Delting Up Helly Aa 2012
The 2012 Delting Up Helly Aa Aa took place on Friday 16th March, with guizer Jarl Bryden Nicolson portraying Anders Nicolassen. This years galley was named Anfield.
About the Jarl's Saga:
This year Bryden has chosen to represent Anders Nicolassen who was Chief Baron to King Haakon IV of Norway. Instead of picking a king, he chose Nicolassen, due to the name, which has obvious strong ancestral links.
Anders Nicolassen was King Haakon's foster brother. Legend has it that King Haakon relied heavily on Nicolassen for his bravery and battle knowledge and was one of the main reasons he managed to create such an expansive empire. They regained control of Norway then spread out as far as Greenland and down to the Isle of Man.
In 1263, they sailed from Norway with, at that time, the largest known fleet of Viking ships. They stopped at Bressay Sound for two weeks before setting sail to the Outer Hebrides.
Nicolassen successfully led his warriors in gaining control throughout the Outer Hebrides from King Alexandrea III who had claimed them the year before. However, strong winds blew up and drove several galleys ashore near Largs. Anders was among those driven ashore and, undaunted with what lay ahead, he then led his men through several battles with the Scots.
The main battle was at Largs, where Anders held his own against the forces of King Alexandrea III. There are many different accounts as to who actually won the battle. What is known is that King Alexandrea III started to bargain for a truce, hoping winter would destroy Haakon's fleet. Word of that quickly spread to Ireland, and an offer of help was duly sent, on the basis that, when King Alexandrea III was defeated, Nicolassen and his men would agree to then help take on the English. Sadly the deal was not to be. With winds increasing, and unable to land more warriors. King Haakon was left with no choice but to retreat to safety in Orkney. This was to be his downfall, as he took ill and died that winter.
Nicolassen was then left with the task of forming a treaty and so led an envoy to conclude the Treaty of Perth. Nicolassen's decision after that to settle in Scotland is believed to be the start of the Nicolson legacy.
The main feature of the Nicolson clan crest is a lion, and this is depicted on this year's Jarl's Squad shields. Another relevant historical fact is that Nicolassen had a strong link with the Borders of Scotland. Modern day Jarl Nicolson's wife, Johanna, comes from the Borders and they have also recently bought a farm there.
Text from the Programme.
Jarl's Squad Members
Bryden Nicolson (Guizer Jarl), James Nicolson, Campbell Nicolson, Yasmin Nicolson, Douglas Nicolson, Sam Nicolson, Tom Nicolson, Alistair Lindsay, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, Rachel MacDonald, Neil Risk, Duncan Clubb, Neil Clubb, Jamie Summers, David Summers, Iain Watt, Alistair Cooper, Robert Williamson, Stanley Robertson, Kevin Moreland, Peter Grant, Peter Anderson, Charlie Laurenson, Bill Hutchison, Chris Laurenson, Raymond Garrick, Liam Garrick, Stuart Williamson, Davie Kirk, Bobby Kirk, Ryan Kirk, Stephen Breivik, Craig Dinwoodie, Ross Dinwoodie, Michael Spence, Lewis Spence, James Spence, Brydon Anderson, Raymond Allan, Jim McCarroll. Squad Musicians - Drewie Hawick, Iain Williamson, Stuart Polson.
List of Squads
1. Jarl's Squad, 2. Bryden's Lucky Charms, 3. Got to Dance, 4. Let's Dance, 5. I could do with a tug, 6. Pandamonium, 7. A TOTAL Disaster, 8. A Welly Good Showdown, 9. Bryden's Total(y) Sick Olympics, 10. Operation Jarl Squad, 11. Muggies Get Tango'd, 12. Wooly Gods TT, 13. Jukebox Jarls, 14. Extreme Scoots, 15. Super Mario's Olympic Rhythm Method, 16. Shetland 2012 Torch Carri(on)ers, 17. Naebody's Tug, 18. For Ships and Giggles 3D, 19. Ewe're the one that I want, 20. Charlie's Angels, 21. Total Gold, 22. Jaggerettes, 23. The Lazy Song, 24. Tak Me Furt, 25. Mizz Ewe-niverse, 26. Schoolympic Games, 27. Song and Dance, 28. Celebrity Doosh, 29. Drew's Bedtime Stories, 30. Hurricane Blawbag, 31. 3 Steps Forward, 2 Steps (R) Back, 32. Dancing Queens, 33. Party Rock is in the HALL tonight.
