Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

JARLS OF ORKNEY AND EARLS OF CAITHNESS. 207
ing out great numbers of the people to join him. He was very severe, and
exceedingly proud and overbearing, and there came a scarcity in his lands in
consequence of the services and money exacted from the Bonders ; whilst in
Brusee's country there was peace and plenty, so that lie was the best beloved.
Many of the Bonders fled from Eynor's lands, and most of them went to Torphin
in Caithness, but some went to Norway and other countries.
Now Torphin, being grown up, sent again to demand his third of the islands 1020,
from Eynor, which not being conceded, he collected a war-force in Caithness. ae,:at - II-
As soon as Earl Eynor heard that, he collected people and determined to
defend his country. Earl Brusius, too, collected men and went out to meet them.
At last it was agreed that Torphin should have a third part, and that Brusee
and Eynor should lay their two parts together, and that Eynor should rule over
them, but that the longest liver and his heirs should inherit the whole ; and this
seemed reasonable, as Brusee had a son, Rognvald, but Eynor had no son.
Now there was a rich and powerful man named " Thorkell" son of Aamond,
who dwelt at Sandvic in Pomona (Hrossay or Mainland), and he and his father
having interceded with Eynor in favour of the oppressed Bonders, were obliged,
in consequence, to leave the island — for Eynor had declared that they should not
come to the next Thing " in a whole skin." So Aamond told his son to leave
the country, and he, going to Caithness, became the instructor and foster-
father of the young earl, and so came to be called " Thorkell Fostre." Now
Torphin sent this Thorkell to the islands to gather his scatt ; but he came
suddenly back to Caithness and told the earl that Earl Eynor would have
murdered him, had not his friends and relations given him notice to escape ; for
Eynor gave Thorkell the chief blame of the dispute about the islands ;. so
Torphin encouraged Thorkell to go to Norway to King Olaf. That king con-
versed much with him, and found him a high-minded man of good understanding.
The king found a great difference in the account he gave of the two earls, for
Thorkell spoke much in favour of Earl Torphin, but had much to say against
Eynor.
Early in spring the king sent a ship west over the sea, with an invitation to
Earl Torphin to visit him in Norway, which the earl did not decline.
Torphin met with a very kind reception in Norway, and stayed till late in the
summer ; and when he was preparing to return, King Olaf made him a present
of a large and fully-rigged long ship. In autumn Earl Torphin arrived in Orkney ;
and when Earl Eynor heard of it, he went on board his ship with a numerous
band of men. Then Earl Brusius came up to his two brothers to mediate
between them, and a peace was concluded and confirmed by Olaf.
Thorkell being now at peace with Earl Eynor, it was agreed that they should