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diff --git a/22093-h/22093-h.htm b/22093-h/22093-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..835a7af --- /dev/null +++ b/22093-h/22093-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8067 @@ + +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald the Tyrant</title> +<meta http-equiv = "Content-Type" content = "text/html; charset=UTF-8"> + + +<style type = "text/css"> + +body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} +div.poem {margin: 0em 2em;} +div.poem.cap {margin-left: 96px;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} + +a {text-decoration: none;} + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; +font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; +margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 200%;} +h2 {font-size: 175%;} +h3 {font-size: 150%;} +h3.main {margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +div.notes h4 {margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h5 {font-size: 100%; margin: 0em;} +h6 {font-size: 85%; margin: 0em;} + +p {margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: 0em; line-height: 1.2;} + +p.gap {margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em;} +p.right {text-align: right;} + +p.illustration {text-align: center; +margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +p.hanging {margin-left: 3em; text-indent: -1em;} + +div.poem p {margin-left: 4em; text-indent: -4em;} +div.poem p.inset {text-indent: -3em;} +div.poem p + p {margin-top: 0em;} + + +/* no tables in this file */ + +/* notes */ + +div.notes p {font-size: 92%;} +div.notes a {text-decoration: none;} + + +/* text formatting */ + +span.floatcap {float: left; clear: left; +padding-right: .5em; padding-bottom: .5em;} +.smallcaps {font-variant: small-caps;} + + +/* my additions */ + +ins.correction {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: thin dotted red;} + +.pagenum {position: absolute; right: 2%; font-size: 90%; +font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: right; +text-indent: 0em;} + +div.mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em 1em 1em; +margin: 1em 5%;} +p.mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: 1em; +margin: 1em 5%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 90%;} +div.mynote p {font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 90%;} +span.mynote {padding: .2em .5em; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: +90%; +background-color: #DDE; color: #000;} + +div.contents {margin: 4em 2em; padding: 1em; border: 3px ridge #ABF;} +div.contents p {font-family: sans-serif; margin-left: 1.5em; +text-indent: -1.5em;} + +</style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald +The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade), by Snorri Sturluson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade) + +Author: Snorri Sturluson + +Illustrator: Halfdan Egedius; Christian Krogh; Gerhard Munthe; Hjalmar Eilif Emanuel Peterssen; Erik Theodor Werenskiold; Wilhelm Laurits Wetlesen + +Translator: Ethel Harriet Hearn and Gustav Storm + +Release Date: July 17, 2007 [EBook #22093] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SAGAS OF OLAF TRYGGVASON *** + + + + +Produced by Louise Hope, Charlene Taylor, Ted Garvin and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class = "mynote"> + +<p>The printed book’s only clue about authorship is in the <a href = +"#notes">Notes</a>. All other information comes from the Norwegian +edition and some illustrators’ initials.</p> + +<p class = "hanging"> +Original author: Snorri Sturluson (generally spelled Snorre Sturlason in +Norwegian).</p> + +<p class = "hanging"> +Modern (1899) Norwegian translation: Gustav Storm.</p> + +<p class = "hanging"> +Illustrators: Halfdan Egedius; Christian Krogh (CK); Gerhard Munthe; +Hjalmar Eilif Emanuel Peterssen; Erik Theodor Werenskiold (EW); Wilhelm +Laurits Wetlesen (WW). <i>The illustrators are listed as a group; some +may not be represented within these two sagas.</i></p> + +<p class = "hanging"> +English translation (based on modern Norwegian, not on original): Ethel +Harriet Hearn.</p> + +<p>This text uses utf-8 (unicode) file encoding. If the apostrophes and +quotation marks in this paragraph appear as garbage, you may have an +incompatible browser or unavailable fonts. First, make sure that the +browser’s “character set” or “file encoding” is set to Unicode (UTF-8). +You may also need to change your browser’s default font.</p> + +</div> + +<h1>THE SAGAS OF<br> +OLAF TRYGGVASON<br> +AND OF HARALD<br> +THE TYRANT</h1> + +<h3>(HARALD HAARDRAADE)</h3> + +<p class = "gap"> </p> + +<h5>LONDON</h5> +<h4>WILLIAMS AND NORGATE</h4> +<h5>MCMXI</h5> + +<p class = "gap"> </p> + +<div class = "contents"> +<p><a href = "#olaf">The Saga of Olaf Tryggvason</a></p> +<p><a href = "#harald">The Saga of Harald the Tyrant</a></p> +<p><a href = "#notes">Notes</a></p> +</div> + +<h6>The places of notes in the text are indicated thus §. The<br> +relative matter will be found at the end of<br> +the book in due order as to<br> +page and line.</h6> + +<p class = "mynote"> +Note markers shown in brackets [§] were missing from the printed text. +Moved markers are individually noted.</p> + + +<h3 class = "main"><a name = "olaf" id = "olaf"> +THE SAGA OF OLAF</a><br> +TRYGGVASON, CMLXVIII-M</h3> + +<span class = "pagenum">8</span> +<p><span class = "floatcap"> +<img src = "images/capN.png" width = "168" height = "194" +alt = "N(Now)"></span>OW it befell in the days of King Tryggvi Olafson +that the woman he had wedded was Astrid & she was the daughter of +Eirik Biodaskalli, a wealthy man who dwelt at Oprostad. ¤ When the +downfall of Tryggvi had been accomplished, Astrid fled away bearing with +her what chattels she might. And with her went her foster-father Thorolf +Louse-Beard, who never left her, whereas other trusty men, loyal to her, +fared hither and thither to gather tidings of her foes or to spy out +where they might lurk. Now Astrid being great with child of King Tryggvi +caused herself to be transported to an islet on a lake & there took +shelter with but few of her company. ¤ In due time she bare a man-child, +and at his baptism he was called Olaf after his father’s father. All +that summer did she abide there in hiding. But when the nights grew as +long as they were dark and the weather waxed cold, she set forth once +more and with her fared Thorolf and the others of her train. Only by +night could they venture in those parts of the country that were +inhabited being in fear lest they should be seen of men or meet with +them. In time, at even, came they to the homestead of Eirik of Oprostad. +And since they were journeying by stealth, Astrid sent a messenger to +the goodman of the house, who bade them to be led to an outhouse & +there had set before them the best of cheer. Thence, when Astrid had +abided for a while, her followers went unto their homes, but she +remained there & with her to bear her company were two women, her +babe Olaf, Thorolf Louse-Beard and his son Thorgills who was six winters +old. They rested in that place until the winter was done.</p> + +<p>¶ After they had made an end to slaying Tryggvi Olafson, Harald +Grey-Cloak and Gudrod his brother hied them to the homesteads that had +been his. But ere they came thither Astrid had fled & of her learned +they no tidings save a rumour +<span class = "pagenum">9</span> +that she was with child of King Tryggvi. ¤ In the autumn fared they to +the north, as has been related beforetime, and when they were face to +face with their mother Gunnhild, told they her all that had befallen +them on their journey. Closely did she question them concerning Astrid, +and they imparted to her what they had heard. But because the sons of +Gunnhild were that same autumn and the next winter at strife with Earl +Hakon, as hath already ere now been set forth, made they no search for +Astrid and her son.</p> + +<p>¶ When the spring was come, Gunnhild despatched spies to the Uplands, +and even as far as Vik, to get news of Astrid. And when the spies +returned it was with the tidings that she was with her father Eirik +& there most like was she rearing the son that she had borne to King +Tryggvi that was dead. Forthwith Gunnhild chose messengers and equipped +them handsomely both with weapons and wearing apparel: thirty men chose +she, and their leader was Hakon, a man of influence and a friend to +herself. She bade them make their way to Oprostad to Eirik and from +thence take the son of Tryggvi and bring him unto herself. ¤ Thereupon +the messengers set out on their way, but when they were come nigh to +Oprostad learned the friends of Eirik concerning their journey and went +one evening unto him with the tidings. ¤ Straightway when night had +fallen, Eirik bade Astrid make ready to leave, furnished her with sure +guides, & set her eastwards with her face towards Sweden, to his +friend Hakon the Old, who was a man in the exercise of potent sway. They +adventured when the night was not far spent, & next day, towards +even, were they come to a country-side called Skaun, and seeing there a +homestead thither went they craving lodging for the night. Of their +names they made a secret & their garb was but meanly. The yeoman who +abode in the place was called Biorn Venom-Sore, a wealthy man was +he but withal churlish, and he drave them away, & they came that +same evening +<span class = "pagenum">10</span> +to another homestead which was called Vizkar. ¤ Thorstein was the yeoman +who dwelt there & he gave them shelter and good cheer for the night, +and there they slept in good beds.</p> + +<p>¶ Next day betimes came Hakon with the men of Gunnhild to Oprostad +and asked for Astrid and her son, but Eirik said that she was not there, +so Hakon and his men ransacked the homestead and bided till late even +toward sundown, and gat them some tidings of Astrid’s road. Then rode +they forth the same day and came almost as night fell to the house of +Biorn Venom-Sore in Skaun, and there took harbour. ¤ Then Hakon asked +Biorn if he had aught to tell concerning Astrid; and he said that some +wayfarers had come there during the day and had asked for a night’s +lodging, ‘I sent them away, and it is likely they sought a refuge +elsewhere in the neighbourhood.’ Now a workman that had been of the +household of Thorstein, being on his way to pass out from the forest, +that same even happened to chance on the homestead of Biorn and learned +that guests were tarrying, & further of what fashion was their +errand; and all this he forthwith sped back to tell to Thorstein the +yeoman. ¤ So while there was still a third of the night unspent, +Thorstein aroused his guests and bade them begone, urging them harshly +to bestir themselves. When they had passed a little way from the house +then did Thorstein open unto them that the emissaries from Gunnhild were +hard by at the house of Biorn seeking for them. ¤ They besought him for +succour, and he set them on their way with a guide & some food, and +their guide led them into the forest where there was a lake & an +islet overgrown with reeds. They were able to wade out unto the islet +& thereon hid they themselves among the reeds. ¤ Early on the morrow +Hakon rode out from the homestead of Biorn over the countryside, asking +<ins class = "correction" title = "inconsistent spelling in original">withersoever</ins> he went for Astrid. When he was come unto +the house of Thorstein demanded he if they had thither been and +Thorstein said that certain folk had fared thither & had +<span class = "pagenum">11</span> +gone on at daybreak eastwards through the forest. Then did Hakon bid +Thorstein come with him because he was skilled in the knowledge of the +tracks and hiding-places: and Thorstein set forth. But when they were +come to the forest led he them away from where Astrid was. ¤ The whole +of that day did they go seeking for them, but found them not. Then they +came back on their road & related unto Gunnhild what had befallen. +Astrid & her followers went forth on their way till they were come +unto Sweden to the home of Hakon the Old, and there Astrid and her son +dwelt a long while, and it was well with them.</p> + +<p>¶ Gunnhild, she that was mother to the King, hearing that Astrid +& her son Olaf were in Sweden, once more sent forth Hakon and a +brave following with him, this time eastward to Eirik King of Sweden, +with goodly gifts and fair words. The messengers were made welcome and +given good entertainment, and thereafter Hakon made known his errand to +the King, saying that Gunnhild had sent craving the King’s help so that +he might take Olaf back with him to Norway: ‘Gunnhild will foster him,’ +quoth he. ¤ Then did the King give him men to go with him, and they rode +to the house of Hakon the Old, and there Hakon offered with fair words +to take Olaf with him. Hakon the Old returned a friendly answer and said +that it must so happen that the mother of the child should decide about +his going, but Astrid would in nowise suffer the boy to fare forth with +them. So the messengers went their way & brought back the answer +unto King Eirik and they made them ready to return home; but once more +prayed they the King to grant them help to bear off the boy whether +Hakon the Old were willing or not. So the King yet again gave them a +company of men & the messengers returned to Hakon the Old and +demanded that the boy be allowed to fare forth with them, but as Hakon +was unwilling that this should be, resorted they to big words and +threats of violence, +<span class = "pagenum">12</span> +and bore themselves wrathfully. Then did a thrall spring forward whose +name was Bristle, and would have smitten Hakon but that he & they +that were of his company withdrew hastily so that in nowise might they +be beaten of the thrall: and back fared they to Norway and recounted to +Gunnhild all the happenings of their journey & likewise that they +had seen Olaf Tryggvason.</p> + +<p>¶ Now Astrid had a brother, the son of Eirik Biodaskalli, whose name +was Sigurd: long had he been remote from the land, sojourning in the +realm of Garda (western Russia) with King Valdamar,<a name = "tag12_11" +id = "tag12_11" href = "#note12_11">§</a> by whom was he held in great +honour. Now Astrid conceived the desire that she should hie unto this +her brother Sigurd. Therefore Hakon the Old furnished her with trusty +followers & handsome equipment after the best manner. And she +journeyed in the company of certain merchants. It was for the space of +two winters she had abode with Hakon the Old, and Olaf was now three +winters old. It came to pass as they were heading eastwards across the +sea some vikings fell upon them, men of Eistland (Esthonia) and took +possession both of folk and goods, and some of the folk they killed +& some they shared among themselves as thralls. Thus was Olaf +withdrawn from his mother and passed into the custody of one Klerkon, an +Eistlander. Together with him were committed Thorolf and Thorgills. +Klerkon deemed Thorolf too old for a thrall, and that he would be of no +use, therefore slew he him, but took the boys with him and sold them to +a man, hight Klerk, for a good he-goat. ¤ A third man bought Olaf, +and gave for him a good tunic or cloak. The man was named Reas, his wife +Rekon, & their son Rekoni. There tarried Olaf long and it fared well +with him, and always was he mightily beloved by the churl. Six winters +did Olaf sojourn thus in Eistland.</p> + +<p>¶ Sigurd Eirikson had come unto Eistland as an emissary of Valdamar +King of Holmgard (Novgarod) to collect the tribute +<span class = "pagenum">13</span> +belonging to the King & he travelled as a man of wealth with many +folk much beladen in his train. ¤ Now it chanced that in the marketplace +his eye lit on a certain fine boy whom he knew could not be of the +country, & asking him his name gat for answer that he was called +Olaf and his father Tryggvi Olafson and his mother Astrid, the daughter +of Eirik Biodaskalli. Thus did Sigurd learn that Olaf was son unto his +very own sister, and he asked him after what manner he had come to that +place: and Olaf told him all that had befallen him. Sigurd bade him come +with him to the peasant Reas, and when they were come to the churl paid +he him what price was covenanted between them for the boys and bare them +with him to Holmgard. But never a word did he relate of the lineage of +Olaf, yet held he him in high favour.</p> + +<p>¶ It was that one day in the marketplace lingered Olaf Tryggvason +when there was a gathering of many people. And it chanced that amongst +them, spied he Klerkon who had slain his fosterfather Thorolf +Louse-Beard. Now Olaf had a small axe in his hand, and he drave it into +the head of Klerkon so that it went right down into his brain: forthwith +ran he home to his lodging and told his kinsman Sigurd thereof. +Straightway did Sigurd take Olaf to the house of the Queen, and to her +made known what had befallen. Her name was Allogia, and Sigurd prayed +for her grace to protect the lad. The Queen beheld the boy and said that +one so young and so well favoured must not be slain, and proclaimed her +readiness to summon men fully armed. Now it fell in Holmgard that so +great was the respect paid unto peace that it was lawful to slay any man +who himself had slain another who was uncondemned; and therefore in +accordance with their law and custom the people made assemblage together +to take into custody the person of the boy. ¤ Then were they told that +he was in the house of the Queen in the midst of an armed band; and this +was also brought to the ears of the King. ¤ He made him ready to go +<span class = "pagenum">14</span> +over to these armed men & give them his commission not to fight, and +forthwith did he, the King, adjudge the geld-levy, the fine thereof +being paid down by the Queen. Thereafter did Olaf abide in the house of +the Queen and waxed to find much favour in her eyes.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it was the law in Garda that men of royal blood should not +dwell there save with the consent of the King, therefore Sigurd made +known unto the Queen from what stock Olaf was descended and in what +manner he had come thither, saying that because of dissensions he could +not prudently be in his own country, and he prayed her to speak with the +King upon this matter. Then did she approach the King beseeching him +that he would help this son of a king even because so hard a fate had +befallen him: & the outcome of her prayers was that the King pledged +her his word and taking Olaf under his protection treated him with +honour, as it was seemly the son of a king should be held in honour. ¤ +Olaf was nine winters old when he came to Garda, & nine more winters +dwelt he with King Valdamar. Olaf was exceeding fair & tall to look +upon and of mighty stature & of great strength withal. And in +prowess in sports, so it is told, was he the best of all the +Norsemen.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon Sigurdson abode with the Danish King, Harald Gormson, +during the winter after he had fled from Norway before the sons of +Gunnhild. ¤ Now Hakon had so much on his mind that winter that he took +to his bed, and often lay wakeful, eating & drinking only so much as +would maintain the strength in his body. Then secretly sent he his men +northwards to Throndhjem to his friends there, & counselled them +that they should slay King Erling if it might be that they could compass +that deed; adding furthermore that he himself would fare back to his +realm in summer-time. That winter they that were of Throndhjem slew +Erling, as is aforewrit. ¤ Betwixt Hakon and Gold Harald was there a +friendship close as that of brothers that have been laid in the same +cradle and Harald +<span class = "pagenum">15</span> +would lay bare his thoughts unto Hakon. ¤ Harald confessed he desired to +settle on the land and no more live on his ship of war, and he +questioned Hakon if he thought Harald would share his kingdom with him +were he to demand the half. ‘Methinks,’ quoth Hakon, ‘that the Danish +King will not refuse thee justice; but thou wilt know more concerning +this matter if thou speakest thereon to the King; methinks thou wilt not +get the realm save thou demandest it.’ Shortly after this talk +spake Gold Harald to King Harald when they were in company +<span class = "pagenum">16</span> +with many mighty men, good friends unto them both. Gold Harald then +demanded that he should halve the kingdom with him, in accordance with +the rights which his birth and lineage gave him there in Denmark. ¤ At +this demand waxed Harald very wroth, & sware that no man had ever +besought his father, Gorm, that he should become King of half of what +pertained unto Denmark, nor yet of his father Horda-Knut (Hardicanute), +nor again of Sigurd Snake-i’-the-eye, nor of Ragnar Lodbrok; & so +great was his fury that none dared parley with him.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic15.png" width = "456" height = "512" +alt = "King Hakon in his bed"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Thence came it that his own position was now even less than before +to the liking of Gold Harald, for no kingdom had he any more than +aforetime; while to this was added the wrath of the King. So went he to +his friend Hakon and made wail of his plight unto him, and besought of +him good counsel, if he had such to give him, as to how he might become +possessed of the realm; and he said he was minded to seek his kingdom by +force of arms. Then Hakon bade him not breathe word of this to anyone +lest it should become known: ‘It might cost thee thy life,’ he said. ¤ +‘Bethink thee diligently what thy strength is, for he who would risk so +great a venture must be high-hearted and dauntless, shirking neither the +good nor the evil, so that to which he hath set his hand may come to +pass. All unworthy is it to take up great issues and afterwards to lay +them down again with dishonour.’ Then did Gold Harald answer: ‘To such +purpose will I take up this claim, that I will not even spare these my +own hands from slaying the King himself if occasion serve, should he +refuse me this kingdom which is mine by right.’ And therewith ended they +their commune. After this came King Harald to Hakon, and they fell to +talking together & the King told the Earl of Gold Harald’s claim to +the kingdom, and with what answer he had rebuked him, declaring that he +would by no means diminish his own kingdom, ‘but if Gold Harald hold +fast to this his claim; then +<span class = "pagenum">17</span> +see I nothing for it save that I should put him to the death for in him +have I but little faith if he will not surrender this desire.’ The Earl +made answer: ‘Methinks Harald hath set out on this matter with such +earnestness that he is not like to set it aside; and that if it should +come to a rising in the land, there would be many that would flock unto +his standard and the main of them because of the love they had borne to +his father. It would bring thee the greatest ill-chance shouldst thou +slay thy kinsman, for in such case all men would deem him blameless. Nor +will I counsel thee to become a lesser king than was Gorm thy father; he +also very much increased his realm, but in no wise diminished it.’ +Then said the King: ‘What then is thy counsel, Hakon? Wouldst thou that +I should divide my kingdom, and have this unrest off my mind?’ ‘Our +meeting will be again ere many suns set,’ answered Earl Hakon. ¤ ‘I will +first ponder over this difficult matter, and thereafter give thee an +answer.’ Then did the King depart and with him all the men that were of +his company.</p> + +<p>¶ Thereafter came it to pass that Earl Hakon betook himself once more +to pondering and plotting, and permitted but few of his men to be in the +house with him. Some days later came Harald again to the Earl, and they +communed together, and the King asked of the Earl if he had thought +deeply upon that matter whereon they had discoursed when they were last +face to face. ‘On that matter,’ quoth the Earl, ‘have I lain sleepless +both by night and day ever since, and I deem it the wisest counsel that +thou shouldst hold and rule the kingdom that thy father had and that +thou didst inherit after him, but that thou shouldst get for thy kinsman +Harald another kingdom wherein he may have all honour.’ ‘What kingdom is +that?’ inquired the King, ‘that I may lightly give to Harald, keeping +the Danish kingdom whole the while?’ The Earl made answer, ‘It is +Norway. The kings who rule there are hated by all the folk of their +land, & every man wishes them ill, as is but meet.’ +<span class = "pagenum">18</span> +Then mused the King aloud: ‘Norway is a great land, and the folk are a +hardy folk; it beseems me to be a land ill chosen whereon to fall with a +foreign host. Thus did it happen to us when Hakon defended the land; +many men were slain to us but no victory did we achieve. Moreover Harald +Eirikson is my foster-son and hath sat on my knee.’ Then saith the Earl: +‘Long have I known that thou hast given help to the sons of Gunnhild; +yet with naught but ill have they requited thee. We will take Norway +more easily than by fighting for her with all the hosts of Denmark. Send +thou to thy foster-son Harald, and bid him receive from thee the lands +and fiefs which they had aforetime here in Denmark. ¤ Appoint a tryst +with him; then can Gold Harald in a short while win himself a kingdom in +Norway from King Harald Grey-cloak.’ Then answered the King that it +would be called of foul intent to betray his foster-son. ‘The Danes, +I trow, will account it a better deed to slay a Norwegian viking +than one who is a brother’s son and a Dane,’ answereth the Earl; & +thereafter talked they on this matter until they were in full +accord.</p> + +<p>¶ Yet again came Gold Harald to speak with Hakon, and the Earl made +known to him that he had so championed his cause and to such good +purpose that there was hope that a kingdom might now be making ready for +him in Norway. ‘Let us,’ said he, ‘hold fast by our compact. +I shall be able to afford thee great support in Norway. Get thou +first that kingdom. King Harald is now very old & hath but one son, +a bastard, whom he loveth but little.’ To such measure did the Earl +open up the matter to Gold Harald that the younger man was in full +accord with him thereon; and thereafter did they all three take lengthy +counsel, to wit, the King, the Earl, and Gold Harald full oft. Then sent +the Danish King his men north into Norway even to Harald Grey-cloak, and +they were right well furnished for their journey, and were made welcome +with much cheer and in all courtesy were received by King Harald. They +related +<span class = "pagenum">19</span> +the tidings that Earl Hakon was in Denmark, and was lying sick unto +death and well-nigh witless; and the further tidings that Harald the +Danish King bade Harald Grey-cloak to him to take such fiefs as he and +his brothers had held aforetime in Denmark, and to that purpose bade he +Harald come to him in Jutland. Harald Grey-cloak laid the matter before +Gunnhild and other counsellors and their views were not all of one +accord, some fearing that this journey was not without peril by reason +of the men that were set over against them to be dealt with; but the +greater number were desirous that he should go by reason of the great +famine that was at this time in Norway whereby the kings could scarce +feed their men. And it was at this season that the fjord near-by which +the kings most oft abode gat its name of Harding. ¤ In Denmark, as men +had marked, the harvest had been at least of goodly measure, so that men +thought to get thence what they required should King Harald have fief +& dominion there. It was agreed therefore ere the emissaries +departed whence they had come, that when summer was at hand Harald +should hie to the Danish King, and pronounce his adhesion to the +conditions King Harald proffered.</p> + +<p>¶ So in due course when the summer sun shone in the long hours of +night fared forth Harald Grey-cloak towards Denmark in three longships, +& one of these was steered by Arinbiorn, the ‘hersir’<a name = +"tag19_25" id = "tag19_25" href = "#note19_25">§</a> of the Fjords.<a +name = "tag19_26" id = "tag19_26" href = "#note19_26">§</a> King Harald +sailed from Vik over to Limfjord and took port at Hals, where it was +told him that the Danish King was expected in a brief space. Now when +King Harald heard of this, hastened he to make sail thither with nine +ships, the which had been whiles mustered and set in readiness to take +the sea. Earl Hakon had likewise armed his men & he also was about +to set forth after the manner of a viking; at his word twelve ships, and +they large ones, set their sails. When Gold Harald had fared forth, Earl +Hakon spake to the King, saying, ‘Methinks we are like to row to war +<span class = "pagenum">20</span> +and yet pay the war-fine<a name = "tag20_1" id = "tag20_1" href = +"#note20_1">[§]</a> to boot. Gold Harald will now slay Harald Grey-cloak +and thereafter take himself a kingdom in Norway. ¤ Thinkest thou that he +will be loyal to thee when thou givest him so much power? Thus said he +in my presence last winter that he would slay thee could he but find +occasion to do so. Now will I bring Norway under thy sway and slay Gold +Harald, if thou wilt promise easy absolution at thy hands for the deed. +¤ Then will I be thine earl, and bind myself by oath that with thy might +to be my aid I will bring Norway under subjection under thee, and +thereafter hold lands under thy dominion & pay thee tribute. Then +wilt thou be a greater king than thy father was, inasmuch as thou shalt +hold sway over two great peoples.’ ¤ Thus was this covenanted betwixt +the King and the Earl; and Hakon set out with his men to seek Gold +Harald.</p> + +<p>¶ Gold Harald came to Hals in Limfjord, and forthwith offered battle +to Harald Grey-cloak; and Harald, albeit to him were fewer men, went +ashore, made him ready for battle & set his host in array. But or +ever the onset took place Harald Grey-cloak spoke cheering words to his +men, bade them draw their swords, and rushing first into the fray smote +on either side. Thus saith Glum Geirason in Grey-cloak’s lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Brave words spake the swordsman,</p> +<p>He that dared to dye the grass sward of battle</p> +<p>With the blood of the foe;</p> +<p>And when Harald bade his men ply the swords in the strife,</p> +<p>His manly words did them mightily encourage.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ There fell Harald Grey-cloak. Thus saith Glum Geirason:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The bearer of the shield,</p> +<p>He that clave longest to the ship,</p> +<p>In death lay stretched</p> +<p>On the broad marge of Limfjord;</p> +<p>On the sands at Hals</p> +<p>Fell the bounteous chieftain;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">21</span> +<p>It was his glib-tongued kinsman</p> +<p>That wrought the deed.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ There fell with King Harald the greater number of his men; there, +likewise, fell Arinbiorn the ‘hersir.’ Fifteen winters had passed since +the fall of Hakon, he that was foster-son to Adalstein, and thirteen +since the fall of Sigurd the Earl of Ladir. The priest Ari Thorgilson +saith that Earl Hakon was for thirteen winters ruler of his heritage in +Throndhjem before the death of Harald Grey-cloak; & that during the +last six winters of Harald Grey-cloak’s life, saith Ari, the sons of +Gunnhild and Hakon fought against one another, & in turn fled the +country.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon and Gold Harald met not long after the fall of Harald +Grey-cloak, & straightway Earl Hakon joined battle with Gold Harald. +Therein Hakon gained the victory; moreover Harald was taken prisoner, +and Hakon had him hanged upon the gallows. Thereafter fared Hakon to the +Danish King, and easily made his peace with him for the slaying of his +kinsman Gold Harald. King Harald then called out a host from the whole +of his kingdom and sailed with six hundred ships, and there went with +him Earl Hakon and Harald the Grenlander, who was a son of King Gudrod, +and many other great men who had fled from their free lands in Norway +before the sons of Gunnhild. ¤ The Danish King set his fleet in sail up +from the south to Vik, and when he was come to Tunsberg great numbers +flocked to him. ¤ And King Harald gave the whole of the host which had +come to him in Norway into the hands of Earl Hakon, making him ruler +over Rogoland and Hordaland, Sogn, the Fjords, South More, Raumsdal, and +North More. These seven counties gave he to Earl Hakon to rule over, +with the same rights as Harald Fair-hair had given to his sons; only +with this difference, that not only was Hakon there as well as in +Throndhjem to have all the King’s manors and land-dues, but he was +moreover to use the King’s money +<span class = "pagenum">22</span> +and estates according to his needs should there be war in the land. To +Harald the Grenlander gave King Harald Vingulmark, Vestfold, and Agdir +as far as Lidandisness (the Naze) with the title of King, and gave him +dominion thereof with all such rights as his kin had had aforetime, +& as Harald Fair-hair had given to his sons. Harald the Grenlander +was in these days eighteen winters old, & became thereafter a famous +man. Then did Harald the Danish King hie him home with all the might of +his Danish host.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon fared with his men northward along the coast, and when +Gunnhild and her sons heard these tidings gathered they together an +host, but found obstacles to enrolling men at arms. So they took the +same resolution as before, to wit to sail westward across the main with +such men as would go with them, and thus fared they to the Orkneys and +tarried there a while. Thorfinn Skull-cleaver’s sons were now earls +there—Hlodvir, Arnvid, Liot, and Skuli. Forthwith did Earl Hakon +subdue all the land and that winter abode he in Throndhjem. Of this +speaketh Einar Jingle-scale in the Vellekla:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The Earl that on his noble brow</p> +<p>A silken fillet binds</p> +<p>Counties seven hath he enthralled</p> +<p>With their chattels, lands, and hinds.’</p> +</div> + +<p>Now when Earl Hakon in the summer-time fared northward along the +coast, & the people there made their submission to him, issued he +proclamation that all temples and blood-offerings should be maintained +throughout his dominions; and it was done accordingly. Thus it is said +in the Vellekla:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Seeing that he was wise</p> +<p>The folk-leader commanded that be sacred kept</p> +<p>The temple-lands of Thor and other Gods.</p> +<p>Home to glory across the billows</p> +<p>Did the shield-bearer steer the ship,</p> +<p>It was the Gods that led him.</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">23</span> +‘And the men-loving Æsirs gloat on the offerings</p> +<p>Whereby the shield-bearer is made of more account.</p> +<p class = "inset"> +Bountifully doth the earth give forth her sustenance</p> +<p class = "inset"> +When its lord builds temples for the Gods.’</p> +<p>All that is northward to Vik lies under the heel of the Earl;</p> +<p>Wide is the sway that he holds, mightily waxed by victories.’</p> +</div> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic23.png" width = "343" height = "456" +alt = "Gunnhild (?)"> +</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">24</span> +<p>¶ That self-same first winter wherein King Hakon ruled over Norway +came the herring up along the coast, and before that in the autumn had +the corn grown wheresoever it had been sown; in the spring men gat +themselves seed-corn and the greater number of the peasants sowed their +fields, and soon there was promise of a good harvest.</p> + +<p>¶ King Ragnfrod, son unto Gunnhild, and Gudrod, he that was another +son to her, these two were now the only sons of Eirik and Gunnhild who +were still alive. ¤ Thus saith Glum Geirason in Grey-cloak’s lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Half is my hope of wealth downfallen since the strife,</p> +<p>The strife in which the life of the chief was lost,</p> +<p>The death of Harald weigheth me down,</p> +<p>Albeit his brethren twain have good things promised me,</p> +<p>And to them all men look for their welfare.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now when Ragnfrod had abode one winter in the Orkneys made he him +ready in the spring and thence shaped a course eastward to Norway, & +with him were a chosen company in large ships. ¤ And when he was come to +Norway learned he tidings how Earl Hakon was in Throndhjem, forthwith +did he steer northward round Stad & laid waste South More; and some +folks submitted to him as oft befalleth when warrior bands go through a +country—those that they meet with seek help, each one wheresoever +it seemeth likeliest to be gotten. When it was told to Earl Hakon that +there was war in the south within More, caused he war-arrows to be +sharpened and he equipped himself in haste & set sail down the +fjord. Moreover an easy matter was it for him to bring folk around his +standard. Earl Hakon and Ragnfrod sighted one another off the +northernmost part of South More, & straightway Hakon gave battle, he +that had most men but withal smaller ships. Hard was the struggle & +therein waxed Hakon luckless; men fought from the prows and sterns, as +the custom was in those times. Now there was a current in the sound, and +all the ships +<span class = "pagenum">25</span> +were driven into shore, so the Earl bade his folk rest on their oars, +and drift to land at such place where he should deem it best to land; +and when the ships grounded, the Earl and all his host sallied forth and +haled them up on the beach, so that their foemen might not drag them +forth again. Then did the Earl array his men on the banks, and shouted +defiance to Ragnfrod to land, but they that were with Ragnfrod lay-to +farther out, and though for a while they shot at one another, would +Ragnfrod in no wise come ashore, and thereafter they parted. Ragnfrod +sailed with his fleet southward to Stad, for he feared him that the land +hosts might assemble and flock to Earl Hakon. But that earl waged war no +more for unto his mind the difference betwixt the ships was over-great. +In the autumn fared he north to Throndhjem, & there abode during the +winter. King Ragnfrod therefore held all the land south of Stad: the +Fjords, Sogn, Hordaland, and Rogaland. Many men were at his beck +throughout that winter, and when the spring-tide came called he a muster +and gat him many more. Moreover sent he far & wide over all these +counties to gather together men and ships and what other stores whereof +he had need.</p> + +<p>¶ When spring was come Earl Hakon summoned men from out the very +north of the country; many gat he from Halogaland, & Naumdal, so +that right from Byrda to Stad came men to him from all the sea-boards. +He reared a host from all the districts of Throndhjem, and likewise from +Raumsdal. It was said that he had men from four counties; with him fared +seven earls, and in their train were an exceeding large company. Thus it +is said in the Vellekla:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Thereafter, full of lust for slaughter,</p> +<p>Did the defender of the folk of More</p> +<p>Bring from the north a tale of men to Sogn.</p> +<p>From counties four called forth that warrior hosts,</p> +<p>Seeing in them sure help for all his folk.</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">26</span> +To the war-gathering on the <ins class = "correction" +title = "hyphen omitted in original">longships</ins></p> +<p>Swiftly, to meet their warrior chieftain,</p> +<p>Hie lords of the land in number seven.</p> +<p>All Norway trembled at the warrior host;</p> +<p>Beyond the capes were borne unnumbered fallen.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Then Earl Hakon set sail with the whole of this host southward past +Stad; and when it came to his ears that King Ragnfrod with his host had +entered into the Sognfjord thither led he his men and there encountered +him. ¤ Thereafter having brought his ships to land chose he out a +battle-field whereon to fight King Ragnfrod. Thus saith the +Vellekla:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Now did the chieftain meet in second battle</p> +<p>The slayer of the Vandals, and fell slaughter followed.</p> +<p>The prows were set to land,</p> +<p>And the ships steered even to the marches of the shires</p> +<p>At the bidding of the warrior.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ And it came to pass that both sides did dress their battle and +fought amazing fierce, but in men had Earl Hakon the super-abundance and +the issue was to him. This was at Thinganes, where Sogn and Hordaland +meet. King Ragnfrod fled from his ships, and of his folk there fell +three hundred men. Thus it is said in the Vellekla:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Fierce was the strife before three hundred were pressed</p> +<p>Beneath the claws of the carrion bird</p> +<p>By the host of the warrior chief:</p> +<p>O’er the heads of the sea-dwellers,</p> +<p>Thence could the conquering chief stride—</p> +<p>Aye, and the deed was glorious.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After this battle did King Ragnfrod hie him away from Norway and +Earl Hakon brought peace to the land; he gave licence that the great +host which had been with him in the summer should fare back northward, +but he himself abode hard by there where he gained the victory, not +whiles only that autumn but also throughout the winter that came +after.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">27</span> +<p>¶ Earl Hakon took to wife a woman named Thora, who was exceeding +fair. The daughter was she of Skagi Skoptison, a man possessed of +much wealth. ¤ Their sons were Svein and Heming, & their daughter +was Bergliot, who thereafter was wedded to Einar Tamberskelfir. Earl +Hakon was over much given to women, and by them had many children. One +of his daughters was called Ragnhild, and he gave her in marriage to +Skopti Skagason, the brother of Thora. The Earl so loved Thora that her +kinsmen became dearer to him than all other men, and Skopti his +son-in-law had more influence with him than any other of his kindred. To +him gave the Earl large fiefs in More; & it was covenanted betwixt +them that whensoever the fleet of the Earl was at sea Skopti was to +bring his ship alongside the Earl’s, and for none other was it to be +lawful to lay his ship between their ships.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it happened one summer when Earl Hakon was with his ships on +the main that Thorleif the Meek was master of one of them, & Eirik, +the son of the Earl, he being then some ten or eleven winters old, was +aboard. Of an evening when they were come into haven, Eirik would not +have it otherwise save that the ship whereon he was must be closest to +the ship pertaining to the person of the Earl. ¤ Now when they made sail +south to More there came likewise Skopti, he that was son-in-law to the +Earl, with his long-ship well manned. Skopti, as his men were rowing +towards the fleet, called out to Thorleif to leave the haven and let him +lie-to there, but Eirik sprang up & answered back bidding Skopti hie +him to another berth. Now Earl Hakon hearing that his son deemed himself +too mighty to make way for Skopti, straightway called out to Thorleif +bidding him leave the berth, or he would make it the worse for them, to +wit, that he would have them beaten. So Thorleif when he heard this +shouted to his men to slip their cables, and this they did according to +his word; then did Skopti lie-to in the berth he was wont to have, +nearest the Earl’s ship. +<span class = "pagenum">28</span> +Now Skopti was called Tidings Skopti, & this had come about seeing +that it had been agreed that when they were together he was to make +known to the Earl all the tidings, or if it so happened that the Earl +had heard them first then it was he that would tell the tidings to +Skopti. Now in the winter that was after all that hath been before but +now related, was Eirik with his foster-father Thorleif, but even so soon +as the earlier spring-tide was he given a company of men. ¤ Thorleif +moreover gave him a fifteen-benched ship with all the gear, tilts, and +victuals that were needful. Eirik thence sailed from the fjord, and so +south to More. Now it befell that Tidings Skopti was also at sea between +his homesteads, & he too in a fifteen-benched craft; Eirik forthwith +bore straight down on him and offered battle, and in the issue thereof +fell Skopti, but Eirik gave quarter to such of his men who were not +slain. Thus saith Eyolf Dadaskald, in the Banda lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Late in the day,</p> +<p>On the ski of the sea-king,</p> +<p>With combatants equal,</p> +<p>Fared the youth ’gainst the “hersir,”</p> +<p>Him the stout-hearted.</p> +<p>There ’neath the hand</p> +<p>That a bloody blade wielded</p> +<p>Fell Tidings Skopti.</p> +<p>(The feeder of wolves</p> +<p>Was food for the ravens.)’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ With that sailed Eirik south along the coast to Denmark, and +adventured to King Harald Gormson, abiding with him the winter; but the +spring thereafter the Danish King sent Eirik north, & bestowed on +him the title Earl & therewith Vingulmark<a name = "tag28_31" id = +"tag28_31" href = "#note28_31">§</a> and Raumariki, to be beneath his +sway even under the self-same tenure as had tribute-paying kings +aforetime been in fief and tribute.</p> + +<p>¶ In the days that were to come after waxed Earl Eirik, and men knew +him as a mighty chieftain. +<span class = "pagenum">29</span> +All this while abode Olaf Tryggvason in Garda, at the court of King +Valdamar, where he had much honour & enjoyed the faithful love of +the Queen. ¤ King Valdamar made him lord of the host which he sent out +for the defence of his country, and for him fought Olaf divers battles +and proved himself to be an able captain, and himself maintained a large +host of warriors on the fiefs allotted to him by the King. Of no +niggardly disposition, Olaf was ever openhanded to the men that were +with him and who for this self-same reason held him in affection; but as +oft times happens when men who are not of the country are exalted to +power, or are so greatly honoured that they take the lead of the men of +the land, many there were who envied him the love he had of the King, +& even so much the more that of the Queen. ¤ Spake many men of that +matter to the King, charging him to beware lest he should make Olaf over +great: ‘For a man of the kind might be harmful to thee, would he lend +himself to such a deed as to make thee and thy realms suffer, so crafty +& beloved of men is he; nor wot we what he & the Queen have thus +oft whereon to commune one with the other.’</p> + +<p>¶ Now it was in those days generally the custom among great kings for +the queen to possess half the court and to maintain it at her own +charge, and for this purpose levied she her taxes and dues, in amount as +much as she stood in need therefor. In this wise was it also with King +Valdamar. ¤ The Queen held no less splendid a court than pertained to +the King, and vied they one with the other as to which might procure men +of prowess, each having it at heart to possess such men for themselves. +Now it happened that the King gave heed unto words of this fashion, +which men spake unto him, & he waxed silent and with countenance +aloof from Olaf. And Olaf marking it well spake thereof to the Queen, +and opened to her likewise how that it was the desire of his heart to +journey even unto the north. His kin, said he, had held dominion there +in days of +<span class = "pagenum">30</span> +yore, & therefore he thought it likeliest that he would there obtain +the more advancement. ¤ So the Queen bade him farewell, saying that +wheresoever he might chance to tarry there would all deem him a man of +prowess. ¤ Olaf thereafter made him ready for his journey, went aboard +his ship, and stood out into the Eystrasalt (the Baltic). Thence sailing +west came he to Borgundarholm (Bornholm) and made thereon a landing and +harried all in the isle. The men of the land came together and did +battle with him, but Olaf gat the victory and much booty.</p> + +<p>¶ Now while Olaf lay-to off Borgundarholm, there was rough weather +with a gale raging at sea, that their ships began to drag their anchors, +for which reason did they set sail south to the coast of Vindland +(Wendland)<ins class = "correction" title = "marker printed after ‘good havens’ in following line"><a name = "tag30_14" id = "tag30_14" href = +"#note30_14">§</a> </ins>on which shore were good havens, whereon ships +might ride at peace. ¤ There did they tarry for long whiles. ¤ The King +of Vindland was named Burizlaf,<a name = "tag30_17" id = "tag30_17" href += "#note30_17">§</a> & the three daughters to him were Geira, +Gunnhild, and Astrid. ¤ Now at the place where there came ashore Olaf +and his men did Geira hold rule & dominion, and under her he that +exercised most authority was one hight Dixin. When it became known that +strange men had come to the country who behaved themselves in seemly +fashion & abode there in peace, Dixin hied to them with a message +from Queen Geira bidding them sojourn in her land during the winter, +seeing the summer was near spent, the weather threatening ill, & the +storms waxing great. And being come thither Dixin saw on the instant +that the captain of these men was one notable both for descent and +appearance. ¤ Therefore recounted he to them that the Queen invited them +to her with messages of friendship, & Olaf nothing loath did her +bidding and went to Queen Geira as her guest. It came to pass that they +twain thought both so well one of another that Olaf made ado to woo +Queen Geira, and so it befell that winter that Olaf took Geira to wife, +& gat he the rule of the realm with her. Thereof +<span class = "pagenum">31</span> +spake Halfrod the Troublous-skald in the lay he made about Olaf the +King:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The chieftain at Holm let the sharp-edged swords be dyed +blood-red</p> +<p>Eastward too in Garda, nor can this be in any manner concealed.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now Hakon, he that ruled over Norway, paid no tribute, the reason +whereof being that the King of Denmark had made assignment to him of all +the taxes to which the King had a right in Norway, by reason of the +trouble & costs the Earl was put to in defending the land against +the sons of Gunnhild.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it befell in those days that the Emperor Otta<a name = +"tag31_12" id = "tag31_12" href = "#note31_12">§</a> was in Saxland +(North Germany), & word sent he to Harald, King of Denmark, that he +and the people that were his must be baptized & accept the true +Faith, or else, swore the Emperor that he would march upon him with an +host. So the King of Denmark admonished those that defended the land +that they should be ready at his call, Danavirki<ins class = +"correction" title = "marker printed after ‘his call’"><a name = +"tag31_18" id = "tag31_18" href = "#note31_18">§</a> </ins>caused he to +be well maintained, and his war ships were manned; thereafter sent the +King to Earl Hakon commanding him that he must come to him early in the +spring-tide with even as many men as he might muster. So at the first +song of the birds Earl Hakon levied an host from all parts of his +dominions, and many men were enrolled to him; this host bade he take +ship to Denmark and with them sailed he himself to meet the King of +Denmark, and by him was received in right seemly fashion. With the King +were there at that hour many another lord proffering help, so that all +told gathered he together an host waxing exceeding large.</p> + +<p>¶ Now, as hath already been set forth, Olaf sojourned that winter in +Vindland, & in the months thereof went he to those districts thereof +which had formerly obeyed the rule of Queen Geira, but had now ventured +to throw off allegiance & the payment of taxes. These did Olaf +harry, slaying many men, +<span class = "pagenum">32</span> +burning the homes of some, and taking much booty; then having rendered +these realms subject unto himself turned he him back again to his +stronghold. So soon as the spring-tide was come, did Olaf make ready his +ships and put out to sea, sailing across to Skani (Scania) where he went +ashore. ¤ The people of those parts assembled and fought against him; +but Olaf was victorious and gat much plunder. Thence sailed he eastward +to the island of Gotland, and took a merchant craft owned by men from +Jamtaland who rendered a stout defence, but in such wise did the +struggle end that Olaf cleared the ship, slew many men, & took +possession of all the goods that were on board. ¤ A third battle +fought he in Gotland; there likewise the day was to his strength and +much spoil was to his hand. Thus saith Halfrod the Troublous-skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The foeman of the shrines slew merchants of Jamtaland</p> +<p>And men of Vindland in battle</p> +<p>As in days of youth had been his wont.</p> +<p>To those that lived in Scotland</p> +<p>Was the lord of “hersirs” the bane.