Sigmundur Brestisson (961-1005) introduced christianity in the Faroe Islands in 999. He is one of the main persons in the Færeyinga saga. Events Byzantine Empire recaptures Crete from Muslim control Harald I of Norway squashed the rebelling forces of Eric Bloodaxes sons but was killed in the Battle of Fitje. ... Events Malcolm II succeeds Kenneth III as king of Scotland. ... Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. ... Events Silesia is incorporated into territory ruled by Boleslaus I of Poland Pope Silvester II succeeds Pope Gregory V Deaths December 16 - Saint Adelaide of Italy (b. ... The Færeyinga Saga, the Saga of Faroemen, is the story of how the Faroes were converted to Christianity and became a part of the Kingdom of Norway. ...

Sigmundur is the son of Brestir and his girlfriend Cæcilia. He was married with Turið Torkilsdóttir and together had they the daughter Tóra and the sons Tórálvur, Steingrímur, Brandur and Heri.

Sigmundur Brestisson was the first Faroe-man to convert to the Christian faith, and brought Christianity to the Faroes by decree of the Norwegian king Ólavur Tryggvason. At first Sigmundur tried to Christianize the Faroe Islanders by bringing the order to the Alting in Tórshavn, but was nearly killed by the angry mob. He then changed his tactics, went with armed men to the residences of the chieftain Tróndur í Gøtu, broke in his house by night and gave him the choice between Christianity or beheading. That worked. Decree is an order that has the force of law. ... The Løgting, or Løgtingið is the parliament of the Faroe Islands, a self ruling dependency of Denmark. ... The peninsula Tinganes is seat of the Faroese Government in Tórshavn. ...

Later on, in 1005, Tróndur í Gøtu attacked Sigmund by night at his yard in Skúvoy, whereupon Sigmundur fled by swimming to Sandvík on Suðuroy. He took land in Sigmundargjógv in Sandvík, but the farmer in the village killed the exhausted Sigmundur, and stole his precious golden armring. Sandvík marked on the Faroe Islands A seal at Sandvík Sandvík is the northernmost village of the island Suðuroy, Faroe Islands. ... Suðuroy (literally south island) is the southernmost and fourth largest island of Faroe. ...

According to traditon, his gravestone is the so called Sigmundarsteinur in Skúvoy. It bears a carved cross and was part of the old church.

External links

• Faroestamps.fo (public domain)