Site of Medieval skirmish.


The Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles describes how in 1250 Magnus, son of Olaf, and Eogan (John, king of the Isles), son of Dougal, together with some Norwegians, landed at Ronaldsway and sent envoys to the Manx. A disagreement arose, resulting in Eogan drawing up his forces in readiness for battle on St Michael's Isle.


The Manx did the same, and as the tide went out, crossed to the islet and attacked, driving the Norwegians and Hebrideans into the sea. Several were killed or drowned, and Magnus and Eogan left in their ships with the survivors.


Magnus was the rightful heir to the Manx throne, but the kingship had been usurped by Harald son of Godred Don; by the time of the skirmish, Harald had been ordered to Norway, and the Manx were in effect leaderless. The Chronicles state that the disagreement arose because Eogan, rather than Magnus, presumed to exercise control over the Manx without the necessary letters of authority from the king of Norway. Magnus would return two years later to reclaim his birthright successfully.


No physical evidence for the skirmish has yet been found.