Battlefields›Battle of Westness
Early Medieval

Battle of Westness

1046
Orkney, Scotland
Also known as: Rousay battle Orkney
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Orkney, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rögnvald Brúsason
Forces
Rögnvald (Norse fleet): c.500–800. Naval battle off Orkney.
VS
Victor
Thorfinn the Mighty
Forces
Thorfinn (Norse fleet): c.500–800
Outcome
Rögnvald killed; Thorfinn undisputed Earl of Orkney
The Battle

History & Significance

The naval battle of Westness off the coast of Rousay in Orkney ended the struggle between Thorfinn the Mighty and his nephew Rögnvald for control of the earldom. Rögnvald was killed, leaving Thorfinn as the unchallenged ruler of a domain stretching from Shetland to the Hebrides. Thorfinn went on to be perhaps the greatest Norse earl Scotland ever knew.

Casualties & Losses

Rögnvald Brúsason killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Westness

Ness of Woodwick, broch, 970m E of Lower Bisgarth
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~1.8 miles
Midland, burial mound 450m NNE of
Scheduled monument · ~2.1 miles
Knowe of Midgarth, settlement and cairn
Scheduled monument · ~2.2 miles
Tingwall, broch and mound 90m W of Tingwall House
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~2.7 miles
Wass Wick,mound
Scheduled monument · ~3.5 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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