The The Orkneyinga Saga on Koll

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Xlix > Of Kali, Who Afterwards Became An Earl.

• attestation: Kol was a wise man who lived at Agdir in Norway; his son Kali was of middle size, light auburn hair, affable and popular, and skilled in nine arts including runic lore, books, tools, snow-shoes, bow, oar, harp, and verse-making.

  "KOL, who was a very wise man, resided on his estates at Agdir (in Norway), and did not go to the Orkneys. His son Kali grew up there, and was a most promising man. He was of middle size, well proportioned, and very handsomely shaped; his hair was of a light auburn colour. He was very affable and popular, and highly accomplished."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Liii > Of Havard And Brynjulf.

• attribution: Kali agreed to terms before consulting his patron Sölmund; his father Kol reproved him for hasty judgment but said little could be done except seek reconciliation.

  "Then Kol said: "I think your judgment was rather strange, in that you should have agreed to any terms of reconciliation before Sölmund knew. I think your position is difficult, and that you can do little else than try to be reconciled.""

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Liv > Of Jon And Solmund.

• attribution: Kol sent Hallvard (brother of the slain Hávard) secretly to a man named Uni in Sogn with six marks of silver, advising him on how to take revenge on Brynjúlf; Uni was an old friend of Kol's long oppressed by Jón Pétrsson.

  ""Then," said Kol, "you shall go secretly to Sogn, to a man called Uni, who lives not far from Jón. He is a wise man, but rather poor, for he has been a long time oppressed by Jón; he is a great friend of mine, and considerably advanced in years. You shall take to him from me six marks (of silver) weighed, in order that he may give you advice how to take revenge on Brynjúlf""

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Lviii > The Fight Between Earl Paul And Olvir Rosta.

• attribution: After the failed expedition, Kol advised Rögnvald to seek men and ships from King Harald and their friends for a spring campaign; Rögnvald agreed to follow his counsel.

  "Kol replied: "First, I advise you to send word to King Harald and other friends of yours, and ask them to give you men and ships to go to the west in the spring; but during the winter we ourselves will collect all the forces we can, and then try a second time whether we can gain possession of the Islands, or find our graves there.""

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Lxii > Kol'S Counsels.

• attribution: At Hernur before sailing west, Kol advised Rögnvald to make a vow to Saint Magnus to build a stone minster at Kirkwall more magnificent than any other in those lands, dedicated to Magnus the Holy, with his relics and the Bishop's see moved there; Rögnvald made the vow.

  "Then Kol arose and said: "We have heard from the Orkneys that all the islanders will rise with Earl Paul against you. It is my wish that you should make a vow to him, that he may grant you your patrimony and his inheritance. You should promise one thing—that if you obtain those dominations you will build a stone minster at Kirkiuvag (Kirkwall) in the Orkneys, more magnificent than any other in these lands, dedicating it to your kinsman, Earl Magnus the Holy, endowing it with money, so that it may be fitly established, and that his relics and the Bishop's see may be brought there."

Every one thought this good advice, and the vow was made and confirmed."

The Orkneyinga Saga > Chapter Lxiii > Of Kol And Uni.

• attribution: Kol tricked the Orkney beacons into firing by sailing toward Fair Isle with sails spread but rowing backwards; when the beacons lit and Bœndr gathered to Paul, Kol withdrew; then Uni went undercover in Fair Isle pretending to be a Norwegian robbed by Rögnvald's men.

  "Kol had the sails spread on all the boats, but ordered his men to row backwards, in order that their speed might be as slow as possible, although the wind was right astern.

Kol said: "These manœuvres will be seen from Fridarey as if the boats were approaching nearer. They will then perhaps light the beacon, but they will go themselves to Earl Paul to tell him the news.""