The History and Genealogy of The Pearsall Family

In this war fell Ivar, a son of Rognvald, Earl of More; and King Harold gave Rognvald, as a compensation for the loss, the Orkney and Shetland isles, when he sailed from the West; but Rognvald immediately gave both these countries to his brother Sigurd, who remained behind them; and King Harold, before sailing eastward, gave Sigurd the earldom of them. Throstein the Red, a son of Olaf the White and of Aud the Wealthy, entered into partnership with him; and after plundering in Scotland, they subdued Caithness and Sutherland, as far as Ekkjalsbakke. Earl Sigurd killed Melbridge Tooth, a Scotch earl, and hung his head to his stirrup-leather; but the calf of his leg was scratched by the teeth, which were sticking out from the head, and the wound caused inflammation in his leg, of which the earl died, and he was laid in a mound at Ekkjalsbakke. His son Guthorm ruled over these countries for about a year thereafter and died without children. Many Vikings, both Danes and Northmen, had set themselves down then in those countries.

When Earl Rognvald in More heard of the death of his brother Earl Sigurd, and that the Vikings were in possession of the country, he sent his son Hallad westward, who took the title of earl to begin with, and had many men-at-arms with him. When he arrived at the Orkney Islands, he established himself in the country; but both in harvest, winter, and spring, the Vikings cruised about the isles, plundering the headlands, and committing depredations on the coast. Halladettesnall, called by Wiffen Halloden, third Earl of Orkney, married Tora, daughter of Find the Squinteyed, a great lord of Norway. They had a son Ragenwald, Lord of Eivy, who married Gunhella, daughter of Toraport, Lord of Hilgaland, or Heligoland. Earl Hallad grew tired of the business, resigned his earldom, took up again his rights as an allodial owner, and afterwards returned eastward into Norway. When Earl Rognvald heard of this he was ill pleased with Hallad, and said his sons were very unlike their ancestors. Rognvald called together his sons and asked who of them was then minded to go to the islands, and Thorir bade the Earl do as he pleased concerning his journey; the Earl said he had spoken well, but said he should abide there, at More, and have that do-minion after his day. Then Hrolf or Rollo stepped forward and volunteered to go to Orkney; Rognvald said it suited him well, inasmuch as he was both strong and valiant, but he was minded to think that his temper was too wild for him to settle down now already in the rule of the lands. Then Hrollaug stepped forward and asked if it was his will that he should go; but Rognvald said he would not be likely to become an Earl; thy ways lead out to Iceland; in that land thou wilt be deemed a noble man and become prosperous in thy kindred, but here destiny hath nought in store for thee. Then Einar stepped forward and said: let me go to Orkney, and I will promise thee what thou wilt deem the best, that thereafter I shall never come within the sight of thine eyes. The Earl answers: I am well content that thou go away, however scanty hope I have about thee, for all thy mother's kin is thrall-born. Thereupon Einar fared west and subdued

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Excursion Inlet, Alaska