(1) From the occasional descriptions of vessels in this and other battles, it may be inferred that even the Long Serpent, described in the 95tb chapter as of 150 feet of keel was only docked fore and aft; the thirty-four benches for rowers occupying the open area in the middle, and probably gangways running along the side for communicating from the quarter-deck to the forcastle.-- L.
122.REPORT AMONG THE PEOPLE.
Earl Sigvalde.as before related, came from Vindland, in company with King Olaf, with ten ships; but the eleventh ship was manned with the men of Astrid, the king's daughter, the wife of Earl Sigvalde.Now when King Olaf sprang overboard, the whole army raised a shout of victory; and then Earl Sigvalde and his men put their oars in the water and rowed towards the battle.Haldor the Unchristian tells of it thus: --"Then first the Vindland vessels came Into the fight with little fame;The fight still lingered on the wave, Tho' hope was gone with Olaf brave.
War, like a full-fed ravenous beast, Still oped her grim jaws for the feast.
The few who stood now quickly fled, When the shout told -- `Olaf is dead!'"But the Vindland cutter, in which Astrid's men were, rowed back to Vindland; and the report went immediately abroad and was told by many, that King Olaf had cast off his coat-of-mail under water, and had swum, diving under the longships, until he came to the Vindland cutter, and that Astrid's men had conveyed him to Vindland: and many tales have been made since about the adventures of Olaf the king.Halfred speaks thus about it: --"Does Olaf live? or is he dead?
Has he the hungry ravens fed?
I scarcely know what I should say, For many tell the tale each way.
This I can say, nor fear to lie, That he was wounded grievously --So wounded in this bloody strife, He scarce could come away with life."But however this may have been, King Olaf Trygvason never came back again to his kingdom of Norway.Halfred Vandredaskald speaks also thus about it:
"The witness who reports this thing Of Trygvason, our gallant king, Once served the king, and truth should tell, For Olaf hated lies like hell.
If Olaf 'scaped from this sword-thing, Worse fate, I fear, befel our king Than people guess, or e'er can know, For he was hemm'd in by the foe.
From the far east some news is rife Of king sore wounded saving life;His death, too sure, leaves me no care For cobweb rumours in the air.
It never was the will of fate That Olaf from such perilous strait Should 'scape with life! this truth may grieve --`What people wish they soon believe.'"123.OF EARL EIRIK, THE SON OF HAKON.
By this victory Earl Eirik Hakonson became owner of the Long Serpent, and made a great booty besides; and he steered the Serpent from the battle.So says Haldor: --"Olaf, with glittering helmet crowned, Had steered the Serpent through the Sound;And people dressed their boats, and cheered As Olaf's fleet in splendour steered.
But the descendent of great Heming, Whose race tells many a gallant sea-king, His blue sword in red life-blood stained, And bravely Olaf's long ship gained."Svein, a son of Earl Hakon, and Earl Eirik's brother, was engaged at this time to marry Holmfrid, a daughter of King Olaf the Swedish king.Now when Svein the Danish king, Olaf the Swedish king, and Earl Eirik divided the kingdom of Norway between them, King Olaf got four districts in the Throndhjem country, and also the districts of More and Raumsdal; and in the east part of the land he got Ranrike, from the Gaut river to Svinasund.Olaf gave these dominions into Earl Svein's hands, on the same conditions as the sub kings or earls had held them formerly from the upper-king of the country.Earl Eirik got four districts in the Throndhjem country, and Halogaland, Naumudal, the Fjord districts, Sogn, Hordaland, Rogaland, and North Agder, all the way to the Naze.So says Thord Kolbeinson: --"All chiefs within our land On Eirik's side now stand:
Erling alone, I know Remains Earl Eirik's foe.
All praise our generous earl, --
He gives, and is no churl:
All men are well content Fate such a chief has sent.
From Veiga to Agder they, Well pleased, the earl obey;And all will by him stand, To guard the Norsemen's land.
And now the news is spread That mighty Svein is dead, And luck is gone from those Who were the Norsemen's foes."The Danish king Svein retained Viken as he had held it before, but he gave Raumarike and Hedemark to Earl Eirik.Svein Hakonson got the title of earl from Olaf the Swedish king.Svein was one of the handsomest men ever seen.The earls Eirik and Svein both allowed themselves to be baptized, and took up the true faith;but as long as they ruled in Norway they allowed every one to do as he pleased in holding by his Christianity.But, on the other hand, they held fast by the old laws, and all the old rights and customs of the land, and were excellent men and good rulers.
Earl Eirik had most to say of the two brothers in all matters of government.
SAGA OF OLAF HARALDSON.(1)
PRELIMINARY REMARKS.
Olaf Haraldson the Saint's Saga is the longest, the most important, and the most finished of all the sagas in "Heimskringla".The life of Olaf will be found treated more or less freely in "Agrip", in "Historia Norvegiae", in "Thjodrek the Monk", in the legendary saga, and in "***rskinna".Other old Norse literature relating to this epoch:
Are's "Islendingabok", "Landnama", "Kristni Saga", "Biskupa-sogur", "Njala", "Gunlaugs Saga", "Ormstungu", "Bjarnar Saga Hitdaelakappa", "Hallfredar Thattr Vandraedaskalde", "Eyrbyggia", "Viga Styrs Saga", "Laxdaela", "Fostbraedra", "Gretla", "Liosvetninga", "Faereyinga", "Orkneyinga".
Olaf Haraldson was born 995, went as a viking at the age of twelve, 1007; visited England, one summer and three winters, 1009-1012; in France two summers and one winter, 1012-1013;spent the winter in Normandy, 1014; returned to Norway and was recognized as King, April 3, 1015; fled from Norway the winter of 1028-1029; fell at Stiklestad, July 29 (or August 31), 1030.
