# The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway/Volume 1/Saga 1

I. YNGLINGA SAGA, OR THE STORY OF THE YNGLING FAMILY FROM ODIN TO HALFDAN THE BLACK.
Chapter I. Of the situation of countries.
It is said that the earth's circle which the human race inhabits is torn across into many bights, so that great seas run into the land from the out-ocean. Thus it is known that a great sea goes in at Niorvasund, and up to the land of Jerusalem. From the same sea a long sea-bight stretches towards the northeast, and is called the Black Sea, and divides the three parts of the earth; of which the eastern part is called Asia, and the western is called by some Europa, by some Enea. Northward of the Black Sea lies Swithiod the Great, or the Cold. The Great Sweden is reckoned by some not less than the Saracens' land; others compare it to the Great Blueland. The northern part of Swithiod lies uninhabited on account of frost and cold, as likewise the southern parts of Blueland are waste from the burning of the sun. In Swithiod are many great domains, and many wonderful races of men, and many kinds of languages. There are giants, and there are dwarfs, and there are also blue men. There are wild beasts, and dreadfully large dragons. On the north side of the mountains which lie outside of all inhabited lands runs a river ​through Swithiod, which is properly called by the name of Tanais, but was formerly called Tanaquisl, or Vanaquisl, and which falls into the ocean at the Black Sea. The country of the people on the Vanaquisl was called Vanaland, or Vanaheim; and the river separates the three parts of the world, of which the eastermost part is called Asia, and the westermost Europe.
Chapter. II. Of the people of Asia.
The country east of the Tanaquisl in Asia was called Asaland, or Asaheim, and the chief city in that land was called Asgaard. In that city was a chief called Odin, and it was a great place for sacrifice. It was the custom there that twelve temple godars should both direct the sacrifices, and also judge the people. They were called Diars, or Drotners, and all the people served and obeyed them. Odin was a great and very far-travelled warrior, who conquered many kingdoms, and so successful was he that in every battle the victory was on his side. It was the belief of his people that victory belonged to him in every battle. It was his custom when he sent his men into battle, or on any expedition, that he first laid his hand upon their heads, and called down a blessing upon them; and then they believed their undertaking would be successful. His people also were accustomed, whenever they fell into danger by land or sea, to call upon his name; and they thought that always they got comfort and aid by it, for where he was they thought help was near. Often he went away so long that he passed many seasons on his journeys.
Chapter III. Of Odin's brothers.
Odin had two brothers, the one called Ve, the other ​Vitir, and they governed the kingdom when he was absent.
It happened once when Odin had gone to a great distance, and had been so long away that the people of Asa doubted if he would ever return home, that his two brothers took it upon themselves to divide his estate; but both of them took his wife Frigg to themselves. Odin soon after returned home, and took his wife back.
Chapter IV. Of Odin's war with the people of Vanaland.
Odin went out with a great army against the Vanaland people; but they were well prepared, and defended their land, so that victory was changeable, and they ravaged the lands of each other, and did great damage. They tired of this at last, and on both sides appointed a meeting for establishing peace, made a truce, and exchanged hostages. The Vanaland people sent their best men, Niord the Rich, and his son Frey. The people of Asaland sent a man called Hæner, whom they thought well suited to be a chief, as he was a stout and very handsome man, and with him they sent a man of great understanding called Mimir; and on the other side the Vanaland people sent the wisest man in their community, who was called Quaser. Now, when Hæner came to Vanaheim he was immediately made a chief, and Mimir came to him with good counsel on all occasions. But when Hæner stood in the Things or other meetings, if Mimir was not near him, and any difficult matter was laid before him, he always answered in one way,—"Now let others give their advice;" so that the Vanaland people got a suspicion that the Asaland people had deceived them in the exchange of men. They took Mimir, therefore, and beheaded him, and sent his head to the Asaland people. Odin took the head, smeared it with herbs so that it should not rot, and sang incantations ​over it. Thereby he gave it the power that it spoke to him, and discovered to him many secrets. Odin placed Niord and Frey as priests of the sacrifices, and they became deities of the Asaland people. Niord's daughter Freya was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the Asaland people the magic art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanaland people. While Niord was with the Vanaland people he had taken his own sister in marriage, for that was allowed by their law; and their children were Freyn and Freya. But among the Asaland people it was forbidden to come together in so near relationship.
