Lerwick Up Helly Aa 2008
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
| Up Helly Aa Fact File | |
|---|---|
| Date: | 29th January |
| Jarl: Portraying: | Roy Leask Kol Kalison |
| Galley Name: | Breckon |
| Jarl's Squad Members: | 56 (73) |
| Number of Squads: | 46 |
| Total Guizers: | 941 |
| Number carrying torches: | 875 |
 |  |
The Jarl's Squad
Photo courtesy of Jim Work.
Roy Leask was the 2008 Guizer Jarl for the Lerwick Up Helly Aa, and represented Kol Kalison.
Roy is Operations Director of local building firm D.I.T.T. Construction Ltd.
The 73 strong Jarl's Squad, the youngest member of which was Roy's 19 month old grandson Euan, were dressed in full length chainmail over dark green pigskin kirtles. The chainmail of the Jarl's suit was silver and the other squad members suits were gold plated. Chainmail is believed to have been worn by vikings after they copied it from Norman battledress. The metal rim of the helmets depicted the planking of a galley with a dragon head on the front.
About the Jarl's Guizer name
Kol Kalison was the son of a Norwegian Lenderman Kali Snaebjarnarson, who had estates at Bringsvaer in Agdir southern Norway. His father was the marshal of King Magnus Barelegs forces: Magnus ruled Norway between 1093 and 1103. At this time Paul and Erlend Thorfinson ruled the Earldom of Orkney and Shetland They ruled in harmony, but there was trouble between their sons Hakon Paulson and Magnus Erlendson. Hakon was considered a troublemaker and was asked to leave Orkney. He went to Norway, and encouraged King Magnus to take over the Earldom, from where he could mount an invasion down the west coast of Scotland into Ireland. During his reign King Magnus made three expeditions to the west, many of his vassals followed him, including Kali Snaebjarnason and his son Kol. On the first expedition he took over the Earldom from the Earls, and sent them to Norway where they both later died. He installed his young son Siguard as Earl and then sailed west and took over the Hebrides.
On his second expedition he sailed first to Orkney, where many joined him including the sons of the former earls. They sailed down the west coast of Scotland. When they came to Anglesey fought a great sea battle in the Menai straight with Norman Earls. The battle was long and fiercely fought and many were killed or wounded including Kali Snaebarnarson. The battle was finally won and King Magnus took over Anglesey. During the battle Magnus Erlendson who was a devout Christian would not fight and sang Psalms during the fighting. He incurred King Magnus displeasure and he departed soon after and did not return to Orkney during the reign of King Magnus.
King Magnus's forces made their way north again and agreed peace terms with the King of Scotland whereby he gave them all the islands to the west of Scotland and the Mull of Kintyre. When they came to the Hebrides King Magnus gave permission to those who had most urgent business to go home. Kali Snaebjarnason died there and the following spring King Magnus left the Hebrides and went west first to Orkney. He married Gunnhild the sister of Magnus Erlendson to Kol Kalison. They returned to Norway with the King, and went to reside at the estates they had now inherited at Bringsvaer in Agdir. ln 1102 King Magnus made his third and final expedition to the west. He fought in Ireland, won Dublin, and look over Ulster. They stayed the winter there and in the following spring, the Irish attacked them and a greal battle was fought. King Magnus was killed along with many others, including Erling, brother of Magnus Erlendson. Those that were left escaped back to their ships and carried back King Magnus's sword and standard to Orkney. His son Earl Sigurd went back to Norway and became joint King of Norway with his brother Eystein who later died.
Magnus Erlendson returned to Orkney soon after Hakon Paulson became Earl in 1105 and was accepted to have a joint claim to the Earldom. Unfortunately disputes arose between them which eventually led to them gathering forces and launching heavy attacks on each other. Hakon asked for a meeting, to confirm the peace between them in the spring of 1115. The meeting was at Egilsay, Magnus arrived first with the agreed number of ships and men but Hakon arrived with a bigger force. When they met Hakon made it clear that he intended to settle their differences, and that there was going to be no more joint rule of the Earldom. Magnus stopped his men from fighting and offered to leave the Earldom or to be blinded and locked up. Hakon accepted this but his chieftains wanted one of them killed, and Hakon ordered his men to kill Magnus.
