Paul Thorfinnsson (1043-1098) was Jarl of Orkneyar from 1064 to 1098 (succeeding Thorfinn the Mighty and preceding Magnus Barelegs).
Biography[]
Paul Thorfinnsson was born on Orkney in 1043, a son of Thorfinn the Mighty and the brother of Erlend Thorfinnsson. The brothers became co-rulers of Orkneyar on their father's death in 1064, and they accompanied King Harald Hardrada of Norway at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. The earls guarded the Norwegian ships, and King Harold Godwinson of England allowed for them to leave with the survivors after they promised not to attack England again. Paul and Erlend were friendly until, years later, their grown-up sons became rivals, drawing the two brothers into their own rivalry. Eventually, Paul decided to hand over Orkney to Erlend before his death in 1098, but Paul's son Haakon Paulsson ultimately convinced King Magnus Barelegs of Norway to invade Orkney with the goal of obtaining the earldom for himself.