Jon Haraldsson (1176-1231) was Jarl of Orkneyar from 1206 to 1231, succeeding Harald Maddadsson and preceding Magnus II of Orkney. He was the last Norse earl of Orkney.
Biography[]
Jon Haraldsson was born on Orkney in 1176, the son of Jarl Harald Maddadsson of Orkneyar. Jon succeeded his father as Jarl in 1206 at the age of 30. In 1222, he was nearly forced into war with King Alexander II of Scotland after peasants in his realm burned Bishop Adam of Melrose to death, but he swore his innocence and allowed for Alexander to punish the murderers. In 1231, he sought King Haakon IV of Norway's help in settling a dispute with a rival claimant to the throne, but, on the return trip from Norway, he was lost at sea. His death ended a long line of Norse jarls which dated back to the unification of Norway in 872, and Haakon chose Magnus II of Orkney to succeed Jon.