April 16, 1118 - St Magnus Cathedral

St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.

Located off the northern coast of Scotland, the Orkney Islands were governed for centuries by Norse leaders under the authority of the King of Norway. Brothers Erlend and Paul Thorfinnsson initially ruled the island together, but after Paul died, his son Haakon Paulsson adopted his position as co-ruler. Erland was known to be a deeply religious Christian leader who emphasized peace and justice. According to Medieval accounts, he preferred prayer and worship over war, making him popular with many residents on the island. Eventually, political tensions developed between the two leaders. Local leaders decided that having two leaders was no longer operable and that one of them must die. Erlend refused to fight and instead retreated to prayer. On April 16, 1118, Erlend was murdered on Haakon’s orders on the island of Egilsay. Following his death, he was remembered as a martyr because he refused to partake in violence on account of his Christian faith. He was honored as Saint Magnus of Orkney. St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Scotland was dedicated to him and remains to be one of the most famous churches in northern Scotland. His likeness also appears among statues at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. 

Erlend’s example remains relevant to Christians today as it models a commitment to peace even in the face of danger. Erlend did not succumb to ambition, yet he chose to rule with justice and humility. Erlend shows the cost of faith. He willingly chose to accept death rather than to choose violence, leading many to remember him as a martyr. Stories like Erlend’s illustrate how Chrisitnaity became rooted in Norse culture during the Middle Ages. After he was killed on Egilsay, reports of miracles at his burial site helped spread his reputation for holiness around Scandinavia.