The Earl of Orkney was originally a Norse jarl ruling the archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland ("Norðreyjar"). Originally founded by Norse invaders, the status of the rulers of the Norðreyjar as Norwegian vassals was formalised in 1195. Although the Old Norse term "jarl" is etymologically related to "earl", and the jarls were succeeded by earls in the late 15th century, a Norwegian "jarl" is not the same thing. In the Norse context the distinction between jarls and kings did not become significant until the late 11th century and the early jarls would therefore have had considerable independence of action until that time. The position of Jarl of Orkney was eventually the most senior rank in mediaeval Norway except for the king himself.