CONTEMPORARY PRINCES
NORWAY: 1122 Sigurd I; 1130 Magnus IV; 1134 Harald Gille
SCOTLAND: 1107 Alexander I; 1124 David I;
ENGLAND: 1099 Henry I;
ROME: 1119 Calixtus II; 1124 Honorius II; 1130 Innocent II
PRELATES
ORKNEY: William the Old 1102-1168 [See Historiettes]
These brothers soon disagreed, and divided the Orcadian dominions, and then discord arose between the great vassals of each, who were divided into factions. Earl Harald held Caithness from the King of Scots, and he resided frequently there; but sometimes also in Scotland, where he had many friends and kinsmen. When Harald was staying in Sutherland there came to him Sigurd Slembidjahn, reputed to be the son of Adalbrekt, a priest. Sigurd came from the court of the Scottish King David, who had held him in high esteem. Earl Harald received him extremely well. Sigurd went into the Islands with Harald and with Frakach, whose husband Ljot was now dead. Frakach and her sister took a large share in the government with Earl Harald. Sigurd was a great favourite with all of them. At this time Audhild, the daughter of Thorleif, was his mistress, and their daughter was Ingigerd, afterwards mother to Hakon Klo. She had before then been married to Eric Sreita, by whom she was mother of Eirek Stagbrellir.
NOTE - This Ljot of Sutherland is considered ancestor of the Macleods. Strafleet is named after him.
When Sigurd and Frakach came to the Islands great dissensions arose between the brother Earls, and both called together as many of their partisans as they could muster. The most attached to Earl Paul were Sigurd at Westness, who had married Ingibiorg the Noble, a kinswomen of the Earls, and Thorkell, son of Somerled, who was always with Paul, and was called his foster-father, Thorkell was of kin to the sainted Earl Magnus, and a most popular man. The friends of the Earls thought no man would more deplore their discord than Thorkell, because of the injury done him by their father Hakon. At last Harald and Sigurd the Slim went to Thorkell the Foster and slew him. This roused the ire of Paul, who only consented to peace upon the banishment from the Orcades of Sigurd and all those incriminated with him. Sigurd the Slim then left the Isles and went to Scotland, staying for a while with Malcolm, King of Scots, by whom he was well entertained. Sigurd was thought a great man in all manly exercises. He remained for a time in Scotland, until he went to Jerusalem. Later on he claimed the Norwegian throne, and established his paternity by ordeal of hot iron, just as King Harald Gi11e, the reigning monarch, had done. Harald declined to recognise the result, and arraigned Sigurd for the slaying of Thorkell. Sigurd effected his escape by plunging overboard with two of his guards in his arms, and presently returning, surprised and slew King Harald. Sigurd then tried, with Danish assistance, to restore King Magnus the Blind, but his forces were totally defeated by the sons of King Harald on the south coast of Norway. Magnus fell in battle, and Sigurd was made captive, to be put to death with almost incredible tortures. The Orcadian Earls in confirming the peace, arranged for Christmas and the chief festivals to be spent together.
Once the brothers were to be entertained at Orphir, one of Earl Harald's estates, and he was to bear the expense of the entertainment for both of them that Christmas, so he was very busy and made great preparations. The sisters Frakach and Helga were there with the Earl, and sat sewing in the stofa, an enclosed portion of the hall at the upper end, where was the pall or dais. Harald happened to enter the apartment where the sisters were, and found them seated on a cross-bench, a newly-made linen garment, spotless as snow, lying between them. The Earl raised it, and, noticing it was embroidered with gold, asked, "To whom does this splendid thing belong ?" Frakach replied, "It is intended for your brother Paul". "Why do you make so fine a garment for him ? Such pains are not shown in the making of my clothing", said the Earl. Harald had just come out of bed, and was dressed in a shirt and linen drawers with a mantle thrown over the shoulder. Discarding the mantle, he spread out the dress. His mother Helga grasped it, and besought him not to envy his brother his fine clothing, but the Earl pulled it from her and began to put it on. Frakach then snatched at her headgear, and tore her hair, saying his life was endangered if he wore it, and both women wept grievously. Nevertheless Harald put it on, but as soon as it touched his skin a fit of shivering seized him, accompanied by pain so great that he had to take to his bed. He never left it alive, dying in a few days. His friends considered his death a severe loss.
With the consent of the Orcadian estates, Paul immediately entered into possession of his brother's dominions. Considering that the splendid tunic, so fatal to Harald had been prepared for himself, Paul preferred that the sisters should not stay in the Isles. Accordingly, with all their attendants - a numerous train - they passed to Caithness, and thence to Frakach's estate in Scotland. This estate became a nursery for many characters prominent in Orcadian history.
[From Orkneyinga Saga; Barry and Torfaeus]