Radulf Novell

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Radulf Novell was a 12th‑century Anglo‑Norman churchman from York. He was chosen as Bishop of Orkney at St Peter’s church in York by some people from Orkney, probably with the support of those who backed Earl Magnus Erlendsson. After Magnus was killed in 1115, Radulf’s position in Orkney became unstable.

Pope Calixtus II wrote in 1119 to Kings Sigurd Jorsalfare and Eystein asking them to help Radulf keep his position peacefully. A 1128 letter from Pope Honorius II says Radulf’s control was still fragile and that Sigurd should remove an intruder and ensure there is only one bishop. These letters align with Radulf’s growing presence in England.

Radulf supported Archbishop Thurstan of York and attended Thurstan’s consecration in Rheims on 19 October 1119. Thurstan’s backing and the Rheims trip likely helped the pope’s letters. Radulf could not regain Orkney from William the Old, who had been appointed by the Lund party. He then became a titular bishop, helping the Archbishop of York and assisting the Archbishop and the Bishop of Durham.

An English chronicler said Radulf ended up in this role because the people, clergy, and the Earl of Orkney disliked him. Some chroniclers credit him with giving a famous speech urging the English to fight the Scots at the Battle of the Standard in 1138. He is last named in 1151, but his exact date of death is unknown.

In American genealogies, this bishop is sometimes called Robert Nowell. They claim he was never consecrated, served under the Bishop of York, was a friend of Archbishop Thurstan, led English armies at the Battle of the Standard, and was alive in 1154.