TheIcelanders，intheirlongwinter，hadagreathabitofwriting;
andwere，andstillare，excellentinpenmanship，saysDahlmann。Itistothisfact，thatanylittlehistorythereisoftheNorseKingsandtheiroldtragedies，crimesandheroisms，isalmostalldue。TheIcelanders，itseems，notonlymadebeautifullettersontheirpaperorparchment，butwerelaudablyobservantanddesirousofaccuracy;
andhaveleftussuchacollectionofnarratives（_Sagas_，literally\"Says\"）as，forquantityandquality，isunexampledamongrudenations。SnorroSturleson’sHistoryoftheNorseKingsisbuiltoutoftheseoldSagas;andhasinitagreatdealofpoeticfire，notalittlefaithfulsagacityappliedinsiftingandadjustingtheseoldSagas;and，inaword，deserves，wereitoncewelledited，furnishedwithaccuratemaps，chronologicalsummaries，&c。，tobereckonedamongthegreathistory-booksoftheworld。Itisfromthesesources，greatlyaidedbyaccurate，learnedandunweariedDahlmann，[1]theGermanProfessor，thatthefollowingroughnotesoftheearlyNorwayKingsarehastilythrowntogether。InHistoriesofEngland（Rapin’sexcepted）nexttonothinghasbeenshownofthemanyandstrongthreadsofconnectionbetweenEnglishaffairsandNorse。
CHAPTERI。
HARALDHAARFAGR。
TillabouttheYearofGrace860therewerenokingsinNorway，nothingbutnumerousjarls，——essentiallykinglets，eachpresidingoverakindofrepublicanorparliamentarylittleterritory;generallystrivingeachtobeonsometermsofhumanneighborhoodwiththoseabouthim，but，——inspiteof\"_FylkeThings_\"（FolkThings，littleparishparliaments），andsmallcombinationsofthese，whichhadgraduallyformedthemselves，——oftenreducedtotheunhappystateofquarrelwiththem。HaraldHaarfagrwasthefirsttoputanendtothisstateofthings，andbecomememorableandprofitabletohiscountrybyunitingitunderoneheadandmakingakingdomofit;whichithascontinuedtobeeversince。Hisfather，HalfdantheBlack，hadalreadybegunthisroughbutsalutaryprocess，——inspiredbythecupiditiesandinstincts，bythefacultiesandopportunities，whichthegoodgeniusofthisworld，beneficentoftenenoughundersavageforms，anddiligentatalltimestodiminishanarchyastheworld’sworstsavagery，usuallyappointsinsuchcases，——conquest，hardfighting，followedbywiseguidanceoftheconquered;——butitwasHaraldtheFairhaired，hisson，whoconspicuouslycarrieditonandcompletedit。Harald’sbirth-year，death-year，andchronologyingeneral，areknownonlybyinferenceandcomputation;but，bythelatestreckoning，hediedabouttheyear933ofourera，amanofeighty-three。
ThebusinessofconquestlastedHaraldabouttwelveyears（A。D。
860-872？），inwhichhesubduedalsothevikingsoftheout-islands，Orkneys，Shetlands，Hebrides，andMan。Sixtymoreyearsweregivenhimtoconsolidateandregulatewhathehadconquered，whichhedidwithgreatjudgment，industryandsuccess。Hisreignaltogetheriscountedtohavebeenofoverseventyyears。
Thebeginningofhisgreatadventurewasofaromanticcharacter。——youthfulloveforthebeautifulGyda，athengloriousandfamousyoungladyofthoseregions，whomtheyoungHaraldaspiredtomarry。Gydaansweredhisembassyandprayerinadistant，loftymanner：\"HeritwouldnotbeseemtowedanyJarlorpoorcreatureofthatkind;lethimdoasGormofDenmark，EricofSweden，EgbertofEngland，andothershaddone，——subdueintopeaceandregulationtheconfused，contentiousbitsofjarlsroundhim，andbecomeaking;
then，perhaps，shemightthinkofhisproposal：tillthen，not。\"
Haraldwasstruckwiththisproudanswer，whichrenderedGydatenfoldmoredesirabletohim。Hevowedtolethishairgrow，nevertocutoreventocombittillthisfeatweredone，andthepeerlessGydahisown。Heproceededaccordinglytoconquer，infiercebattle，aJarlortwoeveryyear，and，attheendoftwelveyears，hadhisunkempt（andalmostunimaginable）headofhaircliptoff，——JarlRognwald（_Reginald_）ofMore，themostvaluedandvaluableofallhissubject-jarls，beingpromotedtothissublimebarberfunction;——afterwhichKingHarald，withheadthoroughlycleaned，andhairgrown，orgrowingagaintotheluxuriantbeautythathadnoequalinhisday，broughthomehisGyda，andmadeherthebrightestqueeninallthenorth。Hehadafterher，insuccession，orperhapsevensimultaneouslyinsomecases，atleastsixotherwives;andbyGydaherselfonedaughterandfoursons。
Haraldwasnottobeconsideredastrict-livingman，andhehadagreatdealoftrouble，asweshallsee，withthetumultuousambitionofhissons;buthemanagedhisgovernment，aidedbyJarlRognwaldandothers，inalarge，quietlypotent，andsuccessfulmanner;anditlastedinthisroyalformtillhisdeath，aftersixtyyearsofit。
ThesewerethetimesofNorsecolonization;proudNorsemenflyingintootherlands，tofreerscenes，——toIceland，totheFaroeIslands，whichwerehithertoquitevacant（tenantedonlybysomemournfulhermit，IrishChristian_fakir_，orso）;stillmorecopiouslytotheOrkneyandShetlandIsles，theHebridesandothercountrieswhereNorsesquattersandsettlersalreadywere。SettlementofIceland，wesay;
settlementoftheFaroeIslands，and，byfarthenotablestofall，settlementofNormandybyRolftheGanger（A。D。876？）。[2]
Rolf，sonofRognwald，[3]waslordofthreelittleisletsfarnorth，neartheFjordofFolden，calledtheThreeVigtenIslands;buthischiefmeansoflivingwasthatofsearobbery;which，oratleastRolf’sconductinwhich，Haralddidnotapproveof。IntheCourtofHarald，sea-robberywasstrictlyforbiddenasbetweenHarald’sowncountries，butasagainstforeigncountriesitcontinuedtobetheoneprofessionforagentleman;thus，Iread，Harald’sownchiefson，KingEricthatafterwardswas，hadbeenatseainsuchemploymentseversincehistwelfthyear。Rolf’scrime，however，wasthatincominghomefromoneoftheseexpeditions，hiscrewhavingfallenshortofvictual，RolflandedwiththemontheshoreofNorway，andinhisstrait，droveinsomecattlethere（acrimebylaw）andproceededtokillandeat;which，inalittlewhile，heheardthatKingHaraldwasonfoottoinquireintoandpunish;whereuponRolftheGangerspeedilygotintohisshipsagain，gottothecoastofFrancewithhissea-
robbers，gotinfeftmentbythepoorKingofFranceinthefruitful，shaggydesertwhichissincecalledNormandy，landoftheNorthmen;
andthere，graduallyfellingtheforests，bankingtherivers，tillingthefields，became，duringthenexttwocenturies，WilhelmusConquaestor，themanfamoustoEngland，andmomentousatthisday，nottoEnglandalone，buttoallspeakersoftheEnglishtongue，nowspreadfromsidetosideoftheworldinawonderfuldegree。TancredofHautevilleandhisItalianNormans，thoughimportanttoo，inItaly，arenotworthnamingincomparison。Thisisaferaciousearth，andthegrainofmustard-seedwillgrowtomiraculousextentinsomecases。
Harald’schiefhelper，counsellor，andlieutenantwastheabove-mentionedJarlRognwaldofMore，whohadthehonortocutHarald’sdreadfulheadofhair。ThisRognwaldwasfatherofTurf-Einar，whofirstinventedpeatintheOrkneys，findingthewoodallgonethere;andisrememberedtothisday。Einar，beingcometotheseislandsbyKingHarald’spermission，toseewhathecoulddointhem，——islandsinhabitedbywhatmiscellanyofPicts，Scots，Norsesquatterswedonotknow，——foundtheindispensablefuelallwasted。
