Brynjolf Steel ( – ) was the son of the Norwegian Liegeman John Steel (Liegeman). He is a good example of how even in countries without strong feudal inheritance policies vassal-ship could be passed down from father to son. He is first mentioned in 1235 as a grown man with a large entourage by

Skule Bårdsson Skule Bårdsson or Duke Skule (Norwegian: Hertug Skule) (Old Norse: Skúli Bárðarson) ( – 24 May 1240) was a Norwegian nobleman and claimant to the royal throne against his son-in-law, King Haakon Haakonsson. Henrik Ibsen's play '' Kongs- ...

as someone who Skule did not trust. In 1239, he was one of the Liegemen who king

Haakon IV of Norway Haakon IV Haakonsson ( – 16 December 1263; Old Norse: ''Hákon Hákonarson'' ; Norwegian: ''Håkon Håkonsson''), sometimes called Haakon the Old in contrast to his namesake son, was King of Norway from 1217 to 1263. His reign lasted for 46 y ...

sent word to alongside the kings kinsman Gunnar, Nicholas Paulsson, and Nicholas of Bæ. Since he was one of the liegemen who was in contact with the king directly before the battle of Oslo he probably participated in the battle. In 1247, he was one of the nine liegemen ( Gaut Johnsson, Lodin Gunnisson, Gunnar Kings Kinsman,

Munan Byskopson Munan Byskopson ( – 1260), was a 13th-century nobleman, steward, and liegeman loyal to Haakon IV of Norway. He was the son of a bishop, he had a brother Sigurd Byskopson. In 1235 the king sent him a letter instructing him to Arnbjorn Johnson ...

, Finn Gautsson, John Queen (Liegeman), and

Sigurd Byskopson Sigurd ( non, Sigurðr ) or Siegfried (Middle High German: ''Sîvrit'') is a legendary hero of Germanic heroic legend, who killed a dragon and was later murdered. It is possible he was inspired by one or more figures from the Frankish Meroving ...

) listed at a re-coronation feast which the king held to establish his legitimacy. During the procession of the coronation Brynjolf was either one of the three liegemen bearing the large tableboard with the king's robes or one of the five liegemen with swords drawn. In 1253, he is listed fourth (

Peter of Giski Peter may refer to: People * List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Peter (given name) ** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church * Peter (surname), a sur ...

Nicholas of Giski Nicholas is a male given name and a surname. The Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Churches celebrate Saint Nicholas every year on December 6, which is the name day for "Nicholas". In Greece, the name and its d ...

(his son),

Gaut of Mel Gaut of Mel (a.k.a Lendmann Gaut Johnsson) (c. 1190-1270) was a powerful Norwegian nobleman, Chief, and Liegeman who was lord of Mel and Ænes. He was the son of Jon Gautson på Ornes and the older brother of Arnbjorn Johnson and Askel Johnson ...

, Brynjolf Steel, as one of the most noble liegemen in the levy which was to try to conquer

Halland Halland () is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden (''landskap''), on the western coast of Götaland, southern Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Småland, Scania and the sea of Kattegat. Until 1645 and the Second Treaty of Brömsebro ...

from Denmark. Later, he also participated in the 1263 attack on Scotland and is listed as one of the important men in King Haakons specially picked crew. He was with the king in

Kirkwall Kirkwall ( sco, Kirkwaa, gd, Bàgh na h-Eaglaise, nrn, Kirkavå) is the largest town in Orkney, an archipelago to the north of mainland Scotland. The name Kirkwall comes from the Norse name (''Church Bay''), which later changed to ''Kirkv ...

when Haakon was very ill and was thus part of his household. He is listed first among the four liegemen who were at King Haakon's side at his deathbed (Brynjolf,

Erling Alfson Erling is a Scandinavian male name, meaning "Heir of clanchief", i.e. prince or similar. Notable people named Erling include: Given name *Erling Aas-Eng (born 1965), Norwegian politician *Erling Aastad (1898–1963), Norwegian long jumper and spri ...

, John Queen (Liegeman),

Rognvald Ork Ragnvald, Rögnvald or Rognvald or Rægnald is an Old Norse name (Old Norse ''Rǫgnvaldr'', modern Icelandic ''Rögnvaldur''; in Old English ''Regenweald'' and in Old Irish, Middle Irish ''Ragnall''). Notable people with the name include: * Ragnval ...

). Directly after his death he and Bishop Thorgils along with two other men were the only ones who were not duty-bound to leave the room. Instead he was responsible for washing and shaving the kings dead body. Because he was so close to the king at his death that he washed the body it is almost certain he attended the funeral in the following days. This appears to be the last mention of Brynjolf and it is likely he retired from public life and died a few years later.

References

{{reflist 1200s births 1270 deaths Year of birth uncertain Year of death uncertain 13th-century Norwegian people