BattlefieldsBattle of Paplay
Early Medieval

Battle of Paplay

1136
Orkney, Scotland
Also known as: South Ronaldsay skirmish Orkney
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Orkney, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Paul Haakonsson supporters
Forces
Paul supporters: c. 300–500.
VS
Victor
Rognvald Kali Kolsson
Forces
Rognvald: c. 300–600
Outcome
Rognvald secured southern Orkney; Paul captured thereafter
The Battle

History & Significance

Part of Rognvald Kali Kolsson's campaign to win the Orkney earldom. Rognvald landed with Norwegian support and fought a series of skirmishes to consolidate his position before capturing his rival Paul. The Orkneyinga Saga records these engagements in detail. Rognvald's later canonisation as a saint gave these military actions retrospective religious significance.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Orkney

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Orkney