BattlefieldsBattle of Rendall
Early Medieval

Battle of Rendall

1046
Orkney, Scotland
Also known as: Orkney internecine battle Rendall
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Orkney, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rögnvald Brúsason
Forces
Rögnvald: c.800–1,200. Orkney Norse internal conflict.
VS
Victor
Thorfinn the Mighty
Forces
Thorfinn: c.1,000–1,500
Outcome
Thorfinn's rival killed; Thorfinn became sole Earl of Orkney
The Battle

History & Significance

Thorfinn the Mighty — the greatest of the Norse earls of Orkney, who held power from Shetland to Dublin and raided deep into Scotland — eliminated his co-earl Rögnvald Brúsason at Rendall on Mainland Orkney. Thorfinn's long reign made Orkney the dominant power in the north and west of Scotland. He later made a pilgrimage to Rome in penance.

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