Eysteinn Erlendsson
Eysteinn Erlendsson (Øystein Erlendsson, Augustinus Nidrosiensis; died 26 January 1188) was Archbishop of Nidaros from 1161 to his death in 1188.
Also recorded as Øystein Erlendsson · Augustinus Nidrosiensis · St. Eystein Erlendsson · Augustine of Trondheim
Eysteinn Erlendsson

Morten Dreier · CC BY-SA 2.5
- Name
- Eysteinn Erlendsson
- Died
- 26 January 1188
- Born
- 1120 · Norway.
- Nationality
- Norway
- Occupation
- writer · catholic priest
- Languages
- Norwegian
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Documentary summary
Eysteinn Erlendsson (Øystein Erlendsson, Augustinus Nidrosiensis; died 26 January 1188) was Archbishop of Nidaros from 1161 to his death in 1188.
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- resolved
- Independent source families
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Authority files
gnd · 102466866 · wikidata · Q329794 · wikipedia · Eysteinn Erlendsson
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Honorific Prefix — Saint • Name — Eysteinn Erlendsson • Died — 26 January 1188 • Feast Day — 26 January • Venerated In — Catholic Church • Imagesize — 160px • Titles — Archbishop of Nidaros
Background
Background
His family came from Trøndelag, and he was related to most of the local nobility. His birth date and place of birth is not recorded. Eysteinn was probably born sometime between 1120 and 1130 on the farm or Råsvoll north of Trondheim in the Verdalen valley. His father was known as Erlend Himalde. He was the grandson of Tørberg Arnesson (died c. 1050), who served as an advisor to several Norwegian kings and the great-grandson of Ulv Uspaksson (died 1066), who was a councilman under King Harald Hardrada. He was educated at Saint-Victor, in Paris. As a priest he served as steward to King Inge Krokrygg of Norway. When Archbishop Jon Birgersson died 24 February 1157, King Inge appointed Eysteinn as the new archbishop.
Ties with Rome
Ties with Rome
Eysteinn then travelled to Rome, where his appointment was confirmed by Pope Alexander III in 1161. He returned to Norway in 1161 and attempted to strengthen the ties between Rome and the Norwegian Church. He established the communities of Augustinian canons regular and consecrated Saint Thorlak.
Involvement in civil war
Involvement in civil war
King Inge's reign fell within the start of the period known as the civil war era in Norway. Before Eysteinn could return to his seat, King Inge was killed by his nephew, Håkon Herdebrei. King Inge's supporters had rallied under the leadership of Erling Skakke with his son Magnus as candidate for king. Erling Skakke was married to Kristin, daughter of King Sigurd Jorsalfar. This was the first time the throne had passed to someone who was not a king's son. Håkon Herdebrei was defeated and slain in 1162; however, the possibility remained that another claimant would appear. In this situation, Bishop Eysteinn and Erling became natural allies. The Catholic Church had long wished to reform the Norwegian kingdom on a more European model. Especially it wanted an end to the tradition of having several co-kings, which in the past had often led to war and unrest. In addition Bishop Eysteinn wanted only legitimate sons to be eligible. By sponsoring Magnus Erlingsson, both these goals would be achieved. In 1163 the new law of succession (agnatisk suksesjon) was introduced. In return, Bishop Eysteinn crowned Magnus King of Norway. This was the first time such a ceremony had taken place in Norway. Eysteinn is thought to have written Passio Olavi, a hagiographical work written in Latin about the history and work of St. Olaf II of Norway, with particular emphasis on his missionary work. The title is an abbreviation for Passio Et Miracula Beati Olaui (Holy Olav's sufferings and miracles).
Veneration
Veneration
Eysteinn is recognised as a saint in the Catholic Church and is commemorated in the most recent edition of the Roman Martyrology under the date of 27 January. The Martyrology entry (elogium) reads "At Nidros in Norway, Saint Augustine (Eystein) Erlandssön, bishop, who defended the Church committed to his care against princes and built it up with the greatest determination."
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the headings Øystein Erlendsson, Augustinus Nidrosiensis, St. Eystein Erlendsson, Augustine of Trondheim and Øystein of Nidaros. His recorded language was Norwegian. His recorded confession was Catholic Church.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1120
Eysteinn Erlendsson born at Norway.
1188
Eysteinn Erlendsson died at Trondheim.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Norway.
Birth place
Trondheim.
Death place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q329794: Eysteinn Erlendsson
Reputable secondary · Wikimedia Foundation
- “Eysteinn Erlendsson”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority file
- Gemeinsame Normdatei 102466866, Eysteinn, Erlendsson.
Unverified · Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Other sources
Other sources
• Gunnes, Erik Erkebiskop Øystein, statsmann og kirkebygger (Oslo: 1996) • Vandvik, Eirik Erkebiskop Eystein som politikar (Trondheim: 1961) • Bagge, Sverre Mennesket i middelalderens Norge (forlaget Aschehoug, Oslo: 2005)
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Øystein Erlendsson – utdypning (Store norske leksikon)
- 2.Torberg Arnesson(Store norske leksikon)
- 3.Ulv Uspaksson (Store norske leksikon)
- 4.St. Eystein kyrkje i Bodø (Den katolske kirkes helgener)
- 5.Eystein Erlendson (www.trondheim.com)
- 6.Passio Olavi (with preface by Arne Bakken, chaplain at the Nidaros Cathedral, Oslo: 1995)
- 7.Martyrologium Romanum, ex decreto sacrosancti oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II instauratum auctoritate Ioannis Pauli Pp. II promulgatum, editio [typica] altera, Typis Vaticanis, A.D. MMIV (2004), p. 118
- 8.The Latin reads: "Nidarosiae in Norvegia, sancti Augustini (Eystein) Erlandssön, episcopi, qui Ecclesiam ipsi commissam, quam valde contra principes defendit, summa cum sedulitate auxit."
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority file
Gemeinsame Normdatei 102466866, Eysteinn, Erlendsson.Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Partially resolvedreference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q329794: Eysteinn ErlendssonWikimedia Foundation
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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