Norway Pawns Orkney and Shetland to Scotland

In 1472, Norway pawned the Orkney and Shetland Islands to Scotland as part of a dowry agreement for Margaret of Denmark. This arrangement was necessitated by financial constraints after a failed military venture in the region. The islands, historically significant in Norse culture, became integral to Scotland's territorial expansion and were crucial for maritime control in the North Sea. The formal agreement marked a pivotal shift in the sovereignty of these islands.