The The Orkneyinga Saga on Brúsi

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter I. > Of The Earls.

• attribution: Brúsi consented to give Thorfinn his share of Sumarlidi's portion of the Orkneys saying he did not covet more than his own proper third; Einar then held two-thirds of the islands.

  "Brúsi, however, consented to give up his share [of the portion belonging to Sumarlidi], saying that he did not covet more of the land than his own proper third. Then Einar took possession of two shares of the islands."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Ii > Of Amundi And Thorkel.

• attestation: Many men of note fled the Orkneys due to Earl Einar's violence—some to Earl Thorfinn, some to Norway, some elsewhere—while Brúsi and Einar agreed that the survivor of the two would inherit the other's share, though this was considered unfair since Brúsi had a son Rögnvald and Einar had none.

  "Brúsi and Einar joined their portions, on the footing that the latter should rule them and defend them for both, and that he who survived the other should inherit his portion. But this compact was thought unfair, as Brúsi had a son, by name Rögnvald, and Einar had no son."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Iv > Of Earl BrúSi.

• attribution: Brúsi declared he was satisfied with the third he inherited from his father and a second third inherited from Einar by lawful compact, but would not yield to Thorfinn; yet he recognized he lacked strength to resist and resolved to seek King Olaf of Norway for assistance.

  "Brúsi said: "I was satisfied with that third part which I inherited from my father, and no one claimed it from me, and I have inherited a second third after my brother according to a lawful agreement; and although I am unable to contend with you, brother, I will have recourse to other means than giving up my lands and title at present.""

• attestation: Brúsi traveled to King Olaf of Norway with his ten-year-old son Rögnvald, explained the dispute with Thorfinn, and offered his friendship in return for assistance.

  "He therefore resolved to go to Olaf, King of Norway, taking with him his son Rögnvald, who was then ten years old. The King received him well, and he told him his business and explained to him how matters stood between him and his brother, and begged his assistance to keep his possessions, offering in return his full friendship."

• attestation: Brúsi submitted himself and his dominions to King Olaf's power and became his man, confirming this compact with oaths.

  "Thus, although the Earl had objections to both alternatives, he resolved to give up all, himself and his dominions, into the King's power. Then King Olaf asserted his suzerainty over all his hereditary possessions, and the Earl became his man, and confirmed this compact with oaths."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter V > Of The Earls BrúSi And Thorfinn.

• attestation: With Brúsi holding two-thirds and Thorfinn one-third, Brúsi alone defended the Orkneys and Shetland from Norwegian and Danish Viking raids because Thorfinn remained in Caithness and contributed nothing to the defence while taking his full share of revenues.

  "Brúsi alone had to defend them, for they were in those times very much exposed to the ravages of Norwegians and Danes, who called there on their viking expeditions to the west, and plundered in the outlying parts. Brúsi made complaints to his brother Thorfinn on account of his not contributing anything to the defence of the Orkneys or Hjaltland (Shetland), although he received his full share of all the land-dues and revenues."