Magnus's remains were interred at Christchurch at Birsay. This soon became a place of pilgrimage for people from all parts of Orkney and Shetland, and cures seem to have been effected at the grave. After the killing of Magnus, Hakon took over the whole Earldom. Earl Hakon died in his bed in 1122. His death was felt to be a great loss, his later years being very peaceful. After his death the Earldom was divided between his two sons Harald and Paul, and once again there was serious rifts formed between the chieftains who supported each brother. Earl Paul established himself on his father's estates at Orphir and Harald went to Caithness where he died in 1127. Paul became the sole Earl of Orkney and Shetland.
Kol and his wife Gunhild had two children. Their son was called Kali and a daughter Ingrid. When Kol's son Kali Kolson was young he went with one of his father's ships to trade at Grimsby in England. There he met a man called Harald Gilli from the Western Isles. He claimed he was the illegitimate son of King Magnus Barelegs, and promised each other their friendship and support. Kali was granted half the Earldom jointly with the present Earl Paul Hakonson. He was granted the part that had belonged to his Uncle Earl Magnus Erlendson and was given the name Earl Rognvald by King Sigurd. In 1130 King Sigurd died in Oslo, and his son Magnus was accepted as King. When Harald Gilli heard of the death and his son Magnus was now King of Norway he sent for Kol and his son Kali, and with their help he was declared King over half of Norway. It was four years before Magnus and Harald were reconciled, on the terms that they should each have half share of Norway. King Magnus would not accept as valid the half share of the Earldom of Orkney and Shetland that King Sigurd had bestowed on Kali because he and his father Kol had supported Harald in his claim to half of Norway.
Harald and Magnus ruled Norway jointly for three years, but in the following year Magnus raised an army against Harald. Harald supported by Kol and Kali, was defeated at the Battle of Farlev and Harald had to flee to Denmark. Harald soon sailed north to Oslo Fjord. Magnus had stood down his army and gone to Bergen. Harald gathered support and sailed his fleet around Norway to Askoy west of Bergen. After a number of battles on sea and land he finally defeated and captured Magnus. Harald spared his life but had him maimed and blinded. Harald Gilli was now sole King of Norway and he bestowed on Kol's son Kali Kolson the half share of the Earldom of Orkney and Shetland, and the title of Earl Rognvald that had been granted to him by King Sigurd.
In the spring of 1135 Kol sent men to Orkney to ask Earl Paul to give up the half of the Earldom that King Harald Gilli had granted, to his son, but Earl Paul refused. The following summer Kol organised his son with ships and weapons. Earl Rognvald, and a fine body of troops left in six ships. Strong and contrary winds sprung up on them and they made landfall at West Sandwick in Yell Sound. Rognvald was received well in Shetland. Earl Paul attacked them and their ships were captured and taken back to Orkney. Earl Paul had gained a great viclory and it was decided to make beacons on Fair Isle, and all the north isles of Orkney, which would be lighted to warn of any further attack coming from Shetland. Earl Rognvald and his men finally relurned to Norway with merchants in the autumn. Around about this time Bishop William made a visit to Norway. It has been suggested that this visit was for political reasons. Bishop William, who had been reluctant to accept the saintliness of Earl Magnus Erlendson after his death, suddenly changed his mind. On his retum late in the autumn the Orkneyinga Saga records that he arranged the canonisation of Magnus Erlendson in December 1135.1t is conceivable that this change of heart could have been due to secret meetings with Kol or his representatives, to make his son's claim to the Earldom more acceptable to the people of Orkney.
