BattlefieldsBattle of Tankerness
Early Medieval

Battle of Tankerness

1136
Orkney, Scotland
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Orkney, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Paul Haakonsson
Forces
Paul Haakonsson: c. 400–800.
VS
Victor
Rognvald Kali Kolsson
Forces
Rognvald: c. 500–1,000
Outcome
Rognvald secured Orkney earldom; Paul captured
The Battle

History & Significance

Rognvald Kali Kolsson — later Saint Magnus — landed in Orkney with Norwegian backing to claim the earldom and defeated the incumbent earl Paul. The struggle for Orkney between rival Norse lines was a constant feature of twelfth-century history. Rognvald later built St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall as a memorial to his martyred great-uncle Magnus.

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