Earl Thorfinn

Earl Thorfinn

Long ago three men ruled,
Brothers from over the sea
Two earls died,
Leaving the land to one

An heir sailed across the sea
To claim his father's land

Rognvald received his rightful land and that which Einar ruled
For the promise of sword and spear against enemies

Raids in the south proved his worth, but friendship would not last

Arnason, escaping the king, fled to western land
With a large company, too many for one to feed.

More land was needed but Rognvald would not yield

Men were gathered from the isles and from the south
They would march for Thorfinn against his king
Rognvald sailed away and gained support from the king
Men would meet for war

Near the shore they met, a hundred ships covered the sea
The fighting was fierce, many were slain,
Rognvald forced to flee

On a winter's night Rognvald's men returned
Revenge was in their eyes
Thorfinn's house and company were burned
And all the land was claimed

Believed to be dead
Thorfinn stowed away to Caithness
Where he bided his time
Plotting his revenge.
Soon before Christmas he returned
And beset Rognvald and his men
By their campfire's light as they made their festive preparations

"My brother's son was betrayed by his words
Now is is I who returns
He lies slain, my vengeance is wrought.
I lay my claim that these lands are mine!"