled much of the Irish Sea region, the Kingdom of Dublin, the western coast of Scotland, including the Hebrides and some part of Northern England, from the mid 9th century.
The dynasty lost control of York in the mid 10th century, but reigned over the other domains at variously disputed times, depending on which rulers may be counted among their descendants. This has proved a difficult question for scholars to determine, because reliable pedigrees do not survive. Additionally, for between three and four decades, the Uí Ímair were probably overkings of the Kingdom of Scotland itself, distinct from the Kingdom of Strathclyde, of which they may also have been overkings, and later briefly the Irish province of Munster, dominated from Waterford, and later still, briefly the English kingdom of Mercia. In the west of Ireland, the Uí Ímair also supplied at least two kings of Limerick, from which they may have attempted to conquer Munster again.
On the female side, two members are styled Queens of Ireland in the Irish annals (they were also Queen of Mide and Queen of Munster, respectively), while another was Queen of Leinster (and Osraige). In the Norse sources, another was Queen consort of Norway. Finally, another may have been Queen of Brega. The name Uí Ímair in Old Irish means "grandchildren" or descendants of Ivar, but the dynasty includes its progenitor and his sons. The Irish annals describe Ivar as the brother of Amlaíb Conung and of Auisle, and the Annals of Ulster record his obituary under the year 873, reading: Imhar, rex Nordmannorum totius Hibernie & Brittanie, uitam finiuit ["Ivar, king of all the Norse of Ireland and Britain, ended his life"]. Probably the senior leader of the Great Heathen Army, Ivar may thus have become the inspiration for the legendary Ivar the Boneless (fl. 865-860), son of Ragnar Lodbrok. In any event, Uí Ímair dynasts may also have exercised power as overkings of East Anglia during their career in Britain.
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Wikipedia