Turf-Einartoomayberegardedasabenefactortohiskind。Hewas，itappears，abastard;andgotnocoddlingfromhisfather，whodislikedhim，partlyperhaps，because\"hewasuglyandblindofaneye，\"——gotnoflatteringevenonhisconquestoftheOrkneysandinventionofpeat。Hereisthepartingspeechhisfathermadetohimonfittinghimoutwitha\"long-ship\"（shipofwar，\"dragon-ship，\"
ancientseventy-four），andsendinghimforthtomakealivingforhimselfintheworld：\"Itwerebestifthounevercamestback，forI
havesmallhopethatthypeoplewillhavehonorbythee;thymother’skinthroughoutisslavish。\"
HaraldHaarfagrhadagoodmanysonsanddaughters;thedaughtershemarriedmostlytojarlsofduemeritwhowereloyaltohim;withthesons，asremarkedabove，hehadagreatdealoftrouble。Theywereambitious，stirringfellows，andgrudgedattheirfindingsolittlepromotionfromafathersokindtohisjarls;sea-robberybynomeansanadequatecareerforthesonsofagreatking，twoofthem，HalfdanHaaleg（Long-leg），andGudrodLjome（Gleam），jealousofthefavorswonbythegreatJarlRognwald。surroundedhiminhishouseonenight，andburnthimandsixtymentodeaththere。ThatwastheendofRognwald，theinvaluablejarl，alwaystruetoHaarfagr;anddistinguishedinworldhistorybyproducingRolftheGanger，authoroftheNormanConquestofEngland，andTurf-Einar，whoinventedpeatintheOrkneys。WhetherRolfhadleftNorwayatthistimethereisnochronologytotellme。AstoRolf’ssurname，\"Ganger，\"therearevarioushypotheses;thelikeliest，perhaps，thatRolfwassoweightyamannohorse（smallNorwegianhorses，bigponiesrather）couldcarryhim，andthatheusuallywalked，havingamightystridewithal，andgreatvelocityonfoot。
OneofthesemurderersofJarlRognwaldquietlysethimselfinRognwald’splace，theothermakingforOrkneytoserveTurf-Einarinlikefashion。Turf-Einar，takenbysurprise，fledtothemainland;
butreturned，daysorperhapsweeksafter，readyforbattle，foughtwithHalfdan，puthispartytoflight，andatnextmorning’slightsearchedtheislandandslewallthemenhefound。AstoHalfdanLong-leghimself，infiercememoryofhisownmurderedfather，Turf-Einar\"cutaneagleonhisback，\"thatistosay，hewedtheribsfromeachsideofthespineandturnedthemoutlikethewingsofaspread-eagle：amodeofNorsevengeancefashionableatthattimeinextremelyaggravatedcases！
HaraldHaarfagr，inthemeantime，haddescendedupontheRognwaldscene，notinmildmoodtowardsthenewjarlthere;indignantlydismissedsaidjarl，andappointedabrotherofRognwald（brother，notesDahlmann），thoughRognwaldhadleftothersons。Whichdone，HaarfagrsailedwithallspeedtotheOrkneys，theretoavengethatcuttingofaneagleonthehumanbackonTurf-Einar’spart。
Turf-Einardidnotresist;submissivelymettheangryHaarfagr，saidheleftitall，whathadbeendone，whatprovocationtherehadbeen，toHaarfagr’sownequityandgreatnessofmind。MagnanimousHaarfagrinflictedafineofsixtymarksingold，whichwaspaidinreadymoneybyTurf-Einar，andsothematterended。
CHAPTERII。
ERICBLOOD-AXEANDBROTHERS。
InsuchviolentcoursesHaarfagr’ssons，Iknownothowmanyofthem，hadcometoanuntimelyend;onlyEric，theaccomplishedsea-rover，andthreeothersremainedtohim。Amongthesefoursons，ratherimpatientforpropertyandauthorityoftheirown，KingHarald，inhisolddays，triedtoparthiskingdominsomeeligibleandequitableway，andretirefromtheconstantpressofbusiness，nowbecomingburdensometohim。Toeachofthemhegaveakindofkingdom;Eric，hiseldestson，tobeheadking，andtheotherstobefeudatoryunderhim，andpayacertainyearlycontribution;anarrangementwhichdidnotanswerwellatall。Head-KingEricinsistedonhistribute;
quarrelsaroseastothepayment，considerablefightinganddisturbance，bringingfiercedestructionfromKingEricuponmanyvaliantbuttoostubbornNorsespirits，andamongtherestuponallhisthreebrothers，whichgothimfromtheNorsepopulationsthesurnameof_Blod-axe_，\"EricBlood-axe，\"histitleinhistory。Oneofhisbrothershehadkilledinbattlebeforehisoldfather’slifeended;thisbrotherwasBjorn，apeaceable，improving，tradingeconomicUnder-king，whomtheothersmockinglycalled\"BjorntheChapman。\"Thegreat-grandsonofthisBjornbecameextremelydistinguishedbyandbyas_Saint_Olaf。Head-KingEricseemstohavehadaviolentwife，too。Shewasthoughttohavepoisonedoneofherotherbrothers-in-law。EricBlood-axehadbynomeansagentlelifeofitinthisworld，trainedtosea-robberyonthecoastsofEngland，Scotland，IrelandandFrance，sincehistwelfthyear。
OldKingFairhair，attheageofseventy，hadanotherson，towhomwasgiventhenameofHakon。HismotherwasaslaveinFairhair’shouse;
slavebyill-luckofwar，thoughnoblyenoughborn。AstrangeadventureconnectsthisHakonwithEnglandandKingAthelstan，whowasthenenteringuponhisgreatcareerthere。ShortwhileafterthisHakoncameintotheworld，thereenteredFairhair’spalace，oneeveningasFairhairsatFeasting，anEnglishambassadorormessenger，bearinginhishand，asgiftfromKingAthelstan，amagnificentsword，withgoldhiltandotherfinetrimmings，tothegreatHarald，KingofNorway。Haraldtookthesword，drewit，orwashalfdrawingit，admiringlyfromthescabbard，whentheEnglishexcellencybrokeintoascornfullaugh，\"Ha，ha;thouartnowthefeudatoryofmyEnglishking;thouhastacceptedtheswordfromhim，andartnowhisman！\"
（acceptanceofaswordinthatmannerbeingthesymbolofinvestitureinthosedays。）Haraldlookedatrifleflurried，itisprobable;butheldinhiswrath，anddidnodamagetothetricksyEnglishman。Hekeptthematterinhismind，however，andnextsummerlittleHakon，havinggothisweaningdone，——oneoftheprettiest，healthiestlittlecreatures，——Haraldsenthimoff，underchargeof\"Hauk\"（Hawksocalled），oneofhisPrincipal，warriors，withorder，\"TakehimtoEngland，\"andinstructionswhattodowithhimthere。Andaccordingly，oneevening，Hauk，withthirtymenescorting，strodeintoAthelstan’shighdwelling（wheresituated，howbuilt，whetherwithlogslikeHarald’s，Icannotspecificallysay），intoAthelstan’shighpresence，andsilentlysetthewildlittlecherubuponAthelstan’sknee。\"Whatisthis？\"askedAthelstan，lookingatthelittlecherub。
\"ThisisKingHarald’sson，whomaserving-maidboretohim，andwhomhenowgivestheeasfoster-child！\"IndignantAthelstandrewhissword，asiftodothegiftamischief;butHauksaid，\"Thouhasttakenhimonthyknee[commonsymbolofadoption];thoucanstkillhimifthouwilt;butthoudostnottherebykillallthesonsofHarald。\"
Athelstanstraightwaytookmilderthoughts;broughtup，andcarefullyeducatedHakon;fromwhom，andthissingularadventure，came，beforeverylong，thefirsttidingsofChristianityintoNorway。
HaraldHaarfagr，latterlywithdrawnfromallkindsofbusiness，diedattheageofeighty-three——aboutA。D。933，asiscomputed;nearlycontemporaryindeathwiththefirstDanishKing，GormtheOld，whohaddoneacorrespondingfeatinreducingDenmarkunderonehead。
