King of Iceland

Sverre Sigurdsson (Old Norse: Sverrir Sigurðarson) believed himself to be the son of Norway's King Sigurd II, after his mother claimed that Sigurd was his real father. While his claim is often disputed by historians, Sverre believed that he was destined for greater things in his life. When he arrived in Norway, Sverre became the leader of the rebel party known as the Birkebeiner, and he went on the fight King Magnus Erlingsson.

While sailing on his large ship, the Mariasuda, Sigurd was ambushed by King Magnus and his fleet. Due to it's size, the Mariasuda could only be useful in fjords and so King Magnus was able to defeat the forces of Sverre Sigurdsson. Sverre and his men would flee in a smaller vessel to Iceland where Sverre planned to spend his life in a humiliating exile. However, Sverre found a new opportunity in Iceland. In 1190, Sverre led a coup against the government of the Icelandic Commonwealth and declared himself King of Iceland.