CONTEMPORARY PRINCES:
NORWAY: 863 Harald Fairhair;
SCOTAND: 862 Constantine II; 879 Aodh, Eocha and Grig;
ENGLAND: 871 Alfred the Great;
Earl Sigurd was a mighty warrior, and his conduct evinced that be was not only actuated by the spirit of the times, but had all the distinctive features of his line. His brother's influence had raised him to all elevated rank. His bounty had conferred all him both power and opulence, which, instead of rendering him contented with his lot, only served to augment his ambition, to gratify which he resolved to extend his territories far beyond those limits which the ocean had prescribed. [From Barry]
To effect this purpose he formed an alliance with Thorstein the Red, a warrior of intrepid valour and royal descent, son of Olaf the White, King of Dublin, and the Lady Aude the Wealthy. [From Orkneyinga Saga]
In conjunction with Thorstein, Sigurd levied troops and fitted out a squadron, when they crossed to the Scottish mainland and conquered Caithness, Sutherland, and the rich shores of East Ross and fertile plains of Moray. [From Barry]
While he remained in this last province he built a fort on the southern side of Moray, which is taken to be the large fort called Eccialsbacka at the Burghead in the parish of Duffus. It was very extensive and strong, having been founded chiefly on rock. [From Torfaeus]
His death befell in a most remarkable way. Having a difference with a certain Scottish earl, Melbrigd Tonn (buck-tooth), an appointment was made for a conference to adjust the matters at issue, each earl to be attended by a retinue of 40 men. On the appointed day Sigurd was suspicious of treachery on the part of the Scots. He therefore caused 80 men to be mounted on 40 horses. When Earl Melbrigd saw this, he said to his men: "Now have we been treacherously dealt with by Earl Sigurd, for I see two feet at each horse's side, and the men, I believe, are thus twice as many as the steeds. But let us be brave and kill each his man before we die". Then they made themselves ready. When Sigurd saw it he also decided on his plan, and said to his men: "Now, let one half of our number dismount, and attack them in flank when the troops meet, while we shall ride at them with all our speed to break their battle array". There was hard fighting immediately, and it was not long till Earl Melbrigd fell, and all his men with him. Earl Sigurd and his men, in bravado, fastened the heads of the slain to their saddle straps, and so they rode home triumphing in their victory. It happened, however, on the homeward ride, that, as Sigurd was spurring his horse, he struck his leg against a projecting tooth of the fallen Scottish earl, which made a slight incision that soon became swollen and painful, eventually resulting in his death. Sigurd the Powerful was hoy-laid (buried in a mound or cairn) on the estuary of the Oykel, and his grave mound, which is still visible, is locally known as Siward's hoch [mound]. He was succeeded by his only son Guttorm.