The The Orkneyinga Saga on Harald

The Orkneyinga Saga > For > Iv. The Earldom In The Norse Line, 872-1231.

• attestation: Hakon's son Harald was killed by the poisoned shirt intended for his half-brother Paul, who then became sole Earl of the Orkneys.

  "Harald, who had succeeded to the earldom of Caithness, which "he held from the King of Scots," was in some way unintentionally put to death by his mother Helga and her sister Frákork. As the Saga tells the story, he met his death by insisting on putting on a poisoned shirt which the sisters intended for his half-brother Paul"

• attestation: Harald pursued Erlend and Margaret to Mousa but could not take the tower by assault; the two earls came to terms, Erlend married Margaret, and they both went to Norway to meet Earl Rögnvald.

  "Harald pursued them, and laid siege to the borg, which could not be taken by assault, but the two earls came to a mutual understanding, and the siege was abandoned. Erlend married Margaret, and the same summer he and Harald went each on a visit to Norway to meet Earl Rögnvald on his return from the Holy Land."

• attestation: Earl Harald Maddadson became sole ruler of Orkney and Caithness after Rögnvald's death, but his second marriage to Gormlath, daughter of Malcolm MacHeth pretender to the Scottish throne, put him in conflict with King William the Lion.

  "Earl Harald Maddadson now became sole ruler of the earldoms of Orkney and Caithness. But by his second marriage he had allied himself with Hoarflad (Gormlath), daughter of Malcolm MacHeth, the so-called Earl of Moray, ex-bishop Wimund, and pretender to the Scottish throne"

• attribution: Earl Harald Maddadson confessed to King Sverrir of Norway in a great assembly, admitting he had not always been able to rule the Orkneys entirely according to his own will, and prostrated himself at the king's feet seeking pardon.

  "In presence of a great assembly in the Christ's Kirk garth, the earl confessed his fault, saying that he was now an old man, as his beard bore witness; that he had bent the knee before many kings, sometimes in closest friendship, but oftener in circumstances of misfortune; that he had not been unfaithful to his allegiance, although some of his people might have done that which was contrary to the king's interests"

• attestation: King Sverrir granted Harald pardon but took from him the whole of Shetland, which thereafter never again formed part of the Norwegian Earldom of Orkney during the saga period.

  "The king granted him pardon, but took from him the whole of Shetland,[43] "which never after that formed part of the Norwegian earldom of Orkney," though after the time of the Saga-writer, Shetland as well as Orkney was granted to Henry St. Clair in 1379 by King Hakon Magnusson, the second of that name."

• attestation: Harald Maddadson was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle by King William for breaking his agreement, and was only released when his son Thorfinn was delivered as a hostage.

  "So, because he had not kept the agreement which he had made with the king, he was adjudged to remain in the king's custody until his son should arrive and become a hostage for him. And because he had permitted the king's enemies to escape, he was also adjudged to have forfeited those lands which he held of the king. The king took Harald with him to Edinburgh Castle"

• attestation: Harald Ungi (the younger), having received a Norwegian grant of half the Orkneys, invaded Orkney with Sigurd Murt; Harald Maddadson fled to Man then returned and killed all Ungi's supporters in the Islands.

  ""So Harald returned to Orkney, and there remained in peace and quiet, until Harald the younger, having received a grant of the half of the Orkneys from Sverrir Birkebein, the King of Norway, joined himself to Sigurd Murt, and many other warriors, and invaded Orkney. Harald the elder, being unwilling to engage with him in battle, left the Orkneys and fled to the Isle of Man.""

• attestation: Harald Maddadson returned from Man, killed Harald Ungi's Orkney supporters, then defeated and slew Harald Ungi along with his entire army at Wick in Caithness.

  "Harald the younger returned to Caithness to Wick, where he engaged in battle with Harald the elder, and in that battle Harald the younger and all his army were slain."

• attestation: Earl Harald Maddadson stormed Scrabster where Bishop John had taken refuge, blinded the bishop and cut out his tongue, then had his son Thorfinn blinded and castrated by King William in revenge.