Rognvald went to Agdir to see his falher Kol. He discussed the situation with him and Rognvald said that he thought the expedition had brought little honour to him. According to the Orkneyinga Saga Kol replied: I do not think so. A great deal has been done since the Shetlanders are your friends. I think i shall hold fast to my own plans. Rognvald replied: i will gladly follow your counsel. Kol then said: "First i advise you to send word to King Harold Gilli and your friends, and ask them to give you men and ships to go west in the spring. During the winter we ourselves will collect all the forces we can, and then try a second time to gain possession of the islands' - or find our graves there". Rognvald asked his father Kol to take charge of the planned expedition The following year Kol and his son sailed with three longships and a cargo vessel to Bergen. When they arrived in Bergen King Harald Gilli was there. He gave them a fully manned warship and wished them every success with their expedition and two other manned ships joined them. Now with a fleet of six longships, five smaller ships and three cargo vessels and a small army of around three to four hundred men they sailed out from Bergen to the Henn Islands to wait for a fair wind to sail to Shetland. While they were at the Henn Islands a ship arrived with news from Orkney, and informed them of preparations Earl Paul was making. Earl Rognvald called a meeting of his men and made an eloquent speech. He concluded that he intended to go to Orkney and claim his inheritance or die there. Kol then rose and spoke: We have heard reports from Orkney thaI everyone wants to stand up against you to keep you out of your inheritance. They will be slow to abandon the hatred they have fostered against you. Now here is my advice: look for support where men will say the truee owner of the realm granted it to you - namely, the holy Saint Magnus your uncle. I want you to make a vow to him, that should you obtain these dominions you will build a stone Minster at Kirkwall more magnificent than any other in these lands, dedicatillg it to your kinsman Magnus the Holy and endowing it with money, so as that it may be fitly established, and so that his relics and the Bishops may be brought there. Everyone present thought this was good advice and the vow was solemnly sworn. Soon after Rognvald and Kol put out to sea with their fleet before a fair wind, and made landfall in Shetland, where they were received well by the Shetlanders once again. Soon after they arrived in Shetland Kol started his preparations to invade Orkney. The Orkneyinga Saga does not say where they made landfall, but it was probably in the North Isles.
Kol had a meeting with his old friend Uni, from Sogn in Norway, and they agreed that the beacon on Fair Isle must be sabotaged if they were to have any chance of landing in Orkney. Kol then had a number of the smaller ships made ready, and they made their way south down the East Side of Shetland. When they came to Sumburgh Head, Kol ordered the crews to hoist their sails only half way up, and row backwards to slow their approach to Fair Isle. When they had travelled far enough that he thought they could be seen from Fair Isle, he ordered the crews to raise their sails fully so that it would appear that they were approaching faster than they really were. Kol then said to the men: Maybe they will set the beacon alight and go and report to Earl Paul. Sure enough they soon saw the beacon ablaze, and one after another all the beacons in the North Isles of Orkney were lit. When Kol saw the beacon ablaze he ordered his men to tum back saying that this trick will sow discord in certain places. Kol and Uni now put the second part of their plan into action. Uni took three young Shetlanders in a small boat to Fair Isle with provisions and fishing gear. He said they had come to catch and salt fish and they got lodgings on the island. His so-called sons started fishing and he stayed onshore to look after and salt and dry the fish. Uni asked if they would like him to look after the beacon, as he did not have a lot to do when his sons were off fishing. They accepted his offer, but when no one was around Uni carried water to the beacon and soaked it so that it would not burn.
According to the Orkneyinga Saga Kol, his son Earl Rognvald and their men now waited in Shetland. They had come to the conclusion that they would wait until the spring tide coincided with an easterly wind. These conditions would make it virtually impossible to sail between the Orkney mainland and Westray, but would be ideal for a sea journey west around Shetland down to Westray in Orkney. The Orkneyinga Saga does not state how they went to Orkney, but says that they arrived safely at Pierowall in Westray on a Friday evening. Soon after they landed, the people of Westray held a meeting and they decided to accept Earl Rognvald as their overlord and they swore oaths of allegiance to him. Rognvald's and Kol's men were now safe in Westray, and now had a base from where to conclude their expedition to Orkney.