Chapter V. Odin divides his kingdom: also concerning Gefion.
There goes a great mountain barrier from northeast to south-west, which divides the Greater Sweden from other kingdoms. South of this mountain ridge it is not far to Turkland, where Odin had great possessions. But Odin having foreknowledge, and magic-sight, knew that his posterity would come to settle and dwell in the northern half of the world. In those times the Roman chiefs went wide around in the world, subduing to themselves all people; and on this account many chiefs fled from their domains. Odin set his brothers Ve and Vitir over Asgaard; and he himself, with all the gods and a great many other people, wandered out, first westward to Gardarige, and then south to Saxland. He had many sons; and after having subdued an extensive kingdom in Saxland, he set his sons to defend the country. He himself went northwards to the sea, and took up his abode in an island which is called Odinsö in Fyen. Then he sent Gefion across the sound to the north, to discover new countries; and she came to King Gylfe, who gave her a ploughgate of land. Then she went to Jotunheim, and bore four sons to a giant, and transformed them into a yoke of oxen, and yoked them to a plough, and broke out the land into the ​ocean right opposite to Odinsö, which land was called Sealand, where she afterwards settled and dwelt. Skiold, a son of Odin, married her, and they dwelt at Leidre. Where the ploughed land was is a lake or sea called Laage. In the Swedish land the fiords of Laage correspond to the nesses in Sealand. Brage the Old sings thus of it:—
"Gefion from Gylfe drove away, To add new land to Denmark's sway,— Blythe Gefion ploughing in the smoke That steamed up from her oxen-yoke: Four heads, eight forehead stars had they, Bright gleaming, as she ploughed away; Dragging new lands from the deep main To join them to the sweet isle's plain."
Now when Odin heard that things were in a prosperous condition in the land to the east beside Gylfe, he went thither, and Gylfe made a peace with him, for Gylfe thought he had no strength to oppose the people of Asaland. Odin and Gylfe had many tricks and enchantments against each other; but the Asaland people had always the superiority. Odin took up his residence at the Mælare lake, at the place now called Sigtun. There he erected a large temple, where there were sacrifices according to the customs of the Asaland people. He appropriated to himself the whole of that district of country, and called it Sigtun. To the temple gods he gave also domains. Niord dwelt in Noatun, Frey in Upsal, Heimdal in Himinberg, Thor in Thrudvong, Baldor in Breidablik; to all of them he gave good domains.
Chapter VI. Of Odin's accomplishments.
When Odin of Asaland came to the north, and the gods with him, he began to exercise and teach others the arts which the people long afterwards have ​practised. Odin was the cleverest of all, and from him all the others learned their magic arts; and he knew them first, and knew many more than other people. But now, to tell why he is held in such high respect, we must mention various causes that contributed to it. When sitting among his friends his countenance was so beautiful and friendly, that the spirits of all were exhilarated by it; but when he was in war he appeared fierce and dreadful. This arose from his being able to change his colour and form in any way he liked. Another cause was, that he conversed so cleverly and smoothly, that all who heard were persuaded. He spoke every thing in rhyme, such as now composed, and which we call scald-craft. He and his temple gods were called song-smiths, for from them came that art of song into the northern countries. Odin could make his enemies in battle blind, or deaf, or terror-struck, and their weapons so blunt that they could no more cut than a willow twig; on the other hand, his men rushed forwards without armour, were as mad as dogs or wolves, bit their shields, and were strong as bears or wild bulls, and killed people at a blow, and neither fire nor iron told upon them. These were called Bersærkers.
Chapter VII. Of Odin's feats.