Remarkableoldmen，thesetwofirstkings;andpossessedofgiftsforbringingChaosalittlenearertotheformofCosmos;possessed，infact，ofloyaltiestoCosmos，thatistosay，ofauthenticvirtuesinthesavagestate，suchashavebeenneededinallsocietiesattheirincipienceinthisworld;akindof\"virtues\"hugelyindiscreditatpresent，butnotunlikelytobeneededagain，totheastonishmentofcarelesspersons，beforeallisdone！
CHAPTERIII
HAKONTHEGOOD。
EricBlood-axe，whosepracticalreigniscountedtohavebegunaboutA。D。930，hadbythistime，orwithinayearorsoofthistime，prettymuchextinguishedallhisbrotherkings，andcrusheddownrecalcitrantspirits，inhisviolentway;buthadnaturallybecomeentirelyunpopularinNorway，andfilleditwithsilentdiscontentandevenrageagainsthim。HakonFairhair’slastson，thelittlefoster-childofAthelstaninEngland，whohadbeenbaptizedandcarefullyeducated，wascometohisfourteenthorfifteenthyearathisfather’sdeath;averyshiningyouth，asAthelstansawwithjustpleasure。Sosoonasthefewpreliminarypreparationshadbeensettled，Hakon，furnishedwithashiportwobyAthelstan，suddenlyappearedinNorwaygotacknowledgedbythePeasantThinginTrondhjem\"thenewsofwhichflewoverNorway，likefirethroughdriedgrass，\"
saysanoldchronicler。SothatEric，withhisQueenGunhild，andsevensmallchildren，hadtorun;noothershiftforEric。TheywenttotheOrkneysfirstofall，thentoEngland，andhe\"gotNorthumberlandasearldom，\"Ivaguelyhear，fromAthelstan。ButEricsoondied，andhisqueen，withherchildren，wentbacktotheOrkneysinsearchofrefugeorhelp;tolittlepurposethereorelsewhere。
FromOrkneyshewenttoDenmark，whereHaraldBlue-toothtookherpooreldestboyasfoster-child;butIfeardidnotveryfaithfullykeepthatpromise。TheDaneshadbeenrobbingextensivelyduringthelatetumultsinNorway;thistheChristianHakon，nowestablishedthere，paidinkind，andthetwocountrieswereatwar;sothatGunhild’slittleboywasawelcomecardinthehandofBlue-tooth。
Hakonprovedabrilliantandsuccessfulking;regulatedmanythings，publiclawamongothers（_Gule-Thing_Law，_Frost-Thing_Law：thesearelittlecodesofhisacceptedbytheirrespectiveThings，andhadasalutaryeffectintheirtime）;withpromptdexterityhedrovebacktheBlue-toothfoster-soninvasionseverytimetheycame;andonthewholegainedforhimselfthenameofHakontheGood。TheseDanishinvasionswereafrequentsourceoftroubletohim，buthisgreatestandcontinualtroublewasthatofextirpatingheathenidolatryfromNorway，andintroducingtheChristianEvangelinitsstead。Histranscendentanxietytoachievethissalutaryenterprisewasallalonghisgranddifficultyandstumbling-block;theheathenoppositiontoitbeingalsorootedandgreat。BishopsandpriestsfromEnglandHakonhad，preachingandbaptizingwhattheycould，butmakingonlyslowprogress;muchtooslowforHakon’szeal。Ontheotherhand，everyYule-tide，whenthechiefheathenwereassembledinhisownpalaceontheirgrandsacrificialfestival，therewasgreatpressureputuponHakon，astosprinklingwithhorse-blood，drinkingYule-beer，eatinghorse-flesh，andtheotherdistressingrites;thewholeofwhichHakonabhorred，andwithallhissteadfastnessstrovetorejectutterly。
Sigurd，JarlofLade（Trondhjem），aliberalheathen，notopenlyaChristian，waseverawisecounsellorandconciliatorinsuchaffairs;
andprovedofgreathelptoHakon。Once，forexample，therehavingrisenataYule-feast，loud，almoststormfuldemandthatHakon，likeatruemanandbrother，shoulddrinkYule-beerwiththemintheirsacredhightide，Sigurdpersuadedhimtocomply，forpeace’ssake，atleast，inform。Hakontookthecupinhislefthand（excellenthot_beer_），andwithhisrightcutthesignofthecrossaboveit，thendrankadraught。\"Yes;butwhatisthiswiththeking’srighthand？\"criedthecompany。\"Don’tyousee？\"answeredshiftySigurd;\"hemakesthesignofThor’shammerbeforedrinking！\"whichquenchedthematterforthetime。
Horse-flesh，horse-broth，andthehorseingredientgenerally，Hakonallbutinexorablydeclined。BySigurd’spressingexhortationandentreaty，hedidoncetakeakettleofhorsebrothbythehandle，withagooddealoflinen-quiltortowelinterposed，anddidopenhislipsforwhatofsteamcouldinsinuateitself。Atanothertimeheconsentedtoaparticleofhorse-liver，intendingprivately，Iguess，tokeepitoutsidethegullet，andsmuggleitawaywithoutswallowing;
butfartherthanthisnotevenSigurdcouldpersuadehimtogo。AttheThingsheldinregardtothismatterHakon’ssuccesswasalwaysincomplete;nowandthenitwasplainfailure，andHakonhadtodrawbacktillabettertime。Hereisonespecimenoftheresponsehegotonsuchanoccasion;curiousspecimen，withal，ofantiqueparliamentaryeloquencefromanAnti-ChristianThing。
AtaThingofalltheFylkesofTrondhjem，ThingheldatFrosteinthatregion，KingHakon，withalltheeloquencehehad，signifiedthatitwasimperativelynecessarythatallBondersandsub-BondersshouldbecomeChristians，andbelieveinoneGod，ChristtheSonofMary;
renouncingentirelybloodsacrificesandheathenidols;shouldkeepeveryseventhdayholy，abstainfromlaborthatday，andevenfromfood，devotingthedaytofastingandsacredmeditation。Whereupon，bywayofuniversalanswer，aroseaconfuseduniversalmurmurofentiredissent。\"Takeawayfromusouroldbelief，andalsoourtimeforlabor！\"murmuredtheyinangryastonishment;\"howcaneventhelandbegottilledinthatway？\"\"Wecannotworkifwedon’tgetfood，\"saidthehandlaborersandslaves。\"ItliesinKingHakon’sblood，\"remarkedothers;\"hisfatherandallhiskindredwereapttobestingyaboutfood，thoughliberalenoughwithmoney。\"Atlength，oneOsbjorn（orBearoftheAsenorGods，whatwenowcallOsborne），oneOsbjornofMedalhusinGulathal，steptforward，andsaid，inadistinctmanner，\"WeBonders（peasantproprietors）thought，KingHakon，whenthouheldestthyfirstThing-dayhereinTrondhjem，andwetooktheeforourking，andreceivedourhereditarylandsfromtheeagainthatwehadgotheavenitself。Butnowweknownothowitis，whetherwehavewonfreedom，orwhetherthouintendestanewtomakeusslaves，withthiswonderfulproposalthatweshouldrenounceourfaith，whichourfathersbeforeushaveheld，andallourancestorsaswell，firstintheageofburialbyburning，andnowinthatofearthburial;andyetthesedepartedonesweremuchoursuperiors，andtheirfaith，too，hasbroughtprosperitytous。Thee，atthesametime，wehavelovedsomuchthatweraisedtheetomanageallthelawsoftheland，andspeakastheirvoicetousall。AndevennowitisourwillandthevoteofallBonderstokeepthatpactionwhichthougavestushereontheThingatFroste，andtomaintaintheeaskingsolongasanyofusBonderswhoarehereupontheThinghaslifeleft，providedthou，king，wiltgofairlytowork，anddemandofusonlysuchthingsasarenotimpossible。Butifthouwiltfixuponthisthingwithsogreatobstinacy，andemployforceandpower，inthatcase，weBondershavetakentheresolution，allofus，tofallawayfromthee，andtotakeforourselvesanotherhead，whowillsobehavethatwemayenjoyinfreedomthebeliefwhichisagreeabletous。Nowshaltthou，king，chooseoneofthesetwocoursesbeforetheThingdisperse。\"
