Harald Maddadsson facts for kids
Harald Maddadsson (born around 1134 – died 1206) was a powerful leader in northern Scotland. He was the Earl of Orkney and Mormaer of Caithness from 1139 until his death in 1206. Harald was the son of Matad, the Mormaer of Atholl, and Margaret, whose father was Earl Haakon Paulsson of Orkney.
Harald had both Norse (Viking) and Gaelic (Scottish/Irish) family roots. He was also related to Scottish kings. This made him a very important person in Scotland during the 1100s. The Orkneyinga Saga, an old Norse story, says he was one of the three most powerful Earls of Orkney ever.
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Becoming Earl of Orkney
In the early 1100s, the Earldom of Orkney was a strong area. It controlled Caithness and had influence over Sutherland and parts of the Outer Hebrides. Because of this, the Scottish King David I was very interested in who would rule Orkney.
Harald's parents, Matad and Margaret, likely married around 1134. This happened after King David had put down a big rebellion. King David wanted to extend his power northwards. It's thought that Matad was given power in these new northern lands, and his marriage to Margaret helped secure this.
Harald Maddadsson was born just before Rognvald Kali Kolsson became Earl of Orkney. This happened when the previous Earl, Paul Haakonsson, disappeared. The official story was that Paul had given up his title. But there was also a rumor that Harald's mother had him killed. Earl Paul was not popular with the women in his family. His mother and her sister, Frakkok, had even tried to poison him before.
Rognvald was supported by the people who favored Norway. Frakkok and her group wanted Erlend, another relative, to become Earl. However, Harald's parents, Matad and Margaret, had King David's support. So, the young Harald Maddadsson became a joint ruler with Rognvald.
Harald's Early Years as Earl
When Harald was very young, Earl Rognvald and King David's advisors helped him rule Orkney. During this time, Orkney was fairly stable. However, there were still some violent events, as was common back then.
A big threat to Harald and Rognvald came from Erlend Haraldsson, who was supported by Frakkok. But Frakkok was soon killed, burned in her home. The Orkneyinga Saga says that a man named Sweyn Asleifsson was responsible. He came from Atholl, with Rognvald's approval and Matad's help. This same Sweyn Asleifsson was also involved in Earl Paul's disappearance.
Around 1150 or 1151, Harald visited Norway with Earl Rognvald. They probably met King Ingi Haraldsson. During this trip, Rognvald decided to go on a crusade, a religious journey.
Challenges to Harald's Rule
After Harald returned to Orkney and Rognvald left on his crusade, King Eystein Haraldsson of Norway attacked Orkney. He captured Harald near Thurso. Harald was set free after paying a large amount of gold and promising loyalty to Eystein.
Perhaps because of Eystein's actions, King David gave half of Caithness to Harald's cousin, Erlend Haraldsson. This led to a power struggle, and Erlend was killed in 1154. Rognvald was also killed in 1158. Sweyn Asleifsson was again involved in these family conflicts.
In 1153, King David died, and his young grandson, Malcolm IV, became king. King Eystein of Norway also died in a war. By 1158, Harald Maddadsson was the only Earl of Orkney. Neither the King of Scots nor the King of Norway were strong enough to challenge him.
Harald and the Scottish Kings
After Rognvald's death, Harald Maddadsson often supported those who opposed the Scottish kings. First, he opposed Malcolm IV, who died young in 1165. Then, he opposed Malcolm's brother, William. Harald's power was strong in the north and west of Scotland.
King William and his brother, Earl David, went on an expedition to Ross in 1179. This might have been because of Harald's actions. Two years later, a rebellion started in Ross and Moray. It is believed that Earl Harald played a part in this. The rebellion finally ended in 1187.
After this rebellion was defeated, there was more conflict between Earl Harald and King William. Scottish nobles were given lands in Ross and Cromarty. This was similar to what had happened in Moray. When King William became ill in 1195, it might have started the final conflict with Harald. This struggle lasted from 1197 until 1201. As part of this fight, King William gave lands in Caithness to Harald the Young in 1197. But Harald Maddadsson killed Harald the Young the next year.
The Orkneyinga Saga says that King William asked the King of Mann, Ragnald Guthredsson, to fight Harald. Harald Maddadsson, however, took back Caithness. In 1201, Harald went to the home of Bishop John of Caithness at Scrabster. The Gesta Annalia says that Harald treated Bishop John badly because he thought John was giving information to King William.
The creation of Bishop John's church area in Caithness in 1189–1190 was meant to increase Scottish control in the region. Bishop John soon had problems with Harald Maddadson and the Bishop of Orkney, Bjarni Kolbeinsson. This conflict was about collecting money for the Pope. The Pope ordered Bishop Bjarni to stop John from interfering.
King William used the treatment of Bishop John as a reason for war with Harald. He brought a large army north in 1201–1202. The army was so big that Harald surrendered without a fight. He agreed to give a quarter of the money from Caithness to William. During this time, Earl Harald's son Thorfinn was captured by the Scots.
Troubles with Norway
Harald Maddadson also had problems with the Norwegian king. Warriors from Orkney and Shetland, led by Harald's brother-in-law Olaf, fought against King Sverre Sigurdsson of Norway. King Sverre believed that Harald Maddadson was involved in this. After a battle in 1194, King Sverre punished Harald by taking control of Shetland. Shetland was never returned to Harald during his lifetime.
In 1202, the Pope decided that Harald was not personally responsible for the bad treatment of Bishop John. He ordered Bishop Bjarni to make sure Harald's man, Lumberd, who was blamed, was punished.
Harald Maddadson died peacefully in 1206. He had been Earl for 65 years and was about 72 years old.
Harald's Family
Harald's first wife was named Affrica. They had four children: Heinrek, Haakon, Helena, and Margaret.
Harald's second wife was Hvarflod. They married around 1168 and had six children: Thorfinn, David, Jon, Gunnhild, Herborga, and Langlif. It seems King William demanded that Harald separate from Hvarflod as a condition for peace.
After Harald's death, his sons David and Jon became joint Earls of Orkney. Heinrek ruled Ross. Earl David Haraldsson died in 1214, leaving Jon to rule alone until 1231.
In 1222, Earl Jon was indirectly involved in the burning of Bishop Adam of Caithness by local farmers. King Alexander II punished the people harshly for this killing.
Jon Haraldsson was killed in 1231 in Thurso, Caithness. He was challenged by Snaekoll Gunnisson, a relative who wanted to share the Earldom. Jon's supporters and Snaekoll's fought until it was agreed that King Haakon Sverreson of Norway should decide the matter. Everyone went to Norway, but a ship carrying Earl Jon and his family was lost at sea on the way back.
Because of this, the line of Norse Earls in Orkney ended for a while. From 1231 to 1236, Orkney had no Earl. In 1236, the Earldom was given to Magnus by King Haakon IV of Norway. Even though it was later ruled by Scottish lords, Orkney remained part of the kingdom of Norway.
Images for kids
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The Lewis chessmen, an iconic image of Scandinavian Scotland in Harald Maddadsson's time
