Jarl Henry Sinclair (c.1345 - c.1400)

We are told that Henry was descended from Rogenvald the Mighty, first Earl of Orkney, on both sides of his family. We are told that he was known as ``Henry the Holy'' because he had made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Some say he even fought in a Crusade, like his ancestors before him. Unfortunately, I know of no solid sources for any of these three things.

According to Fredrick J. Pohl, by inheritance from Henry's mother and confirmation of the King of Norway Henry became the first Sinclair Earl of Orkney; the graphic at the top of the page is his coat of arms as Earl of Orkney. This made him the premier Jarl of Norway and the crowner of its king. (He has also been alleged to be the Duke of Oldenburg in Denmark, although no sources seem available for such a claim.) He had the right to various royal privileges, including wearing a crown. He held Orkney from the King of Norway, yet was also a leading Scottish noble. This dual loyalty and the geographical position of his jarldom of Orkney with its 200 islands and 5,000 square miles on the sea lanes between the two countries made him in effect all but an independent king. The title of Prince has been alleged for him, although it is not clear that he ever used it or that it was applied to him in his lifetime.

Again according to Fredrick J. Pohl, not content with successfully bringing Orkney, Shetland, and perhaps Faroe under his control, Henry built a fleet of ships larger than the navy of Norway. He gained adherents from the princely Zeno family of Venice, who were great sailors and who made available to him the new invention of cannon. He and the Sinclair family have often been associated with the Knights Templar, who were also great sailors.

According to Pete Cummings and others, soon Henry used many of his ships and his Italian expert to sail to Nova Scotia in 1398 and Massachusetts in 1399. He may even have gone to Rhode Island, where evidence suggests that he built Newport Tower.

His grandson William, first Sinclair Earl of Caithness, immortalized that voyage (among many other things) in stone at Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh.

The Prince Henry Sinclair Society of North America celebrates that voyage, and built a monument to it in Nova Scotia. The Clan Sinclair Society of Nova Scotia organized various celebratory events and built a memorial, whose inauguration was attended by the current Earl of Caithness, who is a descendant of Jarl Henry and Chief of Clan Sinclair. The late Pete Cummings published a a newsletter about the 600th anniversary celebrations.

A Henry FAQ. A biography as the Famous Scot on the Gathering of the Clans website for the first week of January 2000. A chronology of his life and times. A brief summary of his voyages. The search for the Holy Grail in Nova Scotia. A Masonic view. Numerous books about Henry.