\"Whereupon，\"addstheChronicle，\"alltheBondersraisedamightyshout，’Yes，wewillhaveitso，ashasbeensaid。’\"SothatJarlSigurdhadtointervene，andKingHakontochooseforthemomentthemilderbranchofthealternative。[4]AtotherThingsHakonwasmoreorlesssuccessful。Allhisdays，bysuchmethodsastherewere，hekeptpressingforwardwiththisgreatenterprise;andonthewholedidthoroughlyshakeasundertheoldedificeofheathendom，andfairlyintroducesomefoundationforthenewandbetterruleoffaithandlifeamonghispeople。Sigurd，JarlofLade，hiswisecounsellorinallthesematters，isalsoamanworthyofnotice。
Hakon’sarrangementsagainstthecontinualinvasionsofEric’ssons，withDanishBlue-toothbackingthem，weremanifold，andforalongtimesuccessful。Heappointed，afterconsultationandconsentinthevariousThings，somanywar-ships，fullymannedandready，tobefurnishedinstantlyontheKing’sdemandbyeachprovinceorfjord;
watch-fires，onfitplaces，fromhilltohillallalongthecoast，weretobecarefullysetup，carefullymaintainedinreadiness，andkindledonanyalarmofwar。BysuchmethodsBlue-toothandCo。’sinvasionswereforalongwhiletriumphantly，andevenrapidly，oneandallofthem，beatenback，tillatlengththeyseemedasifintendingtoceasealtogether，andleaveHakonaloneofthem。Butsuchwasnottheirissueafterall。ThesonsofErichadonlyabatedunderconstantdiscouragement，hadnotfinallyleftofffromwhatseemedtheironegreatfeasibilityinlife。Gunhild，theirmother，wasstillwiththem：amostcontriving，fierce-minded，irreconcilablewoman，diligentandurgentonthem，inseasonandoutofseason;andasforKingBlue-tooth，hewasatalltimesreadytohelp，withhisgood-willatleast。
Thatofthealarm-firesonHakon’spartwasfoundtroublesomebyhispeople;sometimesitwasevenhurtfulandprovoking（lightingyouralarm-firesandrousingthewholecoastandpopulation，whenitwasnothingbutsomepaltryvikingwithacoupleofships）;inshort，thealarm-signalsystemfellintodisuse，andgoodKingHakonhimself，inthefirstplace，paidthepenalty。Itiscounted，bythelatestcommentators，tohavebeenaboutA。D。961，sixteenthorseventeenthyearofHakon’spious，valiant，andworthyreign。Beingatafeastoneday，withmanyguests，ontheIslandofStord，suddenannouncementcametohimthatshipsfromthesouthwereapproachinginquantity，andevidentlyshipsofwar。ThiswasthebiggestofalltheBlue-toothfoster-soninvasions;anditwasfataltoHakontheGoodthatnight。EyvindtheSkaldaspillir（annihilatorofallotherSkalds），inhisfamed_Hakon’sSong_，givesaccount，and，stillmorepertinently，thealwayspracticalSnorro。Danesingreatmultitude，sixtoone，aspeopleafterwardscomputed，springingswiftlytoland，andrankingthemselves;Hakon，nevertheless，atoncedecidingnottotaketohisshipsandrun，buttofightthere，onetosix;fighting，accordingly，inhismostsplendidmanner，andatlastgloriouslyprevailing;routingandscatteringbacktotheirshipsandflighthomewardthesesix-to-oneDanes。\"Duringthestruggleofthefight，\"
saysSnorro，\"hewasveryconspicuousamongothermen;andwhilethesunshone，hisbrightgildedhelmetglanced，andtherebymanyweaponsweredirectedathim。Oneofhishenchmen，EyvindFinnson（_i。e。_
Skaldaspillir，thepoet），tookahat，andputitovertheking’shelmet。Now，amongthehostilefirstleadersweretwounclesoftheEricsons，brothersofGunhild，greatchampionsboth;Skreya，theelderofthem，onthedisappearanceoftheglitteringhelmet，shoutedboastfully，’DoesthekingoftheNorsemenhidehimself，then，orhashefled？Wherenowisthegoldenhelmet？’Andsosaying，Skreya，andhisbrotherAlfwithhim，pushedonlikefoolsormadmen。Thekingsaid，’Comeoninthatway，andyoushallfindthekingoftheNorsemen。’\"AndinashortspaceoftimebraggartSkreyadidcomeup，swinginghissword，andmadeacutattheking;butThoralftheStrong，anIcelander，whofoughtattheking’sside，dashedhisshieldsohardagainstSkreya，thathetotteredwiththeshock。Onthesameinstantthekingtakeshissword\"quernbiter\"（abletocut_querns_ormillstones）withbothhands，andhewsSkreyathroughhelmandhead，cleavinghimdowntotheshoulders。ThoralfalsoslewAlf。Thatwaswhattheygotbysuchover-hastysearchforthekingoftheNorsemen。[5]
Snorroconsidersthefallofthesetwochampionunclesasthecrisisofthefight;theDanishforcebeingmuchdisheartenedbysuchasight，andKingHakonnowpressingonsohardthatallmengavewaybeforehim，thebattleontheEricsonpartbecameawhirlofrecoil;
andinafewminutesmoreatorrentofmereflightandhastetogetonboardtheirships，andputtoseaagain;inwhichoperationmanyofthemweredrowned，saysSnorro;survivorsmakinginstantsailforDenmarkinthatsadcondition。
ThisseemstohavebeenKingHakon’sfinestbattle，andthemostconspicuousofhisvictories，duenotalittletohisowngrandqualitiesshownontheoccasion。But，alas！itwashislastalso。HewasstillzealouslydirectingthechaseofthatmadDanishflight，orwhirlofrecoiltowardstheirships，whenanarrow，shotMostlikelyataventure，hithimundertheleftarmpit;andthisprovedhisdeath。
Hewashelpedintohisship，andmadesailforAlrekstad，wherehischiefresidenceinthosepartswas;buthadtostopatasmallerplaceofhis（whichhadbeenhismother’s，andwherehehimselfwasborn）——aplacecalledHella（theFlatRock），stillknownas\"Hakon’sHella，\"
faintfromlossofblood，andcrusheddownashehadneverbeforefelt。Havingnosonandonlyonedaughter，heappointedtheseinvasivesonsofErictobesentfor，andifhediedtobecomeking;
butto\"sparehisfriendsandkindred。\"\"Ifalongerlifebegrantedme，\"hesaid，\"IwillgooutofthislandtoChristianmen，anddopenanceforwhatIhavecommittedagainstGod。ButifIdieinthecountryoftheheathen，letmehavesuchburialasyouyourselvesthinkfittest。\"Thesearehislastrecordedwords。Andinheathenfashionhewasburied，andbesungbyEyvindandtheSkalds，thoughhimselfazealouslyChristianking。Hakonthe_Good_;soonestillfindshimworthyofbeingcalled。ThesorrowonHakon’sdeath，Snorrotellsus，wassogreatanduniversal，\"thathewaslamentedbothbyfriendsandenemies;andtheysaidthatneveragainwouldNorwayseesuchaking。\"
CHAPTERIV。
HARALDGREYFELLANDBROTHERS。
Eric’ssons，fourorfiveofthem，withaHaraldatthetop，nowatoncegotNorwayinhand，allofitbutTrondhjem，askingandunder-kings;andmadeaseveretimeofitforthosewhohadbeen，orseemedtobe，theirenemies。ExcellentJarlSigurd，alwayssousefultoHakonandhiscountry，waskilledbythem;andtheycametorepentthatbeforeverylong。TheslainSigurdleftason，Hakon，asJarl，whobecamefamousinthenorthernworldbyandby。ThisHakon，andhimonly，wouldtheTrondhjemersacceptassovereign。\"Deathtohim，then，\"saidthesonsofEric，butonlyinsecret，tilltheyhadgottheirhandsfreeandwereready;whichwasnotyetforsomeyears。