</p> +<p>Is it not told that the giver of gold</p> +<p>Loved to fight in Skani?’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Therefore gathered the Emperor Otta a mighty host; men he had from +Saxland (north Germany), Frankland (France), and Frisland, whiles out of +Vindland, likewise King Burizlaf<a name = "tag32_24" id = "tag32_24" +href = "#note32_24">§</a> contributed a large host. With the array went +the King himself and his son-in-law Olaf Tryggvason. ¤ To the Emperor +was a great body of horsemen, and so much the more a greater body of +foot-folk. ¤ From Holtsetaland (Holstein) likewise came to him a large +host. As it is said in the Vellekla:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘So it befell likewise that the steeds of the sea</p> +<p>Southward ran ’neath the deft riders to Denmark,</p> +<p>And the Lord of the Hordmen, becoifed with the helmet,</p> +<p>Chief of the Dofrar folk, sought the lords of the Dane-realm.</p> +<p>And the bountiful King of the dark forest lands</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">33</span> +Would in winter-tide test the warrior come from the north,</p> +<p>What time that doughty fighter gat from his chief a message</p> +<p>Bidding him defend the wall against the foes of Denmark.</p> +<p>Little gladsome was it to go against their hosts;</p> +<p>Albeit the shield-bearer did cause great destruction,</p> +<p>And the sea-hero incited to battle</p> +<p>When the warriors came from Frisland with Franks and Vandals.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now Earl Hakon set companies above all the gates of the +fortification, but the greater part of his host sent he along the walls +to defend the places where the onslaught was hottest, and many fell of +the Emperor’s host, but nothing did they win of the wall. ¤ So then the +Emperor turned him away, and no longer made trial there. Thus it is said +in the Vellekla:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Spear-points were broken when in that war game</p> +<p>Shield clashed against shield and the foe gave not way;</p> +<p>The steerer of the sea-steeds turned Saxons fleeing thence,</p> +<p>And the chief ’fended the rampart ’gainst the foe.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After this battle went back Earl Hakon even unto his ships and +would have homeward sailed unto Norway, but that he could get no wind, +so accordingly he lay out in Limfjord.</p> + +<p>¶ Now turned the Emperor Otta his host so that they faced around +& hied them to the gulf of Sle (Sleswick), whereat gathered he +together a large host and took his men across to Jutland. ¤ When the +intelligence thereof came to the ears of the King of Denmark fared he +forth against the Emperor with his host, and a great battle was fought +betwixt them. ¤ The issue was to the Emperor, and thereon the King of +Denmark fled away to Limfjord & took ship out to Marsey. ¤ Then did +emissaries journey betwixt him and the Emperor, and a truce was +covenanted, also that they twain should commune face to face. In Marsey, +then, did the Emperor Otta and the Danish King confront one the other, +& there a saintly bishop,<a name = "tag33_33" id = "tag33_33" href = +"#note33_33">§</a> Poppo by name, preached the faith before Harald, and +to show the +<span class = "pagenum">34</span> +truth thereof bare he glowing iron in his hand, and Harald testified +that the hand of the holy man was unscarred by the heated iron. +Thereafter was Harald himself baptized with the whole of the Danish host +that were with him. ¤ Ere this had Harald the King, albeit that he abode +the nonce in Marsey, summoned Earl Hakon to his aid, and the Earl had +just come to the island when the King let himself be christened. So the +King sent a message to the Earl to come to him, and when the Earl was +come thither compelled him also that he should be baptized. After this +manner was the Earl made a Christian, and all his men with him. ¤ +Thereafter did the King appoint him priests and other learned men,<a +name = "tag34_12" id = "tag34_12" href = "#note34_12">§</a> and +commanded him to cause all the people of Norway to be baptized into the +faith and with this they parted. Thereafter Earl Hakon put out to sea to +await a favourable wind, and when a breeze sprang up, lo! without more +ado set he all the learned men to wade even unto the shore and upon that +wind himself stood out to sea. The wind was from the west, and the Earl +sailed eastward through Eyrasund (Öresund) pillaging whatsoever lands he +sighted, & thereafter came east unto the Skani side, plundering and +harrying wherever he put ashore. Now as he was sailing his course off +the skerries of east Gautland put he ashore and offered up a great +sacrifice, and whiles this was solemnized came two ravens flying up, +loudly croaking, & for this reason deemed the Earl that Odin had +accepted his sacrifice, and that good fortune would favour him in his +battles. Even so burned he all his ships and came ashore with every man +of all his host, and carried war throughout the land. Against him was +arrayed Earl Ottar, he that held rule over Gautland, and they fought a +great battle wherein was Earl Hakon victorious, & he slew Earl Ottar +together with a great number of his host. ¤ Earl Hakon then marched +hither & thither carrying war through both the Gautlands, until he +was come unto Norway, & then took he the road right to the north, to +Throndhjem. It is of this that the Vellekla speaketh:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">35</span> +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The foeman of those who fled consulted the gods on the plain, +and</p> +<p>Gat answer Fret<a name = "tag35_3" id = "tag35_3" href = +"#note35_3">[§]</a> from that the day was propitious to battle;</p> +<p>There the war-leader saw how mighty were the corse-ribs;</p> +<p>The gods of the temple would thin lives in Gautland.</p> +<p>A Sword-Thing held the Earl there where no man afore him</p> +<p>With shield on arm had durst to harry;</p> +<p>No one ere this so far inland had borne</p> +<p>That shield of gold; all Gautland had he o’errun.</p> +<p>With heaps of the fallen the warriors piled the plain</p> +<p>The kith of the Æsirs conquered, Odin took the slain;</p> +<p>Can there be doubt that the gods govern the fall of kings?</p> +<p>Ye strong powers, I pray, make great the sway of Hakon.’</p> +</div> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic35.png" width = "461" height = "352" +alt = "the death of Geira"> +</p> + +<p>¶ After that he had parted in all goodly friendship from the Danish +King, fared Emperor Otta back to his realm of Saxland; +<span class = "pagenum">36</span> +men say that he held Svein the son of Harald at the font, & that the +child bore the name of Otta Svein. Harald, the Danish King, held by the +Christian faith even to the day of his death. King Burizlaf, after these +things, betook himself back to Wendland, & together with him in his +company went his son-in-law King Olaf Tryggvason. Of the battle +aforesaid telleth Hallfrod the Troublous-skald in Olaf’s lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The ruler of war ships hewed and smote asunder warriors</p> +<p>Even in Denmark to the south of Hedeby.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ It was the space of three winters that Olaf Tryggvason abode in +Wendland, even until Geira his wife fell ill of a sickness, whereof she +died, and so great a sorrow was this to Olaf that he no longer had +pleasure in living in Wendland. ¤ Therefore getting him ships of war +once more went he forth plundering and harrying, first in Saxland, then +in Frisland, and he even fared as far as Flanders. Thus saith Hallfrod +the Troublous-skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Oft did the son of Tryggvi smite to the death the Saxon</p> +<p>And left maimed corses food for the wolves,</p> +<p>And for their drink did that lord, beloved of his host,</p> +<p>Give the brown blood of many a Frisian.</p> +<p>Mighty sea-kings hewed</p> +<p>In Flanders corses asunder,</p> +<p>The prince to the ravens gave</p> +<p>The flesh of Walloons as supper.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Thereafter did Olaf Tryggvason sail for England, and ravaged apace +& afar in that country; right north did he sail to Nordimbraland +(Northumberland) and there harried; thence fared he farther to the +northward even to Scotland where he plundered and pillaged far and wide. +¤ From thence sailed he again to the Hebrides, the where he fought more +than once, and afterwards sailed a course south to Man & fought +there. Far and wide did he plunder in Ireland and then sailed he to +Bretland (Wales) and pillaged there, & in Kumraland (Cumberland) +<span class = "pagenum">37</span> +did he likewise. Then he sailed to Frankland (France) where he harried +the people, & from thence came back again, being minded to return to +England, but came to those Islands which are called Scilly in the +western part of the English main. Thus saith Hallfrod the +Troublous-skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The unsparing young King plundered the Englishmen,</p> +<p>The feeder of spear-showers made murder in Northumbria,</p> +<p>The war-loving feeder of wolves laid waste to Scotia,</p> +<p>The giver of gold fared with up-lifted sword in Man.</p> +<p>The bearer of the elm-bow brought death to the hosts</p> +<p>Of the Isle of Erin, for fame yearned the lord;</p> +<p>Four winters did the King smite the dwellers in Wales,</p> +<p>And Northumbrians hewed he ere the greed of the chough was +appeased.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Four winters did Olaf Tryggvason fare on viking cruises from the +time of his leaving Wendland even until his coming to the Isles of +Scilly.</p> + +<p>¶ Now when Olaf Tryggvason was lying off the Isles of Scilly he heard +tell that there was a soothsayer thereon, and that he foretold the +future and spake of things not yet come to pass, and many folk believed +that things ofttimes happened according as this man had spoken. Now Olaf +being minded to make assay of his cunning sent to him the finest and +fairest of his men, in apparel as brave as might be, bidding him say +that he was the King, for Olaf had become famous in all lands in that he +was comelier and bolder and stronger than all other men. Since he had +left Garda, howsoever, he had used no more of his name than to call +himself Oli, and had told people that he was of the realm of Garda. Now +when the messenger came to the soothsayer and said he was the King, gat +he for answer: ‘King art thou not, but my counsel to thee is that thou +be loyal to thy King,’ & never a word more deigned the seer to +utter. Then went the messenger back and told Olaf this thing, and the +King had no longer any doubt that this man was verily a +<span class = "pagenum">38</span> +soothsayer, and his wish to meet with him, now that he had heard such an +answer, waxed greater than heretofore. So Olaf went to him & +communed with him, & asked him to prophesy about his future, whether +or not he would win himself a kingdom or other good fortune. Then +answered the prophet with saintly prophecy: ‘Thou wilt be a glorious +King, & do glorious deeds, to faith & christening wilt thou +bring many men, and thou wilt help thereby both thyself & many +others. But to the end that thou shalt not doubt about this mine answer +take this for a token: Hard by thy ships shalt thou meet with guile +& with foemen, & thou shalt do battle; and of thy men some shall +fall and thou thyself shalt be wounded. From that wound wilt thou be +nigh unto death and be borne on a shield to thy ship; yet of thy hurt +shalt thou be whole within a sennight and shall shortly thereafter +accept Christianity.’ Then Olaf went down to the ships, & verily did +meet with the warlike men who would slay him & his followers, & +their combat ended even as the hermit had foretold, to wit, in such +manner that Olaf was indeed borne out to his ship on a shield & +likewise was whole again after a sennight. Then Olaf felt assured in his +mind that it was the truth that this seer had told him, and that of a +truth was he a wise soothsayer, whencesoever might he have his gift of +prophecy. So Olaf a second time went unto him and held much talk with +him, and questioned him closely as to whence he gat the wisdom to +foretell what was to come. And the hermit saith that the God of the men +that were baptized Himself causeth him to know all that He wisheth. Then +recounted he to Olaf the mighty works of God, & after these +persuasions Olaf assented unto Christianity, & it befell that he was +there baptized, & all the men that were with him. In that place +abode he a long time and learned the true Faith, and in his train bore +away with him priests & other learned men.</p> + +<p>¶ From the Isles of Scilly Olaf hied in the autumn to England, +<span class = "pagenum">39</span> +and there lay he in a certain haven & lived in peace, for England +was a Christian land & now was he likewise a Christian man.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic39.png" width = "352" height = "401" +alt = "men carrying the wounded Olaf Tryggvason"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Now there went throughout the land a summons to a certain Thing, +that all men should come to the Thing, & when there was assemblage +thither came to it a queen whose name was Gyda.<a name = "tag39_6" id = +"tag39_6" href = "#note39_6">[§]</a> ¤ She was the sister of Olav Kvaran +who was King of +<span class = "pagenum">40</span> +Dublin, which is in Ireland, and she had been married to a powerful earl +in England who was now dead, but after him she yet ruled his dominion. ¤ +Now there was a man in her dominions whose name was Alwin, a mighty +champion & ‘holmgangsman.’<a name = "tag40_3" id = "tag40_3" href = +"#note40_3">§</a> ¤ Alwin had wooed Gyda, but she had made answer that +she herself would make choice whom she would have among the men of her +dominion, and forasmuch as she would choose herself a husband was this +Thing convened. Thereto likewise came Alwin decked out in his best +raiment, and many others were there apparelled also in their best. Now +Olaf too was come thither, & he was clad in his bad-weather raiment, +wearing a cloak exceeding rough; and he stood with his followers +somewhat aloof from the others. Gyda walked hither & thither among +the men, gazing at each one favoured in her eyes; but when she was come +to where Olaf held his ground looked she searchingly up into his face +and asked of what manner of man was he. Then did he make answer that he +was Oli, and said: ‘I am not of the country born nor bred.’ Saith Gyda: +‘Wilt thou have me? Even upon that then will I choose thee.’ ‘I will not +say nay to it,’ quoth he, and asked her name and lineage. ‘I am,’ +said she, ‘a King’s daughter of Ireland, but I was wedded into this +country, to an earl who held dominion here. Since the time that he died +have I ruled the land; divers men have wooed me, but none that I would +wed, & my name is Gyda.’ ¤ Youthful was she and fair, and Olaf and +she communed over this matter even until they became of one accord, and +thereafter was Olaf betrothed to Gyda. This was but sour in the mouth of +Alwin, but there was a custom in England that when two contended about a +matter they should meet in single combat, and Alwin therefore bade Olaf +Tryggvason fight with him on this matter. ¤ The time and place were +appointed, & on either side were there chosen twelve men. Then when +they were met said Olaf unto his men that they were to do even as he +did, and a great axe had he in his hand. Now as +<span class = "pagenum">41</span> +Alwin was minded to drive his sword into him Olaf struck it out of his +hand, & at the second stroke Alwin himself so that he fell to the +ground. Then did Olaf bind him fast, & in this manner also was +treatment meted out to the men that were with Alwin, to wit, to be +beaten and bound, and thereafter were taken home to Olaf’s lodging. Then +did he bid Alwin depart from out the land & nevermore therein set +foot again, and thereafter Olaf took possession of all his lands.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic41.png" width = "464" height = "451" +alt = "Olaf wooing Gyda"> +</p> + +<p>¶ So it came to pass that Olaf wedded Gyda & abode for the most +part in England, but sometimes in Ireland. Once when Olaf was out on a +foray, it fell that it was needful that they should foray ashore for +provisions, and accordingly went his men to land and drove down a number +of cattle to the shore. +<span class = "pagenum">42</span> +Then came a peasant after them & prayed Olaf give him back his cows, +& Olaf bade him take his cows could he find them; ‘but let him not +delay our journey.’ The peasant had with him a big cattle-dog. This dog +sent he into the herd of neat whereof were being driven many hundreds, +and the animal hither and thither ran among the drove, singling out as +many cows as the peasant said he owned, and all of them were marked in +the same manner. ¤ Now knowing that the dog had chosen rightly it seemed +to them that this was passing clever, and so Olaf asked of the peasant +whether he would give him the dog. ‘Willingly,’ answered he, and Olaf in +exchange therefor gave him a gold ring, and the promise of his +friendship. ¤ That dog was named Vigi, and it was the best of all dogs; +Olaf had pleasure in him for a long time thereafter.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it came to the ears of the King of Denmark, even to him hight +Harald Gormson, that Earl Hakon had cast aside Christianity & had +pillaged in the country pertaining to the King of Denmark who thereon +gathered together an host, & thereafter fared to Norway. ¤ And when +he was come to the realm over which Earl Hakon had rule harried he +there, laying bare all the land. Then led he his host to the islets +which are called Solunder. Five homesteads alone stood unburned in +Lardal, in Sogn, and all the folk of the valley were fled to the +mountains and forests, taking with them such of their chattels as they +might carry. Thereafter the Danish King was minded to take his hosts to +Iceland to avenge the mockery of the Icelanders, for it happened that +they had made malicious verses about him. ¤ Now a law had been made in +Iceland to the end that for every soul in the country one lampoon should +be made on the Danish King, and the reason therefor was to this wise, to +wit, that a ship pertaining to men of Iceland had stranded on the coast +of Denmark & the Danes had taken all the cargo thereon, calling it +flotsam. ¤ The man who had had the chief concern in this matter was one +Birger, the King’s steward. +<span class = "pagenum">43</span> +Jests were made both on him and on the King, and this is one of +them:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘When the fight-wonted Harald rode the sea-steed from the south</p> +<p>In the shape of Faxe,</p> +<p>The slayer of Vandals as wax became altogether as impotent.</p> +<p>Birger by guardian sprites outcast in mare’s shape met him</p> +<p>As all men did behold.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now King Harald bade a warlock betake him to Iceland in one or +other guise, that he might bring him back tidings of the country. ¤ And +the warlock set forth in the shape of a whale, and when he was come +thither to Iceland he went along the north side of the coast, and he saw +that all the mountains and hills were full of guardian spirits, some +large & others small. When he was arrived at Vapnafjord there went +he up and was like to have gone ashore when, lo! a great dragon +came down from the valley, & in its company many serpents, toads, +and vipers, and these beasts belched venom at him. So swam he away +westward all alongside the land even the whole way until he was come to +the mouth of the Eyjafjord, & after he had turned up this fjord +towards him there came a bird so large that its wings reached the hills +on either side, and with it were a number of other birds, both large and +tiny. ¤ So away fared he thence, & westward along by the land to +Breidafjord, and there went he up the fjord, but a great bull came +towards him bellowing after a fashion that was most horrible, & in +its company were a swarm of kindred spirits. ¤ Then went he away from +there and swam past Reykjanes and was about to go up on Vikarseid, but a +hill giant came towards him with a staff in his hand, and this giant +carried his head higher than the hills, and with him were many other +giants. ¤ Then swam he eastward all the way along the coast: ‘There is +nothing,’ quoth he, ‘save sand and wilderness and great breakers +outside; and so broad is the sea betwixt the lands,’ said he, ‘that it +is all unmeet for long-ships.’</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">44</span> +<p>¶ Now in those days Brod-Helgi dwelt in Vapnafjord, Eyolf Valgerdson +in Eyjafjord, Thord Gelli in Breidafjord and Thorod the Priest in +Olfus.</p> + +<p>¶ Then put the King of Denmark his fleet about, standing south along +the coast, and thereafter sailed back to Denmark. Hakon the Earl caused +all the habitations that had been devastated to be builded up again, +& nevermore thereafter paid he any tribute to the King of +Denmark.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it came to pass that Svein—he who was afterwards called +Two-beard—demanded a kingdom of his father King Harald, & as +before so again it befell that King Harald would not part Denmark in +twain, nor let any other man, no matter of what blood he was, have +dominion therein. ¤ So Svein assembled a fleet of war & gave out +that he was about to go on a viking cruise, and when the whole of his +fleet was come together, & Palnatoki of the Jomsborg vikings was +also come to his aid, Svein made for Zealand, and went into Isafjord. +There King Harald his father was lying, likewise, with his ships, for he +was preparing to sail to war, & Svein fell upon him, & +a great battle ensued; but many men flocked to King Harald and +Svein had to give way before great odds and flee. There nevertheless did +Harald receive such hurt that he died, and thereafter Svein was hailed +as King of Denmark. In those days Jomsborg in Wendland was ruled by Earl +Sigvaldi; he was the son of Strut-Harald who had ruled Skani, and +Sigvaldi’s brothers were Heming and Thorkel the Tall. At that time Bui +the Burly of Borgundarholm & his brother Sigurd were likewise chiefs +among the Jomsborg vikings, and with them, too, was Vagn, who was the +son of Aki and Thorgunna and the sister’s son of Bui and Sigurd. ¤ Now +Sigvaldi the Earl had made King Svein prisoner and had taken him to +Jomsborg in Wendland, and had constrained him to make peace with the +Wendish King Burizlaf. ¤ It was to Earl Sigvaldi to settle the +conditions of agreement between them— +<span class = "pagenum">45</span> +Sigvaldi had then to wife Astrid the daughter of King Burizlaf—and +if peace were not made, said the Earl, he would deliver King Svein into +the hands of the Wends. ¤ Then the King knowing full well that they +would torture him even to the death was content that the Earl should be +peacemaker, & the Earl adjudged matters in such fashion that King +Svein was to have the daughter of King Burizlaf to wife, and King +Burizlaf the sister of King Svein, Tyra, that was daughter to Harald. ¤ +Moreover it was covenanted that the two Kings were to have each his own +dominion, and there was to be lasting peace between the countries. ¤ +Then did King Svein journey home to Denmark with his wife Gunnhild; +their sons were Harald and Knut the Great (Canute). ¤ And in those days +made the Danes great boast that they would sail with a host to Norway +even against Earl Hakon.</p> + +<p>¶ Now because King Svein was going to take his succession after his +father Harald, made he a great funeral feast, to which were bidden all +the chiefs of his kingdom. ¤ Not long before this Strut-Harald of Skani +had died, and also Veseti of Borgundarholm, who was the father of Bui +& Sigurd. The King therefore sent word to the Jomsborg vikings +bidding Earl Sigvaldi and Bui, and their brothers, to come thither and +seal their inheritance by drinking grave-ale in memory of their fathers +at the feast which the King himself was about to give. And to this feast +accordingly went the Jomsborg vikings with all the stoutest of their +folk; forty ships had they from Wendland & twenty from Skani, & +a great number of people were assembled together. On the first day +of the feast, before King Svein stepped into his father’s high seat, he +drank the cup of memory to him, vowing therewith that before three +months were over he would go to England with his hosts & slay King +Ethelred, or drive him from the country. Now all those who were at the +feast were obliged to drink that cup of memory, and for the chiefs of +the Jomsborg vikings the largest horns +<span class = "pagenum">46</span> +were filled, and withal with the strongest ale. When this cup of memory +had been drunk to the dregs then were all men to drink to the memory of +Christ; and ever to the Jomsborg vikings were brought the fullest horns +& the strongest drink. The third cup was to St. Michael, and this +was drunk by all; and thereafter Sigvaldi drank to his father’s memory, +& made a vow that before three winters were passed he would go to +Norway and slay Eirik, or drive him from the land. Then did his brother +Thorkel the Tall swear that he would fare with Sigvaldi, and never shun +battle as long as Sigvaldi was fighting there; and Bui the Burly said +that he too would go with them to Norway, and not flee before Earl Hakon +in battle. Then did Vagn Eirikson swear that he also would accompany +him, & not return before he had slain Thorkel Leira and lain abed +with his daughter Ingibiorg. ¤ Many other lords made vows anent sundry +matters, & all men drank the heirship ale. When the morrow was come +and the Jomsborg vikings had slept as long as they were minded, they +deemed that they had spoken big words enough & met together to take +counsel as to how and when they should proceed with their cruise, and +then they covenanted to array their ships and men as speedily as might +be. Now this matter was rumoured of far and wide in the lands.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Eirik, the son of Earl Hakon, was at that season in Raumariki, +& hearing of these tidings straightway mustered the folk and set +forth to the Uplands, and then made his way northwards across the +mountains to Throndhjem, to his father Earl Hakon. Of this speaketh +Thord Kolbeinson in Eirik’s lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘In good sooth from the south came fearsome tales of war,</p> +<p>Peasants even fear to fight;</p> +<p>And the captain of the ship learned that the long-ships of the +Danes</p> +<p>Along their rollers were run out seawards.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">47</span> +<p>¶ Earl Hakon and Earl Eirik caused war-arrows to be sent throughout +the whole of the district around Throndhjem, and sent messengers to +South-More, North-More, and Raumsdal; likewise sent they northward to +Naumdal and Halogaland, and when this was accomplished had they called +out their full muster of men and ships. Thus saith Eirik’s lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Many a long-ship and bark and great keel</p> +<p>(How the skald’s praise grows apace)</p> +<p>The shield-bearer caused to be run into the sea</p> +<p>(Off-shore was the muster goodly)</p> +<p>So that the warrior could defend the lands of his fathers.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon went forthwith south to More, to reconnoitre and collect +men, while Earl Eirik assembled his host & took it southwards.</p> + +<p>¶ The Jomsborg vikings brought their hosts to Limfjord and thence +sailed out to sea; sixty ships had they, and they took them across to +Agdir whence without tarrying shaped they a course northward to the +dominion of Earl Hakon. They sailed off the coast, plundering & +burning wheresoever they went. Now there was a certain man named +Geirmund who was sailing in a light boat & had but few men with him, +& he came to More where he found Earl Hakon, & going in before +the Earl as he sate at meat told him that there was an host to the +southward which was come from Denmark. The Earl asked if he knew this in +good sooth, and Geirmund, holding up one of his arms from which the hand +had been severed, said that that was the token that a host was in the +land. ¤ Then did the Earl question him closely concerning this host, +& Geirmund said that it was the Jomsborg vikings, & that they +had slain many men and plundered far & wide: ‘Nevertheless they are +travelling speedily and hard. ¤ Methinks it will not be long before they +are here.’ ¤ So then the Earl rowed up all the fjords, inwards along one +shore and outwards along the other faring night and day, and he sent +scouts on to the upper way +<span class = "pagenum">48</span> +across the isthmus,<a name = "tag48_1" id = "tag48_1" href = +"#note48_1">§</a> & south in the Fjords, & likewise north where +Eirik was now with his host. ¤ It is of this that Eirik’s lay +telleth:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘War-wise was the Earl who had long-ships on the main</p> +<p>Heading with lofty prows against Sigvaldi,</p> +<p>Mayhap many an oar shook,</p> +<p>But the seamen who rent the sea with strong oar-blades</p> +<p>Feared not death.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon took his host southwards as speedily as ever he was +able.</p> + +<p>¶ Sailing northwards with his fleet Earl Sigvaldi rounded Stad, and +first put in over against Hereya. Here, although the vikings fell in +with the folk of the country, never could they get from them the truth +as to the whereabouts of the Earl. Whithersoever they went the vikings +pillaged, & in the island of Hod they ran up ashore & plundered +the people, taking back with them to their ships both folk and cattle, +though all men capable of bearing arms they slew. ¤ Now as they were +going down again to their ships an old man approached them—for he +was walking nigh to the men of Bui—and unto them said he, ‘Not as +warriors go ye here, driving neat and calves down to the shore; better +prey would it be for ye to take the bear since ye have come so nigh his +lair.’ ¤ ‘What saith the carle?’ they cry, ‘Can ye tell us aught of Earl +Hakon?’ The peasant made answer: ‘Yesterday he sailed to Hiorundarfjord +having with him one or two ships, or three at most, & at that time +he had not heard aught of ye.’ Forthwith ran Bui & his men to their +ships, leaving all their booty behind, & Bui called out saying: ‘Let +us make the most of having got this news, so that we may be the ones +nighest to the victory.’ ¤ And when they had mounted up into their ships +straightway rowed they out north of the isle of Hod, and then rounding +that island into the fjord.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon and his son Earl Eirik were lying in Hallsvik, +<span class = "pagenum">49</span> +with their hosts and one hundred and fifty ships. ¤ Now they had heard +by this time that the Jomsborg vikings were lying-to off Hod, and the +Earls accordingly rowed northward to seek them, and when they were come +to the place which is called Hiorungavag met they one with another. ¤ +Both sides then set themselves in array for battle. In the midst of his +host was the banner of Earl Sigvaldi and over against this Earl Hakon +took up his position; Earl Sigvaldi had twenty ships, and Earl Hakon +sixty. ¤ In Earl Hakon’s following were the chiefs Thorir Hart of +Halogaland, and Styrkar of Gimsar. As for the battle array, one wing +consisted of the twenty ships belonging to Bui the Burly and his brother +Sigurd. Against these Earl Eirik Hakonson placed sixty ships, with him +being the chiefs Gudbrand the White from the Uplands & Thorkel Leira +from Vik. ¤ In the other wing of the array was Vagn Akason with twenty +ships, and against him with sixty ships was Svein Hakonson with Skeggi +of Uphaug in Yriar, and Rognvald from Ervik in Stad. In Eirik’s lay it +is told of thus:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘And the sea-ships to battle sped towards the Danish ships,</p> +<p>The sea-host sailed the coast along:</p> +<p>From before the vikings cleared the Earl away many at More</p> +<p>The ships drifted amid war-slain heaps.’</p> +</div> + +<p>And thus saith Eyvind in the Halogaland tale:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Hardly was it a tryst of joy in that day’s dawning</p> +<p>For the foemen of Yngvi Frey,</p> +<p>When the land-rulers guided the long-ships across the waste,</p> +<p>And the sword-elf from the south-land</p> +<p>Thrust the sea-steeds against their hosts.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Then the fleets were brought together and there ensued the grimmest +of battles, and many were slain on both sides, albeit the host of Hakon +was it which fared the worst, for the Jomsborg vikings fought stoutly +both with boldness & dexterity, shooting clean through the shields. +So great in number were the missiles which struck Earl Hakon that his +shirt of mail +<span class = "pagenum">50</span> +became all rent and useless so that he threw it from him. ¤ Of this +speaketh Tind Halkelson:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The kirtle which gold bedecked women wrought for the Earl</p> +<p>(The sparks from the sword wax brighter)</p> +<p>Could no longer be borne;</p> +<p>Then the mailed hero from off him cast the King’s shirt</p> +<p>(Ready were the steeds of the sea).</p> +<p>Asunder, on the sand, blown from the Earl by the wind</p> +<p>Was the ring-weaved shirt of Sorli</p> +<p>(Thereof bore he the marks).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now the ships of the Jomsborg vikings were both larger, and higher +in the gunwale, than were those of Earl Hakon, but nevertheless were +they boldly beset from both sides. Vagn Akason pressed the ships of +Svein Hakonson so hard that Svein let his men backwater & came nigh +to fleeing, whereupon Earl Eirik came up into his place & thrust +himself into the battle against Vagn, and Vagn backed his ship, and the +craft lay again as they had lain at first. ¤ Then Eirik returned to his +own battle, where his men were now going astern, and Bui having cut +himself free from his lashings was about to follow the fugitives. ¤ +Eirik then laid his ship alongside the ship of Bui, & a sharp +hand to hand struggle took place, and two or three of the ships of Eirik +set on the one ship whereon was Bui. ¤ Then a storm came on, and there +fell hailstones so heavy that one stone alone weighed an ounce. Then did +Sigvaldi cut his ship adrift & went about, with the intention of +fleeing; Vagn Akason cried out to him bidding him stay, but never a +moment would Sigvaldi heed give to what he said, so Vagn sent a javelin +after him, and smote the man who held the tiller. Earl Sigvaldi rowed +out of the battle with thirty-five ships and left twenty-five behind +him. ¤ Then did Earl Hakon bring his ship round to the other side of +that of Bui, and short respite then had the men of Bui between the +blows. Now there was an anvil with a sharp end standing on the +forecastle +<span class = "pagenum">51</span> +of the ship that pertained to Bui, and the reason thereof was that some +man had made use thereof when welding the hilt of his sword, and Vigfus +the son of Vigaglums, who was a man of great strength, took up the anvil +& throwing it with both hands, drave it into the head of Aslak +Holmskalli, so that the snout thereof entered his brain. No weapon +hitherto had scathed Aslak, though he had been laying about him on +either side. ¤ He was the foster-son of Bui, and his forecastle man. Yet +another of the men to Bui was Havard the Hewer; even stronger was he, +and a man of great valour. During this struggle the men of Eirik went up +aboard Bui’s ship, & made aft to the poop, towards Bui, and +Thorstein Midlang struck him full across the nose, cleaving asunder the +nose-piece of his helmet, and leaving a great wound. ¤ Bui then smote +Thorstein in the side in such a manner that he cut the man right athwart +his middle, and then seizing two chests of gold he shouted: ‘Overboard +all the men of Bui,’ and plunged into the sea with the chests, and many +of his men likewise sprang overboard, though others fell on the ship, +for little avail was it to ask for quarter. The ship was now cleared +from stem to stern, and the other craft were likewise cleared one after +the other.</p> + +<p>¶ After this Earl Eirik brought his ships alongside that of Vagn, and +from the latter met with right stout resistance; in the end however the +ship was cleared, and Vagn and thirty men taken prisoners. Bound were +they & taken on land, and Thorkel Leira went up to them and spoke +thus: ‘Vagn, thou didst vow to slay me, but me seemeth it is I who am +more like to slay thee.’ ¤ Now it happened that Vagn and his men were +all sitting on the felled trunks of a mighty tree, and Thorkel had a big +axe, & with it he struck at the man who was sitting farthest off on +the trunk. ¤ Vagn and his men were so bound that a rope was passed round +their feet, but their hands were free. Then said one of them, +‘I have in my hand a cloak-clasp, +<span class = "pagenum">52</span> +and into the earth will I thrust it if I wot anything after my head is +off’—and his head was struck off, and down fell the clasp from his +hand. ¤ Hard by sat a fair man with goodly hair and he swept his hair +forward over his face, saying as he stretched forth his neck: ‘Make not +my hair bloody.’ A certain man took the hair in his hand and held +it fast, and Thorkel swang the axe so as to strike, but the viking drew +back his head suddenly & he who was holding his hair moved forward +with him, and lo, the axe came down on both his hands and took them off, +thereafter cleaving the earth. Then Earl Eirik came up and asked: ‘Who +is that fine man?’ ‘Sigurd the lads call me,’ said he, ‘and I am thought +to be a son to Bui: not yet are all the vikings of Jomsborg dead.’ ‘Thou +must of a surety be a true son to Bui; wilt thou have quarter?’ ‘That +dependeth upon who is the bidder thereof,’ said Sigurd. ‘He offereth it +who hath power to give it, to wit Earl Eirik.’ ‘Then will I take it,’ +and loosed was he from the rope. Then said Thorkel Leira: ‘Though thou +grantest quarter, Earl, to all these men, yet never shall Vagn Akason +depart hence alive,’ & so saying he ran forward with uplifted axe. +Just then the viking Skadi tripped in the rope, and dropped before +Thorkel’s feet, and Thorkel fell flat over him, and Vagn seizing the axe +dealt Thorkel his death-blow. Then said the Earl: ‘Wilt thou have +quarter?’ ‘Yea will I,’ said he, ‘if we all are given quarter.’ +‘Loose them from the rope,’ said the Earl, and so it was done +accordingly. ¤ Eighteen of these men were slain, but to twelve was +quarter granted.</p> + +<p>¶ Now Earl Hakon & many of his men with him were sitting on a +log. ¤ Suddenly there twanged a bowstring from Bui’s ship, but the arrow +struck Gizur of Valders, a feudatory who was sitting by the Earl +& was clad in brave apparel, & forthwith went sundry of Hakon’s +men out to the ship and found on it Havard the Hewer kneeling by the +bulwarks, for his feet had been smitten off him. A bow had he in +his hand and +<span class = "pagenum">53</span> +when they were come out to the ship, as aforesaid, Havard asked: ‘Who +fell off the tree-trunk?’ ‘One named Gizur,’ they say. ‘Then was my luck +lesser than I wished.’ ‘Ill-luck enough,’ say they, ‘and more hurt shalt +thou not do,’ & therewith they slew him. After these things the dead +were searched, and the booty brought together for division; five and +twenty ships belonging to the Jomsborg vikings were thus cleared of +booty. Tind saith as follows:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘He, feeder of ravens,</p> +<p>(Their swords did smite their thighs)</p> +<p>Against the friends of the Wends long did struggle,</p> +<p>Until he who shields destroyed had</p> +<p>Five and twenty ships laid waste.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Thereafter were the hosts dispersed. ¤ Earl Hakon betook him to +Throndhjem, taking it full ill that Eirik had given Vagn Akason quarter. +¤ Men say that during this battle Earl Hakon made sacrifice of his son +Erling in order to gain the victory, and afterwards the hailstorm came, +and that then the slaughtering changed over out of the hands of the +Jomsborgers. After the battle Earl Eirik went to the Uplands, and from +there east to his dominions, and with him went Vagn Akason. Thereafter +Eirik gave the daughter of Thorkel Leira—Ingibiorg was her +name—in marriage to Vagn, & a goodly long-ship to boot, +well furnished in all things appertaining thereto, & a crew did +he get him for the ship, and they parted in all friendship. Vagn thence +fared southward home to Denmark, and became thereafter a famous man. ¤ +Many men of might are descended from him.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it hath been heretofore related how Harald the Grenlander was +King of Vestfold, and how Asta, the daughter of Gudbrand Kula had he +taken to wife. One summer when he was out laying waste the countries to +the eastward, came he to Sweden where Olaf the Swede was King in those +days. Olaf was the son of Eirik the Victorious and of Sigrid the +<span class = "pagenum">54</span> +daughter of Skogla-Tosti. ¤ Sigrid was now a widow and to her pertained +many great manors in Sweden. When she heard that her foster-brother +Harald the Grenlander had come ashore not far from where at that time +she was abiding, sent she messengers to him, bidding him to a feast +which she was making ready to give. Thereat was Harald glad, and fared +to Astrid with a great following of men. And a goodly feast was it +withal: the King and the Queen sat in the high-seat and in the evening +drank both together, and among the men flowed the ale freely. ¤ At night +when the King went to his rest his bed had on it a costly coverlet, and +was hung with precious cloths; in that house there were but few men. And +the King having unclad him, & gotten into bed, the Queen came hither +to him and poured out a cup, and pressed him hard to drink; right kind +was she to him withal. Now the King was exceeding drunken, and the Queen +likewise. ¤ Then fell the King asleep, and Sigrid went away to her bed. +Now the Queen was a very wise woman, and far seeing in many things. The +next morning flowed the drink ever apace, but as ofttimes cometh to pass +when men have drunk heavily, even so the more wary of drink are most of +them on the morrow. Yet was the Queen merry, and she and Harald spake +much together, and as their talk ran on, the Queen said that she deemed +her lands & kingdom in Sweden to be of no less worth than his in +Norway. Now at this manner of talking the King waxed moody, and found +but little pleasure in anything thereafter, and heavy at heart he made +him ready to go; yet was the Queen exceeding merry, gave him great +gifts, & accompanied him on his way.</p> + +<p>¶ So back to Norway fared he that autumn, & abode at home during +that winter, but little enough pleasure gat he the while. The summer +thereafter went he eastward with his host, and shaped his course for +Sweden. Word sent he to Sigrid that he desired to meet her, & she +rode down to him, & they talked together; then without more ado he +asked her whether she +<span class = "pagenum">55</span> +would have him for mate, to which Sigrid made answer that to do such a +thing would indeed be foolish, seeing that he is well married already, +and better for him might not be. Harald confessed Asta to be a good wife +and brave, ‘but of such noble blood as mine is she not withal.’ Then +answered Sigrid. ‘Maybe thou art of higher lineage than she, yet +nevertheless it beseemeth to me that with her is the happiness of ye +both.’ And after that few were the words spoken between them before the +Queen rode away.</p> + +<p>¶ Then was King Harald sick at heart, & he made him ready to ride +inland to see Queen Sigrid yet once more. Many of his men counselled him +therefrom, but none the less went he with a great following to the house +of which Sigrid was lady. That same evening there came thither from the +east, from Gardariki (western Russia), another king—Vissavald<a +name = "tag55_15" id = "tag55_15" href = "#note55_15">§</a> was his +name, & he likewise came to woo Sigrid the Queen. The kings & +all their retinue were given seats in a large & ancient chamber; +& ancient also were the furnishings of this room, but drink more +than enough went round that evening, so strong indeed that all became +drunken, and both the head-guard, and the outer-guard fell asleep. Then, +during the night—and all this was caused by Queen +Sigrid—were they fallen upon with fire and sword; both the chamber +& the men who were therein were burned, & of those who came out +from it not one was allowed to go alive. ¤ Quoth Sigrid on this matter, +that she would teach small kings from other lands to woo her; & +thereafter she was called Sigrid the Scheming.</p> + +<p>¶ It was the winter before these things befell that the battle with +the Jomsborg vikings was fought in Hiorungavag. Now while Harald was +gone inland, one Hrani was left in charge of the ships and men; but when +the news came that Harald had been done to death, fared they thence +forthwith, & going back to Norway recounted the tidings. ¤ And to +Asta went Hrani & told her all things concerning their voyage, & +likewise +<span class = "pagenum">56</span> +the errand that had urged King Harald to Queen Sigrid. When she heard +these tidings Asta went straightway to the Uplands to her father, and +right welcome was she made, but exceeding wrathful were they both at the +base design which had been toward in Sweden, & with Harald that he +had been minded to leave her in loneliness. Asta, the daughter of +Gudbrand, brought forth a son even there in the summer; this boy was +called Olaf at his baptism, & Hrani poured the water over him. At +the outset was the child reared by Gudbrand & Asta his mother.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon ruled the whole coast of Norway; sixteen counties had he +under his sway, and forasmuch as Harald Fairhair had prescribed that an +earl should be over every county, and that prescription had endured for +long, there were under him sixteen earls. Thus it is said in the +Vellekla:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Where else know we the government</p> +<p>(On this the hosts may ponder)</p> +<p>Of one land-ruler over the lands of sixteen earls?</p> +<p>Unto the four corners of heaven rises the rumour</p> +<p>Of the doughty deeds of the belauded chieftain.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ During the rule of Earl Hakon the increase was good in the land, +& peace was there within it among the peasantry. Well-beloved, too, +was the Earl among them for the greater part of his life, but as his +years waxed old it happened that his intercourse with women became +unseemly, and to such a pass came this that the Earl would cause the +daughters of powerful men to be brought unto him, when he would lie with +them for a week or twain, and then send them back to their homes. This +manner of acting brought him to great enmity with the kinsmen of these +women, and the peasantry fell to murmuring, as is the wont of the folk +of Throndhjem when things are not to their liking.</p> + +<p>¶ Now there came to the ears of Earl Hakon the fame of a man overseas +westward who called himself Oli, & whom men held +<span class = "pagenum">57</span> +for a King; and he misdoubted from the talk of certain folk that this +man must be of the lineage of the Norwegian Kings. He was told, indeed, +that Oli called himself Gerdish (i.e., of Garda) by race, but the Earl +had heard that Tryggvi Olafson had had a son who had been taken eastward +to Garda (western Russia), and had been brought up there at the Court of +King Valdamar, and that his name was Olaf. ¤ Often had the Earl sought +information about this man, and he misdoubted that he it was who had now +come to the western countries. Now to Hakon the Earl was a great friend, +one Thorir Klakka, who was known far and wide, for he had sailed long +whiles as a viking, and at others as a merchant. ¤ So west across the +sea Earl Hakon now despatched this man, bidding him fare to Dublin as a +merchant, as many were wont to fare in those days. It was laid on Thorir +that he should ascertain of what manner of man was this Oli, and should +he hear of a truth he was Olaf Tryggvason, or of the lineage of the +Kings of Norway, then was Thorir, if it might be, to ensnare him into +the power of the Earl.</p> + +<p>¶ So Thorir gat him west to Dublin, and enquiring there for tidings +of Oli learned that he was with his brother-in-law King Olaf Kvaran.<a +name = "tag57_22" id = "tag57_22" href = "#note57_22">§</a> Thereafter +Thorir brought it to pass that he gat speech of Oli, and when they had +talked often and long (for Thorir was a very smooth-tongued man) fell +Oli to asking about the Upland kings: which of them were still alive and +what dominions pertained to them. ¤ Likewise asked he concerning the +Earl, and if he were much beloved in the country. Thorir answered: ‘The +Earl is so mighty a man that no one durst speak but as he wills, +nevertheless the reason of this is that we have none other to look to. +Verily know I the minds of many mighty men, & of the people +likewise, & that they would be eager & ready were a king of the +lineage of Harald Fair-hair to come to the realm. ¤ Of this, however, is +there no likelihood inasmuch as it has been well proven how little it +<span class = "pagenum">58</span> +availeth to contend against Earl Hakon.’ ¤ And when they had talked much +together on this matter, revealed Olaf unto Thorir his name & +lineage, & craved counsel of him whether the peasantry would have +him for their King should he fare over to Norway. With eagerness sought +Thorir to urge him on to make this journey, praising him and his prowess +most exceedingly. Then did Olaf conceive a great desire to be gone to +the realm of his kin; and sailed he thereafter from the west with five +ships, going first to the Hebrides; & together with him went Thorir. +Later sailed he to the Orkneys where Earl Sigurd, the son of Hlodvir, +was lying in Asmundarvag (Osmundwall) in Rognvaldzey (South Ronaldsey) +in a long-ship for he was about to sail over to Katanes (Caithness). +Then did King Olaf sail his folk from the west & put into haven in +the island because Pettlanzfjord (Pentland Firth) was not navigable. ¤ +When the King heard that the Earl was lying there summoned he him to +talk with him, and Earl Sigurd having come to the King not long did they +talk ere the King Olaf said that the Earl and all the folk of the land +must let themselves be baptized or they would straightway be put to +death; and the King said he would carry fire & sword through the +isles, and lay waste the land if the folk thereof did not allow +themselves to be christened. ¤ So the Earl being thus beset chose to +accept baptism, and was baptized there and then with all his men. +Thereafter swore the Earl an oath that he would become the King’s man, +& give him his son for a hostage—his name was Whelp or +Hound—and Olaf took him home with him to Norway.</p> + +<p>¶ Olaf then sailed eastward out to sea, and when he left the main, +went in to the Isle of Most, where he went on land in Norway for the +first time. ¤ He caused a Mass to be said in his tent, & on the +self-same spot was a church afterward builded. Now Thorir Klakka told +the King that their wisest course was to keep secret his identity, and +to let not the slightest rumour +<span class = "pagenum">59</span> +about him get abroad, and to travel as speedily as might be so as to +fall upon the Earl while he was still unawares. ¤ Even so did King Olaf, +faring northward day and night according to the set of the wind, & +he let not the people know of his journey, nor who it was that was +sailing. When he was come north to Agdanes gat he tidings that Earl +Hakon was within the fjord, & moreover that he was at variance with +the peasantry. Now when Thorir heard tell of this quite otherwise was it +from what he had expected, for after the battle of the Jomsborg vikings +all men in Norway were full friendly with Earl Hakon by reason of the +victory he had won, & which had saved the land from war; but now so +ill had things befallen that here was the Earl at strife with the +peasantry, & that with a great chief come into the land.</p> + +<p>¶ At this time Hakon the Earl was a guest at Medalhus in Gaulardal, +his ships lying off Vigg the while. ¤ Now there was a certain Orm +Lyrgia, a wealthy yeoman who lived at Bynes, and he had to wife +Gudrun the daughter of Bergthor of Lundar, & so fair a woman was +this Gudrun that she was called the ‘sun of Lundar.’ ¤ And on such an +errand as this, namely to bring unto him Orm’s wife, did Earl Hakon send +his thralls. ¤ The men coming thither to Bynes made known their errand, +but Orm bade them first go out & sup, & before they had well +eaten there had come to him many men whom he had sent for from the +neighbouring homesteads. Then said Orm that he would in nowise suffer +Gudrun to go with the thralls; and Gudrun herself bade the thralls go +tell the Earl that never would she go to him save he sent Thora of +Rimul,<a name = "tag59_28" id = "tag59_28" href = "#note59_28">§</a> a +wealthy lady and one of the Earl’s sweethearts, to fetch her. Then the +thralls said that they would come once again in such a manner that both +master and mistress would repent them of this business, & uttering +grievous threats they gat them gone. Now in all four directions of the +countryside did Orm send out war-arrows, and with them word that all men +should rise +<span class = "pagenum">60</span> +against Hakon the Earl to slay him. Moreover he let Haldor of +Skerdingsted be told, and forthwith Haldor also made despatch of the +war-arrow. ¤ Not long before this had the Earl taken the wife of a man +named Bryniolf, and from that piece of work had arisen a great pother, +and something nigh the assembling together of an host. ¤ So after +receiving the message aforesaid all the people hastened together and +made their way to Medalhus, but to the Earl coming news of their motions +thereon left he the house together with his men and went to a deep +valley which is now called Jarlsdal (the Earl’s valley), and therein +they hid themselves. The day thereafter kept the Earl watch on the +peasant host. The peasants had encompassed all the footways, though they +were mostly of a mind that the Earl had made off to his ships. These +were now commanded by his son Erling, a young man of singular +promise. ¤ When night fell sent the Earl his men away from him, bidding +them take to the forest tracks out to Orkadal, ‘No one will harm ye if I +am nowhere nigh,’ he said. ‘Send also word to Erling to go out of the +fjord so that we may meet in More. I shall find a means to hide me +from the peasants.’ Then the Earl departed and a thrall of his named +Kark bore him company. ¤ Ice was there on the Gaul river, but the Earl +set his horse at it & they came through, with the loss of his cloak, +to a cave which has since been called Jarlshellir (the Earl’s cave), and +therein slept they soundly. When Kark awakened recounted he unto the +Earl a dream he had dreamt: how a man black & ill to behold had come +nigh the cave, and he was afeared would enter it, and this man had told +him that ‘Ulli’ was dead. ¤ Then said the Earl, ‘Erling must have been +slain.’ For the second time Thormod Kark slept and he cried out in his +sleep, and when he awoke told his dream, namely that he had seen the +self-same man coming down again, & he had bidden Kark tell the Earl +that now all the sounds were closed. ¤ And Kark telling Earl Hakon his +dream said he thought it might betoken a short life +<span class = "pagenum">61</span> +for him. Thereafter they arose and went to the homestead of Rimul, +whence sent the Earl Kark to Thora bidding her come privily to him. This +did she in haste, and made the Earl right welcome, and he craved of her +hiding were it but for a few nights even until dispersed should be the +peasants. ‘Here is it that thou wilt be sought by them,’ said she, ‘and +search will they make both within and without, throughout the whole of +this my homestead, for many there are that wot over well how that I +would fain help thee all that I might. Howbeit one place is there +wherein would I never seek for such a man +<span class = "pagenum">62</span> +as thou, and that is in the swine-sty.’ So thither hied they and said +the Earl: ‘Here then will we hide us, for it behoves us that first of +all must we give heed to our own lives.’ Thereupon dug the thrall a +large ditch in the sty & carried away the earth, and afterwards +placed wood across it. ¤ And Thora brought unto the Earl tidings that +Olaf Tryggvason was come up the fjord, and that he had slain the Earl’s +son Erling. ¤ Right so went the Earl into the trench, & Kark with +him, and Thora dragged wood athwart it, and swept earth and muck over +it, and drave the swine thereon. Now the swine-sty was under a certain +big rock.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic61.png" width = "466" height = "441" +alt = "the swine-sty"> +</p> + +<p>¶ With five long-ships shaped Olaf Tryggvason his course into the +fjord, & Erling, the son of Earl Hakon with his three ships rowed +him out to meet him. Or ever the ships drew nigh one to another Erling +and his men knew that this was war, and then in lieu of coming to a +meeting with Olaf did they make head for the land. Now Olaf when he had +seen the long-ships rowing down the fjord towards him thought to himself +that this would be Earl Hakon, and thereon gave the word of command to +row ahead as hard as might be. ¤ The men of Erling even so soon as they +were come nigh unto the shore leapt they in haste overboard & made +for land. Thither after them were come the ships of Olaf and he himself +saw swimming a man exceeding fair to look upon, and thereon seized he +the tiller and threw it even unto this man, and the tiller smote the +head of Erling, he that was son of the Earl, so that his skull was +cloven, yea even to the brain. ¤ Thus came it to pass that Erling lost +his life. ¤ There slew the men of Olaf many, but even so did a few make +good their escape; others again made they prisoners, & giving them +quarter gat tidings from them. ¤ Thus learnt Olaf that the peasants had +driven away Earl Hakon, that he was fleeing before them, and that all +the folk that were his were scattered. ¤ Thereafter did the peasants +come unto Olaf, and as all liked one another passing +<span class = "pagenum">63</span> +well forthwith entered they into fellowship. ¤ The peasants hailed him +for their King, and they covenanted together to seek Earl Hakon, & +to make search up into Gaulardal where if peradventure he was to be +found in any of the houses there, deemed they it likeliest would he be +at Rimul since all men knew for why. ¤ Thora was the dearest friend to +him in that valley. So thither went they, and sought the Earl both +without and within but of him could they find no trace; and Olaf +summoned the people together out in the yard, and standing on the rock +which was beside the swine-sty spake unto them, and the words that he +uttered were that he would reward with riches and honour the man who +would work mischief to Earl Hakon. ¤ This speech was heard both by the +Earl and Kark. Now by them in the sty had they a light there with them, +and the Earl said: ‘Why art thou so pale, yet withal as black as earth? +Is it in thy heart, Kark, that thou shouldst betray me?’ ‘Nay,’ said +Kark, ‘we two were born on the self-same night, and long space will +there not be twixt the hour of our deaths.’ Towards evening went King +Olaf away, & when it was night Kark slept, and the Earl kept watch, +but Kark was troubled in his sleep. Then the Earl awakened him & +asked him whereof he dreamt, and he said: ‘I was now even at Ladir, and +Olaf Tryggvason placed a gold ornament about my neck.’ ¤ The Earl +answered: ‘A blood-red ring will it be that Olaf Tryggvason will lay +about thy neck, shouldst thou meet with him. Beware now, and betray me +not, & thou shalt be treated well by me as heretofore.’ Then stay +they both sleepless each watching the other, as it might be, but nigh +daybreak fell the Earl asleep and was troubled at once, so troubled that +he drew his heels up under him & his head likewise under him, and +made as though he would rise up, calling aloud and in a fearsome way. +Then grew Kark afeard & filled with horror, so it came to pass that +he drew a large knife from his belt and plunged it into the throat of +the Earl cutting him from ear to ear. Thus +<span class = "pagenum">64</span> +was encompassed the death of Earl Hakon. ¤ Then cut Kark off the head of +the Earl and hasted him away with it, and the day following came he with +it to Ladir unto King Olaf, and there told he him all that had befallen +them on their flight, as hath already been set forth. Afterwards King +Olaf let Kark be taken away thence, & his head be sundered from his +trunk.</p> + +<p>¶ Thereafter to Nidarholm went King Olaf and likewise went many of +the peasantry, and with them bare they the heads of Earl Hakon and Kark. +In those days it was the custom to use this island as a place whereon +might be slain thieves & criminals, and on it stood a gallows. And +the King caused that on this gallows should be exposed the heads of Earl +Hakon and Kark. Then went thither the whole of the host, and shouted up +at them and cast stones, and said that they went to hell each in goodly +company, ever one rascal with another. Thereafter did they send men up +to Gaulardal, & after they had dragged thence the body of Earl Hakon +did they burn it. ¤ So great strength was there now in the enmity that +was borne against Earl Hakon by the folk that were of Throndhjem that no +one durst breathe his name save as the ‘bad Earl,’ and for long +afterwards was he called after this fashion. ¤ Nevertheless it is but +justice to bear testimony of Earl Hakon that he was well worthy to be a +chief, firstly by the lineage whereof he was descended, then for his +wisdom and the insight with which he used the power that pertained to +him, his boldness in battle, and withal his goodhap in gaining victories +and slaying his foemen. Thus saith Thorleif Raudfelldarson:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Hakon! no Earl more glorious ’neath the moon’s highway:</p> +<p>In strife and battle hath the warrior honour won,</p> +<p>Chieftains mine to Odin hast thou sent,</p> +<p>(Food for ravens were their corses)</p> +<p>Therefore wide be thy rule!’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ The most generous of men was Earl Hakon, yet even to such a chief +befell so great mishap on his dying-day. And this was +<span class = "pagenum">65</span> +brought about by the coming of the time when blood-offerings & the +men of blood-offerings were doomed, & in their stead were found the +true Faith and righteous worship.</p> + +<p>¶ In general Thing at Throndhjem was Olaf Tryggvason chosen to be +King of the land, even as Harald Fair-hair had been King. Indeed the +folk rose up, & the crowds would hear of nought else but that Olaf +Tryggvason should be King; and Olaf went throughout the country +conquering it, & all men in Norway vowed allegiance to him. ¤ Even +the lords of the Uplands and Vik who had before held their lands from +the Danish King now became men unto Olaf and held their lands from him. +Then in the first winter & the summer thereafter fared he through +the country. ¤ Earl Eirik Hakonson, and Svein his brother, & others +of their kith and friendship fled from the land, & going eastward to +Sweden, even unto King Olaf the Swede, were by him well received. Thus +saith Thord Kolbeinson:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Foemen of robbers! swiftly can fate cause change,</p> +<p>Brief space ’fore the treason of men did Hakon to death,</p> +<p>And to the land erewhile taken by the fighter in battle</p> +<p>Came now the son of Tryggvi, faring from the west.</p> +<p>More in his mind had Eirik against his lord and King</p> +<p>Than can now be spoken of, as might be thought of him.</p> +<p>In wrath sought the Earl counsel of the King of the Swedes</p> +<p>(Stubborn are the folk of Throndhjem, ne’er one will flee).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now the name of a certain man from Vik was Lodin, and he possessed +much wealth and was come of a goodly lineage. Often fared he as a +merchant, but upon occasion as a viking. Now it befell one summer that +Lodin, to whom appertained the ship, wherein was a fair cargo, did set +sail eastward with merchandise that was his, and after making Estland +spent he the summer there in the places where the fairs were held. Now +the while a fair happeneth are many kinds of goods thither brought to it +for sale, & likewise come many thralls, +<span class = "pagenum">66</span> +and among them as it befell in this wise one day saw Lodin a woman, who +when he looked on her perceived he her to be Astrid, the daughter of +Eirik whom King Tryggvi had had to wife. Now indeed was she unlike what +she had been when he had aforetime seen her, for pale was she, and +wasted, and poorly clad; but went he up to her & asked her about +herself, and she answered: ‘Sad is it to relate that have I been sold +for a slave, & yet again am I brought hither for sale.’ Thereafter +did they recognize one another, & Astrid knew well all about him and +she besought him to buy her & take her back to her kin. ‘I will make +a bargain with thee on this matter,’ said he, ‘I will bear thee home +with me to Norway if thou wilt wed me.’ ¤ So Astrid being in such dire +straits and knowing him full well to be a man that was brave & had +many possessions, yea and moreover goodly lineage, plighted she him her +troth so that she might be set free. Thus it came to pass that Lodin +bought Astrid, and bare her away home even unto Norway, and wedded her +there with the goodwill of her kinsfolk. The children she bare to him +were Thorkel Nefia, Ingirid, and Ingigerd; while the daughters of Astrid +by King Tryggvi were Ingibiorg and Astrid. ¤ The sons of Eirik +Biodaskalli were Sigurd Carles-head, Jostein, and Thorkel Dydril; all +these were noble & wealthy, and to them pertained manors in the east +of the country. ¤ Two brothers that dwelt in Vik, Thorgeir & Hyrning +as they were named, took to wife the daughters of Astrid and Lodin.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic67.png" width = "468" height = "360" +alt = "Olaf Tryggvason at Vik (?)"> +</p> + +<p>¶ After the Danish King, Harald Gormson, had embraced the faith of +Christ made he proclamation throughout his dominions that all men must +allow themselves to be baptized, and must turn to the true Faith. He +himself followed hard on the bidding, making use of force and +chastisement when naught else could prevail. ¤ He sent to Norway with a +great host two Earls that were called Urgutherjot and Brimiskiar;<a name += "tag66_33" id = "tag66_33" href = "#note66_33">§</a> the mission to +them was that they should proclaim Christianity +<span class = "pagenum">67</span> +throughout the land & the same also in Vik which had done direct +homage unto Harald himself. ¤ Folk made they submissive readily enough, +and many country folk were thereon baptized. Howsoever it came to pass +that after the death of Harald speedily went his son Svein Two-beard to +war in Saxland, Frisland, and at last also in England, and then those of +Norway who had received Christianity returned to sacrifices, as in the +old times aforesaid in the north country. ¤ But Olaf Tryggvason after +that he was King in Norway dwelt he for long in the summer at Vik, where +he was made welcome with great show of affection; and to that place came +also many of his kindred, & others who were allied to him, and many +that had been good friends with his father. Then did Olaf summon +<span class = "pagenum">68</span> +to him his uncle, & his step-father Lodin, & his step-brothers +Thorgeirr and Hyrning, and laying the matter before them besought them +most earnestly to undertake with him, and thereafter with all their +might support the spreading of the message of Christianity, for this +message it was his wish to carry throughout the whole of his dominions. +¤ And, said he, that he would have it his way or die, ‘I will make all +of ye great and powerful men, for it is upon ye that chiefly do I rely +inasmuch as ye are to me kith & brethren.’ So all were agreed to do +what he bade them and support him in that which he desired, and to have +fellowship with all those that were of a mind to follow their counsel. ¤ +Then did King Olaf proclaim that he would invite all men in his realm to +become Christians, and those who had agreed this aforetime straightway +did his bidding, & as they were the most powerful of those present, +all the others did according to their example. Thereafter were all folk +baptized in the eastern part of Vik, & then went the King to the +northern parts thereof and invited all men to receive Christianity; and +those who said nay chastised he severely, slaying some, and maiming +some, and driving away others from the land. So it came to pass that the +people of the whole of that kingdom whereover his father King Tryggvi +had ruled aforetime, and likewise that which his kinsman Harald the +Grenlander had possessed, received Christianity according to the bidding +of King Olaf. Wherefore in that summer and in the winter thereafter were +the people of the whole of Vik made Christian.</p> + +<p>¶ Early in the spring-time was King Olaf astir, and leaving Vik went +he north-west to Agdir and whithersoever he went summoned he the +peasants to a Thing, and bade all men let themselves be baptized. And +forasmuch as none of the peasantry durst rise up against the King, the +people were baptized <ins class = "correction" title = "inconsistent spelling in original">withersoever</ins> he went, and the men embraced +Christianity.</p> + +<p>¶ Bold men and many were there in Hordaland who were +<span class = "pagenum">69</span> +come of the kin of Horda Kari. To him had been born four sons: firstly, +Thorleif the Wise, secondly, Ogmund who was the father of Thorolf +Skialg, the father of Erling of Soli; thirdly, Thord the father of Klyp +the ‘hersir’ (he that slew Sigurd Sleva Gunnhildson) and fourthly, Olmod +the father of Aksel who was the father of Aslak Fitiar-skalli. This +stock was greatest and bravest in Hordaland.</p> + +<p>¶ Now when these kinsmen heard the disquieting tidings that the King +was coming from the east along the coast, and with him a large host who +forced all men that they should break the old laws of the old gods, and +imposed penalties with sore chastisements on all those who spake not to +his liking, agreed they to meet together to take counsel upon their +plans for well knew they the King would soon be upon them; it was +therefore agreed among them that they would one & all be present at +the Gula-Thing, and there should they meet Olaf Tryggvason.</p> + +<p>¶ Even so soon as he was come to Rogaland did Olaf summon a Thing, +& thereto came the peasantry in great numbers and fully armed. ¤ And +being come together made they speeches and held consultations among +themselves, & chose three men who were the most eloquent among them +to answer back the King at the Thing. Moreover were they to speak +against him and make it known that they would not suffer their laws to +be broken even were it the King who ordained the same. Now when the +peasants were assembled at the Thing & the Thing was opened, rose up +King Olaf and spake, talking at the outset smooth and fair albeit it was +manifest in his talking that it was his will that they should accept +Christianity. ¤ And after he had done with fair words he fell to vowing +that those who spoke against him and would not do his bidding would +bring upon themselves his wrath & chastisement and hard entreatment +howsoever he might bring it about. ¤ Now when the King had made an end +to speaking there stood up one of the +<span class = "pagenum">70</span> +yeomen who was the most eloquent & who had been chosen as the first +to make answer to King Olaf. ¤ But when he was about to speak was he +taken with such a coughing & choking that he could not get forth a +word, and down sat he again. Sorely as it had gone with the first yet +nevertheless rose another man to his feet to take up the answer, but +when he began to talk so greatly did he stammer that never a word could +he get forth. Then all who were present fell to laughing, so that the +yeoman sat himself down again. Then stood the third man up with intent +to speak against King Olaf, but so hoarse was he and husky that no man +could hear what he said, so down he sat likewise. There being now none +of the chosen yeomen left to speak against the King, and no one else +would answer him, the resistance that had been projected came to naught. +¤ In the end therefore were all agreed to do the King’s bidding, and all +the Thing folk were christened there and then or ever the King departed +from them.</p> + +<p>¶ King Olaf proceeded to the Gula-Thing accompanied by his men, for +the peasants had sent unto the King saying that there they would answer +him on this matter. But when both parties were come to the Thing the +King made known that it was his wish first to have speech with the +chiefs of the land, so when all were assembled there he set forth his +purpose in being present, which was to impose baptism upon them. ¤ Then +spake Olmod the Old and said: ‘We kinsmen have taken counsel together on +this matter, and of one consent are we thereon. If thou, King, thinkest +to force us kinsmen to such a thing as the breaking of our laws, and +wilt bend us to thy will, then will we defy thee by all means in our +power, & fate must decide whoso shall get the mastery. ¤ But if +thou, O King, wilt advance us kinsfolk somewhat then thou mayst +bring it so well about that we shall turn to thee in hearty obedience.’ +Quoth the King, ‘What is that which ye demand that shall bring about +good peace betwixt us?’ Then said Olmod, ‘Firstly is it +<span class = "pagenum">71</span> +thou shalt give thy sister, Astrid, in marriage to our kinsman Erling +Skialgson, whom we now account the likeliest young man of Norway.’ ¤ The +King said that to his mind this was a fair request and that it would be +a good marriage seeing that Erling was of a great family, and withal +goodly to look upon, but nevertheless said he, must Astrid herself have +a word in the matter. Thereafter did the King speak with his sister on +the subject, and she answered and said, ‘little it availeth me that I am +a King’s daughter and a King’s sister if I am to wed a man without a +princely name, rather will I tarry a few winters for another suitor,’ +and therewith ended their talking for the time being.</p> + +<p>¶ Now after these things King Olaf caused the feathers to be plucked +from off a hawk appertaining to Astrid his sister, and thereafter he +sent the bird to her. Then said Astrid, ‘Wrathful is my brother now,’ +& going to her brother, who bade her welcome, she spake unto him +that he the King should give her in marriage as it seemeth best to him. +‘Methought,’ said Olaf, ‘that I had power enough in this land to make +whatsoever man I would a man of title and dignity.’ ¤ So then the King +summoned Olmod and Erling and all their kinsmen to him to talk with them +anent this matter, and in such wise did their talking end that Astrid +was betrothed to Erling. Thereafter the King called together a Thing, +& offered the peasants Christianity, and though all their kinsfolk +were with them in this matter yet were Olmod & Erling the most +zealous of all men in forwarding the King’s cause. ¤ No one had any +longer the courage to raise his voice against the wish of the King, and +thereupon were the people all baptized and became Christian. Now the +marriage of Erling Skialgson took place in the summer and many folks +came together to be witness of it; thither likewise came King Olaf. On +this occasion did the King offer to give Erling an earldom, but Erling +spake & said: ’“Hersirs” have my kinsmen been and no higher title +will I have than +<span class = "pagenum">72</span> +they; but this will I take from thy hands, King, namely that thou makest +me to be the greatest in the land of that name.’ So in accord with this +did the King give him his promise, and when they parted bestowed on his +brother-in-law Erling that land which is north of the Sogn-sea and lies +eastward as far as Lidandisnes,<a name = "tag72_6" id = "tag72_6" href = +"#note72_6">§</a> on the same pact as Harald Fair-hair had given land to +his sons, of which an account has been afore writ in fair scrip.</p> + +<p>¶ Then in the autumn after these things had come to pass, the King +called together a Thing of four counties, & the meeting took place +in the north, at Stad on Dragseid. ¤ Thither came folk from Sogn, the +Firths, South-More and Raumsdal. King Olaf himself fared to it with a +mighty following of men that he took with him from the east of the +country, and likewise men who had come to him from Rogaland and +Hordaland. Then when he was come to the Thing offered he to those that +were gathered together Christianity even as he had done at other places, +and forasmuch as he had with him a very great host men were afeared of +him. ¤ Then did he give them for choice one of two things, either to +accept Christianity and let themselves be baptized, or to be prepared to +do battle with him. So the peasants foreseeing no chance of fighting +against the King save with ill-hap, accepted the first choice he had +offered them & embraced Christianity. Then fared Olaf with his men +to North-More, and that country likewise made he Christian; thereafter +sailed he in to Ladir & caused the temple there to be pulled down +& took all the adornments & property from the temple and from +the god. ¤ A great gold ring which Earl Hakon had caused to be +wrought took he moreover from the door thereof, & then after he had +done these things caused he the temple to be burned.</p> + +<p>¶ Now when the peasants came to hear of what the King had done sent +they war-arrows throughout the countryside, calling out an host & +were about to rise against the King, but meantime +<span class = "pagenum">73</span> +sailed he out of the fjord with his men, and thereafter headed northward +off-shore. Now it was the intent of Olaf to fare north to Halogaland in +order thither to bring Christianity; but when he was come as far north +as to Biarney gat he news from Halogaland that they had an host under +arms, and were minded to defend their land against the King. The chiefs +of this host were Harek of Tiotta, Thorir Hart of Vogar, and Eyvind +Rent-cheek. So Olaf learning this, even as aforesaid, turned his ships +about & sailed southward off the coast. When he was come as far +south as to Stad fared he more slowly, but nevertheless at the beginning +of winter had he covered all the distance eastward to Vik.</p> + +<p>¶ Now the Queen of Sweden, whom men called the Haughty, was at that +time living at one or other of her manors, and betwixt King Olaf and her +fared there that winter emissaries who sought her hand in the name of +the King. ¤ Queen Sigrid received the offer in a friendly spirit, and in +due time was their troth plighted. ¤ King Olaf sent Queen Sigrid the +great ring of gold which he had taken from off the door of the temple at +Ladir, and it was deemed a most noble gift. ¤ Now touching the matter of +this marriage a meeting was to take place the following spring by the +Gota river, on the marches of the country. ¤ While this ring which King +Olaf had sent to Queen Sigrid was being praised so exceedingly were the +Queen’s smiths, brothers, with her; & it befell that they took the +ring, and weighed it in their hands, & then spake a word together +privily. At this the Queen summoned them to her, and asked of them why +made they such mock of the ring, but they denied that they were doing +such a thing. ¤ Then said she that she insisted upon knowing what it was +they had discovered; & thereupon they told her that there was +falsehood in the ring. Then did the Queen let the ring be broken +asunder, and copper was found to be inside it. ¤ Thereon was the Queen +wroth, and said that Olaf might play her false in more things than this +one.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">74</span> +<p>¶ That same winter went King Olaf up into Ringariki and introduced +Christianity there. Now it had befallen that Asta, the daughter of +Gudbrand, was speedily wedded after the death of Harald the Grenlander +to a man named Sigurd Sow,<a name = "tag74_4" id = "tag74_4" href = +"#note74_4">§</a> who was King of Ringariki. Sigurd was the son of +Sigurd o’ the Copse who again was son to Harald Fair-hair. Dwelling +with Asta at that time was Olaf her son by Harald the Grenlander, for he +was being reared at the house of his step-father Sigurd Sow. When King +Olaf Tryggvason went to Ringariki to introduce Christianity, Sigurd let +himself be christened together with Asta his wife, & Olaf her son,<a +name = "tag74_11" id = "tag74_11" href = "#note74_11">§</a> & for +the latter stood Olaf Tryggvason sponsor; the babe was at that time +three winters old. ¤ King Olaf then fared southward again to Vik, and +abode there the winter, & this was the third winter that he was King +of Norway.</p> + +<p>¶ Early in the spring fared King Olaf eastward to Konungahella (the +King’s rock) to the tryst with Queen Sigrid, and when they were met, +talked they one with the other over the matter which had been set afoot +in the winter, to wit, that they should wed one another. ¤ Right hopeful +did the matter seem to them, until King Olaf spake & said that +Sigrid must accept christening and the true Faith. ¤ Then did the Queen +make answer: ‘Depart from the faith that I have held aforetime, and +which my kindred held before me will I never: yet will I not account it +against thee shouldst thou believe on whatsoever god may seem best to +thy mind.’ Then Olaf waxed exceedingly wroth and made answer hastily: +‘Heathen as a dog art thou—why should I wed thee?’ and smote her +in the face with the glove he was holding in his hand. ¤ Then stood he +up on his feet & she arose likewise, and Sigrid said, ‘This might be +thy undoing.’ Thereafter were they parted, the King going northward to +Vik, and the Queen east to Sweden.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic75.png" width = "478" height = "463" +alt = "King Olaf and Queen Sigrid (?)"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Thence King Olaf fared to Tunsberg & having come thither held +he a Thing and gave out thereat that all men who were +<span class = "pagenum">75</span> +known and proven to be dealers in witchcraft and spellwork, or were +wizards, should depart out of the land. Thereafter did the King cause +the countryside thereabouts be searched for such men, & commanded +them to be brought unto him. And when they were come to him a man there +was among them called Eyvind Well-spring, who was the grandson of +Rognovald Straight-legs, the son of King Harald Fair-hair. ¤ Now Eyvind +was a wizard & well versed in witchcraft. King Olaf +<span class = "pagenum">76</span> +caused all these men to be assembled in a certain hall, which had been +made ready for them in goodly wise, and therein feasted he them & +gave them much strong drink, and when they were all drunken caused he +the chamber to be set on fire. Thus it came about that all the folk who +were therein were burned except Eyvind Well-spring who saved himself by +climbing through the smoke-hole. ¤ Eyvind having made off and sped far +on his way, fell in with men who were going to the King, and he bade +these men tell Olaf that he, Eyvind, had gotten away from out of the +fire, and never again would he come into the King’s hands; and that +moreover would he pursue his arts even as he had done before. ¤ When +these men were come to King Olaf they told of Eyvind according as he had +bidden them, and ill-pleased enough was the King that Eyvind was not +dead.</p> + +<p>¶ When spring was come King Olaf left Vik and went the round of his +manors, and sent he word throughout Vik that come the summer would he +call out an host and with it fare northward in the land. ¤ Thereafter +went he north (west) to Agdir, and when Lent was drawing to an end +sailed northward to Rogoland, and arrived on Easter Eve<a name = +"tag76_21" id = "tag76_21" href = "#note76_21">§</a> at Ogvaldsnes in +the isle of Kormt, where an Easter festival had been made ready for him. +¤ Nigh upon three hundred men had he with him. That same night Eyvind +Well-spring came unto the isle in a long-ship fully manned, and the crew +aboard her were all wizards and other folk versed in magic. Eyvind and +his band went up ashore from their ship and set to work on their +wizardry. Such thick fog & darkness did Eyvind bring about that +deemed he it would be impossible for the King and his folk to see them; +but no sooner were they come nigh to the house at Ogvaldsnes than lo! it +there became broad daylight. Mightily different was this from the desire +that Eyvind had conceived, for the darkness which he had wrought by +magic enveloped him and his folk so that never a bit more could they see +with +<span class = "pagenum">77</span> +their eyes than with the napes of their necks, and even round and round +went they in a ring. ¤ Now the King’s watchmen saw the wizards as they +were moving about, and not knowing what kind of men they might be had +the King aroused, and the King & his men got up and clad themselves. +When King Olaf saw Eyvind & his folk, bade he his men take their +arms and go out to discover what manner of men might these be. Now the +King’s folk recognizing Eyvind laid hands on him and the whole band, and +brought them into the presence of the King. ¤ Then did Eyvind relate all +that had befallen him on his journey. ¤ The King thereafter had them all +taken out to a rock which was covered by the sea at high-tide and there +let them be bound. Thus Eyvind & the others came by their end. +Afterwards was that rock called Skrattasker.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it is told that while the King was on this visit at Ogvaldsnes +that there came thither one evening an old man; he was one-eyed and wore +a slouch hat, but very wise was he in his speech and of all lands could +he tell. ¤ This man managed to have speech of the King, & the King +found much entertainment in his conversation and questioned him closely +on many subjects, & the guest made ready answer to all that he asked +him, wherefore sat the King till late in the night conversing with him. +¤ The King asked if he wotted who Ogvald was, whom the ness & +homesteads were named after, & the guest answered that Ogvald was a +king and a great warrior who made sacrifice above all to a cow, and took +the cow with him whithersoever he went, for wholesome did he deem it to +drink ever of her milk. King Ogvald fought with that King who is hight +Varin, & fell in the combat. He was buried in a barrow not far from +the house, and a stone was set up which is still standing. In a place +not far from thence was the cow buried, likewise in a barrow. Such +things as this told he of kings; and other ancient tidings withal. Now +after they had sat thus till late in the night, the bishop reminded the +King that it was +<span class = "pagenum">78</span> +time for them to rest, & the King did according as the bishop had +said. But when the King was unclad and had laid him in his bed, the +guest sat himself on the step thereof, and again talked for long with +the King; and ever when he had told of one matter did the King long for +more. Then spake the bishop to the King saying that it was time for +sleep, and the King settled himself for sleep according as the bishop +had said & the guest gat him gone, but soon thereafter the King +awakened, and asked after his guest, & bade him be called unto him, +but nowhere was the guest to be found. On the morrow early the King +summoned his cook to him and he who had charge of the drink withal, and +asked them if any unknown man had come in to them; & they answered +that as they were making ready the food a man had come to them & +said that they were boiling but scurvy meat for the King’s table, & +therewith he gave them two mighty fat sides of neat & these they +boiled with the other flesh. Then commanded the King that all that food +should be destroyed, saying that this had not been any man but rather +Odin himself, whom heathen men had long believed on, but, said he, never +should Odin beguile them.<a name = "tag78_20" id = "tag78_20" href = +"#note78_20">[§]</a></p> + +<p>¶ Now when summer was come called King Olaf together a large host +from the east of the country and with it sailed he northward to +Throndhjem, going in first to Nidaros. Thereafter sent he round the +whole of the fjord bidding men assemble at a Thing, and there gathered +at Frosta a Thing of eight counties. ¤ Now the peasants, be it said, had +turned this Thing summons into a war-arrow,<a name = "tag78_27" id = +"tag78_27" href = "#note78_27">[§]</a> and to the assembly came men from +the whole of the district of Throndhjem, so that when the King arrived +at the Thing, thither likewise was come the peasant host fully armed. ¤ +The Thing being established, the King addressed the people and bade them +accept Christianity, but when he had been speaking but a little while +the peasants called out to him, & bade him be silent or otherwise, +said they, would they rise against him and drive him away. +<span class = "pagenum">79</span> +‘Thus did we,’ said they, ‘with Hakon Adalstein’s foster-son when he +commanded a thing of the kind, and hold we thee in no more respect than +held we him.’ ¤ Then did King Olaf seeing the ire of the peasants, and +moreover knowing full well that they had so large an host, change his +manner of address and made as if he were agreed with them and spake to +them thus: ‘It is my wish that we should be friends again, in such good +accord as we were aforetime. ¤ Thither will I go wheresoever ye hold +your greatest blood-offering, & witness your worship; then will we +all take counsel together as to what manner of worship we will have, and +be then all of one mind thereon.’ Now when the King spake thus mildly to +the peasants, grew they softened in temper, and all the converse went +peaceably and in seemly fashion, and at the end was it determined that +there should be a midsummer sacrifice at Maerin, and that thither all +the chiefs and wealthy peasants should go as the custom was, and that +thither likewise King Olaf was to go.</p> + +<p>¶ Now there was a certain wealthy yeoman whose name was Skeggi (Iron +Beard, called they him) who dwelt at Uphaug in Yriar, and he it was who +first spake up against the King at the Thing, and the cause thereof was +because he was the spokesman of the peasantry against Christianity. But +in the manner aforesaid was the Thing brought to an end, and the +peasants went to their homes, and the King across to Ladir.</p> + +<p>¶ At this time was King Olaf lying with his ships in the Nid (thirty +ships had he, and his folk were of great prowess) but the King himself +was ofttimes at Ladir, being kept company by his body-guard. ¤ Now when +the time appointed for the blood-offering at Maerin was drawing nigh +held King Olaf a mighty feast at Ladir; thither there came to it +chieftains and other wealthy peasants from Strind & from places up +in Gauldal, in accordance with the bidding of King Olaf. When all things +were ready and the guests come, there was held on +<span class = "pagenum">80</span> +the first evening a large banquet, and the cups thereat were often +charged & men became drunk; that night slept all men there in peace. +On the morrow early, after the King was clad, ordered he Mass to be +said, and when the Mass was ended his men sounded their horns for a +house-Thing, and the Thing being established rose the King to his feet +and spake, saying: ‘A Thing held we at Frosta, and thereat I bade the +peasantry let themselves be christened; but they in their turn bade me +attend a blood-offering with them, even as the foster-son to King Hakon +Adalstein had attended one. And there was accord betwixt us inasmuch as +it was determined that we should meet at Maerin & make a great +blood-offering. ¤ But if I am to turn to sacrificing with you, then will +I cause to be made the greatest sacrifice that can be, namely, the +sacrifice of men. Nor will I choose as gifts for the gods thralls and +evil-doers, but the noblest men, and by this token name I Orm Lygra of +Medalhus, Styrkar of Gimsar, Kar of Gryting, Asbiorn Thorbergson of +Varnes, Orm of Lyxa, and Haldor of Skerdingsted.’ Added to these named +he five other men who were of the noblest there; all these, said he, +should be sacrificed for peace and a good year, & he commanded that +they should be seized forthwith. ¤ Then the peasants seeing that they +were not numerous enough to withstand the King begged for grace and gave +the whole matter into his hands, whereupon it was agreed that all those +who were come thither should let themselves be baptized, & swear an +oath unto the King to hold fast the true Faith, and have naught further +to do with sacrificing. ¤ All these men kept the King at his feast until +they gave their sons or brothers or other near kin to be hostages.</p> + +<p>¶ Then fared King Olaf with all his men in to Throndhjem; and when he +was come to Maerin found he there assembled all the chiefs that were of +Throndhjem; those who were most zealous to withstand the Christian +faith. With them were all the wealthy yeomen who had hitherto upheld +blood-offerings +<span class = "pagenum">81</span> +in this place, a right goodly gathering of men, even as it had been +aforetime at the Frosta-Thing. ¤ The King having required that the Thing +should meet, both sides betook themselves to it, and they were fully +armed. Then when the Thing was established the King spake and offered +the men Christianity, & Iron-Beard answered on behalf of the +peasants and said that now even as before would they not suffer the King +to break their laws: ‘We desire, King, that thou makest sacrifice, even +as other kings in the land have done before thee.’ Greatly was this +speaking applauded by the peasants, & they shouted that everything +must be according unto the words of Skeggi. Then made the King answer +that he would go to the temple and witness their worship when they were +sacrificing, and at this were the peasants well pleased, and both sides +betook themselves thither accordingly.</p> + +<p>¶ Now with King Olaf when he entered into the temple were a certain +few of his men & a certain few of the peasants. When the King +was come unto the place of the gods where sat Thor, all adorned with +gold and silver, then did King Olaf lift up a gold-wrought pike which he +had in his hand and smote Thor so that he fell from off his altar, & +thereupon the King’s men ran up & cast down all the other gods from +their altars. While they were within the temple was Iron-Beard slain +before the entrance-door thereof, and this deed was done by the men of +the King. Then when the King came forth again to his folk, bade he the +peasants choose one of two conditions: and these twain conditions were +either that they should accept the Faith of Christ, or in default +thereof do battle with him. Now Iron-Beard having been slain was there +no man to raise the banner against the King, so then was that condition +accepted which meant going over unto the King & doing that which he +had commanded. ¤ Then caused King Olaf all the folk who were present to +be baptized, and from them took hostages that they would cleave to the +new faith that was given them. ¤ Thereafter +<span class = "pagenum">82</span> +sent the King his men round to all the different parts of Throndhjem, +and durst no man utter a word against the faith of Christ.</p> + +<p>¶ Then went King Olaf with his men to Nidaros, and on the banks of +the river Nid caused houses to be built, and appointed that on the spot +should arise a merchant-town. He gave men sites on which to build them +houses, & his own King’s-House built he above Scipa-Krok.<a name = +"tag82_8" id = "tag82_8" href = "#note82_8">§</a> ¤ In the autumn caused +he to be brought thither such goods as were necessary for a sojourn +there during the wintertide; and with him were a great company of +men.</p> + +<p>¶ After the death of Iron-Beard was his body borne out to Yriar; and +he lies in the Skeggi barrow at Austratt.<a name = "tag82_13" id = +"tag82_13" href = "#note82_13">§</a> ¤ King Olaf summoned a meeting of +the kith of Iron-Beard and forasmuch as his folk had slain this man +offered he to pay atonement for the deed, but there were many brave men +to make answer on behalf of Iron-Beard. ¤ Now Iron-Beard had a daughter +whose name was Gudrun, and in the end was it agreed betwixt those +concerned that the King should wed this Gudrun. When the marriage time +was come went they both of them into one bed, King Olaf and Gudrun, and +the first night as they were lying together no sooner had the King +fallen asleep than Gudrun drew forth a knife, and was about to thrust it +into the King, when he awoke and wresting the knife from her cried out +to his men to tell them what had befallen. Gudrun & all the men who +had accompanied her then took their apparel and gat them gone in haste; +& never afterwards did Gudrun lie in the same bed with King +Olaf.</p> + +<p>¶ That same autumn King Olaf caused a great long-ship to be built on +the sands at the mouth of the Nid; a cutter was she, and at work on +the building thereof were many smiths. ¤ At the beginning of winter she +was completed, and there were in her thirty holds, & the prow and +stern were lofty withal, yet was she not broad of beam. That ship called +he the ‘Crane.’</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">83</span> +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic83.png" width = "457" height = "476" +alt = "Olaf and his men in the temple of Thor"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Now when King Olaf had been two winters in Norway there came to +dwell with him a Saxon priest whose name was Thangbrand; violent was he +& murderous, but a goodly clerk withal and an active man. So +headstrong was he, howsoever, that the King would not keep him with him, +but sent him to Iceland to make that country Christian. ¤ Thangbrand was +given a merchant ship, & of his voyage it may be related that he +fared to Iceland, and reached the eastern fjords in southern Alptafjord, +& the winter thereafter abode with Hall at Sida. Thangbrand preached +Christianity in the islands and Hall +<span class = "pagenum">84</span> +and his folk and many other chiefs let themselves be baptized according +to his word; but there were many others who spake against the new faith. +Thorvald and Vetrlidi the skald made lampoons about Thangbrand, but he +slew them both. Thangbrand abode three winters in Iceland, and was the +slayer of three men or ever he departed thence.</p> + +<p>¶ A certain man was there named Sigurd & another who was called +Hawk; they were Halogalanders, and oft-times made voyages for the +conveyance of merchandise. ¤ One summer fared they to England. When they +were returned to Norway sailed they northward along the coast, & in +North More fell in with the fleet of King Olaf. ¤ Now when the King was +told that some heathen men, skippers, from Halogaland were there, +summoned he them to him & asked them if they would allow themselves +to be baptized, and thereto answered they nay. Thereafter did the King +talk to them after diverse fashions, but it availed nothing; then he +vowed that death or maiming should be their lot, but they obeyed him +none the more for that. Then did he cause them to be put in irons, and +kept them in durance for a while, and in fetters were they, and the King +talked often with them, but naught prevailed. ¤ Then one night made they +off, and no one knew anything about them, or in what manner they had +gotten away; but in the autumn were they arrived north, at Harek of +Tiotta’s, and right welcome were they made. ¤ There dwelt they +throughout the winter & were well entertained in all fairness & +hospitality.</p> + +<p>¶ One fair day in spring it befell that Harek was at home on his farm +and with him were but few men. Now the time hung heavy on his hands, and +Sigurd spake to him & asked if they should not row out a little way, +and so pass the time, and this liked Harek well. So betook they +themselves to the shore, and did hale down a six-oared boat, & +Sigurd from the boat-house fetched him a sail and the gear appertaining +to the boat, and moreover shipped he the rudder. Sigurd and his brother +were +<span class = "pagenum">85</span> +fully armed, as was their wont to be when they were at home with the +goodman, and the twain were strong men. ¤ Now or ever they gat them into +the boat did they throw into it some boxes of butter and a basket of +bread, and between them bare they a large cask of ale down to the craft. +This done did they all row from land, & having come away from the +island hoist the sail, & Harek did steer, & away bore they +speedily from the island. ¤ Then did the brothers go astern to where +Harek was sitting. Saith Sigurd to Harek the yeoman: ‘Choose thou now +betwixt several things: one of them is to let us brothers have the upper +hand on this cruise, & another is to let us bind thee, & the +third is that we can slay thee.’ Then Harek seeing in what a plight he +was, inasmuch as he could not measure strength with more than one of the +brothers even were he and they matched as to arms, chose what seemed to +him the best of a poor business which was to let them do as pleased the +twain. ¤ So swore he to them an oath and on that gave them a promise, +and after that Sigurd was possessed of the tiller and did steer south +along the coast on a fair breeze, and withal of a mighty care were the +brothers not to fall in with other craft. They paused not on their +cruise ere they came to Throndhjem and to Nidaros, and at that last +place found they King Olaf. Then did the King summon Harek to talk with +him, and thereupon offered him that he should embrace the good faith of +Christ, but Harek would have naught of it. On this matter spake for many +days the King and Harek, sometimes in the presence of many men, +sometimes alone; but never were they come of one mind. ¤ So at the last +said the King to Harek: ‘Home shalt thou go, and on these counts no harm +will I do thee at present: firstly seeing that there is kinship betwixt +us, and again lest thou mightest say that I had gotten thee by guile, +but know ye of a truth that I be minded to come north in the summertime, +& visit distress on ye Halogalanders, and then shall ye wot if I can +chastise those which accept not the +<span class = "pagenum">86</span> +faith which is of Christ.’ ¤ Right pleased was Harek that he could get +away from thence so speedily; to him gave King Olaf a good ship rowing +ten or twelve oars a side, and caused it to be well found with all +things needful & of the best; thirty men did he send forth with +Harek, stout fellows & all equipped of the best.</p> + +<p>¶ Thus Harek of Tiotta sped from the town with all the haste that +might be, whereas Hawk and Sigurd remained with the King, and the twain +were both baptized. ¤ Harek continued on his way until he was come home +to Tiotta, & from thence sent he word to his friend Eyvind +Rent-cheek that Harek of Tiotta had spoken with King Olaf, but had not +let himself be cowed into accepting the new God; & moreover Harek +caused Eyvind to be told that King Olaf was minded to bring an host +against them come summer-tide & that they must act warily, and Harek +bade Eyvind come to him as soon as ever might be. When this message was +brought to Eyvind, quoth he that it behoved them greatly to take such +steps as would prevent the King from getting the upper hand of them, and +he hied him away with all speed in a light skiff with but few men aboard +it. ¤ When he was arrived at Tiotta Harek bade him welcome, and +straightway went they, Harek and Eyvind, to talk together on the other +side of the house-yard, but hardly had they speech of one another than +they were fallen on by men of King Olaf, for so it was that these men +had followed Harek northward. Eyvind was taken captive and led to their +ship, and thereafter fared they away with him, and no pause did they +make in their voyage or ever they were come to Throndhjem to find King +Olaf in Nidaros. Eyvind was then haled before the King who offered him +baptism in like manner as he had offered other men baptism, but to this +Eyvind answered, ‘Nay.’ ¤ Then with fair words the King bade him be +baptized and gave him many good reasons therefor, & the Bishop spake +after the same fashion as the King, none the less +<span class = "pagenum">87</span> +would Eyvind in no wise suffer himself to be persuaded. Then did the +King offer him gifts, and the dues and rights of broad lands, but Eyvind +put all these away from him. Then did the King threaten him with torture +even unto death, but never did Eyvind weaken his resistance. Thereafter +caused the King to be brought in a bowl filled with glowing coals, and +had it +<span class = "pagenum">88</span> +set on the belly of Eyvind, and not long was it ere his belly burst +asunder. ¤ Then spake Eyvind: ‘Take away the bowl from off me for I +would fain speak some words before I die,’ and accordingly it was done. +¤ Then the King asked: ‘Wilt thou now, Eyvind, believe on Christ?’ ‘No,’ +answered he. ‘I am not such as can be baptized, I am a spirit +quickened in the human body by the magic of the Lapps for before that +had my father and mother never a child.’ Then died Eyvind who was the +most skilled of wizards.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic87.png" width = "352" height = "501" +alt = "Sigurd and Harek (?)"> +</p> + +<p>¶ In the spring which followed on these happenings did King Olaf +cause his ships and men to be made ready for war, taking for his own +ship the ‘Crane,’ and there was mustered a large and goodly host. ¤ All +things being now ready shaped he a course from out the fjord, and +bringing his fleet north past Byrda fared northward to Halogaland. +Wheresoever he landed, summoned he a Thing, & at it offered the +people baptism in the true Faith. Now against this had no man the +boldness to speak, therefore came it to pass that whithersoever he fared +were all that were of those lands baptized. King Olaf visited Tiotta and +was the guest of Harek, who was baptized at that hour together with all +the folk that were about him. ¤ When the King departed thence Harek +bestowed on him great gifts and became his man, and from the King +received the dignity of bailiff with the dues and rights appertaining +unto a lord of the land.