Haakon Paulsson facts for kids

Haakon Paulsson was a powerful leader, known as a jarl, from Norway. He ruled the Earldom of Orkney alongside his cousin, Magnus Erlendsson, from 1105 to 1123. Their story is told in the Orkneyinga saga, a famous tale written down in the early 1200s by an unknown author from Iceland.

Haakon's Family and Early Life

Haakon's father was Paul Thorfinnsson. Paul and his brother, Erlend Thorfinnsson, used to rule Orkney together. They were good friends for a long time. But when their children grew up, arguments started between the cousins. This led to big fights and bad feelings between Paul and Erlend.

Paul was the older brother and was in charge at first. He married a daughter of a Norwegian earl named Hakon Ivarsson. They had two sons and four daughters. Haakon was one of their sons and became very important in Orkney's history. His brothers and sisters were Thora, Brynjolf, Ingirid, Herbjorg, and Ragnhild.

Erlend had two sons, Erling and Magnus, and three daughters. The trouble between the families began because of Haakon Paulsson and Erling Erlendsson. Both were smart and talented, but also liked to argue and were a bit proud. Magnus, on the other hand, was described as a "quiet sort of man."

Haakon felt he was the most important of all the cousins because of his family background. He wanted everyone to see him as the leader. But Erling was just as strong-willed and wouldn't give in. Their fathers tried to make peace, but it was clear they were taking sides with their own sons. This made the fighting between the brothers even worse. Eventually, the Earldom of Orkney was split into two separate areas. This had happened before, during the time of Thorfinn and Brusi Sigurdsson.

How Norway Influenced Orkney

Haakon Paulsson traveled a lot in Scandinavia. He spent time with his relative, Magnus Barefoot, who was the King of Norway. While he was there, Haakon heard that his father, Paul, had given most of his power in Orkney to Earl Erlend and his sons. After a long period of peace, the people of Orkney didn't want Haakon to come back.

So, Haakon asked King Magnus for help to get the earldom for himself. Haakon knew King Magnus wanted more power. He suggested that Magnus take control of Orkney directly. This would give Magnus a good base for raiding other lands, just like an earlier king, Harold Fairhair, had done. King Magnus was convinced. In 1098, he launched a big military campaign. He even brought his eight-year-old son, Sigurd, with him.

However, King Magnus had his own plans. He took over the islands completely. He removed both Earl Erlend and Paul Thorfinnsson from power and sent them to Norway as prisoners. Haakon, Magnus, and Erling Erlendsson were taken by King Magnus as hostages. Sigurd was then made the new, but only in name, Earl of Orkney. Sigurd's rule was helped by a group of advisors, and Haakon was one of them.

Haakon's father, Paul, died later that year and was buried in Bergen, Norway. Erling Erlendsson died while fighting with King Magnus, either in a battle called the Battle of the Menai Straits or in Ulster.

The Conflict with Magnus

In 1103, King Magnus Barefoot was killed during another trip to Ireland. His son, Sigurd, became the King of Norway when he was only fourteen. Around 1104, King Sigurd made Haakon the Earl of Orkney.

According to the Orkneyinga saga, Haakon's cousin, Magnus Erlendsson, was not accepted by the Norwegian rulers at first. This was because of his strong religious beliefs. Magnus had to hide in Scotland for a while. But he came back to Orkney in 1105 and challenged Haakon's right to rule. They couldn't agree, so Magnus asked King Eystein I of Norway for help. King Eystein then granted Magnus the right to rule Orkney jointly with Haakon.

Magnus and Haakon ruled together from 1105 until 1114. Then, their followers started to argue. The two sides met at a special meeting place called a thing on the Orkney mainland, ready to fight. But peace was negotiated. The Earls agreed to meet on the island of Egilsay, with each bringing only two ships. Magnus arrived with his two ships, but Haakon showed up with eight ships.

The Death of Magnus

Magnus hid in the island's church overnight. The next day, he was captured. He offered to leave Orkney or go to prison. But a group of important leaders decided that one earl had to die to end the conflict. Haakon then killed Magnus on Egilsay in April 1116. This event led to Magnus being seen as a "martyr" and later, the building of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.

Haakon's Later Life

After Magnus died, Haakon took full control of Orkney. He made everyone who had served Magnus swear loyalty to him. He also made Magnus's friends, who had been against him, pay a lot of money as a penalty.

Once he was firmly in charge, Haakon went on a long journey. He traveled to Rome and then continued to Jerusalem, where he bathed in the River Jordan. Haakon had three children with his partner, Helga Moddansdóttir. Helga was the daughter of a rich farmer named Moddan. Their children were Harald "Smooth-tongue", Ingibjorg (who married Olaf Morsel, the King of the Isles), and another daughter named Margaret. Haakon also had another son, who the saga calls Paul "the Silent". Eventually, Harald and Paul inherited their father's title. The farmers in Orkney were worried about how the two brothers would get along as rulers.

In Fiction

Haakon is shown as a bad guy in George Mackay Brown's novel Magnus.