Odin could transform his shape: his body would lie as if dead, or asleep; but then he would be in shape of a fish, or worm, or bird, or beast, and be off in a twinkling to distant lands upon his own or other people's business. With words alone he could quench fire, still the ocean in tempest, and turn the wind to any quarter he pleased. Odin had a ship which was called Skidbladnir, in which he sailed over wide ​seas, and which he could roll up like a cloth. Odin carried with him Mimir's head, which told him all the news of other countries. Sometimes even he called the dead out of the earth, or set himself beside the burial-mounds; whence he was called the ghost-sovereign, and lord of the mounds. He had two ravens, to whom he had taught the speech of man; and they flew far and wide through the land, and brought him the news. In all such things he was pre-eminently wise. He taught all these arts in Runes, and songs which are called incantations, and therefore the Asaland people are called incantation-smiths, Odin understood also the art in which the greatest power is lodged, and which he himself practised; namely, what is called magic. By means of this he could know beforehand the pre-destined fate of men, or their not yet completed lot; and also bring on the death, ill luck, or bad health of people, and take the strength or wit from one person and give it to another. But after such witchcraft followed such weakness and anxiety, that it was not thought respectable for men to practise it; and therefore the priestesses were brought up in this art. Odin knew finely where all missing cattle were concealed under the earth, and understood the songs by which the earth, the hills, the stones, and mounds were opened to him; and he bound those who dwell in them by the power of his word, and went in and took what he pleased. From these arts he became very celebrated. His enemies dreaded him; his friends put their trust in him, and relied on his power and on himself. He taught the most of his arts to his priests of the sacrifices, and they came nearest to himself in all wisdom and witch-knowledge. Many ​others, however, occupied themselves much with it; and from that time witchcraft spread far and wide, and continued long. People sacrificed to Odin, and the twelve chiefs from Asaland,—called them their gods, and believed in them long after. Prom Odin's name came the name Audun, which people gave to his sons; and from Thor's name comes Thorer, also Thorarinn; and also it is sometimes augmented by other additions, as Steenthor, or Hafthor, and many kinds of alterations.
Chapter VIII. Of Odin's lawgiving.
Odin established the same law in his land that had been in force in Asaland. Thus he established by law that all dead men should be burned, and their property laid with them upon the pile, and the ashes be cast into the sea or buried in the earth. Thus, said he, every one will come to Valhalla with the riches he had with him upon the pile; and he would also enjoy whatever he himself had buried in the earth. For men of consequence a mound should be raised to their memory, and for all other warriors who had been distinguished for manhood a standing stone; which custom remained long after Odin's time. Towards winter there should be blood-sacrifice for a good year, and in the middle of winter for a good crop; and the third sacrifice should be in summer, for victory in battle. Over all Sweden the people paid Odin a scatt or tax—so much on each head; but he had to defend the country from enemy or disturbance, and pay the expense of the sacrifice feasts towards winter for a good year.
Chapter IX. Of Nirod's marriage.
Niord took a wife called Skada; but she would not live with him, but married afterwards Odin, and had many sons by him, of whom one was called Sæming; and of this Eyvind Skaldaspiller sings thus:—
" To Asa's son Queen Skada bore Seeming, who dyed his shield in gore,— The giant-queen of rock and snow,
The iron pine-tree's daughter, she Sprung from the rocks that rib the sea, To Odin bore full many a son, Heroes of many a battle won."
To Sæming Earl Hakon the Great reckoned up his pedigree. This Sweden they called Mannheim, hut the Great Sweden they called Godheim; and of Godheim great wonders and novelties were related.
Chapter X. Of Odin's death.
Odin died in his bed in Sweden; and when he was near his death he made himself be marked with the point of a spear, and said he was going to Godheim, and would give a welcome there to all his friends, and all brave warriors should be dedicated to him; and the Swedes believed that he was gone to the ancient Asgaard, and would live there eternally. Then began the belief in Odin, and the calling upon him. The Swedes believed that he often showed himself to them before any great battle. To some he gave victory; others he invited to himself; and they reckoned both of these to be well off in their fate. Odin was burnt, and at his pile there was great splendour. It was their faith, that the higher the smoke arose in the air, the higher he would be raised whose pile it was; and the richer he would be, the more property that was consumed with him.
Chapter XI. Of Niord.
Niord of Noatun was then the sole sovereign of the Swedes; and he continued the sacrifices, and was called the drot or sovereign by the Swedes, and he received scatt and gifts from them. In his days were peace and plenty, and such good years, in all respects, that the Swedes believed Niord ruled over the growth of seasons and the prosperity of the people. In his time ​all the diars or gods died, and blood-sacrifices were made for them. Niord died on the bed of sickness, and before he died made himself be marked for Odin with the spear-point. The Swedes burned him, and all wept over his grave-mound.
