Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

JARLS OF ORKNEY. 191
" Einar Kliningis," and persuaded him that she would marry him, and make
him earl if he would murder his uncle.
To this he consented at last, and going with a party of ruffians he attacked
and killed Havard in the town of Stennis in Orkney, and the place was there-
after called " Havard's tc'igur or conflict." As soon as it was known that Havard
was slain, the whole country loudly reprobated this Einar as a most bloody and
wicked man, and no one more so than Ragnhilda. Then she sent for another
sister's son, " Einar Hardhioptus " or Hardmouth, and upbraided him and the
family generally for not avenging the death of so good a man as Havard, and
declared that she would spare neither pains nor expense to bring the ruffian to
punishment, and that whoever succeeded in apprehending him should be Earl
of Orkney. Hardhioptus answered that it was generally believed that she dis-
sembled in all she spoke, but added, " be fully persuaded that no other reward
will be accepted but the earldom, and yourself as my wife."
Then he went and stabbed " Einar Kliningis," who dreaded no harm from
his hands. As soon as Ragnhilda heard of this, she sent an address to her
brother-in-law " Liot," appearing to be transported with joy at Havard's murder
having been avenged, and proposing marriage to him, which was accepted.
Hardhioptus, grieved beyond expression for having killed his friend, and being
disappointed of the reward of his treachery, attempted to take the earldom by
violence, but the country had a greater regard for the sons of Torphin Haus-
sakliffer than for him, and he was soon after killed by order of Liot. About
this time Skuli, the brother of Liot, sailed for Scotland, and obtained a gift of
the earldom of Catenes from the king. As this took place between the
years 944-60, it must have been in the reign of Indulf, son of Constantine II.
Liot and Skuli had continual contests ; at last Liot defeated Skuli and a Scot-
tish army in the Dales of Catenes ; but being afterwards attacked by another
Scottish force under " Malbrigid," brother of Finleikr-jarl, the father of Macbeth,
in the neighbourhood of Loch Shin, Liot, although victorious, died of his
wounds a few days after, and was buried at Stennis, where his grave still
remains, near the church.
Liot was succeeded by his brother Hlodver.
VII. Hlodver or Lodovic, second son of Torphin Haussakliffer, succeeded
Havard. His first wife was " Effrica," daughter of Somerled Prince of Arga-
thelia, by the daughter of Olans the Sivartliy, King of Man. His second wife
was " Audna," daughter of Kiarval King of Ireland, by whom he had Sigurt II
of that name. His daughter Grelotta married Baldwin of Clapham, son of Ed-
mund or Jatmund, King of England. Another " Nereider or Swanlunga" was
given in marriage to Earl Gille. — See Burnt Njal.