News began to spread of Earl Rognvald's arrival in the north isles of Orkney, and that many had surrendered to him. Earl Paul called a meeting on the mainland. After the meeting Earl Paul sent envoys to Bishop William, and they arranged a two-week truce to help bring about a settlement. The islands were then divided between the Earls, and they came to an agreement. Early the following spring Svein Asleifarson went to see Earl Maddad and his wife Margaret, who had a young three-year-old son Harald at Athole. They talked over many matters in private and it was there he learned about the recent developments in Orkney. He exchanged his galley for a cargo vessel and put out with thirty men. They sailed across the Pentland Firth and hugged the West Coast of Orkney as far as Eynhallow Sound between the mainland and Rousay. There they saw men on the shore at Westness. They attacked and seized Earl Paul and took him back to Athole in Scotland. Here Svein Asleiferson handed Earl Paul over to his sister Margaret and her husband Maddad. It is unclear what finally happened to Earl Paul, but he never returned to Orkney. What is known is that after the abduction Bishop William was informed that Earl Rognvald had no part in it and Rognvald became sole Earl of Orkney and Shetland. Soon after this plans were drawn up for Rognvald to fulfil his vow to his Uncle Saint Mugnus and build a church dedicated to him in Kirkwall and his father Kol Kalison was appointed to supervise the building.
St. Magnus Cathedral was started in 1137 and for the next 10 years Kol Kalison worked on the construction. At this time Svein Asleiferson arrived with Harald Maddadson the five-year-old son of Earl Paul's sister to claim a half share of the Earldom. Rognvald saw him as no threat because of his young age and it was agreed that Rognvald would rule as sole Earl until the boy grew up. In 1146 the central section and transepts had been completed and on 13th December 1146 the relics of Saint Magnus were placed in the chapel behind the choir and Bishop William consecrated the building. In 1148 Earl Rognvald, Kol, and the Bishop William travelled to Norway to make final preparations for a pilgrimage to Rome and the Holyland. Kol Kalison remained there and died in 1152. Rognvald returned in 1153 to find trouble once again in the Earldom. Both the Kings of Norway and Scotland had granted a claim to the Earldom to Erland Haraldson. What followed became known as the war of the three Earls. This ended with Rognvald and Harald killing Erland and Rognvald being killed in 1158 after which Harald Maddadson ruled the Earldom for 46 years until 1206. Over the next 800 years Kirkwall Cathedral was to see many changes and alterations, and you can see in the central area the original section that was constructed by Kol Kalison.
Text by C.W, Grant
The Galley
Photo courtesy of Jim Work.
Photo courtesy of Jim Work.
This years galley was named Breckon after the Sands of Breckon in Yell, as well as the Jarl's dog. She is the thirty ninth galley on which the Jarl Roy Leask has worked.
Many of the shields on the galley were painted by Melvyn Leask, and depict incidents from the sagas involving Kol Kalison, including the battle of the Menai Straits and the construction of St. Magnus Cathedral. Other shields were based on the squad shields of previous Jarls who were related to Kalison.
 Photo courtesy of Jim Work |  Photo courtesy of Jim Work |  |
 Photo courtesy of Jim Work |  |
During the Day
The day began in near perfect weather conditions. Guizer Jarl Roy Leask, Kol Kalison, lead the 73 strong Jarl's Squad, followed closely by the bands and Junior Jarl's Squad, in the morning procession.
As in previous years this departed from the British Legion, proceeded along Commercial Road and the Esplanade to the foot of Church Road, before turning north onto Commercial Street and the Market Cross.
After viewing the bill and a sing-song, the squad rejoined the Galley Breckon at Alexandra Wharf for a photo shoot. Earlier the galley had been pulled, with onboard band, to meet the Jarl's Squad at the Shetland Hotel. Stops were then made at D.I.T.T. and the Toll Clock Shopping Centre.
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 Photo courtesy of Jim Work |  |
The Procession and Burning
 |  |
 |  |  |
The Squads
 |  |  |
| Squad Number, Squad Name, Number of Guizers | Squad Number, Squad Name, Number of Guizers |
|---|---|
|
1. The Jarl's Squad - Kol Kalison (56 men plus 17 boys) |
24. Shetland Country Garden (15) |
Trivia
2008 marks the hundredth anniversary of Up Helly Aa being fixed to the last Tuesday in January, and also the establishment of the Wednesday public holiday.
External Links
- AFP Article
- You Tube video of Squad 3 "Little Red Can Drinker Me", at the Sound Hall
- National Geographic photo
