Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

210 EARL ROGNVALD BRUCESSON.
twenty-two, as we are told that he was ten years old when his father left him
with King Olaf the Saint in Norway, in the seventh year of that king's reign.
Brusee was by all allowed to be the most just and equitable of all the
earls, Torphin the most powerful ; and they differed much in appearance as
well as temper.
Torphin gave early indications of a covetous, daring, and turbulent spirit.
His hair was black, his eyebrows large, his visage frightful ; he was of tall
stature, and his body lean ; but he was altogether the soldier, both as to person
and genius. He lived until 1064, two years before Harald Hardraada fell at
Stanemore, and William of Normandy conquered England, and in the seventh
year of Malcolm Casnmore's reign in Scotland, when he must have been fifty-
five years of age, and not the very old man historians imagine ; so that it is
the less strange that Malcolm Ca^nmore should have married his widow, " Ingio-
biorge," daughter of Finn Arneson, who was probably much younger.
Earl Brusee and his two brothers, Somerled and Eynor, were grown up when
their father was killed at Clontarf in 10 14. As long as they were co-earls of
the Orcades, Brusee was ever the peacemaker in their contests. He was of a
mild and peaceful disposition, fair complexion, and of an obliging manner to
all around him.
Soon after we hear of Rognvald Brucesson as resident in Gottland or Goth-
land, " a very powerful earl," and being much esteemed, both in Sweden and
Norway.
At that time an Olaf reigned in each ; and it was much desired by the
people of both countries that a treaty of alliance should be made betwixt them.
Olaf of Norway was well disposed towards peace, and sent ambassadors and
offers of friendship, and asked " Ingigerd," daughter of the King of Sweden, in
marriage. But Olaf of Sweden was a proud man, and would not hear of this ;
nor would he call Olaf of Norway a king, but only " the thick man." Then
the people assembled a Thing, and insisted upon a treaty with Norway, and
made the king promise to give his daughter in marriage to Olaf the Holy ; and
Earl Rognvald was appointed to make the feast. But still no preparations
were made for the marriage, although Ingigred wished it, and had sent Olaf a
present of a richly-embroidered cloak, lined with costly fur.
King Olaf made great preparations for his bridal, and came with many ships
and a great retinue, to a place called Kong-hille, but could hear nothing of the
Swedish king, nor what were his designs.
Then he sent messengers to Gothland to Earl Rognvald, to ask him how it
came to pass that the Swedish king did not come to the meeting agreed upon.
The earl replied that he did not know ; " but as soon," said he, " as I hear, I