Nay，Hakon，whenactuallyattacked，madegoodresistance，andthreatenedtocausetrouble。NordidhebyanymeansgethisdeathfromthesesonsofEricatthistime，ortilllongafterwardsatall，fromoneoftheirkin，asitchanced。Onthecontrary，hefledtoDenmarknow，andbyandbymanagedtocomeback，totheircost。
Amongtheirotherchiefvictimsweretwocousinsoftheirown，TryggveandGudrod，whohadbeenhonestunder-kingstothelatehead-king，HakontheGood;butwerenowbecomesuspect，andhadtofightfortheirlives，andlosetheminatragicmanner。Tryggvehadason，whomweshallhearof。Gudrod，sonofworthyBjorntheChapman，wasgrandfatherofSaintOlaf，whomallmenhaveheardof，——whohasachurchinSouthwarkeven，andanotherinOldJewry，tothishour。Inalltheseviolences，Gunhild，widowofthelatekingEric，wasunderstoodtohaveaprincipalhand。ShehadcomebacktoNorwaywithhersons;andnaturallypassedforthesecretadviserandMaternalPresidentinwhateverofviolencewenton;alwaysreckonedafell，vehement，relentlesspersonagewhereherowninterestswereconcerned。
Probablyasthingssettled，herinfluenceonaffairsgrewless。Atleastonehopesso;and，intheSagas，hearslessandlessofher，andbeforelongnothing。
Harald，thehead-kinginthisEricfraternity，doesnotseemtohavebeenabadman，——thecontraryindeed;buthispositionwasuntowardly，fullofdifficultyandcontradictions。WhateverHaraldcouldaccomplishforbehoofofChristianity，orrealbenefittoNorway，inthesecrosscircumstances，heseemstohavedoneinamodestandhonestmanner。Hegotthenameof_Greyfell_fromhispeopleonaverytrivialaccount，butseeminglywithperfectgoodhumorontheirpart。SomeIcelandtraderhadbroughtacargooffurstoTrondhjem（Lade）forsale;salebeingslackerthantheIcelanderwished，hepresentedachosenspecimen，cloak，doublet，orwhateveritwas，toHarald;whoworeitwithacceptanceinpublic，andrapidlybroughtdisposaloftheIcelander’sstock，andthesurnameof_Greyfell_tohimself。Hisunder-kingsandhewerecertainlynotpopular，thoughI
almostthinkGreyfellhimself，inabsenceofhismotherandtheunder-kings，mighthavebeenso。Butheretheyallwere，andhadwroughtgreattroubleinNorway。\"Toomanyofthem，\"saideverybody;
\"toomanyofthesecourtsandcourtpeople，eatingupanysubstancethatthereis。\"Fortheseasonswithal，twoorthreeoftheminsuccession，werebadforgrass，muchmoreforgrain;no_herring_cameeither;verycleannessofteethwasliketocomeinEyvindSkaldaspillir’sopinion。ThisscarcitybecameatlasttheirshareofthegreatFamineOfA。D。975，whichdesolatedWesternEurope（seethepoemintheSaxonChronicle）。AndallthisbyEyvindSkaldaspillir，andtheheathenNorseingeneral，wasascribedtoangeroftheheathengods。DiscontentinNorway，andespeciallyinEyvindSkaldaspillir，seemstohavebeenverygreat。
WhereuponexileHakon，JarlSigurd’sson，bestirshimselfinDenmark，backedbyoldKingBlue-tooth，andbeginsinvadingandencroachinginamiscellaneousway;especiallyintriguingandcontrivingplotsallroundhim。Anunfathomablycunningkindoffellow，aswellasanaudaciousandstrong-handed！IntriguinginTrondhjem，wherehegetstheunder-king，Greyfell’sbrother，fallenuponandmurdered;
intriguingwithGoldHarald，adistinguishedcousinornephewofKingBlue-tooth’s，whohaddonefinevikingwork，andgained，suchwealththathegottheepithetof\"Gold，\"andwhonowwasinfinitelydesirousofashareinBlue-tooth’skingdomastheproperfinishtothesesea-rovings。HeevenventuredonedaytomakepubliclyadistinctproposalthatwaytoKingHaraldBlue-toothhimself;whoflewintothunderandlightningatthemerementionofit;sothatnonedurstspeaktohimforseveraldaysafterwards。OfboththeseHaraldsHakonwasconfidentialfriend;andneededallhisskilltowalkwithoutimmediateannihilationbetweensuchapairofdragons，andworkoutNorwayforhimselfwithal。IntheendhefoundhemusttakesolidlytoBlue-tooth’ssideofthequestion;andthattheytwomustprovidearecipeforGoldHaraldandNorwaybothatonce。
\"ItisasmuchasyourlifeisworthtospeakagainofsharingthisDanishkingdom，\"saidHakonveryprivatelytoGoldHarald;\"butcouldnotyou，mygoldenfriend，becontentwithNorwayforakingdom，ifonehelpedyoutoit？\"
\"ThatcouldIwell，\"answeredHarald。
\"Thenkeepmethoseninewar-shipsyouhavejustbeenriggingforanewvikingcruise;havetheseinreadinesswhenIliftmyfinger！\"
ThatwastherecipecontrivedforGoldHarald;recipeforKingGreyfellgoesintothesamevial，andisalsoready。
HithertotheHakon-Blue-toothdisturbancesinNorwayhadamountedtobutlittle。KingGreyfell，averyactiveandvaliantman，hasconstantly，withoutmuchdifficulty，repelledthesesporadicbitsoftroubles;butGreyfell，allthesame，wouldwillinglyhavepeacewithdangerousoldBlue-tooth（everanxioustogethisclutchesoverNorwayonanyterms）ifpeacewithhimcouldbehad。Blue-tooth，too，professeseverywillingness;inveiglesGreyfell，heandHakondo;tohaveafriendlymeetingontheDanishborders，andnotonlysettleallthesequarrels，butgenerouslysettleGreyfellincertainfiefswhichheclaimedinDenmarkitself;andsosweareverlastingfriendship。
Greyfelljoyfullycomplies，punctuallyappearsattheappointeddayinLymfjordSound，theappointedplace。WhereuponHakongivessignaltoGoldHarald，\"ToLymfjordwiththesenineshipsofyours，swift！\"
GoldHaraldfliestoLymfjordwithhisships，challengesKingHaraldGreyfelltolandandfight;whichtheundauntedGreyfell，thoughsofaroutnumbered，does;and，fightinghisverybest，perishesthere，heandalmostallhispeople。Whichdone，JarlHakon，whoisinreadiness，attacksGoldHarald，thevictoriousbutthewearied;easilybeatsGoldHarald，takeshimprisoner，andinstantlyhangsandendshim，tothehugejoyofKingBlue-toothandHakon;whonowmakeinstantvoyagetoNorway;driveallthebrotherunder-kingsintorapidflighttotheOrkneys，toanyreadiestshelter;andso，underthepatronageofBlue-tooth，Hakon，withthetitleofJarl，becomesrulerofNorway。ThisfoultreacherydoneonthebraveandhonestHaraldGreyfellisbysomedatedaboutA。D。969，byMunch，965，byothers，computingoutofSnorroonly，A。D。975。ForthereisalwaysanuncertaintyintheseIcelandicdates（sayrather，rareandrudeattemptsatdating，withoutevenan\"A。D。\"orotherfixed\"yearone\"
togouponinIceland），thoughseldom，Ithink，solargeadiscrepancyashere。
CHAPTERV。
HAKONJARL。