Chapter XII. Freyr's death
Freyr took the kingdom after Niort, and was called drot by the Swedes, and they paid taxes to him. He was, like his father, fortunate in friends and in good seasons. Freyr built a great temple at Upsal, made it his chief seat, and gave it all his taxes, his land, and goods. Then began the Upsal domains , which have remained ever since. Then began, in his days, the Frode-peace; and then there were good seasons in all the land, which the Swedes ascribed to Freyr, so that he was more worshipped than the other gods, as the people became much richer in his days by reason of the peace and good seasons. His wife was called Gerder, daughter of Gymis, and their son was called Fiölner. Freyr was called by another name, Yngve; and this name Yngve was considered long after in his race as a name of honour, so that his descendants have since been called Ynglingers. Freyr fell into a sickness; and as his illness took the upper hand, his men took the plan of letting few approach him. In the meantime they raised a great mound, in which they placed a door with three holes in it. Now when Freyr died they bore him secretly into the mound, but told the Swedes he was alive; and they kept watch over him for three years. They brought all the taxes into the mound, and through the one hole they put in the gold, through the other the silver, and through the third the copper money that was paid. Peace and good seasons continued.
Chapter XIII. Of Freya and her daughters.
Freya alone remained of the gods, and she became on this account so celebrated that all women of distinction were called by her name, whence they now have the title Frue; so that every woman is called frue, or mistress over her property, and the wife is called the house-frue. Freya continued the blood-sacrifices. Freya had also many other names. Her husband was called Oder, and her daughters Hnoss and Gerseme. They were so very beautiful, that afterwards the most precious jewels were called by their names.
When it became known to the Swedes that Freyr was dead, and yet peace and good seasons continued, they believed that it must be so as long as Freyr remained in Sweden; and therefore they would not burn his remains, but called him the god of this world, and afterwards offered continually blood-sacrifices to him, principally for peace and good seasons.
Chapter XIV. Of King Fiolner's death.
Fiolner, Yngve Frey's son, ruled thereafter over the Swedes and the Upsal domains. He was powerful, and lucky in seasons and in holding the peace. Fridfrode ruled then in Hleidre, and between them there was great friendship and visiting. Once when Fiolner went to Frode in Sealand, a great feast was prepared for him, and invitations to it were sent all over the country. Frode had a large house, in which there was a great vessel many ells high, and put together of great pieces of timber; and this vessel stood in a lower room. Above it was a loft, in the floor of which was an opening through which liquor was poured into this vessel. The vessel was full of mead, which was excessively strong. In the evening Fiolner, with his attendants, was taken into the adjoining loft to sleep. In the night he went out to the gallery outside to seek the privy of the house, and he was very sleepy, and exceedingly drunk. As he came back to his room he went along the gallery to ​the door of another loft, went into it, and his foot slipping he fell into the vessel of mead, and was drowned. So says Thiodolf of Huine:—
" In Frode's hall the fearful word, The death-foreboding sound was heard: The cry of fey denouncing doom, Was heard at night in Frode's home. And when brave Frode came, he found Swithiod's dark chief, Fiolner, drowned. In Frode's mansion drowned was he, Drowned in a waveless, windless sea."
Chapter XV. Of Swgder
Swegder took the kingdom after his father, and he made a solemn vow to seek Godheim and Odin. He went with twelve men through the world, and came to Turkland, and the Great Sweden, where he found many of his connections. He was five years on this journey; and when he returned home to Sweden he remained there for some time. He had got a wife in Vanheim, who was called Vana, and their son was Vanland. Swegder went out afterwards to seek again for Godheim, and came to a mansion on the east side of Sweden called Stein, where there was a stone as big as a large house. In the evening after sunset, as Swegder was going from the drinking-table to his sleeping-room, he cast his eye upon the stone, and saw that a dwarf was sitting under it. Swegder and his man were very drunk, and they ran towards the stone. The dwarf stood in the door, and called to Swegder, and told him to come in, and he should see Odin. Swegder ran into the stone, which instantly closed behind him, and Swegder never came back. Thiodolf of Huine tells of this:—
"By Diurnir's elfin race, Who haunt the cliffs and shun day's face, The valiant Swegdir was deceived, The elf's false words the king believed. The dauntless hero rushing on, Passed through the yawning mouth of stone: It yawned—it shut—the hero fell, In Sækmime's hall, where giants dwell."
