Guttorm only enjoyed the earldom for one winter, when, dying childless, it reverted to his uncle, Rognvald, the Founder, and the Isles, for want of a spirited governor, were again infested with the incursions of freebooters, of whom, amongst others, the celebrated Hastings is noted as having passed his life in sailing from Denmark to the Orcades, from the Orcades to Gaul, from Gaul to Ireland, from Ireland to England. [from Thierry]. In this situation of things Rognvald, either unacquainted with the real state of the country, or blinded by parental affection, appointed to that station his son Hallad, who, as the events but too plainly showed, was altogether unqualified for the dignity. [From Barry]