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Norse Sagas · Jon A. Hjaltalin and Gilbert Goudie, 1873
SKOTLAND IT IS SAID that the Orkney Islands were colonised in the days of Harald the Fairhaired, but previously they were a station for Vikings. The first Earl of the Orkneys was called Sigurd. He was the son of Eystein Glumra (the loud-talking), and brother of Rögnvald, Earl of Moeri. After Sigurd his son Guttorm ruled one year. Torf-Einar, son of Earl Rögnvald, succeeded him. He was a man of great power, and was Earl a long time. Hálfdán Hálegg (high-legs) made an expedition against Torf-Einar, and drove him from the Orkneys. Einar returned, and slew Hálfdán in Rinansey. Thereupon King Harald brought an army over to the Orkneys. Then Einar fled to Scotland. King Harald made the Orkneymen swear oaths of fealty to him for themselves and all their possessions. The Earl and King Harald were afterwards reconciled. He became the King’s man, and held the land as a fief from him. He had, …
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