Chapter XVI. Of Vanland, Swegder's son.
Vanland, Swegder's son, succeeded his father, and ruled over the Upsal domain. He was a great warrior, and went far around in different lands. Once he took up his winter abode in Finland with Snio the Old, and got his daughter Drisa in marriage; but in spring he set out leaving Drisa behind, and although he had promised to return within three years he did not come back for ten. Then Drisa sent a message to the witch Hulda; and sent Visbur, her son by Vanland, to Sweden. Drisa bribed the witch-wife Hulda, either that she should bewitch Yanland to return to Finland, or kill him. When this witch-work was going on Vanland was at Upsal, and a great desire came over him to go to Finland; but his friends and counsellors advised him against it, and said the witchcraft of the Fin people showed itself in this desire of his to go there. He then became very drowsy, and laid himself down to sleep; but when he had slept but a little while, he cried out, saying, "Mara was treading upon him." His men hastened to him to help him; but when they took hold of his head she trod on his legs, and when they laid hold of his legs she pressed upon his head; and it was his death. The Swedes took his body and burnt it at a river called Skytaa, where a standing stone was raised over him. Thus says Thiodolf:—
" And Vanland, in a fatal hour, Was dragg'd by Grimhild's daughter's power, The witch-wife's, to the dwelling-place Where men meet Odin face to face. Trampled to death, to Skyta's shore The corpse his faithful followers bore; And there they burnt, with heavy hearts, The good chief killed by witchcraft's arts."
Chapter XVII. Of Visbur's death.
Visbur inherited after his father Vanland. He married the daughter of Aude the Rich, and gave her as her bride-gift three large farms, and a gold ornament. They had two sons, Gisle and Ond; but Visbur left her and took another wife, whereupon she went home to her father with her two sons. Visbur had a son who was called Domald, and his stepmother used witchcraft to give him ill-luck. Now, when Visbur's sons were, the one twelve, the other thirteen years of age, they went to their father's place, and desired to have their mother's dower; but he would not deliver it to them. Then they said that the gold ornament should be the death of the best man in all his race; and they returned home. Then they began again with enchantments and witchcraft, to try if they could destroy their father. The sorceress Hulda said that by witchcraft she could bring it about by this means, that a murderer of his own kin should never be wanting in the Yngling race; and they agreed to have it so. Thereafter they collected men, came unexpectedly in the night on Visbur, and burned him in his house. So sings Thiodolf:—
Have the fire-dogs' fierce tongues yelling Lapt Visbur's blood on his own hearth? Have the flames consumed the dwelling Of the hero's soul on earth? Madly ye acted, who set free The forest foe, red fire, night thief, Fell brother of the raging sea, Against your father and your chief."
Chapter XVIII. Of Domald's death.
Domald took the heritage after his father Visbur, and ruled over the land, As in his time there was great famine and distress, the Swedes made great offerings of sacrifice at Upsal. The first autumn they sacrificed oxen, but the succeeding season was not improved by it. The following autumn they sacrificed men, but the succeeding year was rather worse. The third autumn, when the offer of sacrifices should begin, a great multitude of Swedes came to Upsal; and now the chiefs held consultations with each other, and all agreed that the times of scarcity were on account of their king Domald, and they resolved to offer him for good seasons, and to assault and kill him, and sprinkle the altar of the gods with his blood. And they did so. Thiodolf tells of this:—
"It has happened oft ere now, That foeman's weapon has laid low The crowned head, where battle plain Was miry red with the blood-rain. But Domald dies by bloody arms, Raised not by foes in war's alarms,— Raised by his Swedish liegeman's hand, To bring good seasons to the land."
Chapter XIX. Of Domar's death.
Domald's son, called Domar, next ruled over the land. He reigned long, and in his days were good seasons and peace. Nothing is told of him but that he died in his bed in Upsal, and was transported to the Fyrisvold, where his body was burned on the river-bank, and where his standing stone still remains. So says Thiodolf: —
"I have asked wise men to tell Where Domar rests, and they knew well. Domar, on Fyrie's wide-spread ground, Was burned, and laid on Ingve's mound."
Chapter XX. Of Dyggve's death.