  "Accordingly he stormed the "borg" at Scrabster, in which the bishop and the principal men of the district had taken refuge, slew almost all that were in it, and caused the bishop to be blinded and his tongue to be cut out. The two remaining deputies of King Reginald fled to the King of Scots, whose first act was to take revenge on Harald's son Thorfinn. He was blinded and castrated after the barbarous manner of the times, and died miserably in the dungeon of Roxburgh Castle."

• attestation: Earl Harald Maddadson died in 1206 at age seventy-three, having ruled Caithness and Orkney jointly with Rögnvald for twenty years and then alone for forty-eight years.

  "He died in 1206, at the advanced age of seventy-three, having had the earldom for twenty years jointly with Earl Rögnvald, and forty-eight years after Rögnvald's death."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Xlvi > The Slaying Of Thorkel FóStri.

• attestation: Earl Harald and Sigurd Slembir slew Thorkel Fóstri, who was Earl Paul's foster-father and kinsman of the holy Earl Magnus; Earl Paul demanded that all involved be banished as a condition of peace, and Sigurd Slembir was accordingly banished and went to Scotland then Jerusalem.

  "At last Earl Harald and Sigurd Slembir went to Thorkel Fóstri, and slew him. When Earl Paul heard this, he was very much displeased, and gathered men together; but when their mutual friends became aware of this, they went between them and tried to reconcile them; and all took part in making peace. Earl Paul was so wroth that he would not make peace, unless all those who were concerned in the manslaying were banished."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Xlvii > Earl Harald Slain By Sorcery.

• attestation: At a Christmas feast, Earl Harald discovered a fine gold-embroidered linen garment that Frákork and Helga had made for his brother Paul; despite warnings from both women and his mother that his life was at stake, he put it on and died shortly after from convulsions.

  "Earl Harald went into the room where the sisters were sitting on a cross-bench, and saw a linen garment, newly made, and white as snow, lying between them. The Earl took it up, and saw that it was embroidered with gold.

Frákork replied, "It is intended for your brother Paul."

Frákork snatched off her head-gear, and tore her hair, and said that his life was at stake if he put it on, and both of the women wept grievously. The Earl put on the garment nevertheless; but as soon as it touched his sides a shiver went through his body, which was soon followed by great pain, so that he had to take to his bed; and he was not long in bed until he died."

• attestation: After Harald's death, Paul took possession of his dominions; Paul believed the garment had been intended to poison him, and Frákork and Helga were expelled from the Orkneys.

  "Immediately after his death his brother Paul took possession of his dominations, with the consent of the Bœndr. Earl Paul considered that the splendid underclothing which Earl Harald had put on had been intended for him, and therefore he did not like the sisters to stay in the Orkneys. So they left the Islands with all their attendants, and went first to Caithness, and then to Scotland"

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Lxxi > Bishop JóN Arrives From Scotland.

• attestation: Harald Maddad's son was invested as co-Earl of Orkney at a meeting in Caithness during Lent, confirmed by oaths of leading men of Orkney and Scotland.

  "It was resolved to hold a meeting during Lent in Caithness, and there they agreed upon the terms above mentioned, and their agreement was confirmed by the oaths of the best men of the Orkneys and Scotland. Then Harald, Maddad's son, went to the Orkneys with Earl Rögnvald, and was invested with the title of Earl."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Lxxxvi > Of King Eystein.

• attestation: Earl Harald continued to rule the Orkneys after Eystein's departure; his father Earl Maddad had died; his mother Margarét had gone to the Orkneys and was described as a virago.

  "THEN King Eystein returned to his kingdom, and his expedition was variously thought of. Earl Harald remained in his dominions in the Orkneys, and most of the inhabitants were satisfied with his rule. At this time his father, Earl Maddad, was dead; but his mother, Margarét, had gone to the Orkneys. She was a handsome woman,[396] but a virago."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Xci > Earl Harald Comes Unperceived To The Orkneys.

• attestation: Harald and Thorbiörn Klerk's party at Firth killed two men and took four prisoners including Arnfinn Anakol's brother; Anakol and Thorstein staged a counter-raid in Caithness capturing Eirík, and the prisoners were exchanged.

  "There Harald and his men killed two men—one was named Ketill, the name of the other is not mentioned—and made four prisoners: Arnfinn, Anakol's brother, another man called Liótólf, and two others. Harald and Thorbiörn Klerk returned to Thórsá; the brothers Benedict and Eirík went to Lambaborg, taking Arnfinn with them.

