The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade) Part 13

And this again:

'When the land-host with men in numbers towards the Holder's War-wont King did fare, it scarce could be (so heard I) That the King beloved could with life escape (Folk seemed not truth to tell) from out the battle.

Some men e'en tell this skald that wounded is the King, Though from the spear-storm saved and eastwards gone.

But tidings from the south now tell the slaying of the King In the great fight (endure no more can I the wavering talk of men).'

-- With the victory that he encompa.s.sed 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:

'Thither the "Serpent" had borne him, The helmeted chieftain, to the great sword-play, (Then were the s.h.i.+ps dight).

But south, in the din of the battle, gladly the Earl took the "Serpent"

(Heming's high-born brother in blood did dye the swords).'

-- 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 (Gota) 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:

'I wist that save for Erling (bounteous chief whom I praise) Erewhile the "hersirs" mostly were friends unto the earls; The battle ended the land all southward from Agdir To Veiga, or farther north, was subject made to Eirik.

Under the lord the land prospered; & this 'twas good should be.

His duty he thought it to hold o'er the northmen his hand.

Now hath died Svein the king south of us, so the tale goes (The strength of most doth fail, and waste are his manors for grief).'

-- 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.

THE SAGA OF HARALD THE TYRANT, Mx.x.x-MLXVI

It 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:

'Nigh the hill, a battle-storm I heard drive toward the King, But the burner of the Bulgars-- His brother well supported.

Unwillingly from fallen Olaf Was the prince sundered, And his head he hid; Then was he twelve winters With added three thereto in age.'

-- 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:

'From forest now to forest Wend I my way with honour scant; Who wists but in the future Wide fame may not be mine?'

-- 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.

-- Now in the spring thereafter gat they s.h.i.+ps for themselves and in the summer fared eastward to Garda, where abode they the winter through with King Jarizleif.

Thus saith Bolverk:

'The sword's blade, King, thou dried'st When thou fared'st from the strife.

To the raven gav'st thou to eat; The wolf howled on the wooded heights.

But the year thereafter and thou wert East in Gard, O doughty fighter, Ne'er have I heard of a leader of hosts More famed than thou wert.'

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:

'Where Eilif was, Alike they acted, Those chieftains twain In wedge-like phalanx.

Chased were the East Wends Into a corner narrow, Not easy for the Laesirs-- Was the law of the host.'

-- 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:

'The chilly shower drave forward The s.h.i.+p's swart prows; And barks all bravely armoured Their sails bore by the coast-side.

The metal towers of Miklagard The prince saw from the prows; Fair-bosomed s.h.i.+ps were borne To the walls of the city.'

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 s.h.i.+p on certain galleys with warriors who were adventuring on to the Greek sea.

In those days was one named Gyrgir-- chief of the hosts, and he was also a kinsman to the Queen. Now it came to pa.s.s that Harald had not abode longtime with the host ere the Vaerings-- 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.

-- Once it befell when they were faring overland, and were of a mind to pa.s.s 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 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 fas.h.i.+on.'

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.'

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.'