Dyggve was the name of his son, who succeeded him in ruling the land; and about him nothing is said ​but that he died in his bed. Thiodolf tells of it thus:—
"Dyggve the Brave., the mighty king, It is no hidden secret thing, Has gone to meet a royal mate, Riding upon the horse of Fate. For Loke's daughter in her house Of Ingve's race would have a spouse; Therefore the fell-one snatched away Brave Dyggve from the light of day."
Dyggve's mother was Drott, a daughter of King Daup, the son of Rig, who was first called king in the Danish tongue. His descendants always afterwards considered the title of king the title of highest dignity. Dyggve was the first of his family called king, for his predecessors had been called Drotti, and their wives Drottningr, and their court Drotr. Each of their race was called Yngva, or Ynguni, and the whole race together Ynglinger. The Queen Drot was a sister of King Dan Mikillati, from whom Denmark took its name.
Chapter XXI. Of Dag the Wise.
King Dyggve's son, called Dag, succeeded to him, and was so wise a man that he understood the language of birds. He had a sparrow which told him much news, and flew to different countries. Once the sparrow flew to Reidgotaland, to a farm called ​Varva, where he flew into the peasant's corn-field and took his grain. The peasant came up, took a stone, and killed the sparrow. King Dag was ill pleased that the sparrow did not come home; and as he, in a sacrifice of expiation, inquired after the sparrow, he got the answer that it was killed at Varva. Thereupon he ordered a great army, and went to Gothland; and when he came to Varva he landed with his men and plundered, and the people fled away before him. King Dag returned in the evening to his ships, after having killed many people and taken many prisoners. As they were going across a river at a place called Skiotan's Ford, a labouring thrall came running to the river-side, and threw a hay-fork into their troop. It struck the king on the head, so that he fell instantly from his horse and died, and his men went back to Sweden. In those times the chief who ravaged a country was called Gram, and the men-at-arms under him Gramr. Thiodolf sings of it thus:—
"What news is this that the king's men; Flying eastward through the glen, Report? That Dag the Brave, whose name Is sounded far and wide by Fame,— That Dag, who knew so well to wield The battle-axe in bloody field, Where brave men meet, no more will head The brave—that mighty Dag is dead!
"Varva was wasted with the sword, And vengeance taken for the bird,— The little bird that used to bring News to the ear of the great king.
Varva was ravaged, and the strife
Was ended when the monarch’s life Was ended too—the great Dag fell By the hay-fork of a base thrall!"
Chapter. XXII. Of Agne.
Agne was the name of Dag’s son, who was king after him,—a powerful and celebrated man, expert, and exercised in all feats. It happened one summer that King Agne went with his army to Finland, and landed and marauded. The Finland people gathered a large army, and proceeded to the strife under a chief called Froste. There was a great battle, in which King Agne gained the victory, and Froste fell there with a great many of his people. King Agne proceeded with armed hand through Finland, subdued it, and made enormous booty. He took Froste’s daughter Skialf, and her brother Loge, and carried them along with him. When he sailed from the east he came to land at Stokkasund, and put up his tent on the flat side of the river, where then there was a wood. King Agne had at the time the gold ornament which had belonged to Visbur. He now married Skialf, and she begged him to make a burial feast in honour of her father. He invited a great many guests, and made a great feast. He had become very celebrated by his expedition, and there was a great drinking match. Now when King Dag had got drunk, Skialf bade him take care of his gold ornament which he had about his neck; therefore he took hold of the ornament, and bound it fast about his neck before he went to sleep. The land-tent stood at the wood side, and a high tree over the tent protected it against the heat of the sun. Now when King Agne was asleep, Skialf took a noose, and fastened it under the ornament. Thereupon her men threw down the tent-poles, cast the loop of the noose up in the branches of the tree, ​and hauled upon it, so that the king was hanged close under the branches and died; and Skialf with her men ran down to their ships, and rowed away. King Agne was buried upon the spot, which was afterwards called Agnefit; and it lies on the east side of the Taurun, and west of Stokksund. Thiodolf speaks of it thus:—
"How do ye like the high-souled maid, Who, with the grim Fate-goddess' aid, Avenged her sire?—made Svithiod's king Through air in golden halter swing? How do ye like her, Agne's men? Think ye that any chief again Will court the fate your chief befell,
To ride on wooden horse to hell?"
Chapter XXIII. Of Alric and Eric.