</p> + +<p>¶ Raud the Strong was the name of a peasant who abode at Godey in +that fjord which is named Salpti (Salten). ¤ Raud was a man of much +wealth and at his beck were many house-carles; a powerful man was +he withal, for a large company of Lapps were ready to follow him to war +whensoever he needed them. ¤ Raud was zealous as a maker of +blood-offerings, and skilled also in witchcraft; even so was he +furthermore a warm friend to that man about whom it has been writ +before, to wit, Thorir Hart, & even like unto him was he also a +mighty +<span class = "pagenum">89</span> +chief. ¤ Now when it came to the ears of these men that Olaf was abroad +with an host northward even in Halogaland, they too their men mustered, +launching out ships, and assembling an host. To Raud appertained a great +dragon-ship with golden heads thereto, a ship of thirty benches, +and broad was she of beam for her length, and had likewise Thorir Hart +also a ship of good size. ¤ Southward sailed they their fleet purposing +to meet King Olaf, and when they were fallen in with him gave they +battle, and fierce was the fight thereof. Soon men began to fall +plenteously, but so much the more was this the case among the host of +the Halogalanders; their ships were cleared and thereupon came fear +& terror over them, & Raud rowed his dragon out to sea and +hoisted the sail thereof. A breeze had he wherever he was minded to +go, and this came of his powers of magic; but to cut short the tale of +the cruise of Raud is briefly to relate that home sailed he even unto +Godey. For land made Thorir Hart in all haste and his folk fled their +ships, but King Olaf pursued after them & put them to the sword. +Moreover then as ever when such doings were afoot was the King himself +foremost among his men. ¤ He saw whither Thorir ran (and Thorir was +exceeding fleet of foot) and thither went the King after him, followed +by his dog Vigi. And the King called out: ‘Vigi, catch the hart,’ and +Vigi sprang ahead after Thorir and straightway leapt up at him. ¤ Then +Thorir had perforce to stop and the King threw a javelin after him, but +Thorir struck the dog with his sword & wounded it sore, and at the +same moment the King’s javelin flew under Thorir’s hand and went through +him & out at the other side, and thus ended Thorir his life; but +Vigi was borne wounded to the ships. ¤ To all those who asked it and +were willing to accept baptism gave King Olaf quarter.</p> + +<p>¶ Thence sailed King Olaf with his host northward along the coast, +baptizing all folk <ins class = "correction" title = "inconsistent spelling in original">withersoever</ins> he went, & being come north +to Salpti was he minded to go up the fjord & seek Raud. +<span class = "pagenum">90</span> +Foul weather howsoever set in with a gale blowing fiercely down the +fjord, and though the King lay there nigh upon a week the same wind blew +ever the while from the land, though without the fjord was there a fresh +and favourable breeze for to sail north along the coast. ¤ Therefore it +came to pass that the King set sail and fared all the way northward to +Amd, and there the folk became Christians. ¤ After that went he about, +and when he was come south again to Salpti he found a gale blowing down +the fjord and driving spray into his countenance. ¤ There lay the King +even a few more nights, but the weather waxing no better inquired he +then of Bishop Sigurd whether or not he wotted of some remedy against +the fiendcraft.</p> + +<p>¶ So thereupon took Bishop Sigurd all the appurtenances that belonged +unto the Holy Mass, and walked he forward therewith even to the prow of +the King’s ship. There was a candle lit & was incense carried +forward & thereafter was ye Holy Rood set at the prow. ¤ The gospel +was read and also many prayers, and the Bishop sprinkled holy water over +the whole of the ship. Thereafter bade he the crew unship the tilts and +row up the fjord, and the King commanded that the other ships should row +after them. ¤ No sooner had the crew of the ‘Crane’ fallen to their +oars, & she the ship was set well up to the fjord, than felt they +that there was no more wind against them, & in her wake was free sea +and calm; but on both sides of her flew the spray & it drave so that +no man could perceive the mountains on either side of the fjord. So it +fared that one ship rowed after the other in the calm, and thus pursued +they one another the whole livelong day, & throughout the night +thereafter; and a little before dawn came they to Godey, and brought-to +off the house of Raud, and there found his great dragon lying off-shore. +¤ Forthwith went King Olaf to the house with his men and made for the +upper chamber wherein Raud was sleeping, and his folk burst open the +door and ran +<span class = "pagenum">91</span> +in. ¤ Then was Raud taken and bound, but of the other men who were +therein some were killed & others taken prisoners. Thereafter the +King’s men went to the room wherein slept the house-carles of Raud, and +some of them were then slain and some bound & some beaten. Then +caused the King Raud to be led before him & offered him baptism. +‘Take from thee thy possessions I then will not,’ quoth the King, ‘but +will the rather be thy friend, an thou wilt show thyself worthy of my +friendship.’ Against this did Raud loudly raise his voice, saying that +never would he believe on Christ, and blaspheming God. ¤ Then did the +King wax wroth, and swore that Raud should suffer the worst of deaths, +and the King commanded that he be taken and bound with his back to a +pole and that a bit of wood be placed betwixt his teeth so that his +mouth might be open, and caused an adder to be taken and set in his +mouth, but the adder would in no wise enter therein but writhed away +when Raud blew upon it. Then did the King cause the adder to be taken +& put in a hollow stick of angelica and set in the mouth of Raud +(albeit some say that the King let his horn be taken & put into the +mouth of Raud, and that the adder was placed in this and pushed down +with a red-hot rod of iron), and then the adder slid into the mouth of +Raud, and thereafter down his throat, and cut its way out through his +side. After this manner ended the life of Raud. Then did the King take +thence very great wealth in gold & silver and other chattels, +weapons, & divers kinds of valuable things. The King caused all the +fellows that had been with Raud to be baptized save those who, not +suffering this, were slain or tortured. Then King Olaf took the dragon +that had pertained unto Raud and himself was her steersman, and a much +larger and finer ship was she than the ‘Crane’: forward she was +fashioned with a dragon’s head and aft with a crook<a name = "tag91_33" +id = "tag91_33" href = "#note91_33">§</a> ending in like manner as the +tail of a dragon, & both the prow & the whole of the stern were +overlaid with gold. Now the King called this +<span class = "pagenum">92</span> +ship the ‘Serpent,’ for when the sail was hoisted aloft was it like unto +the wings of a dragon, and this was the fairest ship in all Norway. ¤ +The islands whereon Raud had lived were called Gilling and Haering, but +together were they styled Godey, & the Godey current (Godöström) +lies over to the north, betwixt them and the mainland. All that lived +around this fjord did King Olaf convert unto Christianity, and then went +he southward along the coast, and there happened much on that cruise +which is set forth in many legends about a giant and evil spirits which +attacked his men & sometimes himself, but rather will we write of +facts even such as the conversion of Norway & of those other lands +whither he bore Christianity. That same autumn did the King lead his +host to Throndhjem, bringing-to at Nidaros, and there making ready for a +winter sojourn.</p> + +<p>¶ And now will I next write what there is to tell of the men of +Iceland.</p> + +<p>¶ That same autumn there came to Nidaros from Iceland Kiartan, the +son of Olaf Hoskuldson and the grandson, on his mother’s side, of Eigil +Skallagrimson, who hath been called the likeliest man of those born in +Iceland. ¤ There was also Halldor the son of Gudmund of Modruvellir, and +Kolbein the son of Thord Frey’s-priest, the brother of Burning-Flosi, +and fourthly Sverting the son of Runolf the Priest. ¤ These were all +heathen, as were many others: some powerful, and others not so powerful. +¤ There came also from Iceland noble men who had accepted the true Faith +from Thangbrand, and one that was of these was Gizur the White, the son +of Teit Ketilbiarnson, whose mother was Alof, the daughter of Bodvar +Viking-Karason the ‘hersir.’ Bodvar’s brother was Sigurd the father of +Eirik Biodaskalli, the father of Astrid, who was the mother of King +Olaf. Another Icelander was named Hialti Skeggiason, and he had to wife +Vilborg the daughter of Gizur the White; Hialti was a Christian, and +King Olaf +<span class = "pagenum">93</span> +received with pleasure Gizur and his son-in-law Hialti, and with the +King did they abide. Those of the Icelanders, however, who were captains +of the ships and were heathens to boot, sought to sail away even so soon +as the King was come to town, for it was told them that the King +constrained all men to embrace the faith of Christ. It so befell +natheless that the wind was set against them, & drave them back off +Nidarholm. The captains of the ships were hight Thorarin Nefiolfson, +Hallfrod the Skald, the son of Ottar, Brand the Bountiful and Thorleik +Brandson. Now it being told to King Olaf that some of the Icelanders, +and they heathens, were hard by with their ships and were about to flee +the town, he sent to them and forbade them to sail, but commanded them +instead to come and lie off the town, and this they did but unloaded not +their ships.</p> + +<p>¶ Then came the holy season of Michaelmas,<a name = "tag93_16" id = +"tag93_16" href = "#note93_16">§</a> and the King caused the feast to be +well kept and a solemn Mass was said. Thereat were the Icelanders +witnesses and hearkened to the fair singing and the ringing of bells. ¤ +When they were come back to their ships each of them said what he had +thought of the Christian men’s ways & Kiartan praised them, but most +of the others mocked at them, & it befell that the King heard of +this, for as the saying goes, ‘many are the King’s ears.’ Then forthwith +that self-same day sent he an emissary to Kiartan, and bade him come +unto him, & Kiartan went unto him with but few men, and the King +bade him welcome. Now Kiartan was one of the biggest and fairest of men, +with a great gift of speech. When they had parleyed a while did the King +make proffer to Kiartan that he should embrace the true Faith, and +Kiartan made answer unto him that he would not say nay to this if he +might thus gain the friendship of the King, whereupon swore the King to +him & pledged him his hearty friendship, & after this fashion +was a compact struck between them. On the morrow was Kiartan baptized, +and with him Bolli +<span class = "pagenum">94</span> +Thorleikson his kinsman, and all their fellows. ¤ Kiartan and Bolli were +the guests of the King as long as they went in white weeds,<a name = +"tag94_3" id = "tag94_3" href = "#note94_3">§</a> and the King was of +kindly countenance toward them.</p> + +<p>¶ It befell one day that King Olaf was walking in the street when +some men came toward him, and he who was walking foremost greeted the +King. ¤ The King asked of the man his name, and the latter said he was +hight Hallfrod. ¤ Then said the King, ‘Art thou a skald?’ ‘I can make +verses,’ said he. Then the King answered: ‘Thou wilt accept baptism as I +trow and thereafter be my man?’ ¤ Quoth Hallfrod: ‘There must be a +bargain on that matter if I am to suffer myself to be baptized, to wit, +that thou, King, holdest me thyself at the font, for from no man else +will I take it.’ ‘So be it,’ said the King, & so Hallfrod was +baptized and the King held him himself at the font. Thereafter the King +asked Hallfrod: ‘Wilt thou be my man?’ & Hallfrod made answer: ‘I +was of Earl Hakon’s body-guard; and now will I not be the liege-man of +thee or of any other chief unless thou givest me thy word that such a +thing shall never befall as that thou shouldst drive me away from thee.’ +¤ ‘From all that is told me of thee, Hallfrod,’ said the King, ‘thou art +neither so wise nor so meek but that thou mightest not do a thing which +I could in no wise suffer.’ ¤ ‘Slay me then,’ said Hallfrod. The King +said, ‘Thou art a troublesome skald, but my man shalt thou be all the +same.’ Hallfrod answered: ‘What wilt thou give me, King, as a name-gift +if I am to be called “Troublous-Skald”?’ Then did the King give him a +sword, but it had no scabbard; and the King said, ‘Make now a stave +about the sword, & let “sword” be in every line.’ Hallfrod sang:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘One sword alone of all swords</p> +<p>Hath made me now sword-wealthy;</p> +<p>For the swinger of swords</p> +<p>Will there now be swords in plenty.</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">95</span> +No lack of swords will there be,</p> +—Worthy of three swords am I— +<p>Lord of the land were but</p> +<p>The sheath of that sword to be mine.’</p> +</div> + +<p>‘There is not sword in every line,’ quoth the King. Then answered +Hallfrod: ‘But there are three in one line.’ ‘So be it,’ said the King. +Then did the King give him the scabbard. Now from that which is told in +the lays of Hallfrod have we much knowledge & testimony concerning +King Olaf Tryggvason.</p> + +<p>¶ That same autumn came back Thangbrand the priest from Iceland to +King Olaf and related to him how that his journey had borne no fruit, +‘for,’ said he, ‘the Icelanders made lampoons about me and some wished +to slay me, and to my mind it cannot be expected that that country will +ever be made Christian.’ ¤ At these words King Olaf waxed so hasty and +wrathful that he summoned to him forthwith all the Icelanders in the +town, and commanded that self-same hour that they should all be slain; +but Kiartan and Gissur and Hialti and those that were of them who had +made profession of the faith of Christ entered into his presence & +said: ‘We trow, O King, that thou wilt not go from thy word, for +thou hast said that no man may make thee so wrathful but shall he have +thy forgiveness an he will be baptized and abjure heathendom. Now will +all the Icelanders who are here suffer themselves to be baptized, & +we can well devise a means whereby Christianity may gain an entrance +into Iceland. The sons of many mighty men of Iceland are here present, +& their fathers will, we trow, lend their aid in this matter. But +Thangbrand there, as here, ever went about masterful and manslaying, and +the people there would not endure it of him.’ Now the King lent an ear +to these speeches, and all the men of Iceland who were there were +baptized.</p> + +<p>¶ Of all men of Norway of whom record hath come down to us was King +Olaf in every wise the one most skilful in manly +<span class = "pagenum">96</span> +exercises; stronger was he & more active than any other man, and +many are the tales that have been written on this matter. One of these +recounts how that he climbed the Smalshorn, and made fast his shield on +the topmost peak; and another is of how he brought succour to one of his +own body-guard who had climbed aforehand up the mountain and was come +into such a plight that he could neither get up nor down, so that the +King helped him by going unto him & bearing him down under his arm +to the level land. King Olaf would walk from oar to oar, on the outer +side of the ship while his men were rowing the ‘Serpent’, and with such +ease could he play with three daggers that one was ever in the air and +always caught he it by the hilt; with either hand could he strike +equally well, and two javelins could he throw at one time. Of all men +was King Olaf the lightest-hearted & of a very merry disposition; +kindly was he withal & lowly-hearted; very eager in all enterprises, +great in his bounty, & the foremost among those who surrounded him. +Above all others was he brave in battle, but very grim when he was +angered, and on his foes laid he heavy penalties; some he with fire +burned, some maimed he & caused to be cast down from high rocks. For +these things was he beloved by his friends, but dreaded by his foes; his +furtherance was manifold for the reason that some did his will from love +and friendship, and others again from fear.</p> + +<p>¶ Leif, the son of Eirik the Red, he that was the first to settle in +Greenland, came even that summer over from that land unto Norway; and +King Olaf sought he and from him accepted Christianity, & abode even +with King Olaf the winter thereafter.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it came to pass that Gudrod, he that was the son of Eirik +Blood-axe and Gunnhild, had over in the lands to the west done +whatsoever he listed and broken the laws of God and of man ever since +that time when fled he from his own country before the face of Earl +Hakon. But in this summer, +<span class = "pagenum">97</span> +of the which somewhat has already been writ, even at the time when Olaf +Tryggvason had held sway for four winters over Norway, came Gudrod to +Norway with many ships of war, thither having sailed from England. When +he deemed himself to be nigh to Norway, turned he his course southward +along the coast where he bethought him that he might least chance to +fall in with King Olaf and thus sailed he to Vik. ¤ Hardly was he come +ashore than began he to plunder the people and bring them into +subjection under himself, and of them demanded that they should take him +as their King. And when the country-folk saw that a warlike host was +come upon them craved they ever for grace and peace, & said to the +King that they would send the summons for a Thing throughout the +district, and were willing to submit to him rather than suffer at the +hands of this his host, & it was agreed that there should be a truce +even for so long a space as sat the Thing. Then did the King demand of +them that they should provide provender for his men so long as they were +waiting for the meeting of the Thing; but the yeomen chose rather that +the King and his followers should be their guests for all the time he +might need to be so, & the King agreed even to this, that should he +travel that country through with some of the men that were with him and +they the guests of the yeomen, ever the while others kept guard over his +ships. But when the brothers-in-law of King Olaf, even the brothers +Hyrning & Thorgeir learned of these happenings furnished they folk +& gathered to themselves ships and sailed northward (west) in Vik, +and by night were come to the place where lodged King Gudrod, & +there fell they upon him and upon his men with fire and sword. So fell +King Gudrod and the greater number of his men; while of those that abode +on the ships were some slain but others escaped and fled far and wide. +And this Gudrod was the last of all the sons of Eirik and Gunnhild; all +were now dead.</p> + +<p>¶ The winter after that King Olaf was come from Halogaland, +<span class = "pagenum">98</span> +caused he to be built under the cliffs at Ladir a great ship: +a ship far mightier than any other ship of that land, and the +stocks whereon she was built are still to be seen. ¤ Of this ship was +Thorberg the master-smith, but with him were many others at work, some +felling trees, some shaping them, some hammering nails, & some +carrying timber. All the material was of the choicest, and the ship was +both long and broad, built with great beams, and the bulwarks thereof +were high. Now when the outer sheathing was being put on, some errand of +necessity carried Thorberg thence unto his homestead, and there he +tarried a great while. ¤ When he came back the ship was fully sheathed, +and the King went in the evening, and Thorberg with him, even to see how +all things had been done; and men said never before had been seen a +long-ship so big or so fine. ¤ Then went the King back even unto his +town, but early on the morrow came he once more to his ship and Thorberg +accompanied him, and they found that the smiths were gone forward, +standing there, all of them, without working. The King asked wherefore +were they doing nothing, & they made answer that the ship had been +spoiled; that a man must have gone from stem to stern hacking her with +an axe even the whole length of the gunwale. ¤ Then went the King and +witnessed with his own eyes the truth thereof, and straightway said he, +& sware thereon, that die should that man once the King wot +whosoever he was who from envy had spoiled the ship, ‘but he who can +tell me this thing shall have great reward.’ Then said Thorberg, ‘I can +tell thee, King, who it is that hath wrought this.’ ‘I cannot indeed +expect of another that he should so well as thee get to wot of this +matter & tell me thereof.’ ‘I will tell thee, King,’ quoth he, ‘who +hath done it: I did it.’ ¤ Then answered the King, ‘thou shalt make +it good, so that all shall be as well as it was before; and thy life +shall be on it.’ ¤ Thereafter went Thorberg to the ship and chopped the +gunwale in such wise that all the notches were +<span class = "pagenum">99</span> +pared away, and the King said then, and all the others likewise, that +now the ship was even so goodlier by far on that side on which Thorberg +had cut the notches. So then the King bade him fashion both sides alike, +& gave him land even for so doing, and thus was Thorberg +master-smith on the ship, even until she was finished. +A dragon-ship was she & wrought after the same fashion as the +‘Serpent’ which the King had brought with him from Halogaland; but was +the new ship much larger in all respects, built with the greater care, +& called he her the ‘Long Serpent,’ and the other the ‘Short +Serpent.’ On the ‘Long Serpent’ were there four-and-thirty benches of +oars. Dight were her head and the crook all over with gold, and the +bulwarks thereof were as high as on sea-faring ships. This was the ship +which was ye best equipped, and the cost thereof was the most money of +any ship that ever hath been built in Norway.</p> + +<p>¶ Now after the death of Earl Hakon, did Earl Eirik Hakonson and his +brothers, & many others of their kinsmen depart out of the country. +¤ Earl Eirik went east to Sweden, and he and his men were well received +by King Olaf, the King of the Swedes, who bestowed sanctuary on the Earl +and great grants withal, so that in the land could he well maintain +himself and his men. Of this speaketh Thord Kolbeinson:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Foeman of robbers! Swiftly can fate effect change</p> +<p>Brief space ere the treason of men did Hakon to death,</p> +<p>And to the land that erewhile in fight had that warrior conquered</p> +<p>Came now the son of Tryggvi when fared he from the west.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ From Norway passed many men over unto Earl Eirik, to wit, all those +that King Olaf had caused to flee the land; and as the outcome thereof +did Eirik think good to procure himself ships & to go plundering so +that he might get wealth for himself and for his men. First sailed Eirik +to Gotland, and lay off that island a long time in summer-tide & +waylaid he viking +<span class = "pagenum">100</span> +craft or merchant-ships even as they were sailing to land, and when he +listed went he ashore and harried far and wide in the parts bordering on +the sea. Thus in the Banda lay it is said:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘In spear-storms many was the Earl thereafter victor:</p> +<p>And did we not learn aforetime</p> +<p>That Eirik won the land?</p> +<p>In those days when the chiefs on Gotland’s shores went warring,</p> +<p>Doughty, and peace-making by their might.</p> +<p>More in his mind had Eirik against lord and King</p> +<p>Than spoken word revealed,</p> +<p>As from him might be looked for.</p> +<p>Wrathfully sought the Earl counsel of the Swedish King,</p> +<p>Stubborn were the men of Throndhjem,</p> +<p>Ne’er a one would flee.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Later sailed Earl Eirik southward to Wendland, and there chanced he +to fall in with some viking ships off Staur, and so joined he battle +with them; to him was the victory and there were the vikings slain. Thus +saith the Banda lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The steerer of the prow-steed</p> +<p>Let lie at Staur the heads of fallen warriors,</p> +<p>Thereafter joy of battle inflamed the Earl.</p> +<p>At the corses of the viking the ravens tore</p> +<p>After that dire meeting of swords</p> +<p>Nigh the sands of the shore.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Sailed thence Earl Eirik back to Sweden in the autumn and abode +there a second winter; but in the spring made he ready his host and +thereafter sailed eastward; & when he was come to the realm of King +Valdamar fell he to plundering & slaying folk, burning whithersoever +he went, and laying bare the land. Then coming to Aldeigiaborg<a name = +"tag100_31" id = "tag100_31" href = "#note100_31">§</a> laid he siege +unto it even until he had taken it, and then put he there many folk to +the sword and utterly destroyed the town, and thereafter spread he war +far and wide in Garda. Thus saith the Banda lay:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">101</span> +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The chieftain fared forth to devastate with fire,</p> +<p>Yea and with sword (so waxed the sword-storm),</p> +<p>The lands of Valdamar.</p> +<p>Aldeigia brok’st thou, lord, when east thou cam’st to Garda</p> +<p>Well wot we how grim was the fight twixt the hosts.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ For five summers together waged Earl Eirik this warfare, and when +he left the realm of Garda he went fighting over the whole of Adalsysla +& Eysysla;<a name = "tag101_8" id = "tag101_8" href = +"#note101_8">§</a> there took he four viking boats from Danish men and +slew all that were on the ships. It is thus spoken of in the Banda +lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘I heard where the swinger of the sword did battle</p> +<p>Once more in the isle-sound.</p> +<p>Eirik wins the land;</p> +<p>The bounteous lord four viking boats from Dane-folk took</p> +<p>Doughty and peacemaking.</p> +<p>There where warriors hied to town, hadst thou, war-hero! strife with +Goths.</p> +<p>Joy of battle filled the Earl thereafter.</p> +<p>The battle-shield he bore aloft to all the lands,</p> +<p>And gently fared he not, over the country he rules.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Then Eirik the Earl fared to Denmark when he had abode one winter +in Sweden, and coming unto the Danish King Svein Two-beard, wooed he his +daughter Gyda and this marriage was agreed upon. Accordingly Eirik took +Gyda to wife and one winter later a son was born to them whom they +called Hakon. ¤ Mainly abode Eirik the winters through in Denmark, but +whiles also in Sweden, but in the summers sailed he the seas over even +as became a viking.</p> + +<p>¶ Svein Two-beard, the Danish King, had Gunnhild, the daughter of the +Wendish King Burizlaf, to wife; and in the days whereof now is the +record writ happed it that Queen Gunnhild fell sick and died;<a name = +"tag101_32" id = "tag101_32" href = "#note101_32">§</a> and a while +thereafter wedded King Svein, Sigrid the Haughty, she that was daughter +to Skogul-Tosti and mother to Oscar the Swede. ¤ And from +<span class = "pagenum">102</span> +the marriage arose a friendship betwixt the brothers-in-law, and betwixt +them and Earl Eirik Hakonson.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic103.png" width = "466" height = "465" +alt = "Queen Tyri aboard the ship"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Now the Wendish King Burizlaf did make complaint to his son-in-law, +Earl Sigvaldi, because the pact had been broken which Sigvaldi had made +between King Burizlaf and King Svein: to wit, that King Burizlaf should +have Tyri Haraldsdottir, King Svein’s sister, to wife; for this marriage +had never come about, inasmuch as Tyri had said shortly ‘Nay’ to wedding +a heathen and an old man to boot. King Burizlaf now sent word unto the +Earl that he would demand the fulfilment of the pact, & bade the +Earl go to Denmark & bring Queen Tyri to him. ¤ Then did Earl +Sigvaldi hie him on his journey, and laid he the matter before the +Danish King; and by his fair words came he even so far that into his +hands gave King Svein his sister Tyri. With her went certain women to +bear her company & do her service, & her foster-father, whose +name was Ozur Agason, a wealthy man; & sundry other men withal. +It was agreed between the King & the Earl that Tyri should have the +estates in Wendland which had belonged to Queen Gunnhild, and that she +should be given other great lands in dowry. ¤ Tyri wept sorely and +departed very much against her will; but natheless when she and the Earl +were come to Wendland was she wedded, & so King Burizlaf had Queen +Tyri to wife. ¤ But ever so long as she was among heathens would she +take neither meat nor drink from them, and in this wise was it for a +sennight. Then right so one night fled away Queen Tyri and Ozur in the +darkness unto the forests; and of this their journey it is briefest to +recount that they attained Denmark, but there durst Tyri by no means +remain inasmuch as her brother King Svein would, an he knew where she +lay, have sent her back again to Wendland. ¤ So faring ever by stealth +went they to Norway, and Tyri made no stay until she was come to King +Olaf, who made her welcome, and gave them high entertainment. To the +King Tyri +<span class = "pagenum">103</span> +told of her troubles, and begged counsel of him and sanctuary in his +kingdom. Now Tyri had a smooth tongue in her head, and the King liked +her converse well; moreover he saw that she was passing fair, & it +entered into his mind that this would be a good marriage, and he turned +the talking thereunto and asked her whether she would not have him to +husband. But with her fortunes at the pass at which they now lay seemed +it a hard thing to her to judge; yet on the other hand plainly +<span class = "pagenum">104</span> +perceived she how good a marriage it would be to wed with so famous a +King, and therefore entreated she him that he should make decision on +the matter for her. Thereafter, when this thing had been duly discussed, +took King Olaf Queen Tyri in wedlock; and they were abed in the autumn +when King Olaf was come north from Halogaland. ¤ That winter abode King +Olaf and Queen Tyri in Nidaros. ¤ Now in the spring-time thereafter +oft-times did Tyri make plaint to King Olaf, and cried bitterly +thereover, because albeit had she such great possessions in Wendland yet +had she none in this country, and that she should have such deemed she +but seemly for a Queen; & thinking that by fair words would she get +her own prayed she him on this matter, and said that so great was the +friendship between King Burizlaf & Olaf that even so soon as they +should meet would the King give Olaf all he asked for. But when the +friends to King Olaf came to know after what fashion was the manner of +talking of Tyri with one consent gave they all counsel to him to refrain +from such a course. One day early in the spring, so it is said, as the +King was walking in the street came a man towards him from the +market-place bearing many sticks of angelica, which same were wondrous +big, seeing that it was early in the spring-tide. And the King took a +large stick of angelica in his hand & went home therewith to the +lodging of Queen Tyri. Now Tyri sat a-weeping in her hall even as the +King came in, but he said to her: ‘Here is a great stalk of angelica for +thee.’ Aside thrust Tyri it with her hand, and said: ‘Greater gifts gave +Harald Gormson to me, but lesser feared he than thou dost to leave his +land and seek his own, and the token thereof is that fared he hither to +Norway and laid waste the greater part of this land and took to himself +all taxes and dues; but durst thou not fare through the Danish realm for +fear of my brother King Svein.’ Then up sprang King Olaf at these words, +& called out loudly, and swore withal: ‘Never will I go in fear of +thy brother King +<span class = "pagenum">105</span> +Svein, and whensoever we meet shall he be the one to give way.’</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic105.png" width = "344" height = "421" +alt = "King Olaf and Queen Tyri"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Not long after these things summoned King Olaf a Thing in the town, +and made known to all the people that in the summer would he send an +host out of the country, and that it was his will to levy ships & +men from each county, & therewith +<span class = "pagenum">106</span> +did he make it known how many ships he should require from the fjord +there. ¤ Then sent he messengers inland both northwards and southwards, +and along the coast on the outside of the islands and inside them along +the land, and called men to arms. ¤ Thereafter did King Olaf launch the +‘Long Serpent’ & all his other ships great & small; and the +‘Long Serpent’ he himself steered, and when men were taken for a crew, +with so much care was choice made that on the ‘Long Serpent’ was there +no man older than sixty nor younger than twenty. All were chosen with +the utmost care for their strength and courage, & the first taken +were King Olaf’s body-guard, for composed it was of the stoutest & +boldest men both from home and abroad.</p> + +<p>¶ Wolf the Red was the name of the man who bore the banner of King +Olaf, and his place was in the prow of the ‘Serpent’; there likewise +were Kolbiorn the Marshal, Thorstein Ox-foot and Vikar of Tiundaland, +the brother of Arnliot Gellini. Of the forecastle in the prow were Vak +Raumason of the River, Bersi the Strong, On the Archer of Jamtaland, +Thrond the Stout from Thelemark and Othyrmi his brother; and the +Halogalanders Thrond Squint-eye, Ogmund Sande, Lodvir the Long, from +Saltvik, and Harek the Keen. ¤ From Inner Throndhjem were there Ketil +the Tall, Thorfin Eisli, and Havard and his brothers from Orkadal. Those +manning the forehold were Biorn of Studla, Thorgrim Tiodolfson of Hvin, +Asbiorn & Orm, Thord of Niardalang, Thorstein the White of +Oprostad<ins class = "correction" title = "text has period (full stop)">, </ins>Anor of More, Hallstein and Hawk from the Fjords, Eyvind +Snak, Bergthor Bestil, Hallkel of Fialir, Olaf the Boy, Arnfin of Sogn, +Sigurd Bild, Einar the Hordalander and Fin, Ketil the Rogalander, and +Griotgard the Quick. In the main-hold were Einar Tamberskelfir, deemed +by the others less able than they for then was he but eighteen winters +old, Hallstein Hlifarson, Thorolf, Ivar Smetta, and Orm Skoganef. ¤ Many +other men of valour were there on +<span class = "pagenum">107</span> +the ‘Serpent’ though we cannot name them; eight were there to a +half-berth, and chosen man by man. It was a common saying that the crew +of the ‘Serpent’ was for goodliness, strength, and boldness, as much +above other men as the ‘Serpent’ herself was above other ships. ¤ +Thorkel Nefia, own brother to the King, steered the ‘Short Serpent,’ and +Thorkel Dydril and Jostein, they that were uncles to him on the side of +his mother, commanded the ‘Crane’; right well manned were these twain +ships. Moreover had King Olaf eleven great ships from Throndhjem, ships +of twenty benches, two smaller ships and victuallers.</p> + +<p>¶ When King Olaf had completed the equipping of his fleet at Nidaros, +appointed he men throughout the whole of the district of Throndhjem to +be stewards collecting revenue, and annalists. He then sent to Iceland +Gizur the White & Hialti Skeggison to convert that country to +Christianity, and sent he with them that priest whose name is Thormod +and other consecrated men, but kept back with him as hostages the four +men of Iceland they that he deemed to be of greatest mark, to wit, +Kiartan Olafson, Halldor Gudmundson, Kolbein Thordson and Sverting +Runolfson; and it is said of the journey of Gizur & Hialti that they +were come unto Iceland or ever the meeting of the Althing & were +present at the Thing, and thereat was baptism legalized in Iceland and +that summer all folk were brought into the true fold.</p> + +<p>¶ The same spring likewise sent King Olaf Leif Eirikson to Greenland +to convert the people, and fared he thither that summer. On the main +found he the crew of a ship who were lying helpless on a wreck, and +thereafter he discovered Vineland the Good,<a name = "tag107_29" id = +"tag107_29" href = "#note107_29">§</a> yet came he the same summer to +Greenland; and with him had he a priest and teachers, and he took up his +abode at Brattalid with his father Eirik. Thereafter did men call him +Leif the Lucky; but Eirik, his father, said that the one thing was a +set-off to the other: on the one hand was the +<span class = "pagenum">108</span> +saving of the ship’s crew by Leif & on the other the bringing to +Greenland of that ‘juggler,’ to wit, the priest.</p> + +<p>¶ Then took King Olaf his host southward following the coast, and +many of his friends flocked to him, mighty men, who were bravely +furnished for an expedition with the King. The first man of these was +own brother-in-law to himself, Erling Skialgson with his large ‘skeid’<a +name = "tag108_7" id = "tag108_7" href = "#note108_7">§</a> wherein were +thirty benches, and right well manned was she withal. There came also to +him his brothers-in-law Hyrning and Thorgeir, each steering a large +ship. Many other mighty men accompanied him, so that when he left the +country had he thirty long-ships. King Olaf sailed south through +Eyrasund, off the coasts of Denmark, and in due course came he to +Wendland. ¤ There appointed he a tryst with King Burizlaf, and the Kings +met and spake together of the possessions claimed of King Olaf, and all +the talk between them went in kindly wise and the claims whereof King +Olaf deemed himself to have rights there were fully ordered. ¤ Abode he +there a long while during the summer, and saw many of his friends.</p> + +<p>¶ As hath been related ere this, King Svein Two-beard had wedded +Sigrid the Haughty, & Sigrid was King Olaf’s greatest foe, the +reason therefor being how King Olaf had broken his troth with her, as +has been afore set in fair script, and how he had smote her on the face. +¤ Sigrid incited King Svein to do battle with King Olaf Tryggvason, +saying pretext enough was it that he had wedded the own sister to Svein, +she Tyri, without his leave: ‘And never would thy forefathers have +suffered such a thing.’ Such words as these had Queen Sigrid ever on her +lips, and so far went she with her persuasions that King Svein was full +willing to do battle with Olaf. So early in spring-tide sent King Svein +men east to Sweden, to Olaf the Swedish King, he that was his step-son, +& to Earl Eirik, to tell them that Olaf King of Norway had his fleet +abroad, and thought of faring to Wendland come summer; another +<span class = "pagenum">109</span> +message took they likewise, namely that the Swedish King and the Earl +should call out their hosts and go to meet King Svein, and that then +altogether they should get their battle over against King Olaf. Now the +King of Sweden and Eirik the Earl were ready and eager for this venture, +so mustered they a large fleet in Sweden, and with the ships thereof +went south to Denmark and came thither at the time when King Olaf had +already sailed east. Of this speaketh Halldor in the song he made about +Earl Eirik:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Crusher of Kings who battles loved,</p> +<p>From out of Sweden called,</p> +<p>To southern battle fared he forth,</p> +<p>Even with great hosts of men,</p> +<p>The wound-bird on the sea gat food while waiting,</p> +<p>Each and every warrior was fain to follow Eirik.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ So the King of the Swedes and Earl Eirik shaped a course to meet +the Danish King, and when all the fleets were come together was there a +host greater than one man could number.</p> + +<p>¶ When King Svein sent for that fleet, sent he moreover Earl Sigvaldi +to Wendland to spy on the expedition of King Olaf, and to lay such a +lure that King Svein and the others might assuredly fall in with King +Olaf. ¤ So Earl Sigvaldi set forth and went to Wendland and Jomsborg, +and met King Olaf Tryggvason. Now had they much friendly conversation +one with the other, and the Earl came greatly to love the King, mainly +on account of their former kinship, for Astrid, she that was wife unto +the Earl, even the daughter of King Burizlaf, was very friendly with +King Olaf, for the reason that the latter had had her sister Geira to +wife. ¤ Now Sigvaldi was a wise man, & one ready at expedients, +& when he and King Olaf took counsel together, found he many and +divers pretexts for delaying the journey of the King to the westward; +but the men of King Olaf murmured thereat and were loudly displeased, +and longed much to get them hence home, for, said +<span class = "pagenum">110</span> +they, ‘clear are we to sail & fair is the wind.’ Learned Sigvaldi +now privily from Denmark that the King of the Danes and the King of the +Swedes & Eirik the Earl were met together, and were even about to +set sail to the eastward off the coast of Wendland; likewise that it had +been convened betwixt them that they in wait for King Olaf should lie +off that isle which is called Svold;<a name = "tag110_7" id = "tag110_7" +href = "#note110_7">§</a> & that moreover he, the Earl, was after +some fashion to contrive that King Olaf be found of them.</p> + +<p>¶ And now went about a rumour in Wendland that Svein, the King of the +Danes, also had an host abroad, & soon tongues wagged to the tune +that well would it like Svein, the King of the Danes, to meet with King +Olaf; but said Earl Sigvaldi unto the King: ‘No plan is it of King Svein +to attack thee with the Danish host alone, seeing how great an host of +thine own thou hast; but if ye suspect that war may be at hand then will +I and my men go with thee, and aforetime was it deemed good help when +the Jomsborg vikings bore a chief company: I will go with thee even +with eleven ships well-found.’ ¤ To this did the King answer yea, and +because at that time was there blowing a gentle breeze but favourable, +commanded he that the fleet should get under way, & that the horns +be blown for their departing. Then the men hoisted sail; and the small +ships were those that made the better way, & out to sea sailed they. +Now kept the Earl close by the King’s ship, shouting to those on board, +and bidding the King follow him: ‘Well wot I,’ he said, ‘which +sounds are deepest betwixt the isles, & this be fraught with care +seeing how big are thy ships.’ So sailed the Earl first with his ships, +eleven ships had he, & sailed the King after him with his large +ships, eleven likewise had he, but sailed all the rest of the fleet +ahead and out to sea. Now it came to pass as Earl Sigvaldi was making +Vold came rowing off a skiff, and those therein told unto the Earl how +that the fleet of the King of the Danes lay in the haven even right over +ahead of their way. ¤ So the Earl ordered sails to be lowered, +<span class = "pagenum">111</span> +and rowed they in under that island. Thus saith Halldor the +Unchristened:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘With ships one more than seventy</p> +<p>Came the lord of Eynafylki from the south;</p> +<p>His sword he dyed in warfare</p> +<p>When the Earl the ships of Skani called out to battle.</p> +<p>Quickly then the peace was broken ‘twixt the men.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now it will be marked that, according unto the bard, were the ships +of King Olaf & Earl Sigvaldi seventy-one in number what time sailed +they from the south.</p> + +<p>¶ Now lying there were Svein, the King of the Danes, Olaf the King of +the Swedes, and Earl Eirik, with all the might of their fleet, and fair +weather was with them with bright sunshine. Went up to the islet all the +chieftains with a large company of men, and spied they thence that a +many ships were sailing together out at sea. ¤ And they beheld a large +ship and brave sailing, and said both the Kings: ‘There goes a great +ship, passing fair, none other can this be save only the “Long +Serpent.”’ ¤ Then made Earl Eirik answer, saying: ‘That is not the “Long +Serpent.”’ ¤ And it was as he opined, for this ship belonged to Eindrid +of Gimsar. A while later saw they yet another ship sailing, much +greater than the first, and then spake King Svein: ‘Afeard is Olaf +Tryggvason, for he dareth not sail with the head upon his ship.’ Then +said Earl Eirik: ‘That is not the King’s ship; that ship and the sail +thereof know I, for the sail is a striped one; Erling Skialgson it +is who hath command thereof. ¤ Let them sail on! Better is it for us +that this ship should be lacking from Olaf’s fleet, so well appointed is +it.’ A while later saw they and recognized the ships of Sigvaldi +the Earl, and one of them also was great. ¤ Then spake King Svein and +bade them go to their ships; for, said he, there sails the ‘Long +Serpent’; but Earl Eirik called out, ‘Many more ships and fine ones have +they besides the ‘Long Serpent,’ let us bide a while.’ ¤ Then many of +the men fell to +<span class = "pagenum">112</span> +talking, & they said: ‘Eirik the Earl will not fight to avenge his +father. Shame, shame is it, & throughout all the land will it be +heard, if we lie here with so great a fleet & let King Olaf sail out +to sea on our very flank.’ But after they had been talking thus a while +saw they that four more ships came sailing by, and one of these was a +dragon, large indeed, and bedecked with gold. Then rose up King Svein +and said: ‘High shall the “Serpent” carry me this eve; and I will steer +her.’ Many of the men called out that the ‘Serpent’ was a mighty great +ship and beautiful to look upon, and a glorious work had it been to +build such a craft. ¤ Then Earl Eirik said so loud that sundry heard +him: ‘E’en had King Olaf no larger ship than this, King Svein would with +the Danish host alone never wrest it from him.’ Then went the men to +their ships and took the tilts from off them; whilst the chiefs were +talking among themselves of that which is writ above saw they sailing +along three very large ships, and a fourth ship last of all, and that +was the ‘Long Serpent.’ Now of those large ships which had sailed past +before, and had been deemed by the men to be the ‘Long Serpent,’ the +first was the ‘Crane’ and the last the ‘Short Serpent.’ But when they +beheld the ‘Long Serpent,’ and none gainsaid this, then wotted all that +now indeed was Olaf Tryggvason sailing by. Then went they to their +ships, and made ready to row to the onset. Now a compact had been struck +between the chiefs, King Svein, King Olaf, and Earl Eirik, that to each +one of them should be given a third part of Norway if it befell that +King Olaf was slain; moreover he who first boarded the ‘Long Serpent’ +was for his own to have all the booty taken therefrom, and each of them +was to have what ships he himself cleared. ¤ Earl Eirik had a very large +long-ship which he was wont to use on his viking cruises; a beard +was there on the higher part of both prow and stern, and thick plates of +iron going from thence all the breadth of the beard right down to the +water-line.</p> + +<p><span class = "pagenum">113</span> +¶ Now when Earl Sigvaldi & his men headed in towards the islet, +observed closely Thorkel Dydril of the ‘Crane’ and the captains of the +other ships sailing with him, what he was doing, and they too lowered +sail, and rowing after him, called out to him to know why thus he was +faring. ¤ The Earl answered that he was going to bide the coming of King +Olaf, for most like did it seem that war was at hand. ¤ So then they +likewise let their ships lie-to until such time as Thorkel Leira with +the ‘Short Serpent’ was come up and with him too the three other ships +which were following him, and the same tidings were told unto them; then +they also lowered sail, laid-to and bided the coming of King Olaf. ¤ But +when the King sailed out towards the isle, then rowed out into the sound +the whole of the hostile fleet even for to meet him; and his men +witnessing this same prayed the King sail his way, and not engage in +battle with so large an host. ¤ But King Olaf stood up on the poop, and +shouted with a loud voice: ‘Let no men of mine lower sail or think of +fleeing; never have I fled in battle. May God look to my life, for never +will I turn to flight.’ And it was done even as the King said. Thus +saith Hallfrod:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Fain would I name those words,</p> +<p>Which Olaf’s warriors tell us</p> +<p>The lord deed-mighty spake there,</p> +<p>To his men before the battle.</p> +<p>The warlike King forbade</p> +<p>His champions to think of flight,</p> +<p>And how they live, the words the loved one of the people spoke.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ So were sounded the horns for the assembling of the ships; and the +King’s ship was in the midst of the fleet, with the ‘Short Serpent’ on +one side and the ‘Crane’ on the other. Now when they were about to lash +together the prow of the ‘Long Serpent’ and stern of the ‘Short +Serpent,’ the King observed what was being done, and he cried out +bidding them lay the +<span class = "pagenum">114</span> +big ship more forward, & not let her be astern of all the ships in +the fleet. Thereon answered Ulf the Red: ‘If we are to lay the “Serpent” +as much longer ahead as she is longer than other ships hard will the +day’s work be behind the gunwales.’ Said the King: ‘I knew not that I +had a forecastle man who was both red and afraid,’ Ulf made answer back, +‘Turn not thou thy back there on the poop <!--snicker--> more than I +turn mine when I guard the prow.’ ¤ Now the King had a bow in his hand, +and placing an arrow on the string thereof he turned him towards Ulf; +then cried Ulf, ‘Shoot another way, King, thither where it is needed +more greatly; what I do, I do for thee.’</p> + +<p>¶ King Olaf towered high on the poop of the ‘Serpent,’ and easy was +it to know him from other men. ¤ A golden shield had he, and a +gold-wrought helmet, & a short red kirtle over his shirt of +mail. ¤ Now when King Olaf saw that the fleets were dividing and banners +were being set up before the chiefs, asked he: ‘Who is the captain of +that host which is right over against us?’ It was told him that it was +King Svein Two-beard with the host of the Danes. Then answered he: +‘Afraid are we not of those blenchers, no heart is there in the Danes. +But what chief is behind those banners yonder on our right?’ It was told +him that there was King Olaf, with the Swedish host. ‘Better were it for +the Swedes to stay at home and lick the blood from their bowls than to +board the “Serpent” under thy weapons.’ ‘But whose are the ships lying +out yonder on the larboard of the Danes?’ ‘They pertain,’ came the +answer, ‘to Eirik Hakonson.’ Then answered King Olaf, ‘Good reason, +methinketh, hath he to meet us, and from that fleet may we await the +fiercest of fights, seeing that they too are of Norway even as we +ourselves.’</p> + +<p>¶ Thereafter separated the Kings one from another for the onset. King +Svein laid his ship against the ‘Long Serpent’; and King Olaf the Swede +lay-to farther out & grappled from the prow the outermost ship of +King Olaf Tryggvason; and +<span class = "pagenum">115</span> +over against the other side lay Earl Eirik. And even so there ensued a +dire and strenuous conflict. Albeit did Sigvaldi, the Earl, let his +ships fall astern and took he no part in the battle. Thus saith Skuli +Thorsteinnson, he that himself was with Earl Eirik that day:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The Frisian wolf I followed</p> +<p>(And in my youth gat honour)</p> +<p>With Sigvaldi, there where the spears whistled</p> +<p>(Now wax I old);</p> +<p>When bloody swords we bore</p> +<p>There off the mouth of the Svold</p> +<p>In the south, in the battle-storm,</p> +<p>And met the hero of wars.’</p> +</div> + +<p>And Hallfrod too saith of these tidings:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Methinks full much was missed</p> +<p>(Many to flight did turn them),</p> +<p>That chief who spurred the fight</p> +<p>Was among the men of Throndhjem.</p> +<p>The valiant King alone</p> +<p>’Gainst the two Kings did fight,</p> +<p>(Glorious to tell it now)</p> +<p>And for a third too the Earl.