General Notes

EARLDOM of ORKNEY [NOR] - subject to King of Norway until after 1379

Arnkel, Erlend I and Thorfinn I on the death of their father Jarl Turf-Einar succeeded as co-Jarls of Orkney. Arnkel and Erlend were old enough to be taken into western piracy by King Eric Bloodaxe 939, and Thorfinnís son Arnfinn was of an age to marry a woman of perhaps twenty-seven in 954 or 955.

Thorfinn I Hausakliffer (Skull-cleaver) became sole Jarl of Orkney in 954 and again 955 until 976, when Gunnhild and her surviving sons Ragnfred and Gudred came to Orkney with their adherents after the defeat and death of King Harald II Greyfell at Limfiord. They departed again in 977 and Jarl Thorfinn seems to have died soon, afterwards. He m., 941, Grelod, dau. of Dungad or Duncan, Mormaer of Caithness, by Groa, dau. of Thorstein the Red (e), and had issue, Arnfinn, Havard, Hlodve, Lint and Skuli. Although Heimskringla in one place suggests that the brothers were "Jarls there" simultaneously, the Orkneyinga Saga, and Heimskringla in another place make it clear that four of them ruled in succession each as sole Jarl.  [Complete Peerage, X:Appendix A:6]

(e) Thorstein the Red m. Thorida, daughter of Eyvind Austmann, the Easterling, by Rafertach, daughter of Cearbhall MacDunghal, King of Ossory 842 to 888 and King of Dublin 873 to 888.

Note: By the statement concerning Arnfinn's marrying a 27 year old in 954/955, CP seems to put serious doubt as to the marriage date of "941" for Thorfinn & Grelod.

Note: I assume that Arnkel & Erlend were the 7th & 8th Jarl of Orkney, respectively.