The sons of Agne were called Alric and Eric, and were kings together after him. They were powerful men, great warriors, and expert at all feats of arms. It was their custom to ride and break in horses both to walk and to gallop, which nobody understood so well as they; and they vied with each other who could ride best, and keep the best horses. It happened one day that both the brothers rode out together alone, and at a distance from their followers, with their best horses, and rode on to a field; but never came back. The people at last went out to look after them, and they were both found dead with their heads crushed. As they had no weapons, except it might be their horses' bridles, people believed that they had killed each other with them. So says Thiodolf:—
"Alric fell, by Eric slain, Eric's life-blood dyed the plain. Brother fell by brother's hand; And they tell it in the land, That they worked the wicked deed With the sharp bits that guide the steed. Shall it be said of Frey's brave sons, The kingly race, the noble ones, That they have fought in deadly battle With the head-gear of their cattle?"
Chapter XXIV. Of Yngve and Alf.
Alric's sons, Yngve and Alf, then succeeded to the kingly power in Sweden. Yngve was a great warrior, always victorious; handsome, expert in all exercises, strong and very sharp in battle, generous and full of mirth; so that he was both renowned and beloved. Alf was a silent, harsh, unfriendly man, and sat at home in the land, and never went out on war expeditions. His mother was called Dagrid, a daughter of King Dag the Great, from whom the family of Daglingers are descended. King Alf had a wife named Bera, who was the most agreeable of women, very brisk and gay. One autumn Yngve, Alric's son, had arrived at Upsal from a viking cruise by which he was become very celebrated. He often sat long in the evening at the drinking table; but Alf went willingly to bed very early. Queen Bera sat often till late in the evening, and she and Ynge conversed together for their amusement; but Alf soon told her that she should not sit up so late in the evening, but should go first to bed, so as not to waken him. She replied, that happy would be the woman who had Yngve instead of Alf for her husband; and as she often repeated the same, he became very angry. One evening Alf went into the hall, where Yngve and Bera sat on the high seat speaking to each other. Yngve had a short sword upon his knees, and the guests were so drunk that they did not observe the king's coming in. King Alf went straight to the high seat, drew a sword from under his cloak, and pierced his brother Yngve through and through. Yngve leaped up, drew his short sword, and gave Alf his death-wound; so that both fell dead on the floor. Alf and Yngve were buried under mounds in Fyrisvold. Thus tells Thiodolf of it: —
"I tell you of a horrid thing, A deed of dreadful note I sing,— How by false Bera, wicked queen, The murderous brother-hands were seen Each raised against a brother's life; How. wretched Alf with bloody knife Gored Ingve's heart, and Ingve's blade Alf on the bloody threshold laid. Can men resist Fate's iron laws? They slew each other without cause."
Chapter XXV. Of Hugleik.
Hugleik was the name of King Alf's son, who succeeded the two brothers in the kingdom of the Swedes, the sons of Yngve being still children. King Hugleik was no warrior, but sat quietly at home in his country. He was very rich, but had still more the reputation of being very greedy. He had at his court all sorts of players, who played on harps, fiddles, and viols; and had with him magicians, and all sorts of witches. Hake and Hagberd were two brothers, very celebrated as sea-kings, who had a great force of men-at-arms. Sometimes they cruised in company, sometimes each for himself, and many warriors followed them both. King Hake came with his troops to Sweden against King Hugleik, who, on his side, collected a great army to oppose him. Two brothers came to his assistance, Svipdag and Geigad, both very celebrated men, and powerful combatants. King Hake had about him twelve champions, and among them Starkod the Old; and King Hake himself was a murderous combatant. They met on Fyrisvold, and there was a great battle, in which King Hugieilds army was soon defeated. Then the combatants, Svipdag and Geigad, pressed forward manfully; but Hake's champions went six against one, and they were both taken prisoners. Then King Hake penetrated within the shield-circle around King Hugleik, and killed him and two of his sons within it. After this the ​Swedes fled; and King Hake subdued the country, and became king of Sweden. He then sat quietly at home for three years; but during that time his combatants went abroad on viking expeditions, and gathered property for themselves.
Chapter XXVI. King Gudlög's death.
