CONTEMPORARY PRINCES
NORWAY:963 Harald Greyskin;
NORMANDY: 943 Richard the Fearless
SCOTLAND: 970 Kenneth III
Havard was succeeded by Ljot, and incredible as it may seem, this Earl was daring enough to marry Ragnhilda, who had compassed the death of both his brothers. Einar Hardkiopi having avenged his uncle and slain his cousin, found himself no nearer the Earldom than before. Highly dissatisfied, be wished to collect men and subdue the islands by force, but had great difficulty in getting men, for the Orcadians wished to serve the sons of Thorfinn. Some time afterwards Earl Ljot had Einar slain. Near the boundary line of the parishes of Harra and Firth are two places known as the Cups of Liod and the Chair of Liod, which are understood to be named from an incident in connection with this Earl.
Ljot did not obtain undisputed possession on Havard's death, for Skuli promptly claimed his share of the Earldoms. He was resisted by Ljot, who desired all. So Skuli went to Scotland and had an Earl's title given him by the King of Scots. He then went to Caithness and collected forces, and from thence passed to the Islands and fought with his brother for the dominion of them. Ljot also gathered a numerous army and offered to treat with his brother, but Skuli rejected all proposals. So they fought an obstinate battle, in which Skuli was defeated and took flight to Caithness. The victorious Ljot pursued him and continued in Caithness. Skuli presently returned with another army, being assisted by the Scottish King, and met Ljot at Easterdale, where another great battle ensued, Skuli relying greatly all his auxiliaries from the King of Scotland and the Scottish earl, Magbiod. Skuli at last was slain where the enemy stood thickest, and the Scots army retired in a disorderly panic. In the parish of Loth in Sutherland there is a vestige of an ancient road cut for the passage of an army. This pass or cut road is still called Ca Scuill, or the road of Skuli. [From Torfaeus].
Ljot now took possession of Caithness as a conquest, and he was long at war with the Scots, who were greatly vexed at their defeat. At length Earl Magbiod came down from Scotland with a large army and engaged Ljot in battle at Scitten or Skidmoor in Caithness. Though the Scottish Earl was far superior in numbers, Ljot had such confidence in his own valour and in the bravery of his troops, that, attacking the Scots with great ardour he put them to flight, slaying and wounding great numbers of them. Though victorious, yet he was mortally wounded, dying within a few clays of the battle, when the earldom devolved on his surviving brother, Hlodver.