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ The battle to them all waxed very fierce & bloody; the +forecastle men of the ‘Long Serpent’ & the ‘Short Serpent’ and the +‘Crane’ threw anchors and grapplers on to the ships of King Svein, and +thus could they attack them from above so that they cleared every ship +unto which they could cling and thereto hold fast. King Svein and those +of his company who could escape made what way they could to other of his +ships and thereon drew thence out of bow-shot, and so it came to pass +that it fared with this fleet even as King Olaf Tryggvason had foretold. +¤ Then Olaf, he that was King of the Swedes, brought his ships up into +the self-same places left by those of Svein, but natheless hardly was he +come nigh to the big +<span class = "pagenum">116</span> +ships than it went with him the same as with the others; even so that +lost he many men and some of his ships, and thereafter he too drew back. +But Earl Eirik laid his bearded ship alongside the outermost ship of +King Olaf & with fierceness cleared it, and straightway cut it +adrift from its lashings; then went he alongside the one that was next, +and with it fought until that too was cleared. Then fell the crews to +escaping from the lesser ships on to those that were larger; but cut the +Earl every ship from its lashings even as soon as it was cleared, & +thereon came up once more from all sides Danes and Swedes into the +battle over against the ships of King Olaf. Eirik the Earl lay ever +alongside one or other ship fighting thus in hand to hand fight, and as +the men fell on his ship, Danes and Swedes, other true men took their +place. Thus saith Halldor:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Of sharp swords the brunt</p> +<p>O’er the “Long Serpent” went;</p> +<p>There golden spears did clash</p> +<p>And the men fought long,</p> +<p>In battle of foemen</p> +<p>Went forth to the south</p> +<p>Men of Sweden against him,</p> +<p>And Danish swordsmen doughty.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Then waxed the battle very fierce, and men fell thick and fast, and +so at the end befell it that all the ships that pertained unto King Olaf +were cleared save and except the ‘Long Serpent,’ & by that time all +those of his folk who were still able to bear arms were come aboard of +her. ¤ Then did Earl Eirik bring his bearded ship alongside the +‘Serpent’ and thereon ensued a fight with man at sword’s length from +man. ¤ Thus saith Halldor:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Into so hard a trap fell now the “Long Serpent”</p> +<p>(The shields were cut asunder, together clashed the swords),</p> +<p>And when the axe-bearer laid his bearded ship high bulwarked beside +the “Serpent,”</p> +<p>The Earl did victory win at Holm.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">117</span> +<p>¶ Earl Eirik took his stand in the forehold of his ship encompassed +by a wall of shields, & his men fought both with trenchant arms, and +by the thrusting of spears, and by the throwing of everything that could +be used as a weapon, though some shot with the bow or threw javelins +with the hand. From all sides had the war-ships been brought up around +the ‘Serpent,’ and so great was the shower of weapons which fell on her, +and so thickly flew the arrows and javelins from all sides, that men +could but hardly ward off the missiles with their shields. The men that +were with King Olaf had ere now waxed so furious that they had climbed +up on to the bulwarks to the end that they might reach their foemen with +their swords and slay them; but many of their foes would not come so +nigh alongside the ‘Serpent’ that they could be beguiled into close +combat, whereas a many of the folk of Olaf being unmindful that they +were not fighting on a level field themselves fell overboard and so sank +down together with their weapons. Thus saith Hallfrod:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘From the “Serpent” sank they down, wounded in the fight;</p> +<p>Give way or flee they would not, resisting to the last.</p> +<p>Though glorious the King may be who steers the “Serpent”</p> +<p>Such men as these will long be lacking where’er she strideth.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ It happened that in the narrow-hold of the “Serpent,” shooting with +his bow and arrow more fiercely than any other man that was on the ship, +stood Einar Tambarskelfir. Now it was against Earl Eirik that Einar had +his direct venture, and struck he the top of the tiller-head, over above +the head of the Earl, sending in his arrow with such force that it +penetrated to the very binding of the shaft. ¤ The Earl looked at it, +and asked if it was known who was shooting thus; then on the instant +Einar shot another arrow which went so nigh unto the Earl that it passed +betwixt his side and his arm, and so far through the staying-board that +the barb stood out on the other side thereof. ¤ Then spake the Earl to +that man whose name +<span class = "pagenum">118</span> +some say was Fin, but as others have it was of Finnish<a name = +"tag118_1" id = "tag118_1" href = "#note118_1">§</a> kith and kin. ¤ +Exceeding apt was he as an archer, so spake Eirik unto him saying: +‘Shoot thou yonder big man in the narrow-hold,’ & even as he said +the words did the arrow of Fin strike the bow of Einar just as he was +drawing it for the third time. Then was the bow broken in twain, & +Olaf said, ‘What brake there so loudly?’ & Einar made answer: +‘Norway from thy hand, O King.’ ‘So great a breaking asunder hath +not happened yet, I trow,’ quoth the King; ‘take my bow and shoot +therewith,’ and saying so threw he him his own bow, and Einar taking it +strained it even beyond the arrow-head. ‘Too weak,’ said he, ‘too weak +is the prince’s bow,’ and throwing it back again to the King took he his +shield and sword, and fell to hand-fighting.</p> + +<p>¶ King Olaf being himself on the poop of the ‘Serpent,’ full oft that +day shot with his bow, but upon occasion made he use of javelins, and +ever threw two at once. Then as time wore on saw he, as his glance sped +along the ship, that albeit his men swung ever their swords and smote +full fast, yet nevertheless their swords were cutting but ill, and he +cried out loudly to them: ‘Are ye wielding your swords carelessly since, +as I see, they do not cut?’ One of the men made answer: ‘Our swords are +blunt and very much notched.’ Then went the King down into the +fore-hold, and setting up the lid of the high-seat took from out of the +chest beneath many sharp swords and gave them out to his men, and when +he thrust down his right arm into the chest it was seen that blood was +running from under his mail-shirt, and no man at that hour wot in what +part he had been wounded.</p> + +<p>¶ Even the stoutest defence on the ‘Long Serpent,’ and that the most +deadly, was put up by those stout men that were in the fore-hold and in +the prow and stern, for truly were they picked men, and the bulwarks in +those places were higher than in other parts of the ship. Even so soon +as ever the men +<span class = "pagenum">119</span> +amidships began to fall, and only a few of those about the mast were +left standing on their feet, made Eirik an attempt to board the +‘Serpent,’ and up came he on to her, himself the fifteenth man. ¤ Then +was it that Hyrning, he that was own brother-in-law of Olaf, set over +against Eirik with a band of followers and the mightiest fight of all +waged they then, and the end thereof was of such a fashion that had the +Earl himself to draw back even unto his own ship; and of the men that +adventured with him on to the ‘Serpent’ were some wounded and most +others slain.</p> + +<p>¶ And thereafter was there yet again a hard struggle, & many men +fell on board the ‘Serpent’; & as the crew who held the defence of +her began to thin tried Earl Eirik to board her for the second time, but +again met he with valiant opposition. When the <ins class = "correction" +title = "anomalous hyphen in original">fore-castle</ins> men on the +‘Serpent’ saw this went they aft and safeguarded the ship over against +the Earl, & made a stubborn defence. But so many were the men who +were fallen on the ‘Serpent’ that were the bulwarks perforce in many +places empty, and the men of the Earl now came aboard her on every side; +then were those men who were still standing to arms and having the +guardianship of the ship forced to fall back aft, even unto the place +where the King was standing. Thus saith Halldor the Unchristened, +telling how Earl Eirik cheered on his men:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Astern across the thwarts shrank the men of Olaf</p> +<p>Valiant the lord cheers on his hot-headed followers,</p> +<p>When the warriors had closed all issue to the doughty King</p> +<p>The clash of weapons turned towards the Wend-slayer.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now it came to pass that Kolbiorn the Marshal went up on to the +poop even to the King, and greatly did they resemble one another in +apparel and weapons; and Kolbiorn was also a right big and comely man. ¤ +Yet once again ensued there a fight full fierce in the fore-hold, but +because that there were now come up on to the ‘Serpent’ even as many men +of the +<span class = "pagenum">120</span> +Earl as the ship would hold, and seeing that his ships were lying on all +sides around the ‘Serpent,’ & moreover few folk left on her for +defence against so strong a host, fell the main of the men of Olaf very +shortly thereafter, albeit were they men both strong and stout of heart. +Then did King Olaf himself, and Kolbiorn, leap <ins class = "correction" +title = "anomalous hyphen in original">over-board</ins> each on his own +side. Now the men of the Earl had put out small boats & were busy +slaying those that took to the sea, and when the King leapt overboard +would they have taken him captive and brought him before Earl Eirik, had +not King Olaf held up his shield above him and dived headlong into the +deep. Kolbiorn, on the other part, thrust his shield under him and thus +protected himself against the javelins which were being thrown up from +the boats beneath, but he fell into the sea in such wise that his shield +was beneath him & therefore could he in no wise dive so swiftly, +& so was he taken & haled up into a boat. Then the foe deeming +him to be the King brought him before the Earl, but when the Earl +discovered that it was not King Olaf but Kolbiorn, gave he the latter +quarter. At this moment did all they of the King’s folk who were still +alive leap overboard from the ‘Serpent’; and Hallfrod saith that Thorkel +Nefia, he that was brother to the King, leapt last of all overboard:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Stroke-doughty Thorkel saw the “Crane,”</p> +<p>Yea, and the “Serpents” twain floating deserted;</p> +<p>Boldly had he fought e’er the wearer of the arm-rings,</p> +<p>Stout-hearted in combat, into the sea plunged,</p> +<p>And by swimming saved his life.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now hath it been afore fair written that Earl Sigvaldi joined +forces with King Olaf in Wendland; ten ships had the Earl and withal an +eleventh whereon Astrid, she that was daughter to the King and wife to +Sigvaldi, had her men. ¤ When King Olaf leapt overboard all the hosts +shouted cries of victory, and then did the Earl and his men unship their +oars & row to the fight. Of this speaketh Halldor the +Unchristened:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">121</span> +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘From far and near the Wendmen’s craft</p> +<p>To battle hastened;</p> +<p>The lean sword-clashers</p> +<p>Clanged with iron mouths;</p> +<p>Din of swords at sea was there</p> +<p>(Wolves’ fare the eagle tore),</p> +<p>The lads’ dear leader strove</p> +<p>Ere many from him fled.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now rowed away the Wendland cutter, whereon were Astrid’s men, back +to Wendland, and straightway did many men say that King Olaf must have +drawn off his shirt of mail in the water, dived down away from the +long-ship, and thereafter swum even to the Wendland cutter and so been +brought to shore by the folk of Astrid. ¤ And many are the tales which +have been told by certain men of the journeyings of King Olaf; +nevertheless in this wise speaketh Hallfrod:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘I wot not whether he who stilled the raven’s hunger</p> +<p>Should of me be praised as of the living or the dead,</p> +<p>Since of a truth his men tell either tale</p> +<p>(Bootless of himself to question) though wounded was he surely.’</p> +</div> + +<p>But howsoever this may have been, never more returned King Olaf +Tryggvason to his realm of Norway; yet in this wise speaketh Hallfrod +the Troublous-skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘He who the tidings told that the lord was living</p> +<p>Had long for Tryggvi’s trusted son a fighter been.</p> +<p>’Tis said the King from out the steel-storm came;</p> +<p>Alas, ‘tis worse than this, methinks, for of truth all facts are +lacking.’</p> +</div> + +<p>And this again:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘When the land-host with men in numbers towards the Holder’s</p> +<p>War-wont King did fare, it scarce could be (so heard I)</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">122</span> +That the King belovéd could with life escape</p> +<p>(Folk seemed not truth to tell) from out the battle.</p> +<p>Some men e’en tell this skald that wounded is the King,</p> +<p>Though from the spear-storm saved and eastwards gone.</p> +<p>But tidings from the south now tell the slaying of the King</p> +<p>In the great fight (endure no more can I the wavering talk of +men).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ With the victory that he encompassed did Earl Eirik Hakonson gain +even the ‘Long Serpent’ and much booty, and steered he the ‘Serpent’ far +out of the battle. Thus said Halldor:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Thither the “Serpent” had borne him,</p> +<p>The helmeted chieftain, to the great sword-play,</p> +<p>(Then were the ships dight).</p> +<p>But south, in the din of the battle, gladly the Earl took the +“Serpent”</p> +<p>(Heming’s high-born brother in blood did dye the swords).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now Svein the son of Earl Hakon even at this time was betrothed to +Holmfrid the daughter of Olaf King of Sweden. When Olaf the Swedish +King, Svein the Danish King and Earl Eirik divided the realm of Norway +between them, then had Olaf the Swedish King four counties, to wit, +Throndhjem, the two Mores & Raumsdal; and eastward to him pertained +Raumariki from the Gaut (Göta) river to Svinasund. ¤ This dominion did +King Olaf make over to Earl Svein on the self-same conditions as the +tribute paying kings or earls had held their lands aforetime from +superior kings. Earl Eirik gat five counties in Throndhjem, also +Halogaland and Naumdalen, the Fjords & Fialir, Sogn and Hardaland +& Rogaland, and Agdir from the north right to Lidandesnes (the +Naze). ¤ Thus saith Thord Kolbeinson:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘I wist that save for Erling (bounteous chief whom I praise)</p> +<p>Erewhile the “hersirs” mostly were friends unto the earls;</p> +<p>The battle ended the land all southward from Agdir</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">123</span> +To Veiga, or farther north, was subject made to Eirik.</p> +<p>Under the lord the land prospered; & this ’twas good should +be.</p> +<p>His duty he thought it to hold o’er the northmen his hand.</p> +<p>Now hath died Svein the king south of us, so the tale goes</p> +<p>(The strength of most doth fail, and waste are his manors for +grief).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Svein the King of the Danes was now once more the possessor of Vik, +which had been his aforetime; to Earl Eirik he gave Raumariki and +Hedemark, to be held as a fief. Svein Hakonson, he that was the finest +man that men have ever looked on, received earldom from Olaf the Swede. +Eirik and Earl Svein were alike baptized into and made profession of the +true Faith, but even so long as they ruled over Norway gave they licence +to every man that he should please himself about what creed he would +cleave to, & moreover maintained they the old laws honourably and +likewise all the customs of the land; therefore were they justly men who +were well-beloved and good rulers. Now in all matters having concern in +the ruling of the realm of the twain brothers was Earl Eirik ever the +more prominent.</p> + + +<!-- <span class = "pagenum">124</span> --> + + +<span class = "pagenum">125</span> +<h3 class = "main"><a name = "harald" id = "harald"> +THE SAGA OF HARALD THE</a><br> +TYRANT, MXXX-MLXVI</h3> + + + +<span class = "pagenum">126</span> +<p><span class = "floatcap"> +<img src = "images/capI.png" width = "89" height = "192" +alt = "I(It)"></span>T befell in the days of the fall of King Olaf that +Harald, the son of Sigurd Sow, the stepbrother of King Olaf the Saint, +bore his share in the great battle of Stiklastad. ¤ Even there it befell +Harald that he was smote down, but he gained the life of his body by +flight with others that bore him company. Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem cap"> +<p>‘Nigh the hill, a battle-storm</p> +<p>I heard drive toward the King,</p> +<p>But the burner of the Bulgars<a name = "tag126_10" id = "tag126_10" +href = "#note126_10">§</a></p> +<p>His brother well supported.</p> +<p>Unwillingly from fallen Olaf</p> +<p>Was the prince sundered,</p> +<p>And his head he hid;</p> +<p>Then was he twelve winters</p> +<p>With added three thereto in age.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ It was Rognvald Brusason who bare Harald out of the battle, and +brought him to a certain peasant who lived in the forest, and that in a +glade far from the haunts of man; and here was Harald leeched until he +was whole of his wound. ¤ Thereafter fared forth the son of that peasant +eastward with him across the Kjol (Kiolen), & as far as they were +able to do so followed they forest tracks in lieu of the common way. ¤ +Now in no wise wist the son of the peasant with what manner of man he +was faring, & as they were riding through the wastes of the forest +sang Harald thus wise:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘From forest now to forest</p> +<p>Wend I my way with honour scant;</p> +<p>Who wists but in the future</p> +<p>Wide fame may not be mine?’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ And thus fared he eastward through Jamtaland & Helsingland, and +in due course was he come even to Sweden; there did he link his fortune +with that of Rognvald Brusason and many others of the men of King Olaf +that were yet alive after the mighty battle.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">127</span> +<p>¶ Now in the spring thereafter gat they ships for themselves and in +the summer fared eastward to Garda, where abode they the winter through +with King Jarizleif. ¤ Thus saith Bolverk:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The sword’s blade, King, thou dried’st</p> +<p>When thou fared’st from the strife.</p> +<p>To the raven gav’st thou to eat;</p> +<p>The wolf howled on the wooded heights.</p> +<p>But the year thereafter and thou wert</p> +<p>East in Gard, O doughty fighter,</p> +<p>Ne’er have I heard of a leader of hosts</p> +<p>More famed than thou wert.’</p> +</div> + +<p>King Jarizleif made Harald & his men welcome right kindly, and +even so became Harald captain of the land defence of the King & with +him was joined Eilif, the son of Earl Rognvald. Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Where Eilif was,</p> +<p>Alike they acted,</p> +<p>Those chieftains twain</p> +<p>In wedge-like phalanx.</p> +<p>Chased were the East Wends</p> +<p>Into a corner narrow,</p> +<p>Not easy for the Laesirs<a name = "tag127_23" id = "tag127_23" href = +"#note127_23">§</a></p> +<p>Was the law of the host.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Some winters abode Harald in the realm of Garda, & fared forth +for the most part eastward; then went he a journey to Greece, and in his +company was a mighty following, and at that time likewise went he to +Miklagard (Constantinople). Saith Bolverk:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The chilly shower drave forward</p> +<p>The ship’s swart prows;</p> +<p>And barks all bravely armoured</p> +<p>Their sails bore by the coast-side.</p> +<p>The metal towers of Miklagard</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">128</span> +The prince saw from the prows;</p> +<p>Fair-bosomed ships were borne</p> +<p>To the walls of the city.’</p> +</div> + +<p>At that time there ruled over Greece Queen Zoe the Wealthy and with +her Michael Katalaktus. ¤ When Harald was come even unto Miklagard in +the hardiness that was of his blood enterprised he service of the Queen, +and even so did the men that were with him. ¤ Forthwith that same autumn +took he ship on certain galleys with warriors who were adventuring on to +the Greek sea. ¤ In those days was one named Gyrgir<a name = "tag128_10" +id = "tag128_10" href = "#note128_10">§</a> chief of the hosts, and he +was also a kinsman to the Queen. Now it came to pass that Harald had not +abode longtime with the host ere the Vaerings<a name = "tag128_13" id = +"tag128_13" href = "#note128_13">§</a> became much drawn to him, so that +he and they adventured all together in a body whensoever there was +fighting, and the end thereof was that Harald was chosen captain of all +the Vaerings. Gyrgir and his hosts coasted in all directions among the +Greek islands, and greatly plundered the corsairs.</p> + +<p>¶ Once it befell when they were faring overland, and were of a mind +to pass the night in the woods, that the Vaerings were the first to come +to the place where it was intended they should lie, and chose they for +their tents even such position as was best and lay highest, for the +country thereabout was boggy, and no sooner came the rain than was it +ill living there over against where the land was low. Then came Gyrgir, +& when he saw where the Vaerings had pitched their tents bade he +them begone and pitch them in another place, since saith he, that he +himself would have his tent even there. But thus spake Harald: ‘When ye +are the first to come to the place for the camp then shall ye make +choice of your place for the night, and it will behove us to pitch our +tents elsewhere, even in whatever spot is open to us. So do ye now +likewise; pitch ye your tents where ye will in any other spot that +pertaineth. Methought was it the right of the Vaerings here in Greece to +<span class = "pagenum">129</span> +be masters of their own matter & free in all things before all men, +and that was it to the King and Queen only they owed obedience.’ ¤ On +this bandied they words with so great heat that both sides fell to +arming themselves, & right nigh came they to fighting, but ere that +were the wisest men came up and they parted them. ¤ They said it was +more in reason that these men should be of one mind on the matter, and a +just decision made thereon betwixt them, so that never more might strife +arise out of this cause. ¤ So then was agreed a meeting between them, +& the best and wisest men were present thereat; and at that meeting +was it counselled in such manner that all were of one mind, to wit, that +lots should be borne in a cloth and cast between Greek and Vaering as to +who should be the first to ride or row, or berth them in haven, or +choose a spot for their tents; both of them henceforth to rest content +with whatever the lot decreed. Thereafter was this done, and the lots +were marked; then said Harald to Gyrgir; ‘Let me now see how thou +markest thy lot, to the intent that we may not both mark them in the +same fashion.’ ¤ So Harald looked and thereafter marked his lot and +threw it into the cloth, and Gyrgir did likewise; but the man who was to +draw the lot took up one between his fingers, and lifting his hand said: +‘These shall first ride and row and berth them in haven and choose them +tent-places<ins class = "correction" title = "close quote missing">.’</ins> Then did Harald seize the lot with his hand and throw +it out into the sea, and when he had so done he said: ‘That was our +lot.’ ¤ Gyrgir said: ‘Why didst thou not let more men see it?’ ‘Look +you,’ answered Harald, ‘on that lot which is left, & I wot well +thereon will you know your own mark.’ ¤ Then looked they at the lot, and +all knew the mark to be that of Gyrgir. ¤ So was it adjudged that the +Vaerings should have the choice in all those matters about which there +had been strife. Sundry things befell likewise on which saw they not eye +to eye, but ever it ended in such a fashion that Harald had his way.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">130</span> +<p>¶ Plundering & pillaging whithersoever they went fared together +both hosts during the summer, but when a battle was imminent would +Harald cause his men to hold aloof therefrom, or at least over against +that part where was the fight most open. ¤ Ever said he that he would +take good care that he did not lose those that were of his company; but +when a fight chanced and he with his men only were opposed to an enemy +so fierce was he in battle that either must he win the day or die. For +this reason oft-times it befell that when Harald was captain of the men +the victory fell to him, whereas Gyrgir won naught. ¤ Now when the +warriors saw how oft did this come to pass, said they one to the other +that their cause would have better advancement an Harald were alone +captain of the host; and blamed they the leader of the band, saying that +he and his men were but bootless. To this Gyrgir made answer that the +Vaerings would not yield him support, & bade them begone, whiles he +fared with the rest of the host to be successful as far as in them lay. +Even so, thereon went Harald from the host, and with him likewise the +Vaerings and the Latin men, but Gyrgir kept the host of the Greeks. Then +came to pass that which all had awaited, to wit, that Harald ever gained +the victory & the plunder. Thereupon fared the Greeks home to +Miklagard save only the young men who desired to win riches for +themselves, and they gathered round Harald and took him for their +leader. ¤ Then went he with his host westward to northern Africa, which +the Vaerings called Serkland,<a name = "tag130_26" id = "tag130_26" href += "#note130_26">§</a> and there he gained addition to his host. ¤ In +Serkland won he eighty walled towns, some thereof surrendered to him, +whereas others took he by might. ¤ Thereafter went he to Sikiley +(Sicily). Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Towns ten times eight in Serkland,</p> +<p>Say I, then were taken,</p> +<p>The young hater of red-glowing gold</p> +<p>Rushed into the peril.</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">131</span> +Before the fighter went to rouse</p> +<p>With clashing shields the Hilds,</p> +<p>Were they long the Serk-men’s foe,</p> +<p>On the plains of Sicily.’</p> +</div> + +<p>Thus saith Illugi, the skald from Bryn:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Harald under Michael strove</p> +<p>For south-lands with his sword</p> +<p>The son of Budli, as ’twas said</p> +<p>Showed friendship by his fellowship.’<a name = "tag131_8" id = +"tag131_8" href = "#note131_8">[§]</a></p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now it came to pass that at this season was Michael King of Greece. +¤ Many winters abode he in Africa, and to himself acquired goods and +chattels in plenty, gold likewise and all manner of precious things; but +all the wealth which he took and thereof had not need for his +maintenance sent he by his trusty men to Holmgard (Novgarod), to be +bestowed into the hands and care of King Jarizleif. ¤ Exceeding wealth +did he collect together there, as was like to be, forasmuch as he was +pillaging in that part of the world the which is richest in gold and +costly things. And so much did he accomplish withal that, as has been +writ before, took he as many as eighty towns.</p> + +<p>¶ And being come to Sikiley did Harald lay waste on that isle, and +set he his host over against a large town in which were many people. ¤ +So strong were the walls thereof that he feared it were doubtful an he +could brake them down. Now the townsfolk had enough of victuals and +other commodities which were required to withstand a siege, so hit +Harald on the craft of bidding his fowlers to catch small birds, which +had nests in the town & flew out during the day to seek food. On the +backs of these birds caused he to be tied shavings of red pine-wood on +which had he poured melted wax and brimstone; fire thereto was set, and +the birds even so soon as they were loose, flew with one accord at once +to the town with the intent to seek their young and to hie them to their +own nests which were under the roofs. ¤ And these roofs were thatched +<span class = "pagenum">132</span> +with reeds or straw. ¤ Then the fire from the birds spread to the eaves, +and though each bird bore but a little burden of fire nevertheless in a +brief space was kindled a great fire, for many birds bore fire to the +roofs that were of the town. Thereafter there burned one house after the +other until the town itself was all aflame, and all the people came out +therefrom and begged for grace. ¤ Yea was this that same folk that for +many a day had talked proudly and with mocking despite of the Greek host +and the chief thereof. Harald gave quarter to all men who craved it, and +thereafter held authority over this town.</p> + +<p>¶ Another town was there to which Harald went with his host, & +right well peopled was it and strong withal, so much so indeed that it +could not be thought that he would be able to make assault thereon. Flat +land and hard lay round about the walls thereof, so Harald set his men +to dig a trench from the place whence a brook flowed, & that in a +deep gulley wherein men from the town could not spy. ¤ The earth of the +trench threw they out into the water and let the stream bear it away; +and in this work they continued even both by night and by day with fresh +shifts after a spell. ¤ After this fashion did the host advance on the +town day by day; and the townsmen flocked to the battlements & both +sides shot at one another, but by night did all betake themselves to +sleep. ¤ Now when Harald wot that this hole that was in the earth was so +long that it must have come under and past the walls of the town bade he +his men arm themselves, & towards dawn went they into the trench, +and when they came to the end thereof dug they up above their heads +until they came to stones set in lime; and this was the floor of a stone +hall. Anon they brake up the floor and ascended into the hall, and there +sat many of the townsmen eating and drinking, and great was the +mischance of these good men for they were taken unawares. The Vaerings +went about with drawn swords, and straightway +<span class = "pagenum">133</span> +killed some of them though others fled, to wit, those who could get out. +¤ Some of the Vaerings sought after these townsmen while others went to +the gates to set them open, and by this way in marched the host that +pertained unto Harald. ¤ Then did the townsfolk flee, though many prayed +for mercy, and mercy did all receive who gave themselves up. ¤ In this +way was it that Harald was possessed of the town, and therewith acquired +exceeding wealth.</p> + +<p>¶ The third town to which they came was the one that of all of the +island had waxed largest and strongest, and to it pertained most +importance both by reason of the wealth and the number within its walls. +¤ Even about this town lay great ditches, and the Vaerings marked that +they could not win it by craft after such fashion as they had possessed +themselves of the other towns aforesaid. And so it came to pass that +long lay they before the town yet did they accomplish nothing, and the +townsfolk seeing this waxed even bolder, and set up their array on the +walls, & anon opened the gates of the town and called to the +Vaerings, egging them on & bidding them enter; and they mocked at +them for lack of boldness, averring that for fighting were they no +better than so many hens. Harald bade his men behave themselves as +though they wist not after what fashion were such things said: ‘Nought +shall we accomplish,’ said he, ‘even if we storm the town; they will +fling their weapons down under their feet upon us; and albeit an +entrance we perchance effect with sundry of our folk, yet is the foe +strong enough to shut them in, and shut the others out at their pleasure +for they have put watches at all the gates of the town. ¤ No less mock +will we make of them, however, and we will flaunt in their faces that we +have no fear of them. Our men shall go forth on the plain as near the +town as may be, having care nevertheless lest they come within bowshot, +and weaponless must they go & hold sports one with another so that +the townsfolk may wot that we care naught for their +<span class = "pagenum">134</span> +array.’ ¤ After this fashion did they behave themselves for sundry +days.</p> + +<p>¶ Now of the Icelanders that were with Harald at this time is it +recorded that Halldor the son of Snorri the Priest—he it was who +took this chronicle back to his own land—and in the second place +Ulf the son of Uspak, the son of Usvif the Wise, were the twain of them +very strong & valiant men and much cherished of Harald. ¤ The pair +were alike foremost in the sports on the plain. When things had thus +happened for these sundry days, were the townsfolk minded to show even +greater arrogance, & discarding their weapons mounted they up on to +the walls and defiantly set open the gates of the town. Now the Vaerings +seeing this betook themselves one day to their sports in such fashion +that the swords that pertained to them were concealed beneath their +cloaks and their helms beneath their hats. And after they had vied with +one another awhile saw they that the townsfolk in no fashion entertained +suspicion, thereon drawing their swords ran they forward to the gates. +When the townsmen saw this advanced they bravely to meet them, standing +fully armed, and thereon ensued a dire fight within the gates. ¤ To the +Vaering folk pertained neither shield nor buckler, & in default +thereof wrapped they their cloaks round their left arm; some were +wounded, some killed, & all were hard pressed. ¤ Harald & the +men with him who were in the camp hastened to their succour, but by then +were the townsfolk come up on to the walls from whence they shot at +& stoned those coming thitherwards. Yet more fierce grew the fight, +& those within the gates bethought them help came at a slower gait +than they could desire. Scarce was Harald come to the gates ere was +slain his banner-bearer; then said he: ‘Halldor, do thou take up the +banner!’ Halldor picked up the banner-staff, but he spoke unwisely: ‘Who +will bear thy banner for thee when thou followest it so faint-heartedly +as thou hast done now this while past?’ These +<span class = "pagenum">135</span> +were words more of anger than of truth, for Harald stood the stoutest +among men. Then hied they them into the gate, and great were the strokes +given; but the outcome thereof was such wise that the victory was to +Harald and he stormed the gates. Sore smote was Halldor, a deep +wound gat he in the countenance, and to him was it a blemish all the +days of his life.<a name = "tag135_7" id = "tag135_7" href = +"#note135_7">§</a></p> + +<p>¶ The fourth town whereunto Harald was come together with his host +was the stoutest of all those whereof we have yet told. So strong was it +that they wist there was no hope that it could be taken by assault, and +thereon beset they the town even by getting a ring around it so that no +victuals could be taken therein. ¤ Now it chanced when Harald had been +before it a while, fell he sick and betook himself to his bed; & he +caused his tent be placed away from other tents so that he might have +the ease that he should not hear the noise and disquiet of the host. +Backwards & forwards to him oft fared his men, craving his counsel, +and this was noted of the townsfolk who argued rightly that something +had befallen the Vaerings, and thereon set they spies to discover what +it might be. When the spies were come back even into the town brought +they intelligence that the chief of the Vaerings lay sick, & for +that cause had they not advanced on the town. As time waxed big grew the +strength of Harald small, and his men became sorrowful and were heavy of +heart. ¤ Now of all this had the townsfolk full knowledge. ¤ To such a +pass came it that the sickness pressed Harald hard and his death was +told throughout the whole host. Then went the Vaerings to speak with the +townsmen, telling them of the death of their chief, & praying the +priests to grant him a tomb in the town. ¤ Now when the townsfolk heard +these tidings many were there, rulers of monasteries or of other big +churches in the town, who wished much, each one of them, to have the +body for his church, for well wotted each that it would bring them great +offerings; so the whole +<span class = "pagenum">136</span> +multitude of the priests clad themselves in their vestments and walked +forth out of the town in procession well favoured and solemn, bearing +shrines and holy relics. ¤ But made the Vaerings also a mighty funeral +train; covered with a costly pall was the coffin borne aloft, and above +this again were held many banners, & after the coffin in this wise +had been borne in through the town-gates was it set down right athwart +them in front of the opening thereof. Then did the Vaerings blow a +war-blast from all their trumpets, & drew their swords, and the +whole host of the Vaerings rushed out of their tents fully armed, and +ran towards the town shouting and crying. The monks & other priests +who had been walking in this funeral train vying with one another to be +the foremost to go out and receive the offering, now vied twofold as +speedily to be the farthest off, for the Vaerings slew every one who was +nearest to them be he clerk or layman. After this fashion did they go +about the whole of the town, putting the men to the sword and pillaging +the churches, whence snatched they exceeding great wealth.</p> + +<p>¶ Many summers fared Harald in warfare after this fashion alike in +Serkland and Sikiley. ¤ Thereafter led he his host back to Miklagard, +and abode there a short space ere set he again forth on a journey to +Jorsalaheim (Palestine).<a name = "tag136_24" id = "tag136_24" href = +"#note136_24">§</a> There he left behind him all the gold he had gotten +as payment from the Greek King, & the same did all the Vaerings who +went on the journey with him. ¤ It is told that altogether Harald fought +eighteen battles on these journeys. Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘All men know that Harald</p> +<p>Eighteen battles grim hath fought,</p> +<p>Oft hath the peace of the chieftain been broken;</p> +<p>The gray eagle’s sharp claws</p> +<p>In blood didst thou dye, King,</p> +<p>Ever was the wolf filled ere thou fared’st homeward.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">137</span> +<p>¶ Harald with his men had now betaken themselves to Jorsalaland +(Palestine) and thence to Jorsalaborg (Jerusalem), and whithersoever he +went in Jorsalaland were all the towns and castles surrendered unto him; +thus saith Stuf, who had himself heard the King recount these +things:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The blade-bold smiting warrior</p> +<p>To subjection brought Jerusalem.</p> +<p>The smiling land was captive to him and the Greeks,</p> +<p>And by their might, unburned withal,</p> +<p>Came the country under the warrior’s dictate.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Here it is recounted that this land came unburned and unscathed +into Harald’s power. Thereafter fared he to the Jordan and bathed +himself therein, as is the way with other pilgrims. On the Sepulchre of +the Lord, the Holy Cross, and other holy relics in Jorsalaland bestowed +Harald great benefactions. Then did he make safe all the road to the +Jordan, slaying robbers and other disturbers of the peace. Thus saith +Stuf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘By counsel and wrathful words the King of the Agdir folk</p> +<p>Withstood on the banks of the Jordan the treason of men,</p> +<p>But for true trespass had folk to pay dearly;</p> +<p>Ill from the Prince suffered they.</p> +<p>(In Christ’s eternal house).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After these things fared he back to Miklagard.</p> + +<p>¶ Now when Harald was returned to Miklagard from Jorsalaland was he +minded to go to the north, even unto his own heritage; for it had come +to his ears that the son of his brother, to wit, Magnus Olafson, was now +King of Norway and of Denmark, and therefor gave he warning to quit his +service with the King of Greece; but when Queen Zoe came to hear thereof +waxed she very wrath & made dire complaint against Harald, averring +that he had gone dishonestly to work with the wealth of the Greek King +which had been taken in warfare what time Harald had been chief of the +host. Now there was a damsel both young and fair, whose name was Maria, +<span class = "pagenum">138</span> +and she was the daughter of the brother to Queen Zoe.<a name = +"tag138_1" id = "tag138_1" href = "#note138_1">[§]</a> Afore had Harald +sought the hand of this maid in marriage, and by the Queen had his suit +been refused. It has been told here in the north by Vaerings, who were +then serving in Miklagard, that among those who should wot well of the +affair was it averred that Queen Zoe desired to have Harald for her own +husband, & therein lay the cause of all that which befell when +Harald desired to leave Miklagard, though mayhap otherwise was given out +before all folk. At that time was Constantine Monomachus King of the +Greeks, and together with Queen Zoe ruled he the kingdom. Wherefore was +it on these counts that the King of the Greeks caused Harald to be +seized and cast into prison.</p> + +<p>¶ But as Harald was drawing nigh unto the prison there appeared unto +him the holy King Olaf and bade him be of good cheer for that he would +come to his aid; & there in the street was afterwards builded a +chapel, and was it consecrated to King Olaf, & that chapel has stood +there unto this very day.<a name = "tag138_18" id = "tag138_18" href = +"#note138_18">§</a> Now after such fashion was the prison builded that +it had a high tower, & this was open at the top. Into the prison +thereof was Harald thrown, and together with him were Halldor and Ulf. +The night thereafter came a wealthy woman to the uppermost part of the +prison, whither she had ascended by means of ladders, and with her were +two serving-men and to either let they down a rope by which they drew +the prisoners up. This woman had one time been healed by the holy King +Olaf, and now had he appeared to her and laid upon her the injunction +that she should release his brother from out of prison.Thereon hied +Harald him to the Vaerings who with one accord rose to their feet when +they beheld him, and acclaimed him welcome. ¤ Thereafter fell the whole +of the host to arms and betook themselves to the place where the King +was sleeping, and taking him captive thrust they out both his eyes. Thus +saith Thorarin Skeggison in his lay:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">139</span> +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The bold prince gold obtained,</p> +<p>But the throned King of Greece gat blindness,</p> +<p>And thereafter went with scars most grievous.’</p> +</div> + +<p>Thus likewise saith Thiodolf the Skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The waster of wolves’ sorrow</p> +<p>Let the eyes twain of the throned King be put out;</p> +<p>The prince of the Agdir folk on the Eastern King</p> +<p>Laid a grisly mark whereby was he horribly blinded.’</p> +</div> + +<p>In the twain of these lays concerning Harald, & also in many +other songs, recorded is it how that he himself put out the eyes of the +Greek King; but in lieu of thus singing, had they known it to be truer, +full well might they have named a duke or count or some other nobleman. +But Harald himself and the other men that were with him themselves +boasted of this deed.<a name = "tag139_15" id = "tag139_15" href = +"#note139_15">§</a></p> + +<p>¶ That same night went Harald and his men to the chamber wherein +Maria lay sleeping, & by force bare her away. Then betaking +themselves to where their galleys rode took they twain of them and anon +rowed into Siavidarsund,<a name = "tag139_19" id = "tag139_19" href = +"#note139_19">§</a> but when they were come thither found they that the +iron chain was stretched right athwart the inlet, and so Harald +commanded his men to fall to their oars on both the galleys, & those +who were not rowing were all to run aft, and each one to have in his +hand his own baggage-bag. ¤ In this fashion they ran the galleys on to +the chain, and as soon as they were fast and the speed was stayed +commanded he all his men to run forward. Then that galley whereon was +Harald plunged forward, and after it had swayed on the chain slid from +off it; but the other brake as it rode the chain, and many were drowned, +albeit some were taken up out of the water. After this fashion did +Harald escape from Miklagard, & thence fared he forth into the Black +Sea. But ere he sailed from land he set the maid ashore, & gave her +trusty followers to take her back to Miklagard; and he bade her ask her +kinswoman Zoe how much +<span class = "pagenum">140</span> +power she had over him, or if her power had been able to hinder him from +getting the maiden. Thereafter sailed Harald northward to Ellipalta<a +name = "tag140_3" id = "tag140_3" href = "#note140_3">§</a> and thence +fared all over the East-realm.<a name = "tag140_4" id = "tag140_4" href += "#note140_4">§</a> On this journey made Harald certain merry verses +which together number sixteen, & all have the same refrain: this is +one of them:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Past Sicily, far out, forged the ship;</p> +<p>Proudly she strode and ably ’neath our feet</p> +<p>Never before had Norseman come so far amain,</p> +<p>Yet saith the Maid of the gold-rings in Garda that she scorns +me.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ By this, allusion made he to Ellisif, the daughter of King +Jarizleif of Holmgard.</p> + +<p>¶ When Harald was come to Holmgard did King Jarizleif receive him +with exceeding great kindness, and there abode he the winter through; at +that time, moreover, took he into his own keeping all the gold and +various other precious goods which he had sent thither out of Miklagard. +So much wealth was indeed collected together, that no one there in the +north had seen so great an amount before in the ownership of one man. On +three occasions<a name = "tag140_21" id = "tag140_21" href = +"#note140_21">[§]</a> the while he was in Miklagard had Harald ta’en his +share in the spoiling of palaces, for it was a law that every time a +Greek King died the Vaerings should have palace-spoil; at that hour +might they go through all the palaces of the King, wherein his hoards of +wealth were garnered, and take at will as much as ever they could lay +hands on.</p> + +<p>¶ That winter gave King Jarizleif to Harald his daughter in wedlock, +her name was Elizabeth but Norwegians called her Ellisif. To this Stuf +the Blind is witness in the following:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The alliance that he wished</p> +<p>Gat the prince of the Agdirs;</p> +<p>Gold amain won the friend of the men,</p> +<p>And to boot the King’s daughter.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">141</span> +<p>¶ So it came to pass that ere long there arose some discord betwixt +Magnus and Harald, and then were many men so evil-minded that they +wrought bad blood betwixt the Kings.</p> + +<p>¶ Now after the departure of Harald in the manner aforesaid, Svein +Ulfson went on sleeping. Later made he close inquiry anent the journey +of Harald; and when he came to know that Harald and Magnus had entered +into covenant, and had now an host one with the other, steered he a +course eastward alongside the coast of Skani and abode there with his +host, until it came to his ears in wintertime that Magnus and Harald had +fared northward even to Norway with their hosts. Thereupon shaped Svein +a course southward (west) to Denmark, and that winter took he possession +by force of all the dues of the King.</p> + +<p>¶ So soon as the spring was come King Magnus and King Harald called +out a muster from all Norway. ¤ Now it befell once upon a time that both +the Kings were lying in the self-same haven, and the day thereafter +Harald being the first to be ready sailed forthwith, and in the evening +hove he to in the haven wherein he and Magnus had covenanted to lie that +night; and brought he his ship into the King’s berth, and hoisted his +tilts. ¤ King Magnus, he that had later in the day sailed forth, found +also that haven, but when he was come perceived he that the men of +Harald had by then gotten their tilts up; & saw he furthermore that +Harald was lying in the berth of the King and that there was he minded +to lie. Even so soon as his men had struck sail said King Magnus unto +them: ‘Now shall my men take their places by the bulwarks and fall to +their oars, and the others shall undo their weapons and arm themselves, +and if Harald and his men gainsay us and will not make way, then will we +fight them.’ When King Harald saw that King Magnus was minded to give +battle spake he to his men and said: ‘Cut the hawsers and let us put +off; wroth is now kinsman Magnus.’ So said so done; and the +<span class = "pagenum">142</span> +ships of Harald were hove out of berth, and King Magnus put his ships +into their place. ¤ When this had been accomplished went King Harald +with sundry of his men up on to the ship of King Magnus, & the King +greeted him well and bade him welcome. Then said King Harald: ‘I thought +that we were come among friends; but just now I misdoubted that thou +wouldst let this be the case; but true it is that children are petulent +& I will not account it otherwise than that this was a childish +deed.’ Then said King Magnus: ‘It was a kin-deed, not a child’s-deed; +I can in good sooth remember what I gave and what I refused, but an +it were allowed that this little matter were now done in our despite +another would soon arise. In all things will we keep the covenant that +we made, but thou on thy part must fulfil that which was agreed upon.’ +Then said King Harald: ‘There is also an old custom which hath it that +the wisest giveth way,’ & therewith went he back even to his own +ship. In such like dealings betwixt the Kings was it difficult to hold +the balance; the men to King Magnus swore even that he was in the right, +but those who were dullards deemed that Harald had been slighted. ¤ The +men that were of King Harald’s following said it were well and right +that Magnus should have the berth had the two Kings come thither at the +same time, but that King Harald could not be called upon to leave the +berth wherein he were lying afore; and they declared that Harald had +acted well and wisely, but those who wished to make the worst of things +said that King Magnus desired to break the covenant, and that he had +done King Harald wrong and injustice. ¤ Soon unwise men were talking so +much about quarrels of this kind that discord arose between the Kings, +and many things befell which the Kings took each after his own fashion +albeit thereof is but little set down in writing.</p> + +<p>¶ So King Magnus & King Harald brought their fleet down to +Denmark, and when Svein heard thereof fled he away to +<span class = "pagenum">143</span> +Skani. The two Kings abode long in Denmark that summer, and brought the +land into subjection; the autumn to them was in Jutland. There one +night, when King Magnus lay abed, dreamt he that he himself stood there +where his father King Olaf the Saint abode, & thought he that his +father spake with him: ‘Which wilt thou choose, my son, to fare with me, +or become of all kings the mightiest & live long, but to commit sin +so great that thou wilt scarcely or never be able to atone for it?’ And +he bethought that he answered, ‘I desire that thou choosest for me.’ ¤ +Then the King seemed to answer: ‘Thou shalt fare even with me.’ King +Magnus told his men of this dream. A little while later fell he ill +of a sickness, and lay at a place called Sudatorp,<a name = "tag143_13" +id = "tag143_13" href = "#note143_13">§</a> and when he was nigh unto +death sent he his brother<a name = "tag143_14" id = "tag143_14" href = +"#note143_14">§</a> Thorir to Svein Ulfson bidding the latter afford +Thorir what help he might need, and with this message King Magnus also +made it known that when his days should be ended it was his wish to have +Svein to have dominion over the realm of Denmark, saying that it was +meet that Harald should rule over Norway and Svein over Denmark. +Thereafter died King Magnus the Good, & all folk mourned his death. +Thus saith Od Kikina-Skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Full many a tear did men shed</p> +<p>When the mild King was borne to the grave.</p> +<p>Heavy the burden for those that he had benefited with gold,</p> +<p>Sore were the hearts of the house carles,</p> +<p>Their tears held they not back,</p> +<p>And oft-times in sorrow now are his people down-cast.