View source for Gaut of Mel

{{short description|Norwegian nobleman of the Ænes-Mel family}}
'''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]] Bishop of Stavanger.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut+john|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=467–468|language=en}}</ref> He was part of the larger [[Ænes-Mel]] Noble family, one of the most prestigious in Norway. He was also the father of Baron [[Finn Gautsson]].
[[File:Gaut Johnson.png|thumb|The Boar was the Ornes Family coat of arms]]
He was one of the six liegeman listed as in attendance of the meeting to determine king [[Haakon IV of Norway]]'s legitimacy in 1223 (along with [[Paul flida]], [[Peter Flida]], [[Brynjulf Canutesson]], [[John Steel (Liegeman)]], and [[Ivar Nosy]]).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=77|language=en}}</ref> In the early years of [[Haakon IV of Norway]] he was one of the chief officers of the royal government.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=78|language=en}}</ref>
In 1235 he is included in the list of Liegemen who were with the king during the conflict escalation with [[Skule Bårdsson]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=167|language=en}}</ref> In 1239 he is considered by [[Snorri Sturluson]] to have purposely soured relations between the King and Duke [[Skule Bårdsson]] thus leading to the conflict escalating between the King and Duke.<ref name=":0"/> Skule Bardsson is famous for having made a jest that [[Odin]] who used to set kings against each other was actually known as Gaut.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=180|language=en}}</ref> When Snorri agreed with Skule, the duke told him to compose a verse on the spot and Snorri said;
"''The Charm Creator called to war Bing and Wartusk rival kings, Gaut stirred up that rush of strife, Odin-Gaut I meant to say''"<ref name=":0" />
The verse is meant to be comedic but it also shows some respect for Gaut by comparing him to the god of war. In 1240 when the [[Wolfskins]] were calling king Haakon Haakon sleepy-head Gaut was with the king along with [[Peter Paulsson]], [[Asolf Earlkin]], [[Gunnar Kingskin]], and [[Issac of Bræ]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=203|language=en}}</ref> Gaut was an important commander during the [[Battle of Oslo]] in 1240 April 21. He was the banner bearer and when he chased [[Olaf of Vigdeild]] into the Church of Saint Laurence in Oslo he asked if Olaf wanted peace; Olaf replied he did, to which Gaut said to stay in the church if he wanted peace.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=233–234|language=en}}</ref>
After the victorious battle Gaut let [[Arfin Thiof]] be slain in 1241.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=247|language=en}}</ref> Later in 1247 Gaut was listed first among the liegemen who attended [[Haakon IV of Norway]]'s recoronation.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=256|language=en}}</ref> During the invasion of Halland in 1253 Gaut showed up to the levy and was listed as the third most noble of the liegemen ([[Peter of Giske]], [[Nicholas of Giske]], Gaut, [[Brnyjulf Johnsson]]).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=286|language=en}}</ref> Considering he showed up to the levy it is likely that he fought in the coming conflict. During the Shetland Campaign by [[Haakon IV of Norway]] in 1263 Gaut stayed behind in Norway to help govern the country.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=345|language=en}}</ref> He died in the year 1270 AD.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Office|first=Great Britain Public Record|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqlEAQAAMAAJ&q=gaut+john|title=Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores: Or, Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland During the Middle Ages|date=1894|publisher=H.M. Stationery Office|pages=472|language=en}}</ref>
== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaut of Mel}}
[[Category:Civil wars in Norway]]
[[Category:13th-century Norwegian nobility]]
[[Category:1190s births]]
[[Category:1270 deaths]]