The term "Gille" is probably derived from the Middle Irish Gaelic Gilla Críst, i.e. servant of Christ.
Harald Gille arrived in Norway from Ireland or the Hebrides and claimed to be the natural son of King Magnus Barefoot whose reign was marked by aggressive military campaigns and conquest, particularly in the Norse-dominated parts of the British Isles.
The line was briefly restored under Inge II Baardson, a cognatic descendant of the dynasty, but was replaced again by the House of Sverre in 1217.
[5] The rulers within the royal house would often have a rival who opposed the established king's right to rule the realm and dominions.
Patrilineally, both Inge II and his half-brother Duke Skule Bårdsson were members of the Rein dynasty, itself a cadet branch of the House of Godwin.