Isabella Mueller Baroness of Stainton le Vale
Off the north coast of Scotland, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, lies the Orkney archipelago, consisting of almost 70 small islands and the largest island, Mainland, on which Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, is located. This ancient Norse town with over 8,500 inhabitants was founded in the 11th century by Jarl Rognvald Brusason. Jarl is a princely title in the Nordic countries, equivalent to the German Graf. The landmarks and heart of Kirkwall are the Earl’s Palace, a castle ruin, the Bishop’s Palace, a former bishop’s residence, and the imposing St. Magnus Cathedral made of red and yellow sandstone. The founding of this cathedral was even documented in the legendary Orkneyinga Saga. Construction of the church began in 1137 under the Norwegian Earl Rognvald, who wanted to restore the honor of his uncle, Earl Magnus, to whom it was dedicated and whose name it bears. The county of Orkney was ruled from 1117 by Earl Magnus and his cousin, Earl Haakon. However, the two quarreled so badly that only a duel on the island of Egilsay, 15 kilometers away, could decide who would rule. Both were to arrive at the duel with only two ships. But Haakon did not abide by the agreement and traveled to the island with eight ships. Magnus was arrested and killed by Haakon’s cook, who split his skull with an axe. From then on, Haakon ruled the county of Orkney alone. In 1137, Magnus’ nephew Rognvald came to Orkney and demanded half of the county back from Haakon’s son. From then on, Rognvald ruled the county of Orkney and began building the northernmost church in Great Britain, also known as the Light in the North. In doing so, he fulfilled his promise to build a church in memory of his uncle Magnus. Both Magnus and Rognvald were canonized after the completion of the sacred building, and their relics are kept within the ancient walls of the church, which is over 850 years old. Kirkwall and the entire Orkney Islands are considered a magical world of myths and legends. There is the island of Eynhallow, which has been uninhabitable since an epidemic in 1851 and can only be reached by boat once a year on a single day in July. According to an ancient legend, the Finfolk lived there. These demonic sea people are said to have kidnapped the women and men of the Orkney Islands and forced them to marry. They were kept captive and treated as slaves until the end of their lives. Only an angry Scottish farmer is said to have freed the island from the ghostly sea people in revenge for the abduction of his wife. Nevertheless, inexplicable incidents continue to occur to this day. For example, two people went missing on the annual return trip and were not found despite a large-scale search. The population believed that they had been abducted by the Finfolk, who still live in hiding on the island. To this day, the island is considered a cursed place.
