William Brassey Hole

The Defeat of Haco King of Norway by Alexander III at Largs A.D. 1263

About this artwork

In late summer 1263, a large fleet led by the King of Norway, King Håkon Håkonsson, named King Haco in the title, sailed to Scotland to reassert his control over the Hebrides and west coast of Scotland following a Scottish attack. The battle of Largs, fought in October that year, did not end in a clear victory but its aftermath proved decisive. Håkon died in Orkney on 16 December 1263. In the Treaty of Perth of 1266, his son signed over the Hebrides and the Isle of Man to Alexander III (1241-1286), King of Scots, in exchange for four payments of 4,000 marks and an annual payment of 100 marks. Orkney and Shetland remained under Norwegian control. This mural is one of eight scenes adorning the first floor of the Great Hall in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Updated 2021

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William Brassey Hole

William Brassey Hole