BISHOP JÓN ARRIVES FROM SCOTLAND.
WHEN Earl Rögnvald had ruled the Orkneys two winters he had a Yule-feast
at his estate called Knarrarstadir.[351] The sixth day of Yule a ship
was seen crossing the Pentland Firth from the south. It was a fine day,
and the Earl was outside the house, with many men, looking at the ship.
There was also a man named Hrólf, the Earl’s court priest. When the
strangers landed, they left the ship, and the Earl’s men calculated
their number to be fifteen or sixteen.[352] In front of them walked a
man in a blue cloak, with his hair tucked up under the cap; the lower
part of the chin was shaved,[353] but the lips unshaved, and the long
beard was hanging down (from them). They thought this man somewhat
strange, but Hrólf said it was Bishop Jón from Atjöklar (Athole), in
Scotland. Then the Earl went to meet them, and gave the Bishop a
gracious welcome. He placed him in his high seat, but served at the
table himself like a waiter.
Early next morning the Bishop held a service, and went to Egilsey to see
Bishop William. This was the tenth day of Yule. Then both the Bishops
went with a noble suite to visit Earl Rögnvald, and told him their
business, explaining the agreement between Swein, Asleif’s son, and Earl
Maddad—namely, that their son Harald should bear the title of Earl, and
have half the Orkneys jointly with Earl Rögnvald, but Earl Rögnvald
should have the government in his hands, even when Harald grew up; and
if a difference arose between them, Earl Rögnvald should have his own
way.
Swein was present, and confirmed the Bishop’s statement. 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.
Harald was accompanied to the islands by Thorbiörn Klerk, the son of
Thorstein Höld, and Gudrún, the daughter of Frákork. He was a wise and a
great man. He was foster-father to Harald at that time, and had great
influence with him. Thorbiörn married in the Orkneys Ingirid, Olaf’s
daughter, sister to Swein, Asleif’s son. He was sometimes in the
Orkneys, and sometimes in Scotland. He was a most valiant man, but
overbearing in most things.
Swein, Asleif’s son, took possession of all the estates that belonged to
his father Olaf and his brother Valthióf; he became a great chief, and
had always many men with him. He was a wise man, and far-seeing in many
things; but overbearing and rash. No two men in the west were considered
at that time greater than the brothers-in-law Swein and Thorbiörn, and
there was a warm friendship between them.