‘The Splendid Pagan’

Bringing you the alternative news in Orkney

by Fiona Grahame

EARL SIGURD The Stout straddled the Celtic and Pagan Worlds. The life and death of this powerful Viking ruler of Orkney marks a pivotal point of transition in the culture of the islands. His story is swathed in the mists of legend.

Under the rule of Earl Sigurd II, Orkney extended her dominions taking in Shetland, the north of Scotland, the Western Isles and parts of Ireland. On his Viking ‘cruises’ south he brought back great wealth to Orkney. His black raven banner struck terror into the hearts of all who beheld it.

After his conquest of the Isle of Man, the Eyrbyggia Saga tells us that Sigurd left behind ‘his agents to collect the tax which was to be paid in refined silver.’ His victories in Wales extracted a penny levied from every person as tribute.

Olaf invited Sigurd over to his ship. He then forced Sigurd, at the point of a sword, to convert to Christianity or be killed

The great hoards of treasure discovered at Skaill, Sandwick and Burray both come from this time of great conquest by the Orkney men. The Burray Hoard consists mostly of silver rings of a standard weight. The Skaill Hoard, said to be the largest find in Scotland, weighs over 8Kg. There are more than 100 items mainly of neck rings, arm rings and bracelets.