Harald Fairhair (Haraldr Hárfagri / Harald Hårfagre), who rained in Norway c. 872 to 930, and conquered Shetland around c. 870. More information at http://www.shetland.gov.uk/lerwick-town-hall/Zetland-Window.asp
Rognvaldr, Earl of Møre and of Orkney, is said to have gifted Shetland (the Earldom of which he was offered by Harald fairhair) to his brother, Sigurd Eysteinsson (Sigurd the Mighty), who ruled c. 875–892. He is depicted here being invested with…
The Rose Window features a version of the coat of arms of Lerwick, with several elements of Norse heritage incorporated: the Viking ship with dragon prows, the battle-axe and the raven (the latter associated with Odin and an important symbol in Norse…
Haakon Haakonsson (Hákon Hákonarson, Håkon Håkonsson, Haakon the Old) was King of Norway from 1217 to 1263, and died in Orkney and is buried in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.
Harald Sigurdsson (Haraldr Sigurðarson) more commonly known as Harald Hardrada (Haraldr harðráði) was King of Norway from 1046 until 1066 and led an unsucessful invasion of England in 1066. He was killed at the battle of Stamford Bridge. This…
The Olaf and Thyra Window in Lerwick Town Hall depicts the Norwegian King Olaf Tryggvason (Óláfr Tryggvason) who officially brought Christianity to Shetland in 995. See item 624 for Thyra and…
Midgarth is a common Norse placename, and Anglicisation of Miðgarðr, meaning in this case 'Middle Enclosure / Farm' . Miðgarðr is also the 'Middle Realm', and home of mankind, in Norse Mythology.
Twageos is a place name incorporating the common Norse place name element 'gjá', meaning 'ravine' and rendered in Shetland as 'geo' or 'gjo'. Twageos may refer to the 'two ravines'.
Rögnvald Brusason shared the Earldom of Orkney with Thorfinn Sigurdsson from c. 1037 until his death in conflict with Thorfinn in 1046, and his eventful life is recorded in some detail in Orkneyinga saga. More information about the Oriel Window can…
Rognvald Eysteinsson was jarl of Møre in Norway, and was offered the earldom of Orkney after its conquest by Harald fairhair, though he declined in favour of his brother Sigurd. For more information on the window, see…
Rognvald Kali Kolsson (d. 1158), also known as Rognvald the Crusader, is one of the most important and colourful Earls of Orkney, and his exploits are depicted in Orkneyinga saga. He invaded Orkney in 1135, and promoted the cult of St Magnus with the…
Magnus Erlendsson (later Saint Magnus) ruled Orkney and Shetland from c. 1106 to 1115. The Cathedral in Kirkwall was dedicated to him after his death at the hands of Hákon Pálsson.
Depiction of Harald Fairhair (Haraldr Hárfagri / Harald Hårfagre) arriving in Shetland. He rained in Norway c. 872 to 930, and conquered Shetland around c. 870. More information at http://www.shetland.gov.uk/lerwick-town-hall/Zetland-Window.asp
Detail from the Thoms Window, depicting the coronation of King Magnus Erlingsson of Norway in 1162. More information at http://www.shetland.gov.uk/lerwick-town-hall/Thoms-Window.asp
This window in Lerwick Town Hall in Shetland depicts the early tirteenth-century King of Norway, Haakon Haakonsson (Hákon Hákonarson, Håkon Håkonsson, Haakon the Old), who died in Orkney and is buried in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. The other…
This window in Lerwick Town Hall depicts Magnus Erlendsson (later Saint Magnus) who ruled Orkney and Shetland from c. 1106 to 1115. On the right is Harald Sigurdsson (Haraldr Sigurðarson) more commonly known as Harald Hardrada (Haraldr harðráði),…