The mainland earldom north of the Oykel, Caithness proper and the coast of Sutherland, has changed hands three times in four years.
On the likeliest reading it is held this winter for the king of Scots by the stewards of Rognvald of Mann, while Earl Harald, in Orkney across the Pentland Firth, plans to take it back. The bishop of Caithness, John, sits at Scrabster and Halkirk among them.
Who he is
- Name
- Three stewards of Rognvald (names not pinned)
- Title
- Stewards (sysselmen) placed by Rognvald, king of Mann, to whom William the Lion gave or sold Caithness
- Since
- After the death of Harald the Young (1198); Rognvald's conquest is dated 'about 1200' (not pinned)
- Confidence
- low
Sequence: William's armies came into Caithness in 1196 and 1197; Harald was held until his son Thorfinn was handed over as hostage; William gave Caithness (or half of it) to Harald the Young, Rognvald Kali's grandson, whom Harald Maddadsson killed near Wick in 1198. William then turned to Rognvald of Mann, who came with men of the Isles, Kintyre and Ireland, subdued the province, left three stewards and went home (Orkneyinga saga; Roger of Howden says Rognvald bought it). Harald later had one steward killed and crossed to Thurso; the bishop was mutilated in 1201 and William's great army came in 1201-1202.
Howden and the reconstruction in the Wikipedia article on Ragnall place the sea-king's intervention within 1196-1198; others say about 1200. On the likeliest reading the stewards hold Caithness on 1 January 1200. GM: rule.
Overlord
William, king of Scots (Caithness is a Scottish earldom); Harald's hereditary claim
What it holds
- Caithness: Thurso, Wick, Halkirk, Latheron and the Pentland coast
- Sutherland's coast: Helmsdale, Brora, Golspie, Dornoch
- Strathnaver (thin)
How it was acquired
Royal grant to Rognvald after 1198.
Allies and rivals
Rognvald's men against Harald's partisans; the bishop is suspected by Harald of informing.
How things stand that morning
Occupied by Rognvald's stewards for William; claimed by Harald. Not pinned.
Wealth
Grain and cattle of Caithness, fish. No figures.
Military
The stewards' followings; no castle of the king; the old Norse strongholds. No numbers.
Threats
- Harald's return
- Rognvald's absence
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
In 1200
- 1200-1201, not pinnedHarald has a steward killed, crosses to Thurso, and in 1201 mutilates Bishop John at Scrabster.Depends on: The stewards left without support Stopped by: A garrison or a settlement
Later, on the likely course
- 1201-1202William's army; Harald submits, pays a quarter of the revenues of Caithness and keeps the earldom.Depends on: Harald's attack Stopped by: Peace beforehand
Places of note
- Scrabster: The bishop's castle
- Wick: Where Harald the Young fell in 1198
Where the sources disagree
- The brief's realm table puts Caithness under 'orkney'. Because Harald is probably out of possession this winter, this record uses 'contested'; Harald's claim is drawn under Orkney (Harald).
Evidence: The saga and Howden agree on the sequence but not on the years.
On the map: Boundary with the north-west (Assynt, Durness) left undrawn.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.