12 Facts About Haakon Paulsson

Haakon Paulsson was a Norwegian jarl who ruled the earldom of Orkney together with his cousin Magnus Erlendsson from 1105 to 1123.

Haakon Paulsson married an unnamed daughter of Norwegian earl Hakon Ivarsson and they had two sons and four daughters.

The trouble between the earls began with rivalry between Haakon Paulsson and Erling Erlendsson.

Haakon Paulsson believed himself to be the most highly born of the cousins and wanted to be seen as the foremost amongst his kin, but Erling was not one to back down.

Haakon Paulsson went on a long journey to Scandinavia, latterly staying with his kinsman, Magnus Barefoot the king of Norway.

Haakon Paulsson therefore asked King Magnus for help in the hope of obtaining the earldom for himself.

Haakon Paulsson knew Magnus was power-hungry and suggested that he take back direct control of Orkney as a base for raiding further afield as his predecessor Harold Fairhair had done.

Haakon Paulsson took possession of the islands, deposing both Erlend and Paul Thorfinsson who were sent away to Norway as prisoners, Haakon and Magnus and Erling Erlendsson were taken by King Magnus as hostages and Sigurd was installed as the nominal earl.

Magnus and Haakon Paulsson then ruled jointly from 1105 until 1114.

Magnus arrived with his two ships, but Haakon Paulsson turned up with eight ships.

Haakon Paulsson had another son the saga calls Paul "the Silent".

Haakon Paulsson is depicted as an antagonist in George Mackay Brown's novel Magnus.