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ When he heard these tidings summoned King Harald his host to a +Thing, and opened unto them a scheme whereof the purport was to fare +forth to the Vebiorg Thing, and cause himself there to be acclaimed King +of Denmark. ¤ Thence would he conquer his country, for he accounted +Denmark his own heritage in succession to his kinsman Magnus in like +manner as with the kingdom of Norway. ¤ And for this purpose +<span class = "pagenum">144</span> +bade he his men give him their assistance, for then, said he, the +Norwegians would be masters of the Danes for all time. Then up and spake +Einar Thamberskelfir, and said, rather was it his duty to convey his +foster-son King Magnus to the grave and to the latter’s father King +Olaf, than to fight in a foreign land, or to covet ye might and dominion +of another King; therefore concluded he his speaking by saying that +better he deemed it to follow King Magnus dead than any other king +living. Afterwards caused he the corpse to be ta’en and laid out in +solemn state so that all might see it arrayed on board the King’s own +ship. Thereafter all the men of Throndhjem and the Norwegians made them +ready to return home with the body of King Magnus & the war-host was +disbanded. Then did King Harald perceive that by so much was it his +wisest policy to fare back even unto Norway and first of all things to +make that country his own, and thereafter wax in power. So Harald hied +him thither with the whole of his host thus unto Norway, and even so +soon as he was come thither held he a Thing of the men of the land, and +caused himself to be acknowledged King over the whole country; he fared +right from the east, from Vik, and was acclaimed King by every folkland +in Norway.</p> + +<p>¶ Einar Thamberskelfir journeyed to Norway with the corpse of King +Magnus; with him fared all the host of the Throndhjem folk; & they +took the body to Nidaros where it was buried in the chapel of Saint +Clement wherein was then the shrine of the sainted King Olaf. ¤ King +Magnus had been of middle height, with a countenance ruddy and frank, +fair-haired was he, and eloquent; quick to think, strong to decide, +bounteous to give; withal a mighty man of war and very valiant to boot; +of all Kings was he the most beloved, & praised was he alike by +friend and foe.</p> + +<p>¶ That autumn also was Svein Ulfson in Skani & was minded to fare +eastward to the realm of Sweden; moreover thought +<span class = "pagenum">145</span> +he that he would lay down the title of King which he had taken to +himself in Denmark. Peradventure as he was mounting his horse rode +certain men up to him & told unto him the tidings that King Magnus +was dead, and how that all the host of Norway had quitted clean from +Denmark. ¤ To this made Svein hasty answer & said: ‘I call God to +witness that never hereafter will I flee the realm of Denmark even so +long as I live.’ Therewithal mounted he his horse & rode southwards +in Skani, & to him were forthwith many folk gathered. That winter +conquered he the whole of Denmark, & all the Danes took him for +their King. Thorir, the brother of King Magnus, came to Svein with the +message of King Magnus, as has been afore writ, & Svein received +Thorir with good countenance; tarried he long with Svein and it was well +with him.</p> + +<p>¶ After the death of King Magnus Olafson, had King Harald Sigurdson +possession of the whole realm of Norway. ¤ And when he had ruled over +Norway for one winter, & the spring was again incomen mustered he +men from out of all the land, one half of the general host in men & +ships, & thence sailed south to Jutland where he harried & +burned even very widely; that same summer hove he to in Godnarfjord. At +that time made King Harald this verse:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘While the linen-white woman</p> +<p>Her song chants to her goodman,</p> +<p>The anchor of the oaken ship</p> +<p>We drop in Godnarfjord.’</p> +</div> + +<p>Then spake he to Thiodolf, and bade him add thereunto; and he +sang:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Next summer (foretell I)</p> +<p>The anchor more southward</p> +<p>Shall hold the ship with its fluke;</p> +<p>Deeper shall we cast it.’</p> +</div> + +<p>And Bolverk in his lay mentions that Harald fared to Denmark the +summer following on King Magnus’s death:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">146</span> +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘From that fair land the year thereafter</p> +<p>A muster called’st thou out;</p> +<p>When thou ploughed’st the seas</p> +<p>With sea-steeds full splendid.</p> +<p>On darksome billow lay</p> +<p>The dragons precious, and uneasy</p> +<p>The host thereof saw off land laden were the war-ships of the +Danes.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ It was at that time that they burned the homestead of Thorkel +Geyser. He was a great chief, natheless were his daughters led bounden +to the ships: the winter before had they shown themselves very scornful +of Harald & had made mock of his war cruise to Denmark, & from +cheese had they cut out anchors and said that most like these would well +suffice to hold the ships of the King of Norway. Then was this +chanted:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Now from their whey cheeses cut</p> +<p>The maids of Denmark rings for anchors,</p> +<p>And this gibe annoyance gave the King.</p> +<p>Now see I maidens many in the morn</p> +<p>Reach the King’s ships in fetters heavy:</p> +<p>Fewer laugh now.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ It is related that the look-out man who had observed the fleet of +King Harald’s cried out to the daughters of Thorkel Geyser, ‘Ye Geyser +daughters said that Harald would never come to Denmark.’ Quoth one of +them, ‘That was yesterday.’</p> + +<p>¶ At a very high price did Thorkel ransom his daughters. Thus saith +Grani:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Of tears her eyes</p> +<p>Were never dry;</p> +<p>This wrong-headed woman</p> +<p>In the thick Horn-woods.</p> +<p>The lord of Norway the fleeing</p> +<p>Foe to the shore drave;</p> +<p>For his daughters wealth amain</p> +<p>Had to pay their father.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">147</span> +<p>¶ The whole of the summer did King Harald harry in the realm of the +Danes & gat to himself much plunder, natheless did he not there +abide but fared he back to Norway in the autumn, and there tarried the +winter through.</p> + +<p>¶ That same winter, which was even that one after the death of King +Magnus, did King Harald take to wife Thora, the daughter of Thorberg +Arnason. To them were born two sons, the elder of whom was Magnus, the +younger Olaf. ¤ King Harald and Queen Ellisif had two daughters; one of +these was named Maria, and the other Ingigerd. When that following +spring was come, and of that spring have we writ afore, did King Harald +muster his host and again fared forth to Denmark in the summer & +harried there, & the same did he now one summer after the other. +Thus saith Stuf the Skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Falster was wasted, and to its folk</p> +<p>Mischance befell (so I heard).</p> +<p>The raven his fill ate,</p> +<p>But rapine feared the Danes each year.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Ever since the death of King Magnus had King Svein ruled the whole +of the Danish realm; remained he at peace during the winters, but by +summer went he out with his host & did threaten to journey north +with the Danish host, and there do no less harm than Harald had done in +Denmark. In the winter King Svein offered to meet King Harald in the +River, and there fight together to the last, or else come to agreement; +and thereafter, during that winter, were both one and other of them +busied arming their ships, so that in the summer to come might one half +of the general host be abroad. ¤ It was in that summer that there came +from Iceland Thorleik Svein Ulfson; he had heard to wit, when he was +north in Norway, that King Harald had fared south to the River against +King Svein. Then did Thorleik chant this:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘’Tis awaited that in spear-storm</p> +<p>On the sea-king’s path</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">148</span> +The doughty men of inner Throndhjem</p> +<p>Will meet the hardy King.</p> +<p>God only can bring it to pass</p> +<p>That one of them there taketh</p> +<p>Life or land of the other;</p> +<p>Little wots Svein of concord.’</p> +</div> + +<p>And furthermore he chanted this:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Harald the harsh who beareth</p> +<p>Oft a red shield off the land,</p> +<p>Is guiding on Budli’s ways<a name = "tag148_10" id = "tag148_10" href += "#note148_10">§</a></p> +<p>The broad long-ships from the north.</p> +<p>But southward o’er the seas,</p> +<p>Doth come the warlike Svein</p> +<p>In animals gold-mouthed, masted,</p> +<p>And painted in colours fair.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ To the appointed trysting-place came King Harald with his host, and +there heard that King Svein was to the south and lying off Zealand with +his fleet. Then did King Harald part his host, sending the greater +number of the peasant-host back, but retaining to himself his body-guard +& friends and feudatories, also that part of the peasant-host which +had been mustered nighest to the Danes. ¤ They fared south (west) to +Jutland, southward of Vendilskagi, & thereafter still south past +Thioda, & went everywhere with the war-shield aloft. Thus saith Stuf +the Skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Fled Thioda folk from meeting with the King,</p> +<p>Bold was he the stately dealer of blows.</p> +<p>Harald’s soul in Heaven.’<a name = "tag148_28" id = "tag148_28" href += "#note148_28">§</a></p> +</div> + +<p>¶ They fared southward all the way to Heidaby, and when they were +come thither seized they that town and burned it. Then a man that was +thrall to King Harald wrought this:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Burnt from one end to another</p> +<p>Was the whole of Heidaby;</p> +<p>Ruthless treatment this, methinks;</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">149</span> +Our work, I trow, arouses grief in Svein.</p> +<p>In the town spent I last night:</p> +<p>Ere the eighth hour the flames shot up from the houses.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Likewise Thorleik telleth in his poem that he heard that no battle +befell at the River:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Among the King’s followers</p> +<p>Each asks who doth not wot it</p> +<p>How ’twas that the prince avenger</p> +<p>To Heidaby did hie him,</p> +<p>When Harald from the east with ships</p> +<p>Sped early, without reason,</p> +<p>To the royal town. In sooth</p> +<p>Destruction ne’er should have been done.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After this fared Harald northward and with him had he sixty ships, +the greater number were large & well laden with what plunder had +been taken in the summer. But as they were faring northward and past +Thioda came down King Svein from the land with a large host; & he +proffered King Harald to come ashore & do battle. Now King Harald +had less than half as many men as Svein and so he bade Svein fight with +him at sea. Thus saith Thorleik the Fair:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Svein, even he who was born to success in Midgard,</p> +<p>Called on the mighty King in fight on land to meet him;</p> +<p>But Harald shy of failing would liefer fight, quoth he,</p> +<p>Aboardship, since the bold King held the land.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Thereafter sailed Harald northward past Vendilskagi; but the wind +was against them & they brought-to under Lesey where they remained +the night. Then were the ships encompassed with a thick sea-fog, but +when it was morning, & the sun rose, beheld they on the other side +of the sea what seemed to them like burning fires. And King Harald being +informed thereof gazed thereat, & said straightway: ‘Strike the +ships’ tilts, and let the men fall to their oars. The Danish host hath +come after us. The darkness hath lifted, I ween, there where +<span class = "pagenum">150</span> +they are, and the sun is shining on their dragon-heads the which are +overlaid with gold.’ And it was even as Harald said for behold there was +come Svein, the Danish King, with a mighty host. ¤ Both the fleets now +rowed with all speed, but the Danish ships were lighter under oars, the +Norwegian ships being both water-logged and heavy laden. So the Danes +drew on apace. ¤ Then did Harald perceive that this would never serve +his purpose. Now his dragon was faring astern of all his other ships, +and he commanded that some timber should be thrown overboard and apparel +with other wares be placed thereon, and as the water was calm these +things drifted with the current. ¤ When the Danes saw these goods +drifting along on the sea those who were rowing ahead swerved aside +after them, for they deemed it easier to take the goods as they were +floating loose on the water than to seek them on board the Norwegian +ships, and in this manner did their ships linger. When King Svein +overtook them in his ship bade he them proceed, and said shame was it +that with an host as large as his they could not take the Norwegians, to +whom was but few men, and get the fellows into their power. ¤ Then began +the Danes to row the harder again, and when King Harald saw that they +were making way bade he his men lighten their ships by throwing +overboard malt and wheat and swine-flesh, even to chopping open their +kegs of drink, and for a while these aids availed them well. Then did +King Harald command that the war-hurdles should be taken, also casks, +and empty barrels, and be cast overboard and on them and in them were +placed prisoners of war. ¤ Now when King Svein saw all of these floating +together on the sea he ordered that the men should be rescued, and +accordingly was this done. While his men were occupied in this their +task, grew greater the distance between the fleets, and when the Danes +were again about the chase had the Norwegians already made good their +escape. Thus saith Thorleik the Fair:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">151</span> +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘I heard tell in what manner Svein</p> +<p>The eastmen put to flight at sea,</p> +<p>How the other King quick-minded gat him gone;</p> +<p>All the plunder of the Thrond-folk’s King</p> +<p>On the Jutland sea was floating;</p> +<p>And sundry ships lost he withal.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Under Lesey, did King Svein withdraw his fleet, and there found he +seven Norwegian ships, but aboard them were only peasants and men who +had been mustered for war. ¤ When King Svein took them begged they for +quarter and offered money in ransom. Thus saith Thorleik the Fair:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘For grace did Harald’s friends stout-hearted</p> +<p>Pray the King, and they few laid down their arms;</p> +<p>The peasants ready-witted refused to fight thereafter,</p> +<p>Speaking because their lives out they wished to live.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Anent King Harald be it said that he was masterful and a strong +ruler in his own land, a very sage man withal, & it be common +talk that there was never a chief in the Northlands so wise or ready in +resource as he. ¤ A great warrior also, and very valiant, stronger, +& defter with weapons than any other man; but all this have we +recorded before. ¤ Nevertheless the greater number of his doughty deeds +go unrecorded, and this in part by reason of our lack of knowledge +thereof, & in part by reason that we will not put in books tales for +which there is no witness, even though in our hearing have such things +been told. It beseemeth us better that something may be added hereafter +than that much should need to be taken herefrom. About King Harald are +many tales set forth in lays which the Icelandic men made to him or to +his sons, & for this reason was he a firm friend to them. +A firm friend also was he to all our countrymen, and once when +there was a great famine in Iceland permitted King Harald four of his +ships to carry meal to that island, and decreed that six bushels thereof +should not cost more than a hundred ells of homespun; furthermore +allowed +<span class = "pagenum">152</span> +he those that were stricken by poverty to leave if so be that they could +find themselves in victuals the voyage thro’ over to the main, and by +these means was the land saved and the harvest thereof bettered. ¤ King +Harald set up a bell for the church which was builded with timber sent +hither by the sainted King Olaf, and raised on a site nigh by where the +Althing takes place. Such memories have we here of King Harald & of +many other great gifts which he granted to men that sought them. ¤ +Halldor Snorrason and Ulf Uspakson, whereof we have afore wrote, hied +them to Norway even into the service of King Harald. ¤ In manifold parts +were they opposite one from the other. Halldor was very big & strong +and handsome, and King Harald bore witness regarding him that he was +among those of his men who altered least in unawaited circumstances: +whether such might be peril or tidings of joy, or through things that +might occur when danger was toward; never was he more pleased nor less +pleased, never did he sleep more nor less; nor took meat & drink +otherwise than as was his wont. Halldor was a silent man & harsh, +speaking bluntly, also was he stubborn and unmeek; and this was not to +the liking of the King since he had many other bold and willing men. ¤ +Halldor abode with the King but a short time and then fared back to +Iceland, and made to himself a home at Hiardarholt, abiding there till +he was aged and become an old man.</p> + +<p>¶ In great love dwelt Ulf Uspakson with King Harald; a very wise +man was he, eloquent, strong, large-hearted, & resourceful. King +Harald created him his marshal and gave him in wedlock Jorun the +daughter of Thorberg whose daughter, to wit Thora, was wife to King +Harald. The children of Ulf and Jorun were Joan the Strong of Rasvold, +& Brigida, the mother of Sheep-Wolf, who was the father of Peter +Burden-Swain<a name = "tag152_33" id = "tag152_33" href = +"#note152_33">§</a> who again was the father of Ulf Fly and of the other +brothers and sisters of this latter. The son of Joan the Strong +<span class = "pagenum">153</span> +was Erling, he that was the father of Archbishop Eystein and his +brothers. ¤ King Harald gave Ulf the Marshal the rights of a feudatory +and a grant of twelve marks with more than half a folkland in +Throndhjem; this according to Stein Herdison in the lay of Ulf.</p> + +<p>¶ Now it came to pass that King Magnus Olafson had caused the church +of Saint Olaf<a name = "tag153_7" id = "tag153_7" href = +"#note153_7">§</a> to be builded in Nidaros on the self-same spot +whereon his father’s body had rested for a night, and this spot was then +above the town; there too builded he the King’s-House. ¤ The church was +not finished when the King died. Harald completed that which was lacking +to the church, and in the yard thereof laid he the foundation of a stone +hall, but this was not ready before he set to work to build the church +of Saint Mary up on the sand-bank, nigh the spot where the holy body of +the King lay buried that first winter after his death. ¤ It was a great +minster and so firmly was it builded with lime that it scarce could be +broken when Archbishop Eystein had it pulled down. ¤ In the church of +Saint Olaf were preserved <ins class = "correction" title = "text unchanged">ye</ins> relics of King Olaf<ins class = "correction" title = +"marker printed at end of sentence"><a name = "tag153_20" id = +"tag153_20" href = "#note153_20">§</a> </ins>whiles the church of St. +Mary was abuilding. ¤ King Harald builded a King’s-House below the +church of Mary, by the river, where it now stands; & the hall which +he had builded before, dedicated he to the church of Saint Gregory.<a +name = "tag153_23" id = "tag153_23" href = "#note153_23">§</a></p> + +<p>¶ A certain man there was named Ivar the White, who was a bold +feudatory; his seat lay in the Uplands, and himself was a grandson of +Earl Hakon the Great. In appearance was Ivar exceeding comely. The son +of Ivar was named Hakon, and it hath been said of him that he surpassed +all the men in Norway at that time for strength and courage & +ability; he was much in warfare in his youth & made great +advancement for himself, and later was he a very famous man.</p> + +<p>¶ Einar Thamberskelfir was the most powerful of the feudatories in +Throndhjem; little friendship throve there betwixt himself & Harald, +natheless retained he the land-dues which +<span class = "pagenum">154</span> +had pertained to him during the lifetime of Magnus. ¤ Einar was an +exceedingly wealthy man; he was wedded to Bergliot daughter of Earl +Hakon, as hath been writ before. Eindrid, their son, was now full-grown, +and had to wife Sigrid the daughter of Ketil Calf and of Gunhild, the +niece of King Harald through her mother. ¤ Eindrid inherited fairness +and beauty from the kindred of his mother, to wit, Earl Hakon and his +sons; and from his father, Einar, gat he height and strength and the +craft which Einar had above all other men; a very hearty man was +Eindrid withal.</p> + +<p>¶ Orm was the name of a certain Earl in the Uplands, and his mother +was Ragnhild the daughter of Earl Hakon the Great. This Orm was a very +excellent man. ¤ In those days Aslak Erlingson lived eastward at Soli in +Jadar; he had to wife Sigrid the daughter of Earl Svein Hakonson. ¤ +Gunhild, another daughter to Earl Svein, was wedded to the Danish King +Svein Ulfson. This anent the offspring in Norway of Earl Hakon at that +time, and moreover anent many other bold men; all of the line of Earl +Hakon were more comely than other folk and the most of them were very +able men, but all were brave.</p> + +<p>¶ King Harald loved power, & this grew according as he took root +in the land; to so great an extent did it wax that in the case of most +men it bootless was to speak against him, or to bring forward other +matters than those which were to his mind. Thus saith Thiodolf the +Skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The men of the war-wont chieftain</p> +<p>All humble have to sit or stand</p> +<p>There in such place as the stern king desireth;</p> +<p>Before the filler of ravens bend many men,</p> +<p>And few there are indeed who will not do in all things</p> +<p>Whate’er the King may bid.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Ever was Einar Thamberskelfir the chief leader of the Throndhjem +peasantry, and their spokesman at the Thing when the King proceeded +against them. Well acquainted was +<span class = "pagenum">155</span> +he with the laws; nor, with all the peasantry at his back, was he +lacking in boldness to carry through his cause at the Things, even +though the King himself might be present. ¤ Now this made the King +exceeding wroth, and at last were matters at such a pass that they +disputed together with contentious words, Einar swearing that the +peasants would not brook the lawlessness of the King if he should break +the common law of the land. After this fashion did they fall out on +sundry occasions. Then Einar started to have many men round him when he +was at home, and many more when he came to town and the King was +present. On one occasion when he fared in to town had he with him many +folk, eight or nine long-ships, and nigh upon five hundred men;<a name = +"tag155_13" id = "tag155_13" href = "#note155_13">§</a> and coming to +town he went ashore with this fellowship, and King Harald who by hap was +in the outer gallery of his house, stood and looked on as the men to +Einar flocked up from their ships, and it is said that Harald thereupon +chanted this:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Here see I speeding up</p> +<p>With his great following</p> +<p>Einar Thamberskelfir;</p> +<p>Yea, he who cleaveth the waves.</p> +<p>That lord full strong is minded</p> +<p>A princely throne to fill;</p> +<p>At the heels of an earl</p> +<p>House-carles but few will follow.</p> +<p>He who the sword makes red</p> +<p>Will beguile us of our land</p> +<p>If Einar kisseth not</p> +<p>The thin mouth of the axe.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Some days that while tarried Einar in the town. ¤ Now it came to +pass that one day a folk-mote was held, for it had befallen that a thief +had been taken in the town, and it was at this mote that he was to be +brought to trial, & the King himself was present. ¤ Aforetime had +the man been in the service +<span class = "pagenum">156</span> +of Einar who had favoured him more than a little. Now of this matter was +Einar told, and deemed he that the King would not be the more prone to +liberate the man because he, Einar, set store by him, so accordingly +bade he his men arm themselves and in force to proceed to the mote, and +then took Einar the man away by dint of sheer strength. ¤ Thereafter +mediated the friends of either in the matter, & the end thereof came +that it was agreed that a tryst should be appointed and that the King +& Einar should meet one another. There was a council-chamber in the +King’s-House down by the river,<a name = "tag156_10" id = "tag156_10" +href = "#note156_10">§</a> and into this chamber entered the King and +with him therein were but few men; the others left he standing without +in the courtyard. Now the King had had a shutter placed over the +smoke-hole, & there was but a little opening. Then did Einar come +into the courtyard with his men, and said he to his son Eindrid: ‘Remain +thou out here with the men, and then will there be no danger for me.’ ¤ +Wherefore did Eindrid take up his station without the door of the +council-chamber. ¤ Now when Einar was entered into this room said he: +‘Dark is it in the King’s council-chamber,’ and even at that moment fell +men upon him and some stabbed him & some hewed at him, and when +Eindrid heard the tumult drew he his sword and rushed into the chamber +whereon forthwith was he felled beside his father. ¤ Then did the King’s +men run towards the chamber and before the door thereof, but the +peasants were all at a loss because now to them pertained no leader; yet +did they urge one another on saying that it were shame not to avenge +their chief, but for all that did they naught, & made no essay to +fight. Then went the King out to his men, set them in array, & +caused his banner to be unfurled, but made he no onset & thereafter +bade he all his men go out to his ship, then rowed they down the river +and so out on the fjord. ¤ Now apace was brought the intelligence of the +death of Eindrid to Bergliot his wife for she was in the lodging that +she and +<span class = "pagenum">157</span> +Einar inhabited in the town. Thence went she up unto the King’s-House +where was gathered the peasant host and them incited she to fight +inasmuch as in her lay, but at that same moment rowed the King down the +river, then quoth Bergliot: ‘Now lack we my kinsman Hakon Ivarson; ne’er +would the murderers of Eindrid be rowing there adown the river were +Hakon on its banks.’ ¤ Thereafter caused Bergliot the bodies of Einar +& Eindrid be laid out, and they were buried in the church of Saint +Olaf hard by the tomb of King Magnus Olafson. ¤ After the fall of Einar +became King Harald so greatly +<span class = "pagenum">158</span> +hated for his share in that foul deed, that the feudatories and peasants +only held back from fighting with him because to them pertained no +leader to raise the banner for them.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic157.png" width = "473" height = "427" +alt = "Harald and his men rowing down the river"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Now dwelling at Austrat in Iriar was Fin Arnison, feudatory of King +Harald. ¤ Fin was married with Bergliot, the daughter of Halfdan the son +of Sigurd Sow, & Halfdan was the brother of King Olaf and King +Harald. ¤ Thora, wife to King Harald, was the daughter of the brother of +Fin Arnison; sworn friends to the King were Fin and his brethren. +Certain summers had Fin been in viking warfare westward and on those +quests he & Guthorm Gunhildson<a name = "tag158_11" id = "tag158_11" +href = "#note158_11">§</a> & Hakon Ivarson had sailed in company. So +fared King Harald down the Throndhjem fjord and out to Austrat, where he +was well received, and thereafter communed they together, Fin and he, +& took counsel one with the other as to the outcome concerning what +had but then befallen, to wit the slaying of Einar and his son, and then +of that murmuring and turmoil the which the Throndhjem folk were raising +over against the King. ¤ Fin answered hastily: ‘Wrong art thou on every +count; whatsoever thou doest thou doest ill & thereafter art thou so +afeared that thou knowest no whither to turn.’ ¤ The King rejoined +laughing: ‘Kinsman-in-law, I will send thee in to town & thou +shalt make it up betwixt the peasants and me; & if that business +cometh to naught then shalt thou fare to the Uplands, & good feeling +again cause with Ivar Hakonson & so bring it about that he goeth not +to war against me.’ Fin answered: ‘What will be my reward an I go on +this fool’s errand, for alike Throndhjem folk and Upland folk are so +hostile to thee that no messenger of thine could fare to them save at +his own risk.’ ¤ The King answered: ‘Go thou on this errand, +kinsman-in-law, for well wot I an any man could bring us to a +reconciliation it would be thee, & ask thyself of us what boon thou +wilt have therefor.’ ¤ ‘Keep thou thy word, and I will choose the boon; +I choose peace for my brother Calf and +<span class = "pagenum">159</span> +removal of his outlawry, and the restoring unto him of all his +possessions; and furthermore I ask that he shall have all his +appointments and all the power that he had or ever he left the land.’ ¤ +And the King said yea to all whatever Fin asked of him, & they twain +before witnesses took one another by the hand thereon. Thereafter said +Fin: ‘But what am I to proffer Hakon so that he may promise thee peace, +for he it is who hath the upper hand of those kinsmen’? The King said: +‘First shalt thou find out what Hakon is like to demand so that +reconciliation may be brought about, and thereafter must thou forward my +cause as best thou canst; but should the worst come to the worst, then +deny him nothing save & except the kingship itself.’</p> + +<p>¶ Then went King Harald southward to More where mustered he men, and +a great number was gathered unto him.</p> + +<p>¶ So Fin Arnison fared into the town & took with him his +house-carles to the number of some eighty men, and being come to the +town held he a Thing with the townsmen. Now Fin spoke long and wisely at +this Thing, bidding townsman and peasant take any other course rather +than live in hatred with his King or drive him away; & he reminded +them how much ill they had been brought to suffer when they had acted in +this wise aforetime, towards the sainted King Olaf. ¤ He said, moreover, +that the King would atone for these murders in such manner as the best +& wisest men might adjudge; and the outcome of the speech of Fin was +that the men gave their word to let the matter rest until the return of +the messengers despatched by Bergliot to Hakon Ivarson in the Uplands. +Thereafter fared Fin out to Orkadal with the men who had accompanied him +to town, and further up to the Dofrafjal and eastward (south) across +those mountains; and firstly went he to see his kinsman-in-law Earl Orm +(the Earl was wedded to Sigrid the daughter to Fin) & to him +disclosed his errand.</p> + +<p>¶ When this was done, appointed they a tryst with Hakon +<span class = "pagenum">160</span> +Ivarson, & when they were met did Fin before Hakon lay his errand in +accordance with the behest of King Harald. But on the instant was it +seen from the speech of Hakon that he deemed himself bound to avenge the +slaying of his kinsman Eindrid; and said he, moreover, that he had +received word from Throndhjem that there would come to him forces +sufficient for an uprising against the King.</p> + +<p>¶ Then did Fin open unto Hakon what a difference would lie, and how +much the more to his own vantage, were he, in lieu of risking battle +against a King to whom he was already bounden by service, to accept from +that King honour as great as he himself might demand. Fin said that +Hakon might be unvictorious; ‘and then wouldst thou have forfeited both +wealth and peace; and if thou wert victorious over the King then wouldst +thou be dubbed a traitor.’ ¤ The Earl also supported this speaking of +Fin. ¤ When Hakon had given the matter thought, made he known to them +what was in his mind, & said: ‘I will accept reconciliation from +King Harald if he will give me in wedlock his kinswoman Ragnhild, the +daughter of Magnus Olafson, with such a dowry as is seemly for her, and +as she herself may desire.’ ¤ Then Fin answered that he would promise +the fulfilment of this request on behalf of King Harald, & therewith +was the matter ratified between them. Thereafter fared Fin back north to +Throndhjem, and all the disquiet and turmoil was set at rest; and so in +the end kept the King his kingdom in peace within the land, for now the +whole of that league came to naught which the kinsfolk of Eindrid had +set against King Harald.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic161.png" width = "334" height = "386" +alt = "Hakon wooing Ragnhild"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Now when the time was come that Hakon was to demand the fulfilment +of the contract, fared he to see King Harald; and when they began +talking of the matter together, said the King to him that he on his side +would keep to everything that had been covenanted twixt Hakon and Fin: +‘Thou shalt speak with Ragnhild herself, Hakon,’ said the King, ‘and +<span class = "pagenum">161</span> +ask her consent to this match, but I would not advise thee, or any +other, to wed Ragnhild save with her consent.’</p> + +<p>Thereafter went Hakon unto Ragnhild and asked her hand, and she +answered: ‘Indeed feel I that my father, King Hakon, is dead, since I am +to be given to a peasant, fine man though thou art and of mighty +prowess. Were King Magnus alive would +<span class = "pagenum">162</span> +he never yoke me with any mate less than a king, nor can it be awaited +now that I will wed a man without princely rank.’ Now after this went +Hakon to King Harald & opened unto him of the colour of the speech +of Ragnhild, & withal to his memory again commended the agreement +betwixt himself and Fin; and Fin was there present, & sundry others +who could also bear witness to what was pledged betwixt him and Fin. +Then of them all demanded Hakon to bear him out in regard to the +agreement that the King should give Ragnhild such dowry as was to her +mind: ‘Since she will not wed an unprincely man then canst thou give me +an earldom; lineage have I, and according to what folk say certain +other qualities therewith that may well give me title to be an earl.’ +Then said the King: ‘When King Olaf, my brother, & King Magnus, his +son, ruled the kingdom, one earl did they allow to be in the country at +a time; this likewise hath been my plan since I have been King, & +therefore will I not take away from Orm the dignity which I have already +given him.’ Then saw Hakon that his cause had not been forwarded and he +liked it but ill, and Fin was likewise exceeding wrath that the King had +not kept his word, and thereafter they parted. Hakon fared straightway +from the country in a well-found long-ship, and southward steered a +course for Denmark where he betook him to his kinsman-in-law, King +Svein. The King received him with great pleasure & gave him large +grants in Denmark and made he Hakon also captain of his coast defences, +which were against vikings, who oft-times harried in the Danish realm, +and Wends, and Courlanders, and other folk coming from the east. +Therefore at sea, on his ships, dwelt Hakon in winter as well as in +summer.</p> + +<p>¶ Asmund was the name of a certain man who was said to be nephew<a +name = "tag162_32" id = "tag162_32" href = "#note162_32">§</a> & +foster-son to King Svein, a very able man was he, and well-beloved +by the King. ¤ But when Asmund grew to man’s estate soon showed he +himself of an unruly complexion +<span class = "pagenum">163</span> +& a manslayer; and the King being ill-pleased thereat sent him +away, but gave him a company of men and a goodly feof whereof could he +full well find support. ¤ Now no sooner had Asmund accepted the money of +the King than gathered he many men to him, and thereafter, since the +money the King had granted him sufficed in no sort for his charges, +seized he many possessions of the King. ¤ For this ill conduct, when the +King heard thereof, summoned he Asmund to him, and when they met told +him that obeyed would he be, that he must enter his body-guard & no +longer have his own company of men. When Asmund had been a time with the +King, became he ill-content, & one night ran he away and rejoined +his company, and thereafter wrought even more evil than aforetime. ¤ +Then it befell once upon a time when the King was riding in his +dominions, that he came nigh unto the place where then abode Asmund and +he despatched men to take him by force, and that done the King had him +put in irons and kept him thus for a while to see if he would not grow +meeker. But when Asmund was let loose from his irons forthwith ran he +the more away, & raised men and war-ships, and fell to harrying both +at home and abroad, & much war-work did he, slaying many folk, and +pillaging far and wide. Those men that were the sufferers from his raids +went to the King and made plaint before him, and he rejoined: ‘Why say +ye this to me, why do ye not fare to Hakon Ivarson? He is now the warden +of my coasts, and is put there to punish vikings and keep the peace for +ye peasants. It was told me that Hakon was a bold man and brave, but +methinks that now is he never to be found where he deemeth danger to be +toward.’ ¤ These words from the King, and many added to them, came to +the ears of Hakon, & thereon went Hakon & his men in search of +Asmund, & they were met on their ships, wherefore Hakon forthwith +gave battle. A hard & great struggle was it; Hakon boarded +Asmund’s ship and cleared it, and at the last he and +<span class = "pagenum">164</span> +Asmund themselves dealt blows one at another with their weapons & +thus fell Asmund. Thereafter Hakon smote off his head, & then betook +him with all speed to King Svein whom he found sitting at table. ¤ Hakon +advanced before the table and laid the head thereon, in front of the +King, and asked of him whether he recognized it. ¤ Never a word did the +King answer, but he was blood-red to behold. ¤ Thereafter went Hakon +away. A little later sent the King men to him, to bid him leave his +service, & he said: ‘No hurt will I do him, but it is not for us to +be the keeper of all our kinsmen.’</p> + +<p>¶ Then when all these things were accomplished did Hakon quit Denmark +& thence fared forth to the north of Norway, to his demesne. ¤ By +that time was his kinsman, Earl Orm, dead. ¤ The friends and kindred to +Hakon were rejoiced over his coming, and many a bold man set to work to +make peace betwixt him & the King, & in the end were they +reconciled, to wit, both King Harald and Hakon; and Hakon was given +Ragnhild, the King’s daughter, in marriage, & King Harald gave him +Orm’s earldom and such rule as had been Orm’s aforetime. Hakon swore +fealty to the King, and likewise to afford him such service as he was +bounden to give him.</p> + +<p>¶ Since he had fared from Norway had Calf Arnison been living after +the fashion of a viking westward, but the winters through oft-times +abode he in Orkneyja (the Orkneys) with his kinsman-in-law, Earl +Thorfin. Fin Arnison sent to his brother Calf to tell him concerning the +covenant which he and King Harald had encompassed, the purport whereof +being ye outlawry of Calf himself, to wit, that it should be once more +lawful to him to dwell in his own land, and possess his estates, and +such land dues as he had held aforetime from King Magnus. When Calf +received this message, forthwith made he him ready to quit, and sailed +he east to Norway, and firstly sought he his brother Fin. ¤ Thereafter +Fin craved a truce for Calf, and then were they confronted, the King +<span class = "pagenum">165</span> +and Calf, & entered into a covenant like unto the agreement to which +the King & Fin had arrived on this matter. Thereon gave Calf his +hand, and bound himself on the same terms as he had bound himself to +King Magnus aforetime, that he would do all such works as King Harald +desired or deemed would be for the strengthening of his kingdom. ¤ Then +was Calf re-endowed with all his possessions, and the land-dues which +had been his in former days.</p> + +<p>¶ Next summer called out King Harald an host and fared to Denmark +where he harried during the summer. ¤ But when he was come south to Fion +(Funen) found he a large host assembled against him, so bade the King +his men leave their ships and arm themselves in order to make a landing; +and parted he his host and gave to Calf Arnison command over one company +thereof, and bade them go the first ashore and told them where to take +up their station; himself, said he, would go up after them, and come to +their assistance. ¤ Calf and his men went ashore, and anon a band of men +set upon them, and Calf forthwith gave battle. Not long was the combat, +for Calf was overborne by odds and fled with his folk. The Danes pursued +them, slaying many of the Norwegians, and likewise Calf Arnison. ¤ When +King Harald with his company were come ashore soon found they the slain, +more especially the corse of Calf, and this was borne down to the ships, +but the King pursued his march inland where he harried and slew many +men. Thus saith Arnor:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The edge so sharp in Fion</p> +<p>He reddened, and the fire</p> +<p>Rushed o’er the dwelling;</p> +<p>Fewer folk were there thereafter in Fion.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After this conceived Fin Arnison enmity against Harald for the +slaying of his brother Calf, for said he that the King had purposely +compassed the death of Calf; and furthermore that it was befooling of +him himself, to wit, this luring +<span class = "pagenum">166</span> +of Calf west across the seas into the power of King Harald, and into +putting faith in him. When these words were spread abroad spake many men +their mind that Fin had been simple when he had deemed that Calf could +trust in the good faith of King Harald, for it was known that the King +bore malice for deeds of smaller consequence than those Calf had +committed against his person. ¤ Now let the King every man talk on this +matter as he listed: he made neither confirmation nor yet contradiction +of whatsoever they said, and it was in his own words alone that men did +discover satisfaction at what had happened. King Harald chanted this +song:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Now of men eleven and two have I the bane been,</p> +<p>We incite to battle and full many a slaying I remember.</p> +<p>That mind which is with treason fraught</p> +<p>Seeks to tame men by falseness;</p> +<p>Men say ‘tis little that it takes such a balance to disturb.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ So much to heart did Fin Arnison take the death of his brother that +he quitted the land and came south to Denmark, and going unto King Svein +was well received by him. The King & he spake long together privily, +& at the end thereof was it known how Fin was minded then and there +to take service with King Svein and become his man. To him gave Svein +the title or Earl and therewith Halland to govern, and there Fin tarried +to safeguard the coast against the Norwegians.</p> + +<p>¶ Now Ketil Calf & Gunhild had a son whose name was Guthorm of +Ringanes. On his mother’s side was he the nephew of King Olaf and King +Harald, able was he withal & early come to manhood. Guthorm was oft +with King Harald who to him was of very friendly countenance, and over +Harald had Guthorm much influence for he was a wise man & +well-beloved of all. Guthorm sailed often on viking cruises to the lands +in the west, and had disposition over many men. ¤ His peace-land & +place of abode in winter was Dublin in Ireland, where he was a sworn +friend of King Margad.<a name = "tag166_35" id = "tag166_35" href = +"#note166_35">§</a></p> + +<span class = "pagenum">167</span> +<p>¶ The summer thereafter King Margad and Guthorm with him fared to +Bretland (Wales) in order to harry there, and thence took they much +wealth which they had pillaged. After having done thus, lay they to in +Anglesey Sound so that they might part their plunder, but when all the +silver, and great was the quantity, was carried before the King and he +beheld it, then desired he to keep all for himself, and seemed now to +set scant store by his friendship with Guthorm. ¤ Guthorm liked ill +enough that he and his men should be scotched of their share of the +booty; & still less pleased was he when the King said he might +choose betwixt two things; ‘Either to submit to our will, or do battle +with us, and he who gets the victory to have the money; and thou +moreover shalt depart from thy ships and I will take them.’ Now on +either hand the task seemed severe; Guthorm deemed it unseemly that he +should without rime or reason give up his ships & money, but +natheless was it ill fighting over against a King to whom was an host so +large as that which followed Margad. Grave also was the disparity +betwixt the crews thereof, inasmuch as to the King were sixteen +long-ships & to Guthorm only five. So Guthorm prayed the King grant +him three nights’ truce in the which to confer with his men on this +matter, for thought he that he could soften the King within this time, +and aided by the pleading of his men could set the matter on a better +footing with the King, but never a bit did he get what he asked for. +This was on the eve of St. Olafmas.<a name = "tag167_26" id = +"tag167_26" href = "#note167_26">§</a> So Guthorm chose to die, the +stout fellow he was, or win the day, rather than suffer the shame and +disgrace and mockery of having lost so vast a deal. ¤ And called he upon +God and the sainted King Olaf, his kinsman, praying for their help and +support, and vowing to bestow on that holy man’s house a tithe of all +the plunder which would fall to them an they gained the victory. +Thereafter did he array his host, and rank it against the greater host, +and he advanced on them and fought with +<span class = "pagenum">168</span> +them, and by God’s help and that of the holy King Olaf did he gain the +victory. There fell King Margad, and every man who was with him, young +& old. After this glorious victory Guthorm returned home joyfully +with all the wealth he had gotten from the strife; & from the silver +which had changed hands every tenth penny was set aside for the sainted +King Olaf even as Guthorm had vowed. A vast deal of money was there +so that from the silver caused Guthorm to be made a rood of his own +stature, or of that of the captain of his ship, and that holy symbol is +seven ells in height. ¤ This cross did Guthorm give to the church of the +holy St. Olaf, & there<a name = "tag168_11" id = "tag168_11" href = +"#note168_11">§</a> has it remained ever since in testimony of ye +victory of Guthorm and the miracle of ye sainted King Olaf.</p> + +<p>¶ Now there was in Denmark a Count who was evil & envious, and he +had a Norwegian serving-woman and the stock of her was from Throndhjem. +She worshipped the holy King Olaf, and put staunch faith in his +sanctity; but the Count misdoubted all that had been told him of the +miracles of that holy man, & affirmed that naught were they but +rumour and talk, and laughed to scorn all the praise and worship which +the folk of the land accorded the good King. ¤ But now was drawing nigh +the day whereon the gentle King laid down his life, a day which all +Norwegians kept, but which this unwise count refused to hallow; & he +bade his serving-woman fire the oven and bake on that day. ¤ And deeming +from the mood of the Count that he would soon avenge himself on her an +she did not obey him in all that he had bidden her do, went she all +unwillingly and laid fire under the oven, and made much plaint while she +worked, & called on King Olaf, saying that she would never believe +more on him if he did not by some token or other avenge this +unseemliness. And now shall ye hear of a meet chastisement & true +miracle: it befell forthwith, in the self-same moment, that the Count +became blind in both eyes and that the bread which she had baked was +<span class = "pagenum">169</span> +turned into stone. ¤ Some of the stones have been brought to the church +of the holy King Olaf, and also to many other places. St. Olafmas has +ever been kept holy in Denmark since that happening.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic169.png" width = "350" height = "395" +alt = "the cripple on London Bridge"> +</p> + +<p>¶ Westward in Valland (France) was there a man who was so malformed +that he was a cripple, and crawled he ever on his knees and knuckles. +One day when he was abroad, on a road, he fell asleep & dreamt that +a man all glorious without came +<span class = "pagenum">170</span> +to him and asked whither was he bound, and the cripple answered with the +name of a certain town. ¤ Then the man all glorious said: ‘Fare thee +rather to St. Olaf’s Church in London, and there wilt thou be healed.’ +Thereafter awakened the cripple and straightway fared in search of St. +Olaf’s Church, and after a while was come to London Bridge & there +asked of the townsmen whether they could direct him to St. Olaf’s +Church; but for answer gat he that there were too many churches for them +to know to what man each of them was dedicated. A while later came +up a man & asked him whither was he bound, and he told him whither +he was bound, and that man said afterwards: ‘We will both go to St. +Olaf’s Church, for I know the way thither.’ ¤ So then crossed they the +bridge, and went to the street which led to St. Olaf’s Church. When they +were come to the gates of the churchyard the man stepped over the +threshold which is between the gates, but the cripple rolled over it, +and lo, straightway rose he up a whole man. When he looked round his +comrade was gone.</p> + +<p>¶ King Harald founded a merchant town eastward in Oslo,<a name = +"tag170_20" id = "tag170_20" href = "#note170_20">§</a> and often +tarried there for it had broad countrysides round about, and was a place +suited for the ingathering of victuals; likewise was it well situated +for the defence of the land against the Danes, & also for onsets on +Denmark which Harald was wont to make even at such times when he had a +large host at his beck. ¤ One summer fared King Harald with some light +ships and but few men and set he sail south for Viken; but on a fair +wind springing up, crossed he the sea to Jutland where he began to +harry. ¤ The men of the land, however, collected themselves together +& defended their country, so then sailed King Harald on to Limfjord +and went up that fjord. ¤ Now Limfjord is so fashioned in shape that +going up it is like entering into a narrow river-groove, but as thou +goest on up the fjord it becometh like a great sea. ¤ Harald harried +there on +<span class = "pagenum">171</span> +both shores, but beheld the Danes everywhere assembled in numbers. King +Harald brought-to his ships alongside an island which was small & +thereon were no buildings; and when they went in search of water they +found none, and told it unto the King. ¤ Then he did send men to see if +no adder could be found on the isle, & when one had been found they +brought it to the King and he had the adder taken to the fire so that it +might be warmed and teased thereby, and become right thirsty. Thereafter +a twine was bound to its tail and the adder was let loose, and it +crawled away and the twine was unwound from the ball, and they followed +after the adder until it struck into the earth. ¤ Then the King bade +them dig for water, and they dug for it, and there found water in +abundance.</p> + +<p>¶ From his spies learned King Harald the intelligence that King Svein +was come with a large fleet of ships to the mouth of the fjord, and that +he was making way but slowly, for his ships could only pass in one at a +time. King Harald took his ships up Limfjord, and over against where it +is broadest it is called Lusbreid. Now from the creek within is there a +narrow neck of land westward (north) leading to the sea, and thither did +the men to Harald row in the evening; after nightfall, when it was dark, +they cleared the ships & haled them right over this isthmus, and +before daylight all was accomplished and the ships once more ready for +sea. Then shaped he the course northward past Jutland, and they +sang:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘From Danish grip</p> +<p>Did Harald slip.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ At that time said the King that he would come to Denmark once +again, & would bring with him more men & larger ships. After +these things fared they northward to Throndhjem.</p> + +<p>¶ That winter abode King Harald in Nidaros, & at this time caused +he a ship to be builded out on the islands, and it was a bussa-ship<a +name = "tag171_34" id = "tag171_34" href = "#note171_34">§</a> made +after the model of the Long Serpent and +<span class = "pagenum">172</span> +wrought every way as carefully as might be. ¤ At her bows was a +dragon-head and at her stern a crook, and the ......