Ragna the Wise sails to Kirkwall to challenge Earl Rognvald

by Lydia Harris

In North Ronaldsay there lived a woman named Ragna, a great lady. Thorstein was the name of her son, a man of fine character.

In North Ronaldsay there lived a woman named Ragna, a great lady. Thorstein was the name of her son, a man of fine character.
The Orkneyinga Saga translated by Alexander Burt Taylor

Ragna the Wise sails to Kirkwall to challenge Earl Rognvald
Lydia Harris

I’m a doe leaping the dykes
deer hide bristles my shoulders

at sea I bail out seeped water
the hem of my tunic brine-weighted

when I’m storm-stayed with the link broken
when the tide runs strong and mighty

I light the Selkskerry beacon
keep vigil in need of God’s mercy

unlock the gate of your kindness oh Lord
there’s light in my shuttle and comb

for Rognvald I twist my hair through withies
wind it with strands from the stallion’s tail

I cover my topknot with  damask
when he kneels to say sorry I unfold my  silk veil

and guided by light from the prow-slung lantern
set the sail north my promises kept