HakonJarl，suchthestylehetook，hadengagedtopaysomekindoftributetoKingBlue-tooth，\"ifhecould;\"butheneverdidpayany，pleadingalwaysthenecessityofhisownaffairs;withwhichexcuse，joinedtoHakon’sreadinessinthingslessimportant，KingBlue-toothmanagedtocontenthimself，Hakonbeingalwayshisgoodneighbor，atleast，andthetwomutuallydependent。InNorway，Hakon，withoutthetitleofking，didinastrong-handed，steadfast，andatlength，successfulway，theofficeofone;governedNorway（somecount）forabovetwentyyears;and，bothathomeandabroad，hadmuchconsiderationthroughmostofthattime;speciallyamongsttheheathenorthodox，forHakonJarlhimselfwasazealousheathen，fixedinhismindagainstthesechimericalChristianinnovationsandunsalutarychangesofcreed，andwouldhavegladlytrampledoutalltracesofwhatthelasttwokings（forGreyfell，also，wasanEnglishChristianafterhissort）haddoneinthisrespect。Buthewiselydiscernedthatitwasnotpossible，andthat，forpeace’ssake，hemustnotevenattemptit，butmuststrikepreferablyinto\"perfecttoleration，\"andthatof\"everyonegettingtoheavenoreventotheothergoalinhisownway。\"Hehimself，itiswellknown，repairedmanyheathentemples（agreat\"churchbuilder\"inhisway！），manufacturedmanysplendididols，withmuchgildingandsuchartisticornamentastherewas，——inparticular，onehugeimageofThor，notforgettingthehammerandappendages，andsuchacollar（supposedofsolidgold，whichitwasnotquite，asweshallhearintime）roundtheneckofhimaswasneverseeninalltheNorth。HowhedidhisownYulefestivals，withwhatmagnificentsolemnity，thehorse-eatings，blood-sprinklings，andothersacredrites，neednotbetold。Somethingofa\"Ritualist，\"onemayperceive;perhapshadScandinavianPuseyismsinhim，andotherdesperateheathennotions。Hewasuniversallybelievedtohavegoneintomagic，foronething，andtohavedangerouspotenciesderivedfromtheDevilhimself。Thedarkheathenmindofhimstrugglingvehementlyinthatstrangeelement，notaltogethersounlikeourowninsomepoints。
Fortherest，hewasevidently，inpracticalmatters，amanofsharp，clearinsight，ofsteadfastresolution，diligence，promptitude;andmanagedhissecularmattersuncommonlywell。HadsixteenJarlsunderhim，thoughhimselfonlyHakonJarlbytitle;andgotobediencefromthemstricterthananykingsinceHaarfagrhaddone。Addtowhichthatthecountryhadyearsexcellentforgrassandcrop，andthattheherringscameinexuberance;tokens，tothethinkingmind，thatHakonJarlwasafavoriteofHeaven。
Hisfightwiththefar-famedJomsvikingswashisgrandestexploitinpublicrumor。Jomsburg，alocalitynotnowknown，exceptthatitwasnearthemouthoftheRiverOder，denotedinthoseagestheimpregnablecastleofacertainhotlycorporate，or\"SeaRobberyAssociation（limited），\"which，forsomegenerations，heldtheBalticinterror，andplunderedfarbeyondtheBelt，——intheoceanitself，inFlandersandtheopulenttradinghavensthere，——aboveall，inopulentanarchicEngland，which，forfortyyearsfromaboutthistime，wasthepirates’Goshen;andyielded，regularlyeverysummer，slaves，Danegelt，andmiscellaneousplunder，likenoothercountryJomsburgortheviking-worldhadeverknown。Palnatoke，Bue，andtheotherquasi-heroicheadsofthisestablishmentarestillrememberedinthenorthernparts。_Palnatoke_isthetitleofatragedybyOehlenschlager，whichhaditsrunofimmortalityinCopenhagensomesixtyorseventyyearsago。
Ijudgetheinstitutiontohavebeeninitsflowerieststate，probablynowinHakonJarl’stime。HakonJarlandthesepirates，robbingHakon’ssubjectsandmerchantsthatfrequentedhim，werenaturallyinquarrel;andfrequentfightingshadfallenout，notgenerallytotheprofitoftheJomsburgers，whoatlastdeterminedonrevenge，andtherootingoutofthisobstructiveHakonJarl。TheyassembledinforceattheCapeofStad，——intheFirdaFylke;andthefightwasdreadfulintheextreme，noiseofitfillingallthenorthforlongafterwards。
Hakon，fightinglikealion，couldscarcelyholdhisown，——DeathorVictory，thewordonbothsides;whensuddenly，theheavensgrewblack，andtherebrokeoutaterrificstormofthunderandhail，appallingtothehumanmind，——universeswallowedwhollyinblacknight;onlythemomentaryforked-blazes，thethunder-pealingasofRagnarok，andthebatteringhail-torrents，hailstonesaboutthesizeofanegg。Thorwithhishammerevidentlyacting;butinbehalfofwhom？TheJomsburgersinthehideousdarkness，brokenonlybyflashingthunder-bolts，hadadismalapprehensionthatitwasprobablynotontheirbehalf（Thorhavingasenseofjusticeinhim）;andbeforethestormended，thirty-fiveoftheirseventyshipssheeredaway，leavinggallantBue，withtheotherthirty-five，tofollowastheyliked，whoreproachfullyhailedthesefugitives，andcontinuedthenowhopelessbattle。Bue’snoseandlipsweresmashedorcutaway;Buemanaged，half-articulately，toexclaim，\"Ha！themaids（’mays’）ofFunenwillneverkissmemore。Overboard，allyeBue’smen！\"Andtakinghistwosea-chests，withallthegoldhehadgainedinsuchlife-strugglefromofold，sprangoverboardaccordingly，andfinishedtheaffair。HakonJarl’srenownrosenaturallytothetranscendentpitchafterthisexploit。Hispeople，IsupposechieflytheChristianpartofthem，whisperedonetoanother，withashudder，\"Thatintheblackestofthethunder-storm，hehadtakenhisyoungestlittleboy，andmadeawaywithhim;sacrificedhimtoThororsomedevil，andgainedhisvictorybyart-magic，orsomethingworse。\"JarlEric，Hakon’seldestson，withoutsuspicionofart-magic，butalreadyadistinguishedviking，becamethricedistinguishedbyhisstyleofsea-fightinginthisbattle;andawakenedgreatexpectationsinthevikingpublic;ofhimweshallhearagain。
TheJomsburgers，onemightfancy，afterthissadclapwentvisiblydownintheworld;butthefactisnotaltogetherso。OldKingBlue-toothwasnowdead，diedofawoundgotinbattlewithhisunnatural（so-called\"natural\"）sonandsuccessor，OttoSveinoftheForkedBeard，afterwardskingandconquerorofEnglandforalittlewhile;andseldom，perhapsnever，hadvikingismbeeninsuchflowerasnow。Thisman’snameisSveninSwedish，SvendinGerman，andmeansboyorlad，——theEnglish\"swain。\"Itwasatold\"FatherBluetooth’sfuneral-ale\"（drunkenburial-feast），thatSvein，carousingwithhisJomsburgchiefsandotherchoicespirits，generallyoftherobberclass，allrisenintoheightofhighestrobberenthusiasm，pledgedthevowtooneanother;SveinthathewouldconquerEngland（which，inasense，he，afterlongstruggling，did）;andtheJomsburgersthattheywouldruinandrootoutHakonJarl（which，aswehavejustseen，theycouldbynomeansdo），andotherguestsotherfoolishthingswhichprovedequallyunfeasible。Sea-robbervolunteerssoespeciallyaboundinginthattime，oneperceiveshoweasilytheJomsburgerscouldrecruitthemselves，buildorrefitnewrobberfleets，manthemwiththepickofcrews，andsteerforopulent，fruitfulEngland;where，underEthelredtheUnready，wassuchafieldforprofitableenterpriseasthevikingpublicneverhadbeforeorsince。
Anidlequestionsometimesrisesonme，——idleenough，foritnevercanbeansweredintheaffirmativeorthenegative，WhetheritwasnotthesesamerefittedJomsburgerswhoappearedsomewhileafterthisatRedHeadPoint，ontheshoreofAngus，andsustainedanewseverebeating，inwhattheScotchstillfaintlyrememberastheir\"BattleofLoncarty\"？BeyonddoubtapowerfulNorse-piratearmamentdroptanchorattheRedHead，tothealarmofpeaceablemortals，aboutthattime。
ItwasthoughtandhopedtobeonitswayforEngland，butitvisiblyhungonforseveraldays，deliberating（aswasthought）whethertheywoulddothispoorercoastthehonortolandonitbeforegoingfarther。Didland，andvigorouslyplunderandburnsouth-westwardasfarasPerth;laidsiegetoPerth;butbroughtoutKingKennethonthem，andproducedthat\"BattleofLoncarty\"whichstilldwellsinvaguememoryamongtheScots。PerhapsitmightbetheJomsburgers;