<a name = "tag172_2" +id = "tag172_2" href = "#note172_2">§</a> were all overlaid with gold. +On her were thirty-five benches, and broad was she of beam in comparison +therewith. ¤ Very fair to behold was she. The King caused all the +appurtenances of the ship to be chosen with exceeding great care, both +the sail, the running tackle, the anchor and the cables. ¤ That winter +King Harald sent word southward to Denmark to King Svein, bidding him +come in spring from the south to the River, to a meeting with him, & +saying that they would then fight to the end that one or other of their +countries should change hands, & the victor become master of both +kingdoms.</p> + +<p>¶ That winter called out King Harald a host, a general host, +from all Norway, and by spring-tide had been assembled together a mighty +array of men. ¤ Then launched the King his great ship on the river Nid, +and after that was accomplished caused he the dragon-head be placed +thereon. ¤ Then sang Thiodolf the Skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Fair maid, forward is the ship guided, from river to main.</p> +<p>Mark where off the land there lieth the long hull of the dragon.</p> +<p>The mane of the serpent yellow-green glints on the deck,</p> +<p>The prows were burnt-gold as from off the slip she glided.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Thereafter fitted King Harald out the ship and his men for a +cruise, and all being made ready, stood he down the river, and right +well answered she to the oars. Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Saturday the prince casts off the long land tilts,</p> +<p>There where the widows proud the serpent watch,</p> +<p>As she glideth from the town.</p> +<p>West from the Nid thereafter the King doth steer,</p> +<p>Into the sea drop the oars of his men.</p> +<p>Move can they, the King’s lads, the straight oars in the water.</p> +<p>The widows stand and wonder at the oar-strokes so swift,</p> +<p>The thole knows hurt when seventy oars do move her</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">173</span> +I’ the water ere the war-folk on the sea their oars do strain.</p> +<p>Northmen the serpent row (nailed is she) out on the billow-stream +icy;</p> +<p>‘Tis eagles’ wings that we behold.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Southward sailed King Harald with his host alongside the land, so +that he might call out a general muster of men and ships. But when they +were come eastward, and were off Vik, arose a strong contrary wind +wherefore was the fleet obliged to stand in for harbour, making such +havens as were to be found in the skerries as well as those in the +fjords. ¤ Quoth Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Lee have the shaven hulls of the ships under the woods,</p> +<p>The King’s war-host towards land doth lean with its prow beams.</p> +<p>The land-folk in the skerries, within the creeks, do lie;</p> +<p>The ships white-mailèd hide under the land-necks.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now in the tempest which fell upon them the great ship had need of +good anchor tackle, and thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Prow foremost the prince cleft</p> +<p>High fences of the sea;</p> +<p>The ropes of the King’s ship</p> +<p>Are strainèd to the utmost;</p> +<p>The wind is unfriendly</p> +<p>Against the anchor-iron out-hollowed,</p> +<p>Grit and wind-squalls ugly</p> +<p>Chafe at the anchor flukes.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ As soon as there was come to him a fair wind, took King Harald the +host east to the River, and thither came towards nightfall. Thus saith +Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Now drave King Harald hotly the war-ships towards the River,</p> +<p>At nightfall Norway’s King anigh the marches is.</p> +<p>A Thing the King now holds at Thumla, there where Svein</p> +<p>Will meet to war if so be the Danes shirk not the tryst.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">174</span> +<p>¶ When the Danes learned that the hosts of the Norwegians were come, +all those that were able to do so fled away. ¤ The Norwegians likewise +learnt that the Danish King had his host out, and was lying south off +Funen and the small-isles; but when King Harald saw that King Svein +would not come to meet him as had been agreed, nor do battle with him, +then did he after the same fashion as before & let the peasant host +return to Norway; but manned he one hundred and fifty<a name = +"tag174_8" id = "tag174_8" href = "#note174_8">§</a> ships, & with +these steered a course alongside Halland. There he plundered widely; and +he put in also to Lofufjord with his host, and going up onto the land +harried there likewise. Somewhile later came King Svein to the encounter +with the Danish host, and to him was a tale of three hundred<a name = +"tag174_13" id = "tag174_13" href = "#note174_13">§</a> ships. When the +Norwegians saw this fleet bade King Harald a blast be blown to summon +his host together, & many spake saying that they ought to flee, +& that it was unavailing for them to fight, but the King answered +thus: ‘We will fall one atop of the other rather than flee!’ Thus saith +Stein Herdason:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Said the chief high-minded, what now he awaited.</p> +<p>Here (said the King) he had all hope of peace lost.</p> +<p>Rather than yield, cried the King, should each man fall one on the +top of the other.</p> +<p>Their arms then took the men.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Then let King Harald his ships be cleared for action, and brought +his great dragon forward into the very midst of the host. Thus saith +Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The giver of kindly gifts</p> +<p>Who oft to the wolf gave food,</p> +<p>His dragon-ship put forward</p> +<p>Midmost in the war-host.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ This ship was well fitted out, and had a large crew. ¤ And again +saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The peace wishing King his ranks bade</p> +<p>Bind fast the war-shields on the ships’ sides;</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">175</span> +The prince’s friends well ordered stand methinks. The leader of manly +deeds,</p> +<p>The doughty dragon closed,</p> +<p>Outside the Niz, with shields, and one o’erlapped the other.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Ulf the Marshal brought his ship up alongside the royal ship, & +bade her men place her well forward. Stein Herdason was on Ulf’s ship, +and he chanted thus:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Ulf, the Marshal of the King,</p> +<p>Cheered us all on to battle;</p> +<p>The spears trembled when</p> +<p>The ships were rowed to the fight.</p> +<p>And, no doubt, the wise King’s</p> +<p>Valiant friend did bid his men</p> +<p>His ship advance beside</p> +<p>The prince’s; the lads obeyed.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Stationed farthest out on one of the arms was Ivar Hakonson; under +him had he many and the men to him were well equipped. Farthest out on +the other arm were the chiefs of Throndhjem, and to them likewise was a +large and goodly host.</p> + +<p>¶ And King Svein likewise ranged his host, and his ship laid he over +against ye ship of Harald, in the midst of the host, and nighest to him +was Earl Fin, and next to him again the Danes ranked all of their host +that was bravest and best equipped. Thereafter either side lashed their +ships together in the midmost part of the fleet, but the hosts being so +large it befell that there was a great number of ships faring loose, and +so each captain placed his ship as far forward as he had courage for; +but that was exceeding varied. Now though the odds were so great yet +nevertheless had either side a vast host, and in his to King Svein +pertained as many as seven earls. Thus saith Stein Herdason:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The “hersirs’” valiant lord a risk did take him,</p> +<p>With ships fifty and a hundred he waited for the Danes.</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">176</span> +Next was it that the ruler dear who dwells in Leidra<a name = "tag176_1" +id = "tag176_1" href = "#note176_1">§</a></p> +<p>The sea cleft thither with three hundred sea-steeds.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Even so soon as he had made ready his ships, commanded King Harald +the war-blast to be sounded, and after this was done, rowed his men +ahead. Stein Herdason saith:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Before the river’s mouth, damage did Harald Svein.</p> +<p>Hard withstanding made he; Harald asked not for peace.</p> +<p>The King’s sword-swinging lads forward off Halland rowed,</p> +<p>And yonder on the sea caused wounds with blood to stream.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Then did either side join combat, and the struggle waxed very +fierce. Either King lustily cheered on his men, as saith Stein +Herdason:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Eager for war the good shield-bearers bade their lads</p> +<p>To shoot and hew (but short the space was ’twixt the hosts).</p> +<p>Both stones & arrows streamed when the sword shook from it,</p> +<p>The light blood, depriving of life the men of either host.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ It was late in the day when battle was joined and the combatants +fought the whole night; King Harald himself shot for long with his bow. +Thiodolf saith thus:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Elm-bow did the Upland</p> +<p>King draw all the night;</p> +<p>Shrewd ruler of the land sent</p> +<p>Arrows ’gainst the white shields;<!-- I bet they’d be more effective +if they were sent against the men holding the shields --></p> +<p>Barbs bloody harmed the peasants,</p> +<p>And the King’s arrows</p> +<p>Fast in the shields did lodge</p> +<p>(The spear-shots grew apace).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon & the men of his company did not lash their ships +together, but rowed against the Danish keels that were faring loose, and +every ship that they grappled did they clear. When the Danes noted this +same did every man move his ship away from the spot whither the Earl was +faring, but went he after them even as they withdrew, and wellnigh to +fleeing were they. ¤ But then came a boat rowing towards the +<span class = "pagenum">177</span> +Earl’s ship, and those in it shouted & said that the other arm of ye +battle array of King Harald had given way, and that many of their men +had fallen there, so then rowed the Earl away thither and fierce was his +onset, so that the Danes again caused their ships to fall astern. Thus +did the Earl fare the whole of that night, rowing round outside the +combatants, and laying about him wheresoever it was required; & +whithersoever he went he was in no fashion to be withstood. ¤ During the +waning part of the night was there a general fight among the Danes; this +was after King Harald & his band had boarded the own ship to King +Svein, and so utterly cleared it that all his men were slain save and +except those that leapt into the sea. Thus saith Arnor Earl’s-skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Svein courageous went not from off his ship</p> +<p>Without good cause (that is my mind);</p> +<p>Hard was the fight for the helmets wasted,</p> +<p>And empty did his craft float ere the eloquent friend of the +Jutes</p> +<p>Fled from his dead chosen fighters.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After the banner of King Svein had fallen & the ships to him +had been cleared, fled away all his men save those who were slain, & +they that fled sprang into the deep from those ships that were lashed +together or climbed on to other ships that were faring loose, but all of +the men of King Svein who were able to do so rowed off. Full many men +fell there. And there, where the Kings themselves had fought & the +greater number of the ships had been lashed one to another, lay over +seventy of the ships of that King; thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Bold King of the Sogn-folk,</p> +<p>(So ’tis sung) ships seven</p> +<p>Times ten of men and arms</p> +<p>From Svein’s fleet cleared away.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ King Harald after the Danes rowed hard and put them to rout, but no +easy task was it, for so little sea-room was there +<span class = "pagenum">178</span> +betwixt the keels that motion was well-nigh not possible. Earl Fin would +in no wise consent to flee and was taken captive; he could not see well. +This is what Thiodolf saith:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘To six Danish earls a guerdon hast thou to give</p> +<p>For one single victory,</p> +<p>(They whet the heat of battle).</p> +<p>In the midst of the ranks</p> +<p>Fin Arnason was taken</p> +<p>Battle-strong, stout-hearted;</p> +<p>Ne’er would he think to flee.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon tarried behind with his ship, while the King and the +rest were pursuing after the fugitives, for the Earl could not get his +ship away from the spot where she was lying. Just at that time rowed up +a man in a boat to the ship and brought-to at the poop; a big man +was he with a broad-brimmed hat; ‘Where is the Earl?’ quoth he up to the +ship. ‘In the forehold,’ answered they him back, ‘binding the wound of a +man who is bleeding.’ The Earl viewed the man with the hat and asked +what might his name be, to which he made answer: ‘Vandrad<a name = +"tag178_21" id = "tag178_21" href = "#note178_21">§</a> is here, speak +to me, Earl.’ Then looked the Earl over the gunwale at him. ¤ Then said +the boatman: ‘I will receive my life of thee if thou wilt give it me.’ +Then the Earl rose up and called to two of his men, either of whom was +dear to him, and said: ‘Get into the boat and set Vandrad ashore; go +with him to my friend Karl the Peasant, and tell him for a token to give +Vandrad the horse which I gave to him yesterday, and to give him his own +saddle, and his son for a guide.’ Then stepped they into the boat & +took the oars, & Vandrad steered. ¤ This was hard nigh to the dawn +of day, and there was much movement among the ships, craft both large +and small, some rowing to land, others to sea. ¤ Vandrad steered there +where thought he there was most sea-room betwixt the craft, & +whensoever any of the Norwegian ships rowed nigh them said the Earl’s +men who they were, & then all let them +<span class = "pagenum">179</span> +go as they listed. Vandrad steered along the shore & did not put to +land ere they had come past the place where there was a great throng of +ships.</p> + +<p>¶ Thereafter walked they to the homestead of Karl at about the hour +when the light began to wax, and so went they into the living-room, and +beheld Karl but now clad. To him told the men from the Earl on what +mission had they come, and Karl said that first must they eat, & +caused food to be set before them, & himself fetched them water for +hand-washing. Then came the housewife into the chamber and straightway +said she: ‘Wondrous is it that we gat no sleep nor rest all night +through, for the tumult and noise.’ Karl answered: ‘Knowest thou not +that the Kings fought together yesternight?’ She asked: ‘Who won?’ Karl +answered: ‘The Norwegians won.’ ‘Belike our King hath fled again,’ said +she. Karl replied: ‘In a bad way are we with our King for he is both +halt & craven.’ Then spake Vandrad: ‘The King is not craven, but +neither he is victorious.’ Now Vandrad was the last to wash his hands, +and when he took the towel he dried himself in the midst thereof; but +the housewife seized it and pulled it from him, saying: ‘Little good +canst thou do; ’tis the way of common folk to wet all the towel at +once.’ Vandrad answered: ‘I shall yet come thither where I may dry +myself midmost in the towel.’ Then sat they at meat for a while but +afterwards went out, and there was the horse standing ready, and that +son of Karl who was to bear Vandrad company sat another horse, and +together rode they forth to the forest. But the men from the Earl went +back to their boat, & rowed out again to their ship.</p> + +<p>¶ Harald and his men pursued the fugitives a short way, and +thereafter returned to those ships which had been deserted. And then +searched they the slain, finding in the King’s ship a number of dead +men; yet not among them was the body of King Svein; natheless was it +deemed certain that he must +<span class = "pagenum">180</span> +have fallen. King Harald let the corses of his men be laid out, or the +wounds bound up of them that required it. Then caused he the bodies of +the men of Svein to be borne ashore, & sent word to the peasants +that they should bury them; thereafter caused he the plunder to be +divided, and abode for a while there at that spot. And there learnt he +the tidings that King Svein was come to Zealand, and that all of his +host which had not been routed in battle had rejoined him, and to him +likewise were come many other men, and that to him therefore was +assembled a mighty large host.</p> + +<p>¶ Now as ye have heard tell afore, was Earl Fin Arnason captured in +the battle, and before the King was he led. King Harald was then +exceeding joyful, and said he, ‘Here meet we twain, Fin, though +lastwhiles in Norway; scarce hath the Danish court stood by thee! An ill +piece of work will the Norwegians have to drag thee, blind man, after +them, and keep thee alive.’ ¤ Then answered back the Earl: ‘Many ill +things have the Norwegians now to do, & the worst of these is thy +bidding.’ ¤ Then said King Harald: ‘Wilt thou have grace, though grace +deservest thou not?’ The Earl answered: ‘Not from thee, hound!’ The King +said: ‘Dost desire that thy kinsman Magnus should give thee grace?’ +Magnus, the son of King Harald, was captain of a ship at that time. Then +said the Earl: ‘What hath that whelp to do with the meting out of +grace?’ Thereat laughed the King, for he deemed it good sport to bait +him, and said he: ‘Wilt thou accept thy life from the hand of Thora, thy +kinswoman?’ ¤ Then the Earl said: ‘Is she here?’ ‘She is here,’ said the +King. ¤ Then did Fin utter the scurvy words which were remembered long +thereafter, and all were witness of how wroth he was since he could not +still his words: ‘It is not to be wondered at that thou hast bitten well +since the mare is with thee.’ ¤ To Earl Fin was given quarter, and King +Harald kept him with him for a time, but Fin was somewhat unjoyful, and +unmeek in his +<span class = "pagenum">181</span> +words. Then King Harald said: ‘I see thou wilt not be friends with me +nor with my kindred, so I will give thee leave to fare to Svein, thy +King.’ The Earl answered: ‘That will I accept, and the sooner I fare +hence the more grateful I shall be.’ Thereafter the King let Fin be +taken even to the land, where was he made welcome by the Hallanders. ¤ +Thence sailed King Harald north with his host to Norway, faring first to +Oslo, and in that place gave leave to all his men who desired it to go +even to their own homes.</p> + +<p>¶ It is said that King Svein abode that winter in Denmark, and held +his state as before. ¤ And in the winter sent he men northward to +Halland to fetch Karl the Peasant to him, and likewise Karl’s wife; and +when they were come and he had summoned Karl unto him he asked him if he +had seen him before. Karl answered: ‘I know thee now, King, and I knew +thee then even so soon as I saw thee, and it is under God that the +little help which I was able to afford thee was of use.’ The King +answered: ‘For all the days I have yet to live I have to reward thee. +Now firstly will I give thee whatever homestead in Zealand thou art +minded to have, and I will furthermore make thee a great man an thou +wottest how to act.’ ¤ Karl thanked the King well for his words, and +said that there was still a favour he would pray of him. And the King +asked what that might be. Karl said: ‘I would ask this thing, King, that +thou lettest me take my wife with me.’ The King answered: ‘I will not +promise thee this thing, for I will get thee a much better & wiser +wife; but thy wife may keep the small homestead ye have already; on that +she can live.’ ¤ And the King gave Karl a large & noble stead & +gat him a good marriage. This was known and told far and wide, yea even +as far north as Norway.</p> + +<p>¶ The winter following on the battle of the Niz King Harald spent in +Oslo. And when the host came up from the south in autumn many tales and +legends went abroad of the autumn +<span class = "pagenum">182</span> +outside the Niz river, & everyone who had been there deemed he had +something to tell. Once it happened that some men were sitting drinking +in a small chamber, & full of talk were they, talking of the battle +of the Niz, and of whom might have derived the greatest renown +therefrom. All were agreed on one issue, however, and that was that no +other had been such a man there as Earl Hakon: he it was who had shown +greatest prowess, who was the boldest under arms, and the ablest, and +the most fortunate, and whatsoever he did was that which availed most, +& to him was accounted the victory. Now Harald was without, in the +courtyard, speaking with some of his men, and thereafter went he before +the doorway of the chamber and said: ‘Every man now would like to be +named Hakon,’ and therewith went his way.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon fared to the Uplands in autumn, even to his dominions, +and there tarried throughout the winter. ¤ Right well beloved was he of +the Upland folk. Now once it befell, when spring was drawing nigh, that +some men were sitting drinking, & their talk was yet again of the +battle of the Niz; and men lauded greatly Earl Hakon, but a few praised +others no less. ¤ When they had been talking thus a while a man +answered: ‘Mayhap other men besides Earl Hakon fought boldly outside the +Niz, yet nevertheless methinks no one can have had the luck he had.’ ¤ +They said it was no doubt his greatest luck that he had routed many of +the Danes. The same man answered: ‘Luckiest for him was it that he gave +King Svein his life.’ Another answered him: ‘Thou wottest not what thou +art saying.’ He answered: ‘Yea, I wot full well, for he who set the +King ashore told me himself.’ Thus it befell, as oft is said, that ‘many +are the King’s ears.’ These things were told to the King straightway, +and the King had many horses taken and rode forthwith away in the night +with two hundred men,<a name = "tag182_34" id = "tag182_34" href = +"#note182_34">§</a> and rode he the whole of that night and the +following day. Then there came towards them on horseback +<span class = "pagenum">183</span> +certain men who were making for the town with meal and malt. Now faring +with the King was one Gamal, & he rode up to one of the peasants who +was a friend of his and spoke privily with him. ¤ Gamal said: ‘Money +will I give thee, an thou wilt ride furiously by hidden ways such as +thou wottest to be shortest to Earl Hakon: tell him that the King will +slay him, for the King wotteth that the Earl helped King Svein to land +outside the Niz.’ ¤ And the matter being covenanted between them rode +the peasant hard, and came even to the Earl who was sitting drinking and +had not gone to his rest. But when the peasant made known his errand, +rose the Earl forthwith and all his folk; and the Earl caused his +chattels to be removed from the house during the night. When the King +arrived thither tarried he there the night, but Hakon the Earl had +ridden his way. And in time came he east to the realm of Sweden, to King +Steinkel, and abode with him the summer. King Harald then turned him +back to town. In the summer the King fared north to Throndhjem and abode +there, but in the autumn fared eastward again to Vik.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Hakon went back in the summer to the Uplands, so soon as he +learned that the King had fared northward, and there dwelt he until such +time as the King came south again. Thereafter fared the Earl eastward to +Vermaland and tarried there long in the winter; and King Steinkel gave +the Earl rule and dominion over that part of the land. ¤ When winter was +wearing to an end, fared he westward to Kaumariki, and took with him +many men whom the Gauts and Vermalanders had given him. And he took +thence his land-dues and the taxes which he had a right to demand, & +thereafter fared he back east to Gautland and dwelt there the spring. ¤ +King Harald abode the winter in Oslo, and sent his men to the Uplands to +gather taxes and land-dues and the King’s fines; but the Uplanders said +that they would not pay to him all dues which it behoved them to pay +into the hands of Earl +<span class = "pagenum">184</span> +Hakon even so long as he was alive and had not forfeited life or +dominions; & no land-dues did the King therefrom obtain that +winter.</p> + +<p>¶ Now betwixt Norway and Denmark there were sent that winter +messengers and messages, for both Norwegians and Danes alike desired to +make peace and agreement either with other, and they prayed their Kings +to do the same. The sending of these messages appeared prone to bring +about concord, for in the end a peace-meeting was agreed upon in the +River betwixt King Harald and King Svein. When spring-tide was come both +Kings called out many men and ships for this journey. Saith a skald in a +poem:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Leader of arméd men, he who the ground engirdles</p> +<p>From Eyrasund northward shuts with his long-ship’s prows</p> +<p>The land (the haven spurned he).</p> +<p>Gleaming with gold the stems cut the waves keenly;</p> +<p>Onward of Halland west, with host aboard, and the keels +thrilling.</p> +<p>Harald firm-oathed! oft hast thou the earth engirdled with thy +ships;</p> +<p>Svein, too, through the sound sailed the King to meet.</p> +<p>Praise-dight filler of ravens, who every bay doth close,</p> +<p>Hath out a teeming host of Danes, from the south all.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ It is said here that these Kings kept to their agreement, to wit, +that there should be a meeting betwixt them; and that both came to the +marches. It is set forth thus below:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Shrewd leader of arméd men</p> +<p>To trysting south once more</p> +<p>Thou sailst as all Danes wished</p> +<p>(No lesser was thy purpose).</p> +<p>Svein now to the northward fares</p> +<p>The land-marches nigh,</p> +<p>The tryst to keep with Harald—</p> +<p>Windy was the weather off the land.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">185</span> +<p>¶ When the Kings were come face to face the one with other forthwith +betwixt them was broached ye matter of peace; and no sooner was this +opened than many men made plaint of the harm they had suffered through +war-fare, rapine, and the slaying of men. And long talked they about +this, as is said hereafter:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The yeomen shrewd</p> +<p>Such words do say aloud</p> +<p>That when the men meet,</p> +<p>An’ angered are mostly</p> +<p>The others. Far seemeth</p> +<p>Concord to lie from men</p> +<p>Who on all things quarrel</p> +<p>(The chiefs’ arrogance waxeth).</p> +<p>With danger fraught will be</p> +<p>Wrath of the princes be</p> +<p>If peace be agreed on,</p> +<p>Those who are peace-makers</p> +<p>In scales must weigh all things.</p> +<p>Seemly for Kings to say</p> +<p>What e’er the host liketh;</p> +<p>Bad will would it cause</p> +<p>Were the yeomen’s state worsened.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Then the best men and the wisest conferred together, and peace was +made betwixt the Kings, in such wise that King Harald was to have Norway +& King Svein Denmark as far as the marches which had aforetime +divided the kingdoms; neither was to make redress to other; there where +the land had been pillaged the matter was to be passed over; and he who +had taken plunder was to keep it. ¤ This peace was to ensue even so long +as the twain were Kings; the covenant was bounden with oaths, & +thereafter gave the Kings one another hostages; even as is said +hereafter:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Thus have I heard it said</p> +<p>That Svein and Harald both</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">186</span> +(God works it) gladly gave</p> +<p>Hostages one to other.</p> +<p>Let them so keep their vows</p> +<p>(All ended was with witness)</p> +<p>And the whole peace so fully</p> +<p>That the folk break it not.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ King Harald tarried in Vik during the summer, and sent men to the +Uplands to collect the dues & taxes he had there; but the peasants +in plain words said that they would bide the coming of Earl Hakon, until +such time as he should come to them. Earl Hakon was then up in Gautland +with a large host. When summer was wearing to a close sailed King Harald +south to Konungahella (King’s Rock), and he took all the light craft +whereon he could lay hands & went up the River, and at the falls +thereof had the boats haled across land and so put onto Lake Wenern. +Thereafter rowed he east across the lake where he asked tidings of Earl +Hakon. ¤ Now when the Earl gat news of the journey of the King, came he +down from the country and made endeavour to prevent the King from +harrying, for to Earl Hakon was a large host which the Gauts had given +him. King Harald laid his boats up the mouth of a river, and thereafter +made a landing, but left some of his men behind to watch the craft. And +the King himself and some of his men rode on horseback, but many more +went afoot. Their way led them through a wood, & thereafter a bog +lay before them on which were small bushes, then after that a copse, and +when they were come up to the copse sighted they the host of the Earl; +and a bog there was betwixt them and it. ¤ Then both hosts arrayed +themselves, & King Harald commanded his men to sit up on the +hillside: ‘Let us first tempt them to make an onset; Hakon hath no mind +to wait,’ said he. ¤ The weather was frosty with some driving snow, and +the men to Harald sat under their shields. ¤ Now the Gauts had taken +little apparel on them and were starved with the cold, but the +<span class = "pagenum">187</span> +Earl bade them bide until the King should make an onset and they could +all stand alike in height. Earl Hakon had the banner which had been that +of King Magnus Olafson. Now the head-man to the Gauts was one hight +Thorvid, and he was mounted on a horse the reins of which were tied to a +stake standing in the bog. He spake & said: ‘God knows we have a +large host here and many stout men; let not King Steinkell hear that we +are not helping this good Earl well. I wist that if the Norwegians +make onset against us we shall stand firm, but if the young men falter +& bide not, then do not let us run farther than thither to the +brook, and if the young men again falter, which I wot will not befall, +then do not let us run farther than thither to the hill.’ ¤ At that +moment ran up the host of the Norwegians shouting their war-cry and +beating their shields, & then the host of the Gauts likewise began +to shout, and the horse to the head-man pulled so hard at its rein, +being afrighted at the host-cry, that the stake came up & flew past +the head of the chief, wherefore he shouted: ‘Such a mischance as thou +shootest, Northmen,’ and therewith galloped away. King Harald had ere +this said to his men: ‘Though we make din and shouting about us, yet let +us not go down the hill or ever they come hither to us,’ and they did +according as he had said. ¤ As soon as the war-cry was heard, caused the +Earl his banner to be borne forward, and when they were come under the +hill rushed the King’s men down upon them, and some of the men to the +Earl fell forthwith and some fled; but the Norwegians drave not them +that fled very far, for it was late in the day. There took they the +banner of Earl Hakon, and as much of weapons and apparel as they could +lay hands on. And the King let both the banners be borne in front of him +when he fared down the hill; and his men spake one with another as to +whether or no Earl Hakon might be fallen. Now when it came to faring +through the wood they had to ride in single train, and behold a certain +man rode straight across their way, +<span class = "pagenum">188</span> +and thrust a spear through him that bore the banner to the King, and +seizing the stave thereof rode he off another way in the wood with the +banner. When the King was told of this cried he: ‘The Earl lives! Give +me my mail-shirt!’ And rode he in the night to his ships. Now said many +men that the Earl had avenged himself. Then chanted Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Steinkell’s host who to the</p> +<p>Warlike Earl should help yield</p> +<p>(That brought the King to pass)</p> +<p>To hell, I ween, have fared.</p> +<p>But those who would better</p> +<p>The matter say,</p> +<p>Hakon fled because the hope of help</p> +<p>Therefrom but ill had proven.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ King Harald spent what was left of the night on his ship. In the +morn, when it was light saw men that ice had formed round the ships so +thick that it was feasible to walk round about them. ¤ Then bade the +King his men hew the ice and release his ships into the lake, and so +went the men and set to work to hew the ice. King Harald’s son Magnus +steered the ship which lay lowest in the river-mouth and nighest out to +the lake. ¤ Now when the men had almost chopped the ice away a certain +man ran out on it to the place where they were about to hew, and +thereafter fell to chopping as if he were mad and raving. Then said a +man: ‘Now is it again as often before, no one is so good at giving a +helping hand as Hall Kodransbane; behold now, how he is hewing the ice.’ +¤ But the man of Magnus’s ship who was hight Thormod Eindridison, when +he heard the name of ‘Kodransbane,’ ran to Hall and gave him his +death-blow. ¤ Kodran was the son of Gudmund Elyolfson, and Valgerd that +was sister to Gudmund was the mother of Jurunn, Thormod’s mother. ¤ +Thormod was a winter old when Kodran was slain, and never had he set +eyes on Hall Utryggson before this time. ¤ By this, then, +<span class = "pagenum">189</span> +the ice was broken away even so far as the lake and Magnus brought his +ship out, & got under way forthwith, and sailed west across the +lake; but the King’s ship which was the uppermost in the channel came +out the last. Now Hall had been of the fellowship of the King and was +very dear to him, and the King was exceeding wroth, so that when he came +latest into haven he found that Magnus had already helped the murderer +to the forest, though he offered atonement for him, would he have gone +against Magnus and his folk, had not the friends of both brought about +their appeasement.</p> + +<p>¶ King Harald fared up to Raumariki this winter, and to him was a +large host. ¤ And he bore cases against the peasants for the keeping +back from him of dues and taxes, and for inciting his enemies to strife +against him. ¤ And some of the peasants caused he to be taken, and some +he maimed and others killed and others he deprived of all their +possessions. ¤ Those who could get away fled, but the King burned the +countrysides wide about and laid them waste. Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Waster of isle-dwellers</p> +<p>Hard hands laid on Raumfolk,</p> +<p>Steadily on the ranks</p> +<p>Of Harald went, as I trow.</p> +<p>Fire did requite them;</p> +<p>But the chief commanded,</p> +<p>And high flames poor peasants</p> +<p>To obedience led.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After this fared King Harald up to Heidmark and there burned, and +did no less war-work than has been writ afore. From thence fared he to +Ringariki, there burned, and went everywhere with the war-shield aloft. +Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Burned were the fell folk’s steads,</p> +<p>Roofwards the red fire flamed.</p> +<p>Hit did the lord of chiefs</p> +<p>The Heiners with hard stones.</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">190</span> +For their lives the sufferers craved;</p> +<p>So great a hurt the flames</p> +<p>The men of Ringariki wrought</p> +<p>Or ever the fire was stayed.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After this gave the peasants the whole matter into the hands of the +King.</p> + +<p>¶ After the death of King Magnus were spent fifteen winters ere the +battle of the Niz, and after that two winters or ever Harald and Svein +made peace. Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The prince of the Hords</p> +<p>(Brought peace the third year was made)</p> +<p>The strife to an end; on</p> +<p>The strand steel hit the shields.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ After this peace-making endured the war of the King with the +Uplanders three half-years. Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Hard of the King’s work ’tis</p> +<p>In seemly wise to speak</p> +<p>When to have idle ploughs</p> +<p>The upland men he taught.</p> +<p>The chieftain wise hath honour won</p> +<p>These three half-years</p> +<p>Which ever will be minded.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Edward, the son of Ethelred, was King of England after his brother +Hordaknut; he was hight Edward ‘the Good’ and right good he was. ¤ The +mother to King Edward was Queen Emma, the daughter of Richard, the +Rouen-Earl; and her brother was Earl Robert, the mother of William the +Bastard, who was at that time duke of Rouen in Normandy. King Edward was +wedded to Queen Gyda,<a name = "tag190_29" id = "tag190_29" href = +"#note190_29">§</a> the daughter of Earl Godwin & he was the son of +Wolfnoth. The brothers to Gyda were: the eldest Earl Tosti, the second +Earl Morcar, the third Earl Walthiof, the fourth Earl Svein, and fifthly +Harald. Now Harald was the youngest and was brought up at the court of +King Edward and was his foster-son, and the +<span class = "pagenum">191</span> +King loved him very greatly and eyed him ever as his own son, for the +King was childless.</p> + +<p>¶ It befell one summer that Harald the son of Godwin had to go a +journey to Bretland (Wales) and fared he on a ship, but after they had +set sail sprang up a contrary wind & they were driven out to sea.<a +name = "tag191_6" id = "tag191_6" href = "#note191_6">[§]</a> ¤ They +made land westward in Normandy after undergoing a perilous storm. ¤ And +putting into the town of Rouen found they there Earl William, who +received Harald and his travelling companions joyfully, and Harald +tarried there in good cheer for long during the autumn, for the tempests +continued to blow and it was not weather for sailing out at sea. As +winter was approaching spoke the Earl and Harald together concerning the +dwelling of Harald there throughout the winter. Now Harald sat in the +high-seat on one side of the Earl and on the other side of him sat the +Earl’s wife, and fairer was she than any other woman whom men had seen. +¤ Harald and she would hold converse together all the time that the cups +were going round, and when the Earl retired to rest, as he did betimes, +Harald would sit long talking with the wife to the Earl, and so fared +things for a long time during the winter. ¤ Once when they were talking +together said she: ‘Now hath the Earl spoken with me hereon, and asked +what it is we twain ever talk about, and now is he wroth.’ Harald +answered: ‘We will forthwith let him know all our conversations.’ ¤ The +day thereafter Harald called the Earl to speak with him, & went they +to the council-chamber where were also the Earl’s wife and their +councillors. ¤ Then Harald spoke the first and said: ‘This must I inform +thee, Earl, that there is more in my coming hither than I have revealed +to thee: I desire to ask the hand of thy daughter, and have +oft-times spoken of this my wish to her mother, and she hath given me +her word to support me in this matter with thee.’ ¤ When Harald had made +known his desire, all those who were present received the news with +gladness and supported +<span class = "pagenum">192</span> +it with the Earl, and this matter was brought to end by the maid being +betrothed to Harald; but since she was young some winters’ delay were +agreed upon before the time of bridal.</p> + +<p>¶ When spring came, equipped Harald his ship and sailed away, and he +and the Earl parted in full friendship. ¤ And Harald fared to England, +to King Edward, and returned no more to Valland to claim the marriage. +King Edward ruled over England for twenty-four winters, & died a +straw death in London, None Janurii (5th January); he was interred in +St. Paul’s Church<a name = "tag192_11" id = "tag192_11" href = +"#note192_11">§</a> and the English call him sainted. ¤ The sons of Earl +Godwin in those days were the most powerful men in England. Tosti had +been made captain over the host of the King, and warden of the land when +the King began to wax old; and he had been placed over all other Earls. +¤ His brother Harald was ever within the court the next man to the King +in all service, & his duty had been to guard the treasure of the +King.<a name = "tag192_18" id = "tag192_18" href = "#note192_18">§</a> +It is recorded by men that as the King was approaching to his end was +Harald near by, and few other men, and Harald leant over the King and +said: ‘I call all of ye to witness that the King gave me but now the +kingdom, and all might in England.’ Then was the King borne dead from +out his bed. That same day there was a meeting of lords and the taking +of a King was discussed, and Harald then let his witnesses testify that +King Edward on his death-day had given him the kingdom. ¤ This meeting +ended in such fashion that Harald was hailed as King & consecrated +with royal consecration in St. Paul’s Church on the 13th day;<a name = +"tag192_28" id = "tag192_28" href = "#note192_28">§</a> when all lords +and folk swore fealty to him. ¤ But when his brother, Earl Tosti, heard +what had befallen, liked he it no whit, for thought he himself to be +equally near the King. ¤ ‘I desire,’ quoth he, ‘that the lords of the +land choose him for King whom they deem best fitted therefor.’ And such +like words went between the brothers. ¤ King Harald declared that he +would not give +<span class = "pagenum">193</span> +up the kingdom for he had been throned in that city which had been the +King’s, and had been thereafter anointed and consecrated with royal +consecration; with him also sided the multitude, and he had moreover all +the treasure of the dead King.</p> + +<p>¶ Now when King Harald became aware that his brother Tosti desired to +oust him from the kingdom believed he but ill in him, for Tosti was a +very wise man and a great warrior, and was full friendly, to boot, with +the lords of the land. ¤ So Harald deprived him from command of the +host, and of all the power he had had aforetime more than other earls<a +name = "tag193_11" id = "tag193_11" href = "#note193_11">§</a> there in +the land. And Earl Tosti, who by no means would suffer himself to be the +serving-man to his brother, fared away with his men, and so south to +Flanders across the sea, and tarried there a while before faring to +Friesland & thence to Denmark, to his kinsman King Svein. Earl Ulf +the father to King Svein and Gyda that was mother to Tosti, were brother +and sister. The Earl craved the aid of King Svein and men for his +assistance, and King Svein bade him come to him & told him that he +should have an earl’s realm in Denmark, such as would make him a seemly +chief in that country. The Earl answered thus: ‘My desire is to fare +back to England, to my heritage; but if I am given no assistance for +that purpose from thee, King, then would I liefer make a pact to afford +thee all the support I can procure in England, an thou wilt take the +Danish hosts thither and conquer the land, even as thy mother’s brother +Knut (Canute) conquered it.’ ¤ The King answered: ‘So much less a man am +I than my kinsman King Knut that I have hard work to hold the Danish +realm against the Norwegians. ¤ Knut the Old gat his Danish kingdom by +inheritance but won England by warfare and strife, yet nevertheless at +one time seemed he like to lose his life thereby. Norway gat he without +battle. ¤ Now would I liefer keep within compass according to my smaller +conditions than assay to rival the success +<span class = "pagenum">194</span> +of my kinsman Knut.’ Then said Tosti the Earl: ‘Lesser is my errand +hither than I had thought for; I deemed not that thou, a bold +man, wouldst let me go in need. It may be that I am seeking friendship +where it is not meet to seek it. But natheless it may hap that I find a +chief who is less afeared of great ventures than thou art, King.’ +Thereafter they parted, the King and the Earl, and were not very well of +one accord.</p> + +<p>¶ Tosti the Earl now turned him another way: he fared onward to +Norway, to King Harald who was in Vik, and when they met the Earl made +he known his mission to the King, recounting to him all concerning his +journey since he had left England. And he craved help of the King so +that he might regain his dominions in England. ¤ But the King said as +followeth: that the Norwegians had no wish to fare to England and harry +with an English chief over them; ‘folk deem,’ said he, ‘that the English +are not full trustworthy.’ The Earl answered: ‘I wonder if it is sooth, +that which I have heard men say in England, to wit, that thy kinsman +King Magnus despatched men to King Edward, with the message that he, +Magnus, owned England with no less right than Denmark, that he inherited +it from Hordaknut (Hardicanute) and that the pact was ratified by their +oaths?’ The King answered: ‘Why did he not have it if he owned it?’ The +Earl said: ‘Why hast thou not Denmark even as King Magnus had it before +thee?’ The King answered: ‘Little have the Danes to plume themselves on +above us Norwegians, for many a hole have we burnt in those kinsmen of +thine.’ ¤ Then said the Earl: ‘Though thou wilt not tell me yet +can I, nevertheless, tell thee how it was King Magnus took +possession of Denmark, to wit, was it because the lords of the land +there helped him, but thou gat it not because all the people of the land +were against thee. King Magnus fought not to gain England because all +the people desired to have Edward for their King. If thou wishest to +conquer England then can I bring it about that many of +<span class = "pagenum">195</span> +the lords there will be thy friends and supporters, for nothing lack I +against my brother Harald save the name of King. All men know that there +has never been born in the northlands a warrior such as thou art. ¤ +Astonished am I that thou who foughtest fifteen winters for Denmark will +not take England which is lying at thy hand.’ King Harald pondered with +care over what the Earl had said to him, and well wot he that in great +measure had he said sooth; and added thereto conceived he the wish to +conquer that kingdom. ¤ Thereafter the King and the Earl talked long +& oft together, & in the end covenanted they an agreement that +come the summer they would fare to England and conquer the country. King +Harald sent round the whole of Norway calling out a levy, one half of +the general war-muster. ¤ Now all this was much spoken of by men, and +many were the guesses as to how things would go on the faring. Some +reckoned & counted up all deeds of valour, swearing how naught would +be impossible of King Harald, but said others that England would be +difficult to conquer inasmuch as the people were exceeding numerous, +& those warriors who were called the Thingmanna-host<a name = +"tag195_20" id = "tag195_20" href = "#note195_20">§</a> so doughty that +one of them was better than two of Harald’s best men. ¤ Thus answered +Ulf the Marshal:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Never would the marshals</p> +<p>Of the King (uncompelling</p> +<p>Ever gat I riches)</p> +<p>Turn them to the King’s stern-hold</p> +<p>Noble woman, an twain should be pressed back by</p> +<p>One Thingman (other than</p> +<p>That when young I learned me).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ That spring Ulf the Marshal died, & Harald when he stood by his +grave said ere he quitted it: ‘Here lies he that was ever the most +faithful & the most dutiful to his lord.’ To Flanders also sailed +Earl Tosti in springtide so that he should meet the men the which had +followed him from England, with those +<span class = "pagenum">196</span> +others also who were to join him from England and likewise from +Flanders.</p> + +<p>¶ The host to King Harald was gathered together in Solundir<a name = +"tag196_3" id = "tag196_3" href = "#note196_3">§</a> and when all things +were made ready and he was about to set sail from Nidaros went he to the +shrine of King Olaf, and thrusting his hands into the sanctuary cut he +off the hair and the nails pertaining to the saint, and thereafter +turned he the key once of the shrine and then threw that same key into +the Nid; and since that time forsooth hath the shrine of the holy King +Olaf never been opened. ¤ Five and thirty winters had been encompassed +since his fall, and five and thirty years had he lived in the world. ¤ +Then King Harald and the men that were with him gat them a course +southward to meet his host; or ever that time it was a mighty force that +met together, and it is told among men that to King Harald were nigh +upon two hundred<a name = "tag196_16" id = "tag196_16" href = +"#note196_16">§</a> keels, besides victualling ships and smaller craft. +When they were lying off Solundir a certain man named Gyrd, who was on +the own ship to the King, dreamed a dream, and to him it seemed as +though he stood on that same ship and beheld up on the isle a great +troll-woman, & in one hand held she a short sword and in the other a +trough. And to him also did it appear that he was looking at all the +other ships, and on the prow to each was perched a fowl of the air, and +all of those same fowl were either eagles or ravens. ¤ The troll-woman +sang:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘King from the east in sooth</p> +<p>To battle inciteth</p> +<p>Many a warrior westward,</p> +<p>(Joyful am I therefor);</p> +<p>There may the raven find</p> +<p>For itself food on the ships</p> +<p>(It knows enow there is);</p> +<p>With thee will I ever fare.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now a certain man hight Thord abode on one of the ships +<span class = "pagenum">197</span> +nigh to the own ship of the King, and on a night dreamed he that he saw +the fleet to King Harald faring landward, and he seemed to wot that to +England were they coming. ¤ Then he saw on the land a vast host of men +& both hosts were making them ready for battle, and for each were +many banners held on high. Before the host of the men of the land rode a +swarth troll-woman, sitting on a wolf, and the wolf had the body of a +man in its mouth, & blood flowed from the corners thereof. And when +it had eaten the man she threw yet another into its mouth, and +thereafter threw she one man after another, but notwithstanding made it +scant ado at swallowing them all. And so she sang:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The troll makes the red shield gleam when war comes nigh.</p> +<p>Bride of the giant-brood mishap to the King foretells.</p> +<p>The quean with the jaws flings flesh of fallen warriors;</p> +<p>Raging the wolf’s mouth she dyes red with blood.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Furthermore it befell that King Harald dreamed one night and in his +vision lo he was in Nidaros, and there met he his brother, King Olaf, +who chanted a verse to him:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The burly King in many fights with honour conquered.</p> +<p>I gat (because at home I stayed) a holy fall to earth.</p> +<p>Still of this I fear me that death is nigh thee, King;</p> +<p>The greedy wolves thou fill’st;</p> +<p>Ne’er was this caused by God.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Men spake low of many other dreams and omens of divers kinds, and +the bulk of them were of ill import. Or ever King Harald left Throndhjem +caused he his son Magnus to be accepted as King, and made he him ruler +over the kingdom of Norway. ¤ Thora, the daughter of Thorberg, also +remained behind, but Queen Ellisif fared forth with King Harald and with +them likewise her daughters Mary and Ingigerd; Olaf the son to King +Harald also fared with him from the land.