There are letters from Pope Calixtus II to Kings Sigurd Jorsalfare and Eystein in 1119 instructing them to ensure that Radulf could maintain peaceful possession.
A further letter of 1128, from Pope Honorius II, reveals that Radulf's possession was tenuous.
It was probably Thurstan's support and Radulf's presence at Rheims that produced Pope Calixtus' letters.
An English chronicler wrote that he found himself in this position because he was unacceptable to the people, clergy and earl of Orkney.
A speech rallying the English against the Scottish host at the Battle of the Standard in 1138 was famously attributed to him by some Anglo-Norman chroniclers.