perhapsalsonot;forthereweremanypirateassociations，lastingnotfromcenturytocenturyliketheJomsburgers，butonlyforverylimitedperiods，orfromyeartoyear;indeed，itwasmainlybysuchthatthesplendidthief-harvestofEnglandwasreapedinthisdisastroustime。NoScottishchroniclergivestheleastofexactdatetotheirfamedvictoryofLoncarty，onlythatitwasachievedbyKennethIII。，whichwillmeansometimebetweenA。D。975and994;and，bytheordertheyputitin，probablysoonafterA。D。975，orthebeginningofthisKenneth’sreign。Buchanan’snarrative，carefullydistilledfromalltheancientScottishsources，isofadmirablequalityforstyleandotherwisequiet，brief，withperfectclearness，perfectcredibilityeven，exceptthatsemi-miraculousappendageofthePloughmen，HayandSons，alwayshangingtothetailofit;thegrainofpossibletruthinwhichcannowneverbeextractedbyman’sart！[6]
Inbrief，whatweknowis，fragmentsofancienthumanbonesandarmorhaveoccasionallybeenploughedupinthislocality，proofpositiveofancientfightinghere;andthefightfelloutnotlongafterHakon’sbeatingoftheJomsburgersattheCapeofStad。Andinsuchdimglimmerofwaveringtwilight，thequestionwhethertheseofLoncartywererefittedJomsburgersornot，mustbelefthanging。Loncartyisnowthebiggestbleach-fieldinQueenVictoria’sdominions;novillageorhamletthere，onlythehugebleaching-houseandabeautifulfield，somesixorsevenmilesnorthwestofPerth，borderedbythebeautifulTayriverontheoneside，andbyitsbeautifultributaryAlmondontheother;aLoncartyfittedeitherforbleachinglinen，orforabitoffairduelbetweennations，inthosesimpletimes。
WhetherourrefittedJomsburgershadtheleastthingtodowithitisonlymatteroffancy，butifitweretheywhohereagaingotagoodbeating，fancywouldbegladtofindherselffact。TheoldpiraticalkingsofDenmarkhadbeenatthefoundingofJomsburg，andtoSveinoftheForkedBearditwasstillvitallyimportant，butnotsotothegreatKnut，oranykingthatfollowed;allofwhomhadbetterbusinessthanmerethieving;anditwasMagnustheGood，ofNorway，amanofstillhigheranti-anarchicqualities，thatannihilatedit，aboutacenturylater。
HakonJarl，hischieflaborsintheworldbeingover，issaidtohavebecomeverydissoluteinhiselderdays，especiallyinthematterofwomen;thewretchedoldfool，ledawaybyidlenessandfulnessofbread，whichtoallofusarewellsaidtobetheparentsofmischief。
Havingabsolutepower，hegotintothehabitofopenlyplunderingmen’sprettydaughtersandwivesfromthem，and，afterafewweeks，sendingthemback;greatlytotherageofthefierceNorseheart，hadtherebeenanymeansofresistingorrevenging。Itdid，afteralittlewhile，provetheruinanddestructionofHakontheRich，ashewasthencalled。Itopenedthedoor，namely，forentryofOlafTryggvesonuponthescene，——averymuchgranderman;inregardtowhomthewilesandtrapsofHakonprovedtobearecipe，notonTryggveson，butonthewilyHakonhimself，asshallnowbeseenstraightway。
CHAPTERVI。
OLAFTRYGGVESON。
Hakon，inlatetimes，hadheardofafamousstirringperson，victoriousinvariouslandsandseas，latterlyunitedinsea-robberywithSvein，PrinceRoyalofDenmark，afterwardsKingSveinoftheDouble-beard（\"_ZvaeSkiaeg_\"，_TwaShag_）orfork-beard，bothofwhomhadalreadydonetranscendentfeatsinthevikingwayduringthiscopartnery。ThefameofSvein，andthisstirringpersonage，whosenamewas\"Ole，\"and，recently，theirstupendousfeatsinplunderofEngland，siegeofLondon，andotherwondersandsplendorsofvikinggloryandsuccess，hadgoneoveralltheNorth，awakeningtheattentionofHakonandeverybodythere。Thenameof\"Ole\"wasenigmatic，mysterious，andevendangerous-lookingtoHakonJarl;whoatlengthsentoutaconfidentialspytoinvestigatethis\"Ole;\"afeatwhichtheconfidentialspydidcompletelyaccomplish，——bynomeanstoHakon’sprofit！Themysterious\"Ole\"provedtobenootherthanOlaf，sonofTryggve，destinedtoblowHakonJarlsuddenlyintodestruction，andbecomefamousamongtheheroesoftheNorseworld。
OfOlafTryggvesononealwayshopestheremight，oneday，somerealoutlineofabiographybewritten;fishedfromtheabysseswhere（asusual）itweltersdeepinfoulneighborhoodforthepresent。Fartheronweintendafewwordsmoreuponthematter。Butinthisplaceallthatconcernsusinitlimitsitselftothetwofollowingfactsfirst，thatHakon’sconfidentialspy\"foundOleinDublin;\"pickedacquaintancewithhim，gothimtoconfessthathewasactuallyOlaf，sonofTryggve（theTryggve，whomBlood-axe’sfiercewidowandhersonshadmurdered）;gothimgraduallytoownthatperhapsanexpeditionintoNorwaymighthaveitschances;andfinallythat，undersuchawiseandloyalguidanceashis（theconfidentialspy’s，whosefriendshipforTryggvesonwassoindubitable），he（Tryggveson）wouldactuallytryituponHakonJarl，thedissoluteoldscoundrel。Factsecondis，thataboutthetimetheytwosetsailfromDublinontheirNorwayexpedition，HakonJarlremovedtoTrondhjem，thencalledLade;
intendingtopasssomemonthsthere。
NowjustaboutthetimewhenTryggveson，spy，andpartyhadlandedinNorway，andwereadvancinguponLade，withwhatsupportfromthepubliccouldbegot，dissoluteoldHakonJarlhadheardofoneGudrun，aBonder’swife，unparalleledinbeauty，whowascalledinthoseparts，\"SunbeamoftheGrove\"（soinexpressiblylovely）;andsentoffacoupleofthrallstobringhertohim。\"Never，\"answeredGudrun;
\"never，\"herindignanthusband;inatonedangerousanddispleasingtotheseCourtthralls;whohadtoleaverapidly，butthreatenedtoreturninbetterstrengthbeforelong。Whereupon，instantly，theindignantBonderandhisSunbeamoftheGrovesentouttheirwar-arrow，rousingallthecountryintoangrypromptitude，andmorethanoneperhapsintogreedyhopeofrevengefortheirowninjuries。
TherestofHakon’shistorynowrushesonwithextremerapidity。
SunbeamoftheGrove，whennextdemandedofherBonder，hasthewholeneighborhoodassembledinarmsroundher;rumorofTryggvesonisfastmakingitthewholecountry。Hakon’sinsolentmessengersarecutinpieces;Hakonfindshecannotflyundercovertoosoon。Withasingleslavehefliesthatsamenight;——butwhitherward？Canthinkofnosafeplace，excepttosomeoldmistressofhis，wholivesretiredinthatneighborhood，andhassomepityorregardforthewickedoldHakon。Oldmistressdoesreceivehim，pitieshim，willdoallshecantoprotectandhidehim。Buthow，bywhatuttermoststretchoffemaleartificehidehimhere;everyonewillsearchherefirstofall！Oldmistress，bytheslave’shelp，extemporizesacellarunderthefloorofherpig-house;sticksHakonandslaveintothat，astheonesafeseclusionshecancontrive。Hakonandslave，begruntedbythepigsabovethem，torturedbythedevilswithinandaboutthem，passedtwodaysincircumstancesmoreandmorehorrible。Fortheyheard，throughtheirlight-slitandbreathing-slit，thetriumphofTryggvesonproclaimingitselfbyTryggveson’sownlips，whohadmountedabigbouldernearbyandwasvictoriouslyspeakingtothepeople，windingupwithapromiseofhonorsandrewardstowhoevershouldbringhimwickedoldHakon’shead。WretchedHakon，justlysuspectinghisslave，triedtoatleastkeephimselfawake。SlavedidkeephimselfawaketillHakondozedorslept，thenswiftlycutoffHakon’shead，andplungedoutwithittothepresenceofTryggveson。Tryggveson，detestingthetraitor，usefulasthetreacherywas，cutofftheslave’sheadtoo，hadithungupalongwithHakon’sonthepinnacleoftheLadeGallows，wherethepopulacepeltedbothheadswithstonesandmanycurses，especiallythemoreimportantofthetwo。\"HakontheBad\"everhenceforth，insteadofHakontheRich。