On the Wednesday before Lent, Anakol and Thorstein, Ragna's son, went over by night to Ness (Caithness) in a boat with twenty men.

Then messengers were sent to Earl Harald to tell him that Eirík would not be liberated until Arnfinn and his companions came safe to Erlend. And the wishes of both were complied with."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Xcii > The Reconciliation Of The Earls Harald And Erlend.

• attestation: Earl Harald besieged Erlend Ungi in Moseyarborg in Shetland over the latter's elopement with Margarét; they made peace and Erlend married Margarét, becoming Harald's ally.

  "IN the spring Earl Harald prepared to go from Caithness north to Hjaltland. His intention was to take the life of Erlend Ungi, who had wooed his mother Margarét, although the Earl (Harald) had refused him. Then Erlend gathered men together, and carried her off from the Orkneys, and took her north to Hjaltland

the result was that they made peace, and Erlend married Margarét. Then he became an ally of Earl Harald, and during the summer they both went east to Norway."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Cix > Of Harald And Swein.

• attestation: After Rögnvald's death, Earl Harald became sole ruler; his wife was Afreka and their children were Heinrek, Hákon, Helena, and Margarét; Swein Ásleifarson fostered Hákon and took him on summer raids.

  "AFTER Earl Rögnvald's death, Earl Harald took possession of the whole of the Islands, and became their sole ruler. He was a mighty chief, and a man of large stature and great strength. His wife was Afreka, and their children were—Heinrek, Hákon, Helena, and Margarét. When Hákon was only a few winters old, Swein, Asleif's son, offered to foster him, and when he was able to take his part with other men, Swein took him out on marauding expeditions every summer, and honoured him in everything."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Cxiii > Of Earl Harald And His Sons.

• attestation: Earl Harald married Hvarflod, daughter of Earl Malcolm of Moray; their children were Thorfinn, David, Jón, Gunnhild, Herborga, and Langlíf.

  "Afterwards[449] he married Hvarflod,[450] the daughter of Earl Malcolm,[451] of Mærhæfi (Moray). Their children were Thorfinn,[452] David, Jón, Gunnhild, Herborga, and Langlíf."

• attestation: After the battle Earl Harald the elder subdued the whole of Caithness and returned triumphant to the Orkneys.

  "After the battle Earl Harald subdued the whole of Caithness, and went back triumphant to the Orkneys."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Cxiv > Of The Orkneymen.

• attestation: Earl Harald sent an assassin to kill the stewards; Rafn spared him as a kinsman, but the man went on and murdered Hlífólf, then fled to Harald.

  "Rafn said: "I can see in you that Earl Harald has sent you over here for some evil purpose, but I have not the heart to slay you, because you are my kinsman." Thus they parted, and he went away to Hlífólf, and their intercourse ended in Hlífólf's murder."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Cxv > Harald Tortures The Bishop.

• attestation: Earl Harald landed at Thórsá in Caithness; the bishop was at Scrabster; the Caithnessmen surrendered because Harald's army was too large to resist.

  "NOW Earl Harald prepared to leave the Orkneys, and when he was quite ready he went first to Thórsá, and landed from his ships there. The Bishop was in the borg at Skárabólstad (Scrabster)."

• attestation: Earl Harald had Bishop Jón seized, his tongue cut out, and a knife thrust into his eyes to blind him; Bishop Jón prayed to the holy virgin Tröllhæna during his torture.

  "that Earl Harald had the Bishop seized, his tongue cut out, and then he caused a knife to be thrust into his eyes, and blinded him. Bishop Jón prayed to the holy virgin Tröllhæna during his torture"

• attestation: Earl Harald took possession of the borg, imposed heavy fines on the Caithnessmen he considered most guilty, made all swear loyalty to him, and seized the property of the stewards who had fled.

  "He proceeded at once to punish the inhabitants severely, and imposed heavy fines on those whom he considered most guilty of treachery to him; and he made all the Caithnessmen acknowledge him by oath as their lord, whether they liked it or not. Then he took possession of all the property belonging to the stewards, who had fled to the King of Scots."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Cxvi > Of The Stewards.