</p> + +<p>¶ When King Harald was ready, and a favourable wind had sprung up, +sailed he out to sea & came to land at the Shetlands, +<span class = "pagenum">198</span> +but some of his ships went on to the Orkneys. King Harald lay at these +isles a while or ever set he sail for the Orkneys, & from these +latter took he with him many men & the Earls Paal and Erling, twain +sons to Thorfin the Earl, but behind him left he there Queen Ellisif +& their daughters Mary & Ingigerd. Thereafter sailed he +southward alongside Scotland, & then alongside England, and went +ashore there where it is called Cleveland. ¤ And being come on land +forthwith harried he the countryside, bringing it into subjection under +him, & withal encountering no resistance. Thereafter went King +Harald into Scarborough, & fought there with the men of the town, +and he went up on to the cliff there and ordered a vast bonfire to be +made and a light thereto put, and when it was ablaze, his men took large +forks and with them rolled it down into the town, and then one house +after the other began to burn, so that there was naught for the townsmen +to do save to surrender. There slew the Norwegians many men, and took +all the goods whereon they could lay hands. No choice had then the +Englishmen, an they wished to keep their lives, save to make submission +to King Harald. ¤ Wheresoever he fared brought he the land into +subjection, and he continued on his way southward off the coast with the +whole of his host, bringing-to at Holderness, and there a band came +against him, and King Harald did battle with them and gained the +day.</p> + +<p>¶ Now having come thus far on his journey King Harald fared south to +the Humber and went up that river and lay in it beside the banks. ¤ At +that time there were up in Jerirk (York) Earl Morcar and his brother +Earl Walthiof and with them was a vast host. King Harald was lying in +the Ouse when the host of the Earls swooped down against him. ¤ And King +Harald went ashore and set to arraying his host, and one arm of the +array was ranked on the banks of the river, whereas the other stretched +up inland over towards a certain dyke, and a deep marsh was there, both +broad, and full of water. ¤ The +<span class = "pagenum">199</span> +Earls bade the whole multitude of their array slink down alongside the +river. ¤ Now the banner to the King was nigh unto the river and there +the ranks were serried, but near the dyke were they more scattered, and +the men thereof also the least trustworthy. ¤ The Earls then came down +along by the dyke, and that arm of the battle-array of the Norwegians +which faced the dyke gave way, and thereon the English pushed forward +after them and deemed that the Norwegians would flee. Therefore did the +banner of Morcar fare forward.</p> + +<p>¶ But when King Harald saw that the array of the English had +descended alongside the dyke and was coming right toward them, then +commanded he the war-blast to be sounded, and eagerly encouraged his +men, and let the banner ‘Land-waster’ be carried forward; and even so +fierce was their advance on the English, that all were repulsed and +there fell a many men in the host of the Earls. ¤ This host was even +soon routed, and some fled up beside the river and some down, but the +most of the folk ran right out into the dyke, and there the fallen lay +so thick that the Norwegians could walk dry-shod across the marsh. ¤ +There too fell Earl Morcar.<a name = "tag199_20" id = "tag199_20" href = +"#note199_20">§</a> Thus saith Stein Herdason:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Many in the river sank</p> +<p>(The sunken men were drowned);</p> +<p>All round about young Morcar of yore lay many a lad.</p> +<p>To flight the chieftain put them;</p> +<p>The host to swiftest running</p> +<p>Olaf the Mighty is.’<a name = "tag199_27" id = "tag199_27" href = +"#note199_27">§</a></p> +</div> + +<p>¶ The song that followeth was wrought by Stein Herdason about Olaf ye +son to King Harald, and he saith, the which also we wot of that Olaf was +in the battle with his father. This is told likewise in +‘Haraldsstikka:’</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘There the dead lay</p> +<p>Down in the marsh</p> +<p>Walthiof’s fighters</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">200</span> +Weapon-bitten,</p> +<p>So that they might</p> +<p>The war-wonted horsemen</p> +<p>There wend their way</p> +<p>On corses only.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Earl Walthiof and those men that contrived to make their escape +from out the battle fled even up to the town of York, and there it was +that the greatest slaughter took place. This battle was on the +Wednesday<a name = "tag200_9" id = "tag200_9" href = "#note200_9">§</a> +or ever St. Matthew’s Day.</p> + +<p>¶ Earl Tosti had come west (south) from Flanders to King Harald, and +being even come to England joined himself with the Earl so that he had +his part in all three battles. And now things came to pass even as he +had told Harald at their meeting they would come to pass, to wit, that a +number of men would flock to them in England, and these were both +kinsmen and friends to Tosti; and their company added greatly to the +strength of the King. ¤ After the battle whereof we have but now heard +related, all the men of the countryside hailed King Harald, albeit some +few fled. And now set King Harald forth to take the city, and placed he +his host by Stanford Bridge,<a name = "tag200_21" id = "tag200_21" href += "#note200_21">§</a> but for the reason that the King had won so fair a +victory over great lords and overwhelming odds were the people dismayed +& deemed it hopeless to withstand him. Then took the citizens +council together, & they were of one mind to send word to the King +giving themselves and likewise the town into his power. This same was +proffered even at such time that on the Sunday<a name = "tag200_27" id = +"tag200_27" href = "#note200_27">[§]</a> fared King Harald and his men +to the city, and there they held a council of war without the walls, and +the citizens came out and were present at the council. ¤ Then did all +the folk promise obedience to King Harald; and gave him as hostages the +sons of great men even according as Tosti chose, for the Earl knew all +men in this town; and in the evening fared the King to his ships elated +with the victory he had won and withal was very joyful. ¤ It +<span class = "pagenum">201</span> +was furthermore covenanted there should be held a Thing in the city<a +name = "tag201_2" id = "tag201_2" href = "#note201_2">§</a> early on +that Monday when would King Harald appoint governors and grant fiefs and +rights. Now that self-same evening, after the sun had gone down, +approached King Harald Godwinson with a vast host the city from the +south, and rode he into the city by the will and consent of all the +citizens. ¤ Then were men posted at all the gates, and at all the roads, +so that to the Norwegians there might get no tidings of what had +befallen, and this host passed the night within the walls.</p> + +<p>¶ On the Monday,<a name = "tag201_11" id = "tag201_11" href = +"#note201_11">[§]</a> when Harald Sigurdson had eaten his fill at +dinner, ordered he a blast to be sounded for a landing. And thereon made +he ready his host and parted them, some to fare and some to tarry; and +of each company he let two men go up for every one left behind. ¤ And +Tosti the Earl prepared him to go up with his company, but to guard his +ship there tarried behind Olaf own son to the King, Paal and Erling the +Orkney Earls, and Eystein Blackcock, the son of Thorberg Arnason, who +was in those days the man of most renown and withal dearest to the King +of all feudatories, & King Harald had at that time promised him the +hand of his daughter Maria. Very fine was the weather with warm +sunshine, and wherefore because of this left the men their shirts of +mail behind them and went with their shields and helms and spears, with +their swords girded on; and many had likewise bows and arrows, and +withal were they very merry. But as they advanced on the city, behold a +great host rode out towards them and they saw the smoke of horses, and +here and there fair shields and white coats of mail. Then halted the +King his host and summoned Earl Tosti to him, and asked what manner of +host this was like to be. ¤ And the Earl answered and said that he +deemed it might be strife, yet nevertheless it might be that they were +some of his kinsmen who were seeking for protection & friendship, +& would promise the King their support +<span class = "pagenum">202</span> +and fealty in return. Then the King said that they would first of all +keep quiet and learn more particulars anent this host. So they did this, +& the host waxed greater the nearer it came, and everywhere was it +like a sheet of ice to behold, so white was the gleaming of the +weapons.</p> + +<p>¶ Then King Harald Sigurdson spake and said: ‘Let us now take goodly +& wise counsel together, for it cannot be hidden that this forebodes +strife, and most like it is the King himself.’ To which the Earl +answered: ‘Our first course is to turn back and go our swiftest to the +ships that we may fetch folk and weapons, and thereafter offer what +resistance we can; or even might we also let the ships protect us and +then no power would the <ins class = "correction" title = "text reads ‘Norsemen’">horsemen</ins> have over us.’ Then said King Harald: +‘Another counsel will I choose, namely to send three bold fellows on our +swiftest horses and let them ride hotly a’pace and impart to our men +what hath befallen; then will they the sooner come to our aid, and a +right sharp combat shall the Englishmen fight or ever we suffer defeat.’ +The Earl answered and said that the King should decide in this matter as +in all else: ‘no manner of desire had he either to flee.’ Then caused +the King his banner ‘Land-waster’ to be borne aloft, and Fridrek was the +man hight who bore the banner.</p> + +<p>¶ After these things arrayed King Harald his host. ¤ And he let the +muster be long and not dense, and then after doing this doubled he both +the arms thereof backward so that they reached together and made a wide +ring thick and even on all sides without, shield by shield, and the same +within likewise; and the King’s company was without the ring and there +too was his banner. ¤ In another spot was Earl Tosti with his company, +and another banner had he, and the men to him were all picked men. Now +the array was made in this fashion because the King wist that the +horsemen<a name = "tag202_32" id = "tag202_32" href = +"#note202_32">§</a> were wont to ride forward in a mass & thereupon +fall back. Now said the King that his company should advance +whithersoever it were most +<span class = "pagenum">203</span> +needed, ‘but our archers shall also be with us, and those who stand +farthest forward will set their spear handles in the earth and point +their spears at the breasts of the riders if they should ride us down, +and those who stand in the next row will thrust their spears into the +chests of the horses.’</p> + +<p>¶ It was with an exceeding vast host that King Harald Godwinson had +come thither, a host of both horse and foot-folk. Around his array +rode King Harald Sigurdson having a wary eye to see how it had been +ranked, and he bestrode a black piebald horse. ¤ Now the horse fell +under him but the King arose in haste & said: ‘Falling when faring +betokens fortune.’ <!--F2 inserts the optional "t"--> Then said Harald, +the King of the English, to those Norwegians who were with him: ‘Knowest +thou the big man yonder who fell from his horse, the man with the blue +kirtle and the fair helme?’ ‘That is the King,’ said they. ¤ ‘A big man +and of masterful appearance, yet belike his luck is over,’ answered the +English King.</p> + +<p>¶ Twenty horsemen rode forward from the Thingmanna host before the +battle-array of the Norwegians; and they were wholly clad in chain-mail +and their horses like unto them. Then said one horseman: ‘Is Earl Tosti +in the host?’ to which was made answer: ‘There is no hiding it, ye can +find him there.’ ¤ Then said the horseman: ‘Harald, thy brother, sent +thee a greeting, and word therewith that thou shouldst have grace & +the whole of Northumberland; and rather than thou shouldst not go over +to him will he give thee a third share of the whole of his kingdom.’ +Then answered the Earl: ‘That is a very different message from the +strife and scorn of the winter: had it been offered then many a man +would still be alive who is now dead, & more firmly too would the +kingdom stand in England. Now if I should accept these terms, what would +he offer King Harald Sigurdson for his pains?’ ‘He hath said something +of what he would grant him in England, Seven feet of room or as much +longer as he is taller than other +<span class = "pagenum">204</span> +men,’ made answer that rider. ‘Fare thee now to King Harald and bid him +make ready for battle,’ said the Earl, ‘other shall be said among +Norwegians than that Earl Tosti quitteth King Harald Sigurdson for the +fellowship of his foemen when he hath to fight in England. Nay, let us +all rather be of one mind: to die with honour or to win England by +conquest.’ Then did the horseman ride away, and King Harald Sigurdson +asked of the Earl, ‘who was that long-tongued man, yonder?’ ‘That was +King Harald Godwinson,’ said the Earl. ‘Too long was this kept from us,’ +said King Harald Sigurdson, ‘they were come so nigh unto our host, that +nought would this Harald have known how to tell of the death of our +men.’ ‘True it is,’ said the Earl, ‘that such a chief went right +unwarily, and that it might have been as thou sayest; I saw that he +wished to offer me grace and much dominion, but that I should be his +slayer an I said who he was. Rather would I that he should be my slayer +than I his.’ Then said King Harald Sigurdson: ‘A little man was he, but +firm in his stirrups.’ ¤ It is said that King Harald chanted this +verse:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Forward go we in folk array</p> +<p>Without our mail</p> +<p>Under blue blades;</p> +<p>The helmets shine,</p> +<p>No mail have I;</p> +<p>On the ships yonder</p> +<p>Our garb doth lie.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now the mail-shirt to Harald was hight ‘Emma,’ and it was so long +that it reached down even unto the midst of his foot, and so strong that +no weapon had ever lodged fast in it. Then said King Harald Sigurdson: +‘That was ill wrought; I must make another, a better verse in +its place,’ and then he chanted this:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Ne’er do we in battle</p> +<p>Creep behind our shields,</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">205</span> +The clash of weapons fearing</p> +<p>(E’en so the word-fast woman bade me).</p> +<p>Of yore the necklet-wearer bade me</p> +<p>Carry high my head in battle,</p> +<p>Where sword and shield do meet.’</p> +</div> + +<p>And Thiodolf likewise sang thus:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Never, if e’en the prince himself to earth should fall,</p> +<p>(As God wills so goeth it)</p> +<p>Will I flee from the heirs of the chief.</p> +<p>The sun shines not better on these than these twain shine.</p> +<p>Avengers of Harald are resourceful hawks full grown.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ And now they fall to battle, and the English ride onward toward the +Norwegians, but the resistance is stubborn, and because of the shots it +is not easy for the English to ride against the Norwegians, and so they +ride round about them in a ring. At first the battle is altogether even, +that is so long as the Norwegians hold their array, but the English +charge them & then if they have done no hurt ride aback, and when +the Norwegians see this, namely that the English seem to ride on them +without spirit, set they themselves upon them and would have pursued +them, but behold no sooner is the wall of shields broken than the +English ride towards them from all directions bringing spears and shots +to bear on them. And King Harald Sigurdson seeing this goeth forth into +the brunt of the battle, even there where the hardest struggle is taking +place, and many men falling from both hosts. ¤ King Harald Sigurdson +waxeth so fierce that he runneth forward right out from the array, & +heweth with both hands, & hath neither helme, nor shield holden +before him. ¤ All those who are nighest to him draw aback, and far are +the English from fleeing. Thus saith Arnor Earl’s-skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘In battle swift the chief’s heart ne’er did quake,</p> +<p>And the strong King the greatest courage showed ‘mid the helmes’ +thunder,</p> +<p><span class = "pagenum">206</span> +There, where in the hersirs’ chief the hosts saw this,</p> +<p>That by his bloody sword the men to death were wounded.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Now it happened that King Harald Sigurdson was wounded by an arrow +in the throat, and this was his death-wound. He fell with the whole of +that company which was advancing with him, save those that drew back; +and these held stoutly to the banner. ¤ Yet a conflict full as hard was +foughten after Tosti the Earl had taken his place under the King’s +banner. Then both the hosts fell to arraying themselves for the second +time, and an exceeding long truce was there in the battle. Thereof sang +Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Mishap hath fallen on us,</p> +<p>(in peril is now the host);</p> +<p>In vain hath Harald brought us</p> +<p>This journey from the east.</p> +<p>The chieftain shrewd’s life-passage</p> +<p>So hath ended that we now</p> +<p>(the King bepraised his life lost)</p> +<p>Row in peril of our lives.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ But ere the combatants again joined issue offered Harald Godwinson +his brother Tosti grace, and he likewise offered grace to the other men +surviving from the Norwegian host; but the Norwegians shouted out that +they would rather fall one above the other, than accept quarter from the +English. And thereon shouted they their war-cry, & then the battle +began for the second time. ¤ Thus saith Arnor Earl’s-skald:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘In an hour of misfortune</p> +<p>The King austere gat death;</p> +<p>The arrows gold-inwoven</p> +<p>Spared not the robbers’ foe.</p> +<p>Gentle and bounteous King—</p> +<p>His friends choose all to fall</p> +<p>Round their host-wonted chief</p> +<p>Rather than quarter seek.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">207</span> +<p>¶ Now it befell that Eystein Blackcock came up just at that moment +from the ships with his company, and they were in full armour, and +Eystein gat him hold of the King’s banner ‘Land-waster,’ and for the +third time the men fell to battle; exceeding sharp was it and the +English lost men full heavily and were on the point of fleeing. That +fray was called ‘Blackcock’s Brunt.’ Eystein’s men had hastened so +furiously from the ships that at first, or ever they were come to the +combat, they were weary and scarce fit for battle, but afterwards so +raging were they that they defended themselves as long as they could +stand upright. At the last cast they from off them their mail-shirts, +and then was it easy for the English to find a vulnerable spot on them; +but some who were unwounded yet died from their haste and fury. ¤ Nearly +all the great men among the Norwegians fell at that time. ¤ This befell +late in the day. ¤ As was to be looked for not all men fared alike in +fortune, many fled & many who thus made their escape met differing +fates. Mirk was it in the evening ere the slaughtering was brought to an +end.</p> + +<p>¶ Among those who escaped was Styrkar, the marshal of King Harald +Sigurdson, & this befell from his getting him a horse and thereon +riding away. Now a wind sprang up in the evening and the weather waxed +somewhat cold, and Styrkar had no other apparel than his shirt, +a helme on his head, and a naked sword in his hand. ¤ And he waxed +cold as his weariness wore off. Then a certain waincarle came driving +towards him, and this man had a lined coat. Styrkar said unto him: ‘Wilt +thou sell thy jacket, peasant?’ ‘Not to thee,’ quoth he, ‘thou art a +Norwegian, as I wist by thy tongue.’ ¤ ‘An I am a Norwegian what wilt +thou do then?’ said Styrkar. ‘I would slay thee; but alack I have no +weapon to do it with,’ the peasant replied. ‘If thou canst not slay me, +peasant, I will make trial if I cannot slay thee,’ and therewith +Styrkar swung his sword and brought it down on the man’s neck so that +his head was +<span class = "pagenum">208</span> +cut off; and then took he the fur coat and springing on to his horse +rode down to the shore.</p> + +<p>¶ Now tidings were borne to the Rouen Earl, William the Bastard, of +the death of King Edward his kinsman, & furthermore was it told how +Harald Godwinson had been acclaimed as King of England and had been +consecrated thereto. Now William deemed he had a better right to that +kingdom than Harald, to wit by reason of the kinship betwixt him & +King Edward, and withal furthermore inasmuch as he deemed it but fair to +avenge himself on Harald for the slight of that broken betrothal with +his own daughter. ¤ For all these self-same reasons, then, assembled +William an host together in Normandy, and a multitude of men were +mustered, with a goodly sufficiency of ships. And on the day that he +rode from the city unto his ships, when he had mounted up on to his +horse, his wife went to him & would have spoken with him, but when +he saw this he thrust at her with his heel, setting his spur in her +breast so that it penetrated deep therein, and she fell and straightway +died.<a name = "tag208_19" id = "tag208_19" href = "#note208_19">§</a> +But the Earl rode to his ships and fared with his host over to England. +At that time was his brother Otta with him. ¤ When the Earl came to +England plundered he there, & brought the land into subjection under +him wheresoever he went. ¤ Earl William was bigger and stronger than +other men, a good horseman, the greatest of warriors, and very +cruel; a very wise man was he withal, but accounted in no wise +trustworthy.</p> + +<p>¶ King Harald Godwinson gave Olaf, the son of King Harald Sigurdson, +permission to fare his way, and in like fashion treated he those men of +the host who had been with the King and had not fallen. King Harald then +turned southward with his host, for he had learned that William Bastard +was faring northward through England, & was conquering the country. +There were with Harald Godwinson at that time his brethren Svein,<a name += "tag208_34" id = "tag208_34" href = "#note208_34">§</a> Gyrd, and +Walthiof. King Harald and Earl William +<span class = "pagenum">209</span> +met in the south of England at Hastings and a great battle befell there. +¤ In it were slain King Harald and his brother Earl Gyrd, & +a great part of their host. Nineteen nights was it after the fall +of King Harald Sigurdson,<a name = "tag209_4" id = "tag209_4" href = +"#note209_4">§</a> Earl Walthiof, own brother to Harald, made good his +escape by flight, and at even fell in with a band of William’s men; +whereupon Earl Walthiof set fire to the forest and burned them all up. +Thus saith Thorkel Skallson in Walthiof’s lay:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘An hundred King’s own court-men</p> +<p>The warrior had burned</p> +<p>In hottest fire (to the men</p> +<p>An eve of singeing was it).</p> +<p>’Tis said that the men</p> +<p>’Neath the wolf’s claw must lie;</p> +<p>Gray steed of the troll-quean</p> +<p>Gave victuals to the swords.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Thereon caused William himself to be proclaimed King of England, +and thereafter sent he to Earl Walthiof proffering him peace & +appointing a truce so that a meeting might take place betwixt them. The +Earl fared to it with but few men, and when he was come on the heath +north of the castle bridge two of the King’s bailiffs advanced upon him +with a band of men, and when they had taken him they put him in chains; +thereafter he was beheaded. The English call him sainted.<a name = +"tag209_24" id = "tag209_24" href = "#note209_24">§</a> Thus saith +Thorkel:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘’Tis doubtless that manly Walthiof</p> +<p>By William (he who from the south</p> +<p>Across the chill main came)</p> +<p>Is bewrayed in his trusting.</p> +<p>Sooth is that long ’twill be</p> +<p>Ere ends the slaying of men</p> +<p>In England (swift was my master.</p> +<p>No prince like him doth live).’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ Afterwards lived William as King of England for one and +<span class = "pagenum">210</span> +twenty winters, and ever since have his descendants ruled as Kings of +England.</p> + +<p>¶ Now Olaf the son to King Harald Sigurdson took his men and fared +away from England, sailing forth from Ravenseer whence they came in +autumn to the Orkneys, & there learned they the tidings that Maria +the daughter of King Harald Sigurdson had died of a sudden death on the +self-same day and in that same hour as her father King Harald had +perished. Olaf tarried in the Orkneys the winter through but the summer +thereafter fared he east to Norway, and was made King there together +with his brother Magnus. ¤ Queen Ellisif journeyed eastward with her +step-son Olaf and her daughter Ingigerd. ¤ Skuli also, he who was +afterwards called King’s-fosterer, & his brother Ketil Crook, +likewise fared overseas with Olaf. The twain of them were doughty men, +and noble in England, and both were very sage and well-beloved by the +King. Ketil Crook fared northward to Halogaland and King Olaf gat him a +good marriage, and from him are descended many great men. Skuli, +King’s-fosterer, was a wise and strong man, very fair to behold; he +became captain of King Olaf’s body-guard, lent his counsel at the +Things, and ruled with the King in all governances of the land. King +Olaf desired to give Skuli a province in Norway, whichever he was minded +to have, with all the incomes and dues that the King held disposition +over, but Skuli thanked him for this offer and said that he would liefer +ask for other things because should there be a change of kings perchance +the gift would be taken back: ‘I will,’ said he, ‘accept certain domains +which lie nigh to the towns, where ye, Sire, are wont to be, and where +the Yule feasts are held.’ So King Olaf gave him his word thereon, and +made over to him lands in the east at Konungahella, and at Oslo, at +Tunsberg, at Borg, at Bergen, and in the north at Nidaros. They were +nigh upon the best estates at each place, and they have ever since been +the possessions of +<span class = "pagenum">211</span> +men of the lineage of Skuli. ¤ King Olaf married Skuli to his kinswoman +Gudrun Nefsteinsdotir, whose mother was Ingirid the daughter of King +Sigurd Sow and his wife Asta. Asta was own sister of King Olaf the Saint +& of King Harald. The son of Skuli and Gudrun was Asolf of Reini who +was wedded to Thora the daughter of Skopti Ogmundson. The son of Asolf +and Thora was Guthorm of Reini, the father of Bard, the father of King +Ingi and Duke Skuli.</p> + +<p>¶ On a winter after the fall of King Harald was his body transported +from England to Nidaros and interred there in the Church of St. Mary, +that selfsame church the which he himself had caused to be builded. ¤ It +was allowed by all that King Harald had exceeded other men in wisdom +& resourcefulness, both when he had been fain to act swiftly or had +debated long, either for himself or others. The most valiant of all men +was he, and victorious withal, even as hath been set forth this +while:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘The waster of Zealand’s dwellers</p> +<p>In boldness ne’er was lacking;</p> +<p>Mind ruleth half of victory,</p> +<p>And soothly Harald proveth it.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ King Harald was stately and goodly to behold, fair hair and a fair +beard had he, and a long moustache; of his eyebrows the one was somewhat +higher than the other, & he had large hands and feet, but either +shapely. Five ells was he in stature. Towards his foes was he cruel, and +when withstood revengeful. Thus saith Thiodolf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Sage Harald doth arrogance</p> +<p>In his thanes chastise;</p> +<p>Methinks the King’s men bear</p> +<p>But that which they mete out.</p> +<p>Such burdens bear they</p> +<p>As for themselves they care to have</p> +<p>(The law is used for each against the other);</p> +<p>Thus doth Harald change revenge.’</p> +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">212</span> +<p>¶ King Harald vastly loved power & all worldly advantages, but +towards his friends, even to those whom he liked well, was he very +bountiful. Thiodolf telleth us as followeth:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘Of ships’-battle the awakener</p> +<p>For my work a mark bestowed;</p> +<p>To praise vouchsafeth he</p> +<p>Each one who proveth him thereof worthy.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ King Harald was fifty years of age when he fell. We have no tales +of count regarding his up-growing, or ever he was fifteen winters old +and was at Stiklastad, in the battle, with his brother King Olaf. +Thereafter lived he for five and thirty years, and during all that time +had ever turmoil and strife. King Harald never fled from any battle, but +oft-times sought he expedients when the odds of war were against him. ¤ +All men who followed him in battle or warfare avowed that when he found +himself hard pressed or was obliged to make a swift resolution, he chose +that course which afterwards all men saw to be the likeliest to +avail.</p> + +<p>¶ Halldor, the son of Bryniolf the Camel, hight likewise the Old, was +a wise man and a great lord, and thus spake he when he heard the +conversation of men in respect to the very different natures of King +Olaf the Saint and his brother King Harald. ¤ ‘I was with both +brothers,’ said he, ‘and high in favour, and I wotted the natures of +both: never did I find two men so alike at heart. Both were very wise +and valiant men, loving possessions and power, masterful, not +lowly-hearted, overbearing, haughty, and quick to chastise. King Olaf +constrained the people of the land to Christianity and the true Faith, +but punished harshly those who turned a deaf ear to his commands. ¤ The +chiefs of the land who would not suffer his even-handed dispensation of +justice rose up against him and slew him in his own land, and it is for +that reason he is called saintly. ¤ But King Harald harried for renown +and dominion, bringing under his yoke all people that he could +<span class = "pagenum">213</span> +bring under it, and he fell in the land of other kings. ¤ Both these +brothers in normal life were men of religion and had regard for their +honour; they were likewise travelled & vigorous in mind, & it is +from such-like qualities that they waxed so far-famed.’</p> + +<p>¶ King Magnus Haraldson ruled Norway the first winter after the fall +of King Harald, but thereafter ruled he the land for two winters +together with his brother King Olaf, and there were then two kings +together, Magnus having dominion in the northern half of the land & +Olaf in the eastern half. King Magnus had a son who was hight Hakon +& his foster-father was Steig-Thorir; a youth of promise was +he.</p> + +<p>¶ After the death of King Harald Sigurdson<ins class = "correction" +title = "text has hyphen">, </ins>Svein, the Danish King, gave out that +peace was at an end betwixt Norwegians and Danes, for the pact was made +to endure only as long as both kings lived. So then were men mustered in +both realms; King Harald’s sons called out a general-host and ships from +Norway, and King Svein fared northward with the host of the Danes. ¤ And +so it was that messengers were thereafter despatched betwixt the kings +with offers of peace, and the Norwegians said that they would either +keep to the covenant which had been made aforetime or fight. For that +reason the following verse was sung:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘With threats and words of peace</p> +<p>Olaf his land defended,</p> +<p>So that no one from the King</p> +<p>Durst claim a right thereto.’</p> +</div> + +<p>And thus saith Stein Herdason in the lay of Olaf:</p> + +<div class = "poem"> +<p>‘His heritage ’gainst Svein</p> +<p>The warlike King defended</p> +<p>In that merchant town where resteth</p> +<p>(Great is he) the saintly King.’</p> +</div> + +<p>¶ But a compact was come to betwixt the kings at the time of this +mustering, & peace ensued in the lands. King Magnus +<span class = "pagenum">214</span> +was afterwards stricken with a sickness, the rift-worm sickness, and +when he had lain abed for some time died he at Nidaros, and there was +buried. He was a King right well-beloved of all the people.</p> + + +<div class = "notes"> + +<span class = "pagenum">215</span> + +<h4><a name = "notes" id = "notes">NOTES</a></h4> + +<p><span class = "smallcaps">These</span> notes, with few exceptions, +are taken from Professor Gustav Storm’s Norwegian version of the +Heimskringla, from which this translation of the Saga of Olaf Tryggvason +and of Harald Hardrad (Harald the Tyrant) is made.</p> + +<p class = "right smallcaps">Ethel H. Hearn.</p> + +<p class = "mynote"> +In the Notes, “Translator” refers to the English translation (the +present text).</p> + +<p><a name = "note12_11" id = "note12_11" href = "#tag12_11">Page 12, +line 11</a>. +Vladimir the Great of Russia (980-1015) became Grand Duke of Novgorod in +970.</p> + +<p><a name = "note19_25" id = "note19_25" href = "#tag19_25">Page 19, +line 25</a>. +The head of a ‘her,’ <i>i.e.</i>, a hundred families. The territory +inhabited by them was called a ‘herath.’ The ‘hersir’ seems to have +combined the offices of commander in time of war, and religious head of +his tribe.—Translator.</p> + +<p><a name = "note19_26" id = "note19_26" href = +"#tag19_26"><i>Ibid.</i> </a> +Nordfiord and Söndfiord.</p> + +<p><a name = "note20_1" id = "note20_1" href = "#tag20_1">Page 20, line +1</a>. +Those who absented themselves when the ships were called out for war, or +who came to a wrong place of meeting, or at a wrong time, were compelled +to pay a war-fine.</p> + +<p><a name = "note28_31" id = "note28_31" href = "#tag28_31">Page 28, +line 31</a>. +This is not in accord with page 22, line 2, in which Vingulmark is +mentioned as being given to Harald the Grenlander. Perhaps the error is +on the page aforesaid, as on page 53, line 30, Harald is described as +King of Vestfold only.</p> + +<p><a name = "note30_14" id = "note30_14" href = "#tag30_14">Page 30, +line 14</a>. +The present North Germany, from eastern Holstein to eastern Prussia.</p> + +<p><a name = "note30_17" id = "note30_17" href = "#tag30_17">Page 30, +line 17</a>. +<i>I.e.</i>, Boleslaw. By ‘Burislav,’ as mentioned here, must not be +understood Boleslaw I of Poland (992-1025), but his father Miesco or +Mieczyslaw (964-992).</p> + +<p><a name = "note31_12" id = "note31_12" href = "#tag31_12">Page 31, +line 12</a>. +The Emperor Otta is the Emperor Otho II (973-983). His march on Denmark +did not take place in 988 as Snorri calculates, but late in the autumn +of 974. Nor was the Emperor’s object the conversion of King Harald, for +the latter had accepted Christianity about 960—but to bring +Denmark under his own vassalage.</p> + +<p><a name = "note31_18" id = "note31_18" href = "#tag31_18">Page 31, +line 18</a>. +The Danavirki, or Danish wall, began in the east at the head of the +Slefjord, and extended to the west only as far as the Træaa, the +tributary river of the isthmus, and not to the sea.</p> + +<p><a name = "note32_24" id = "note32_24" href = "#tag32_24">Page 32, +line 24</a>. +It is not historical that Burislaw (or Miesco) accompanied the Emperor +to the Danish wall; nor was Olaf Tryggvason, who was not full grown in +974, with him.</p> + +<p><a name = "note33_33" id = "note33_33" href = "#tag33_33">Page 33, +line 33</a>. +As early as 968 Vidkund of Corvey, in his chronicle of that year, +mentions Poppo’s miracle and its effect in causing Harald to embrace +Christianity. The incident must be ascribed to about the year 906.</p> + +<p><a name = "note34_12" id = "note34_12" href = "#tag34_12">Page 34, +line 12</a>. +‘Learned men’ means men trained in the learning of the Church, that is +to say, belonging to the priesthood.</p> + +<p><a name = "note35_3" id = "note35_3" href = "#tag35_3">Page 35, line +3</a>. +‘Go to Fret’ (?) means to consult the gods by means of the so-called +‘blotspaan,’ or sacrificial shavings. These, and pieces of wood (perhaps +inscribed +<span class = "pagenum">216</span> +with runes) were disposed in a particular manner, for the purpose of +gaining information from the gods as to the future.</p> + +<p><a name = "note39_6" id = "note39_6" href = "#tag39_6">Page 39, line +6</a>. +Gyda was the daughter of Olaf Kvaran, and not his sister. Olaf Kvaran +died an old man in 980.</p> + +<p><a name = "note40_3" id = "note40_3" href = "#tag40_3">Page 40, line +3</a>. +‘Holmgang’ so called in Norway because the two combatants retired alone +to a holm or uninhabited islet to fight.—Translator.</p> + +<p><a name = "note48_1" id = "note48_1" href = "#tag48_1">Page 48, line +1</a>. +Mandseidet in Stadland.</p> + +<p><a name = "note55_15" id = "note55_15" href = "#tag55_15">Page 55, +line 15</a>. +The Russian name Wsevolod.</p> + +<p><a name = "note57_22" id = "note57_22" href = "#tag57_22">Page 57, +line 22</a>. +According to English sources Olaf was lying with his fleet off +Southampton during the winter of 994-995. He received instruction there +in Christianity from English bishops, and was confirmed in the spring of +995, on which occasion King Ethelred was his sponsor. He returned home +to his country early in the summer.</p> + +<p><a name = "note59_28" id = "note59_28" href = "#tag59_28">Page 59, +line 28</a>. +Rimul now the farm of Romol (Guldalen) on the west side of the Gula +river, opposite Melhus.</p> + +<p><a name = "note66_33" id = "note66_33" href = "#tag66_33">Page 66, +line 33</a>. +<span class = "mynote">The note corresponding to this marker is +missing.</span></p> + +<p><a name = "note72_6" id = "note72_6" href = "#tag72_6">Page 72, line +6</a>. +The ‘Sogn-sea’ formed the boundary between Sogn and Hordaland so that +the territory given to Erling was Hordaland, Rogaland, and the western +part of Agder, as far as the Naze.</p> + +<p><a name = "note74_4" id = "note74_4" href = "#tag74_4">Page 74, line +4</a>. +So-called because he ‘rooted in the soil,’ <i>i.e.</i>, practised +agriculture.</p> + +<p><a name = "note74_11" id = "note74_11" href = "#tag74_11">Page 74, +line 11</a>. +This is not historical. Olaf the Saint was not christened until he was +full grown. According to the oldest sources he was baptized in Rouen by +Archbishop Robert, the brother of Duke Richard.</p> + +<p><a name = "note76_21" id = "note76_21" href = "#tag76_21">Page 76, +line 21</a>. +April 16, 998.</p> + +<p><a name = "note78_20" id = "note78_20" href = "#tag78_20">Page 78, +line 20</a>. +Olaf, like all Christians at that time, thought Odin to be an evil +spirit.</p> + +<p><a name = "note78_27" id = "note78_27" href = "#tag78_27">Page 78, +line 27</a>. +A war-arrow was furnished with a cord or twist of withy at one end, and +was intended to summon all men armed to a Thing.</p> + +<p><a name = "note82_8" id = "note82_8" href = "#tag82_8">Page 82, line +8</a>. +‘Ship-corner,’ a little creek of the river Nid, at the end of the +present Strand Gade in Trondhjem.</p> + +<p><a name = "note82_13" id = "note82_13" href = "#tag82_13">Page 82, +line 13</a>. +This barrow, Skjeggehaugen, existed at the beginning of the nineteenth +century; it was situated to the south of the farm of ‘Östraat’ +(Austrat).</p> + +<p><a name = "note91_33" id = "note91_33" href = "#tag91_33">Page 91, +line 33</a>. +<i>Svirar</i>: what these were is not known; they must have been at the +stern of the ship.</p> + +<p><a name = "note93_16" id = "note93_16" href = "#tag93_16">Page 93, +line 16</a>. +September 29, 999.</p> + +<p><a name = "note94_3" id = "note94_3" href = "#tag94_3">Page 94, line +3</a>. +<i>I.e.</i>, in christening raiment, which was worn for a week after +baptism.</p> + +<p><a name = "note100_31" id = "note100_31" href = "#tag100_31">Page +100, line 31</a>. +The town of Ladoga; it was situated at that time on the river Volkhov +which debouches into the lake of Ladoga.</p> + +<p><a name = "note101_8" id = "note101_8" href = "#tag101_8">Page 101, +line 8</a>. +The island of Ösel was named in Old-Norse Ey-Sysla (island district) and +the mainland opposite Adal-Sysla (chief district), and the whole of +Estland (or Esthonia) together Sysla.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">217</span> +<p><a name = "note101_32" id = "note101_32" href = "#tag101_32">Page +101, line 32</a>. +This is incorrect. Gunnhild was put away by King Svein and sent home to +Wendland; after the death of Svein in 1014 her sons had her brought back +to Denmark.</p> + +<p><a name = "note107_29" id = "note107_29" href = "#tag107_29">Page +107, line 29</a>. +North America, probably Nova Scotia.</p> + +<p><a name = "note108_7" id = "note108_7" href = "#tag108_7">Page 108, +line 7</a>. +A particular kind of long-ship without a ‘head’ at the prow.</p> + +<p><a name = "note110_7" id = "note110_7" href = "#tag110_7">Page 110, +line 7</a>. +Svold is not an island as Snorri thought, but a haven or creek in the +mouth of a river somewhat west of Rügen.</p> + +<p><a name = "note118_1" id = "note118_1" href = "#tag118_1">Page 118, +line 1</a>. +<i>I.e.</i>, Lappish.—Translator.</p> + +<p><a name = "note126_10" id = "note126_10" href = "#tag126_10">Page +126, line 10</a>. +Harald Hardrad, or Harald the Tyrant was in the service of the Greek +Emperor in the year 1041, and took part in the pillaging of the +rebellious Bulgarians. The account of this was not known to Snorri who +lived so much later, but Thiodolf had heard of it.</p> + +<p><a name = "note127_23" id = "note127_23" href = "#tag127_23">Page +127, line 23</a>. +An unknown people, perhaps ‘Lechers,’ <i>i.e.</i>, Poles.</p> + +<p><a name = "note128_10" id = "note128_10" href = "#tag128_10">Page +128, line 10</a>. +Georgios Maniakes, the brave commander of the Greeks in the valley of +the Euphrates 1033-1035, and in Sicily in 1038-1040.</p> + +<p><a name = "note128_13" id = "note128_13" href = "#tag128_13">Page +128, line 13</a>. +Mercenaries, chiefly the northern inhabitants of Russia and of +Greece.</p> + +<p><a name = "note130_26" id = "note130_26" href = "#tag130_26">Page +130, line 26</a>. +Snorri here confuses ‘Serkland’ in Asia with Africa. Harald was taking +part in the wars in Syria and Armenia in the years 1035-1037, before +going in 1038 with the Greek army to Sicily.</p> + +<p><a name = "note131_8" id = "note131_8" href = "#tag131_8">Page 131, +lines 8 and 9</a>. +These two lines refer to Atli the King of the Huns, who according to the +legend invited his brothers-in-law (Gunnar and Hogn) to a feast in order +to betray them.</p> + +<p><a name = "note135_7" id = "note135_7" href = "#tag135_7">Page 135, +line 7</a>. +Snorri Sturlason was descended from Halldor in the fifth degree.</p> + +<p><a name = "note136_24" id = "note136_24" href = "#tag136_24">Page +136, line 24</a>. +The Greek Emperor concluded a peace with the Calif of Egypt in 1036 +which enabled the Emperor to build churches near the Holy Sepulchre. +Craftsmen were despatched thither for this purpose by the Emperor, and +among the troops sent to protect them was Harald Hardrad, or Harald the +Tyrant.</p> + +<p><a name = "note138_1" id = "note138_1" href = "#tag138_1">Page 138, +line 1</a>. +Zoe never had a brother, so the relationship, at all events, is +inaccurate.</p> + +<p><a name = "note138_18" id = "note138_18" href = "#tag138_18">Page +138, line 18</a>. +No such chapel has ever been known to exist in Constantinople.</p> + +<p><a name = "note139_15" id = "note139_15" href = "#tag139_15">Page +139, line 15</a>. +It is a fact that Harald was one of those who blinded the ‘Greek King’ +Michael Kalafates. The latter was accepted as the son of Zoe and became +Emperor together with her in 1041. After deposing her (April 21, 1042) +he was himself deposed, and was blinded in the street by his body-guard, +in which Harald was serving as ‘spatharokandidat’ (colonel). Michael is +in this case confused with his successor Constantine.</p> + +<p><a name = "note139_19" id = "note139_19" href = "#tag139_19">Page +139, line 19</a>. +Siavidarsund (<i>i.e.</i>, ‘the sound with the sea-wood’) is the present +Golden Horn; the heavy iron chain, which was stretched across its +extremity, in times of dispute rested on wooden floats.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">218</span> +<p><a name = "note140_3" id = "note140_3" href = "#tag140_3">Page 140, +line 3</a>. +The mouth of the Dnieper in the Black Sea.</p> + +<p><a name = "note140_4" id = "note140_4" href = "#tag140_4">Page 140, +line 4</a>. +East-realm, <i>i.e.</i>, Russia, or its eastern provinces.</p> + +<p><a name = "note140_21" id = "note140_21" href = "#tag140_21">Page +140, line 21</a>. +If this is correct Harald must have gone to Constantinople before 1034, +as there was a change of monarch in 1034, 1041, and 1042.</p> + +<p><a name = "note143_13" id = "note143_13" href = "#tag143_13">Page +143, line 13</a>. +In south Jutland, west of Aabenraa. Magnus died in Zealand. His +successor Svein (who was also named Magnus) died at Sudatorp.</p> + +<p><a name = "note143_14" id = "note143_14" href = "#tag143_14">Page +143, line 14</a>. +<i>I.e.</i>, half-brother (Alfhild’s son, not Olaf’s).</p> + +<p><a name = "note148_10" id = "note148_10" href = "#tag148_10">Page +148, line 10</a>. +Budli’s, or the sea-king’s way—the sea.</p> + +<p><a name = "note148_28" id = "note148_28" href = "#tag148_28">Page +148, line 28</a>. +This line with line 23 on page 137 and one omitted from the foregoing +verse form together a kind of refrain which runs as follows: “May it +dwell where it listeth—In Christ’s eternal House—Harald’s +soul in Heaven.”</p> + +<p><a name = "note152_33" id = "note152_33" href = "#tag152_33">Page +152, line 33</a>. +So named because upon a certain occasion he carried King Sigurd Slembe +at a Thing.</p> + +<p><a name = "note153_7" id = "note153_7" href = "#tag153_7">Page 153, +line 7</a>. +Ruins of the church of Saint Olaf are to be found under the present Town +Hall on the northern side of Kongens Gade, in Trondhjem.</p> + +<p><a name = "note153_20" id = "note153_20" href = "#tag153_20">Page +153, line 20</a>. +They were moved thither from St. Clement’s church.</p> + +<p><a name = "note153_23" id = "note153_23" href = "#tag153_23">Page +153, line 23</a>. +This church was west of the church of Saint Olaf, on the north side of +the present Kongens Gade, where the Savings Bank now stands.</p> + +<p><a name = "note155_13" id = "note155_13" href = "#tag155_13">Page +155, line 13</a>. +That is to say, 600.</p> + +<p><a name = "note156_10" id = "note156_10" href = "#tag156_10">Page +156, line 10</a>. +‘The King’s-House down by the river’ was the new King’s-House which +Harald had built east of the church of Saint Mary.</p> + +<p><a name = "note158_11" id = "note158_11" href = "#tag158_11">Page +158, line 11</a>. +The son of Ketil Calf and Gunnhild (mentioned on page 154).</p> + +<p><a name = "note162_32" id = "note162_32" href = "#tag162_32">Page +162, line 32</a>. +Asmund’s father was Biorn Ulfson, the brother of Harald (died 1049).</p> + +<p><a name = "note166_35" id = "note166_35" href = "#tag166_35">Page +166, line 35</a>. +Margad (in Irish Eachmargach) Rognvaldson was the King of Dublin in +1035-1038 and 1046-1052.</p> + +<p><a name = "note167_26" id = "note167_26" href = "#tag167_26">Page +167, line 26</a>. +July 28, 1052.</p> + +<p><a name = "note168_11" id = "note168_11" href = "#tag168_11">Page +168, line 11</a>. +<i>I.e.</i> in the Cathedral.</p> + +<p><a name = "note170_20" id = "note170_20" href = "#tag170_20">Page +170, line 20</a>. +On the site of part of the present city of Christiania.</p> + +<p><a name = "note171_34" id = "note171_34" href = "#tag171_34">Page +171, line 34</a>. +A ‘<i>Bussa</i>’ was a particular kind of large ship, broad in the beam, +especially a war-ship.</p> + +<p><a name = "note172_2" id = "note172_2" href = "#tag172_2">Page 172, +line 2</a>. +<i>Svirar</i>, see <a href = "#note91_33">note on page 91, line +33</a>.</p> + +<p><a name = "note174_8" id = "note174_8" href = "#tag174_8">Page 174, +line 8</a>. +That is to say, 180.</p> + +<p><a name = "note174_13" id = "note174_13" href = "#tag174_13">Page +174, line 13</a>. +360 ships.</p> + +<p><a name = "note176_1" id = "note176_1" href = "#tag176_1">Page 176, +line 1</a>. +Later Leire, near Roskilde in Zealand.</p> + +<p><a name = "note178_21" id = "note178_21" href = "#tag178_21">Page +178, line 21</a>. +<i>I.e.</i>, one who is in distress.</p> + +<p><a name = "note182_34" id = "note182_34" href = "#tag182_34">Page +182, line 34</a>. +That is to say, 240.</p> + +<p><a name = "note190_29" id = "note190_29" href = "#tag190_29">Page +190, line 29</a>. +Her name was Eadgitha; Gyda was her mother’s name. The sons of Earl +Godwin were Harald, Tosti, Svein (died 1052), and Gyrd. Harald was the +<i>eldest</i> son. Morcar, or Morkere, and Walthiof were not Earl +Godwin’s sons; Morcar was the son of Ælfrik of Mercia, and from 1065 was +Earl +<span class = "pagenum">219</span> +of Northumberland; Walthiof was the son of the Danish Earl Siward of +Northumberland (died 1055).</p> + +<p><a name = "note191_6" id = "note191_6" href = "#tag191_6">Page 191, +line 6</a>. +At Ponthieu, where the Count took him prisoner. William released him and +had him brought to Rouen. It is not historical that Harald held undue +intercourse with William’s wife. William made use of Harald’s compulsory +sojourn to make him swear allegiance to him, and affiance him to his +daughter.</p> + +<p><a name = "note192_11" id = "note192_11" href = "#tag192_11">Page +192, line 11</a>. +Unhistorical. The church referred to is St. Paul’s in London, but Edward +died and was buried at Winchester, where Harald was likewise +crowned.</p> + +<p><a name = "note192_18" id = "note192_18" href = "#tag192_18">Page +192, line 18</a>. +This is unhistorical. Tosti had been Earl of Northumberland since 1055, +but was driven away by the Northumbrians in October 1065 and fled to +Flanders, so that he was not in England at the time of Edward’s death. +Harald was Earl of Wessex and the most powerful man in the land.</p> + +<p><a name = "note192_28" id = "note192_28" href = "#tag192_28">Page +192, line 28</a>. +<i>I.e.</i>, the thirteenth day of Christmas, January 6.</p> + +<p><a name = "note193_11" id = "note193_11" href = "#tag193_11">Page +193, line 11</a>. +Not historical, see <a href = "#note192_18">page 192, line 18</a>.</p> + +<p><a name = "note195_20" id = "note195_20" href = "#tag195_20">Page +195, line 20</a>. +The name of King Canute’s Danish guard, instituted 1018.</p> + +<p><a name = "note196_3" id = "note196_3" href = "#tag196_3">Page 196, +line 3</a>. +The Sulen Islands outside Sognefjord.</p> + +<p><a name = "note196_16" id = "note196_16" href = "#tag196_16">Page +196, line 16</a>. +That is to say, 240.</p> + +<p><a name = "note199_20" id = "note199_20" href = "#tag199_20">Page +199, line 20</a>. +Unhistorical. Morkere, or Morcar, escaped later and joined Harald the +son of (Earl) Godwin.</p> + +<p><a name = "note199_27" id = "note199_27" href = "#tag199_27">Page +199, line 27</a>. +Part of the refrain which runs as follows: ‘Olaf the Mighty is—the +very greatest chief—born under the sun.’</p> + +<p><a name = "note200_9" id = "note200_9" href = "#tag200_9">Page 200, +line 9</a>. +September 20 (1066).</p> + +<p><a name = "note200_21" id = "note200_21" href = "#tag200_21">Page +200, line 21</a>. +Now Stamford Bridge across the Derwent. Snorri thought that Stamford was +situated nearer York than it really is.</p> + +<p><a name = "note200_27" id = "note200_27" href = "#tag200_27">Page +200, line 27</a>. +September 24.</p> + +<p><a name = "note201_2" id = "note201_2" href = "#tag201_2">Page 201, +line 2</a>. +This is incorrect. The Thing was to be held at Stamford Bridge and +Harald was to be given there hostages from the whole of Yorkshire. It +was for this reason that the battle occurred there.</p> + +<p><a name = "note201_11" id = "note201_11" href = "#tag201_11">Page +201, line 11</a>. +September 25 (1066).</p> + +<p><a name = "note202_32" id = "note202_32" href = "#tag202_32">Page +202, line 32</a>. +Legends referring to the battle of Hastings (October 14, 1066) are +incorporated in this and the following narrative. It was the Norwegians +who fought on horseback, and who used the expedient of pretended flight +against the English, and not the reverse: the latter had no horse.</p> + +<p><a name = "note208_19" id = "note208_19" href = "#tag208_19">Page +208, line 19</a>. +Quite unhistorical.</p> + +<p><a name = "note208_34" id = "note208_34" href = "#tag208_34">Page +208, line 34</a>. +Svein was killed in 1052.</p> + +<p><a name = "note209_4" id = "note209_4" href = "#tag209_4">Page 209, +line 4</a>. +October 14, 1066.</p> + +<p><a name = "note209_24" id = "note209_24" href = "#tag209_24">Page +209, line 24</a>. +Walthiof submitted to William immediately after the battle, and became +in 1070 Earl of Northumberland. In 1074 he took part in a plot against +William and, although he made a timely confession of it, was beheaded +outside Winchester in 1075.</p> + +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of +Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraad, by Snorri Sturluson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SAGAS OF OLAF TRYGGVASON *** + +***** This file should be named 22093-h.htm or 22093-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/0/9/22093/ + +Produced by Louise Hope, Charlene Taylor, Ted Garvin and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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