ThiswastheendofHakonJarl，thelastsupportofheathenryinNorway，amongothercharacteristicshehad：astronghanded，hard-headed，veryrelentless，greedyandwickedbeing。HeisreckonedtohaveruledinNorway，ormainlyruled，eitherinthestrugglingortriumphantstate，foraboutthirtyyears（965-995？）。Heandhisseemedtohaveformed，bychanceratherthandesign，thechiefoppositionwhichtheHaarfagrposteritythroughoutitswholecourseexperiencedinNorway。SuchthecosttothemofkillinggoodJarlSigurd，inGreyfell’stime！For\"curses，likechickens，\"dosometimesvisibly\"comehometofeed，\"astheyalways，eithervisiblyorelseinvisibly，arepunctuallysuretodo。
HakonJarlisconsiderablyconnectedwiththe_FaroerSaga_oftenmentionedthere，andcomesoutperfectlyincharacter;analtogetherworldly-wisemanoftheroughesttype，notwithoutaturnforpracticalityofkindnesstothosewhowouldreallybeofusetohim。
Histendenciestomagicalsoarenotforgotten。
Hakonlefttwosons，EricandSvein，oftenalsomentionedinthisSaga。Ontheirfather’sdeaththeyfledtoSweden，toDenmark，andwerebusystirringuptroublesinthosecountriesagainstOlafTryggveson;tillatlength，byafavorablecombination，undertheirauspiceschiefly，theygothisbriefandnoblereignputanendto。
Nay，furthermore，JarlEricleftsons，especiallyanelderson，namedalsoEric，whoprovedasoreaffliction，andacontinualstoneofstumblingtoanewgenerationofHaarfagrs，andsocontinuedthecurseofSigurd’smurderuponthem。
TowardstheendofthisHakon’sreignitwasthatthediscoveryofAmericatookplace（985）。Actualdiscovery，itappears，byErictheRed，anIcelander;concerningwhichtherehasbeenabundantinvestigationanddiscussioninourtime。_Ginnungagap_（RoaringAbyss）isthoughttobethemouthofBehring’sStraitsinBaffin’sBay;_BigHelloland_，thecoastfromCapeWalsinghamtonearNewfoundland;_LittleHelloland_，Newfoundlanditself。_Markland_wasLowerCanada，NewBrunswick，andNovaScotia。SouthwardthencetoChesapeakeBaywascalled_WineLand_（wildgrapesstillgrowinRhodeIsland，andmoreluxuriantlyfurthersouth）。_WhiteMan’sLand_，calledalso_GreatIreland_，issupposedtomeanthetwoCarolinas，downtotheSouthernCapeofFlorida。InDahlmann’sopinion，theIrishthemselvesmightevenpretendtohaveprobablybeenthefirstdiscoverersofAmerica;theyhadevidentlygottoIcelanditselfbeforetheNorseexilesfounditout。Itappearstobecertainthat，fromtheendofthetenthcenturytotheearlypartofthefourteenth，therewasadimknowledgeofthosedistantshoresextantintheNorsemind，andevensomestragglingseriesofvisitsthitherbyrovingNorsemen;though，asonlydanger，difficulty，andnoprofitresulted，thevisitsceased，andthewholemattersankintooblivion，and，butfortheIcelandictalentofwritinginthelongwinternights，wouldneverhavebeenheardofbyposterityatall。
CHAPTERVII。
REIGNOFOLAFTRYGGVESON。
OlafTryggveson（A。D。995-1000）alsomakesagreatfigureinthe_FaroerSaga_，andrecountstherehisearlytroubles，whichwerestrangeandmany。HeisstillreckonedagrandherooftheNorth，thoughhis_vates_nowisonlySnorroSturlesonofIceland。
Tryggvesonhadindeedmanyadventuresintheworld。Hispoormother，Astrid，wasobligedtofly，onmurderofherhusbandbyGunhild，——toflyforlife，threemonthsbeforehe，herlittleOlaf，wasborn。Shelayconcealedinreedyislands，fledthroughtracklessforests;
reachedherfather’swiththelittlebabyinherarms，andlaydeep-hiddenthere，tendedonlybyherfatherhimself;Gunhild’spursuitbeingsoincessant，andkeenaswithsleuth-hounds。PoorAstridhadtoflyagain，deviouslytoSweden，toEsthland（Esthonia），toRussia。InEsthlandshewassoldasaslave，quitepartedfromherboy，——whoalsowassold，andagainsold;butdidatlastfallinwithakinsmanhighintheRussianservice;didfromhimfindredemptionandhelp，andsorose，inadistinguishedmanner，tomanhood，victoriousself-help，andrecoveryofhiskingdomatlast。Heevenmethismotheragain，heaskingofNorway，sheasonewonderfullyliftedoutofdarknessintonewlifeandhappinessstillinstore。
Growntomanhood，Tryggveson，——nowbecomeacquaintedwithhisbirth，andwithhis，alas，hopelessclaims，——leftRussiafortheoneprofessionopentohim，thatofsea-robbery;anddidfeatswithoutnumberinthatquestionablelineinmanyseasandscenes，——inEnglandlatterly，andmostconspicuouslyofall。Inoneofhiscoursesthither，afterlonglaborsintheHebrides，Man，Wales，anddownthewesternshorestotheveryLand’sEndandfarther，hepausedattheScillyIslandsforalittlewhile。HewastoldofawonderfulChristianhermitlivingstrangelyinthesesea-solitudes;hadthecuriositytoseekhimout，examine，question，anddiscoursewithhim;
and，aftersomereflection，acceptedChristianbaptismfromthevenerableman。InSnorrothestoryisinvolvedinmiracle，rumor，andfable;butthefactitselfseemscertain，andisveryinteresting;thegreat，wild，noblesouloffierceOlafopeningtothiswonderfulgospeloftidingsfrombeyondtheworld，tidingswhichinfinitelytranscendedallelsehehadeverheardordreamtof！Itseemscertainhewasbaptizedhere;datenotfixable;shortlybeforepoorheart-brokenDunstan’sdeath，orshortlyafter;mostEnglishchurches，monasteriesespecially，lyingburnt，undercontinualvisitationoftheDanes。Olafsuchbaptismnotwithstanding，didnotquithisvikingprofession;indeed，whatotherwasthereforhimintheworldasyet？
WementionedhisoccasionalcopartnerieswithSveinoftheDouble-beard，nowbecomeKingofDenmark，butthegreatestofthese，andthealoneinterestingatthistime，istheirjointinvasionofEngland，andTryggveson’sexploitsandfortunestheresomeyearsafterthatadventureofbaptismintheScillyIsles。Sveinandhe\"wereaboveayearinEnglandtogether，\"thistime：theysteereduptheThameswiththreehundredshipsandmanyfighters;siege，oratleastfuriousassault，ofLondonwastheirfirstormainenterprise，butitdidnotsucceed。TheSaxonChroniclegivesdatetoit，A。D。994，andnamesexpressly，asSvein’sco-partner，\"Olaus，kingofNorway，\"——whichhewasasyetfarfrombeing;butinregardtotheYearofGracetheSaxonChronicleistobeheldindisputable，and，indeed，hasthefieldtoitselfinthismatter。FamedOlafTryggveson，seenvisiblyatthesiegeofLondon，year994，itthrowsakindofmomentarylighttousoverthatdisastrouswhirlpoolofmiseriesandconfusions，alldarkandpainfultothefancyotherwise！