• attestation: Six stewards went to the King of Scots in Advent and reported Harald's actions in Caithness; the King was highly enraged and promised to pay back double to those who had suffered losses.

  "NOW it is to be told of the stewards (sýslumenn) that they went six together to Scotland, and saw the King during Advent. They were able to give particular intelligence of everything that had happened in Caithness during Earl Harald's stay there. The King was highly enraged at hearing the news, but he said he would pay back double to those who had lost their own."

• attestation: The King of Scots collected a large army and marched to Caithness against Earl Harald; he demanded one-fourth of all property in Caithness as the price of peace.

  "After Yule-tide the King sent word to all the chiefs in his kingdom, and collected a large army throughout the country, and with all these troops he went down to Caithness against Earl Harald."

• attestation: The Caithnessmen agreed to pay one-fourth of all their property to the King of Scots; Earl Harald went to the Orkneys and was to hold Caithness as before; Thorfinn, son of Earl Harald who was a hostage with the King of Scots, was blinded during these hostilities.

  "it was agreed that the Caithnessmen should pay one-fourth of all their property to the King of Scots, except those men who had gone to see the King in winter. Earl Harald went out to the Orkneys, and was to have Caithness as he had it before it was given to Earl Harald Ungi by the King of Scots. Thorfinn, the son of Earl Harald, who was a hostage with the King of Scots, was blinded during these hostilities."

• attestation: Harald's brother-in-law Olaf and Jón Hallkell's son raised a party called Eyjarskeggiar (Islanders) or Gullbeinir; they made Sigurd son of King Magnus their king and fought King Sverrir in Flóruvogar but were beaten; both Jón and Olaf were killed along with their king.

  "Earl Harald was now the sole ruler of the Orkneys. In the later part of the days of Earl Harald, his brother-in-law, Olaf, and Jón, Hallkell's son, raised a party in the Orkneys, and went east to Norway against King Sverrir. They made Sigurd, the son of King Magnus, Erling's son, their King. Many men of noble birth in the Orkneys joined this party, and it was very strong. They were for a while called Eyjarskeggiar (Islanders) or Gullbeinir (goldenlegs). They fought with King Sverrir in Flóruvogar, and were beaten.[459] Both Jón and Olaf were killed, as also their King, and most of their men."

• attestation: King Sverrir became a great enemy of Earl Harald and fined him all of Shetland with its taxes; the Earls of Orkney have never held it since.

  "At last Earl Harald went from the west, and Bishop Bjarni went along with him. The Earl left his case without reservation to the decision of King Sverrir. Then King Sverrir took all Hjaltland from Earl Harald, with its taxes (scat) and dues, as a fine; and the Earls of Orkney have never had it since.[460]"

• attestation: Earl Harald was five winters old when made Earl; for twenty winters he and Earl Rögnvald were co-earls of Orkney; after Rögnvald's death Harald was Earl for forty-eight more winters, then died.

  "Earl Harald was five winters old when he was made Earl, and for twenty winters he and Earl Rögnvald were together Earls of Orkney. After Earl Rögnvald's death, he was forty-eight winters Earl of Orkney, and he died in the second year of the reign of King Ingi, Bard's son.[461]"

• attestation: Harald's sons Jón and David succeeded him; after David died of disease the same year as Hákon Galinn, Jón took the title of Earl of all the Orkneys.

  "The brothers Jón and David ruled the land after their father, until David died from disease, the same year as Hákon Galinn died in Norway.[462] After that Jón took the title of Earl of all the Orkneys."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Cxvii > Battle Between Earl Einar And Prince Halfdan.

• attestation: King Harald imposed a fine of sixty marks of gold on the Islands; Einar offered to pay the full sum himself in exchange for ownership of all the freeholds; the Orkneymen accepted, though wealthy men hoped to redeem their land later.

  "King Harald imposed a fine upon the Islands, adjudging them to pay sixty marks of gold. Earl Einar offered [to the Bœndr] to pay the money himself, on condition that he should become proprietor of all their freeholds. The Bœndr accepted this, because the wealthy men thought they might redeem their freeholds, and the poorer men had no money. Einar paid the whole sum, and for a long time afterwards the Earls held all the odal lands, until Earl Sigurd gave back their odal possessions to the Orkneymen."