Scandinavian-Britain

THE EARLDOM OF ORKNEY 251of the jarldom. For eight years there was peacebetween the two jarls ;after the sea-fight off Raudabjorg(1045) Ragnvald fled to Norway, and returningburnt Thorfmn's house at Orphir. Ragnvald himselflived at Kirkwall (Kirkju-vagr), where he perhapsfounded the town which, Dietrichson remarks, is laidout on the plan of old Norse towns. At Birsay Thornnn'swooden hall was no doubt on the site of thelater stone structure, which again was replaced byRobert Stuart's palace, built in the sixteenth century.Thorfinn's escape from the burning hall at Orphir,with his wife Ingibjorg in his arms, and his voyage toCaithness, is one of the most picturesque episodes ofthe Orkneyinga-saga, full as it is of picturesque detail.After the death of Ragnvald he was recognised byHarald Hardradi ;made a pilgrimage to Rome,founded the bishopric of Orkney, and died in 1064.His sons Paul and Erlend accompanied HaraldHardradi on the invasion which ended at StamfordBridge. In their time, according to Dietrichson, St.Peter's at Birsay and a church at Deerness, nowdestroyed, were built in stone, imitating the plan anddetail of old Norse wooden churches. Hakon, theson of Paul, induced King Magnus Barefoot to invadeOrkney for the furtherance of his personal interests ;but Magnus deposed Paul and Erlend, who shortlydied in Norway, and he placed his own son Sigurdover Orkney (1098). When Sigurd became king ofNorway (1103), Hakon and his cousin MagnusErlendsson held the jarldom jointly. Dissensionbroke out :they met for battle at Thingwold in