Jorund and Eric, the sons of Yngve Alricson, lay all this time in their war-ships, and were great warriors. One summer they marauded in Denmark, where they met a King Gudlög, and had a battle with him, which ended in their clearing Gudlög’s ship and taking him prisoner. They carried him to the land at Stromöness, and hanged him there, and afterwards his men raised a mound over him. So says Eyvind Skaldaspiller:—
"By the fierce East-kings' cruel pride, Gudlög must on the wild horse ride— The wildest horse you e’er did see:
'Tis Segur’s steed—the gallows tree. At Stromoness the tree did grow, Where Gudlög’s corpse waves on the bough. A high stone stands on Stromo’s heath, To tell the gallant hero’s death."
Chapter XXVII. Of King Hake.
The brothers Eric and Jorund became more celebrated by this deed, and appeared to be much greater men than before. When they heard that King Hake in Sweden had sent from him his champions, they steered towards Sweden, and gathered together a strong force. As soon as the Swedes heard that the Ynglingers were come to them, they flocked to the brothers in multitudes. The brothers proceeded up the Mælare lake, and advanced towards Upsal against King Hake, who came out against them on the Fyrisvold with far fewer people. There was a great battle, in which King Hake went forward so bravely that he killed all who were nearest to him, and at last killed King Eric, and cut down the banner of the two brothers. King Jorund with all his men fled to their ​ships. King Hake had been so grievously wounded that he saw his days could not be long; so he ordered a war-ship which he had to be loaded with his dead men and their weapons, and to be taken out to the sea; the tiller to be shipped, and the sails hoisted. Then he set fire to some tar-wood, and ordered a pile to be made over it in the ship. Hake was almost if not quite dead, when he was laid upon this pile of his. The wind was blowing off the land,—the ship flew, burning in clear flame, out between the islets, and into the ocean. Great was the fame of this deed in after times.
Chapter XXVIII. Jorund's death.
Jorund, King Yngve's son, remained king at Upsal. He ruled the country; but was often, in summer, out on war expeditions. One summer he went with his forces to Denmark; and having plundered all around in Jutland, he went into Lymfiord in autumn, and marauded there also. While he was thus lying in Oddosund with his people, King Gylög of Halogaland, a son of King Gudlög, of whom mention is made before, came up with a great force, and gave battle to Jorund. When the country people saw this they swarmed from all parts towards the battle, in great ships and small; and Jorund was overpowered by the multitude, and his ships cleared of their men. He sprang overboard, but was made prisoner and carried to the land. Gylög ordered a gallows to be erected, led Jorund to it, and had him hanged there. So ended his life. Thiodolf talks of this event thus:—
"Jorund has travelled far and wide.
But the same horse he must bestride
On which he made brave Gudlög ride.
He too must for a necklace wear
Hagbert's fell noose in middle air. The army leader thus must ride
On Horva's horse, at Limfiord's side."
Chapter XXIX. Of King Ane's death.
On or Ane was the name of Jorund's son, who became king of the Swedes after his father. He was a wise man, who made great sacrifices to the gods; but, being no warrior, he lived quietly at home. In the time when the kings we have been speaking of were in Upsal, Denmark had been ruled over by Dan Mikellati, who lived to a very great age; then by his son, Frode Mikellati, or the Peace-loving, who was succeeded by his sons Halfdan and Fridleif, who were great warriors. Halfdan was older than his brother, and above him in all things. He went with his army against King On to Sweden, and was always victorious. At last King On fled to Wester Gotland when he had been king in Upsal about twenty-five years, and was in Gotland twenty-five years, while Halfdan remained king in Upsal. King Halfdan died in his bed, and was buried there in a mound; and King On returned to Upsal when he was sixty years of age. He made a great sacrifice, and in it offered up his son to Odin. On got an answer from Odin, that he should live sixty years longer; and he was afterwards king in Upsal for twenty-five years. How came Ole the Bold, a son of King Fridleif, with his army to Sweden, against King On, and they had several battles with each other; but Ole was always the victor. Then On fled a second time to Gotland; and for twenty-five years Ole reigned in Upsal, until he was killed by Starkad the Old. After Ole's fall, On returned to Upsal, and ruled the kingdom for twenty-five years. Then he made a great sacrifice again for long life, in which he sacrificed his second son, and received the answer from Odin, that he should live as long as he gave him one of his sons every tenth year, and also that he should name one of the districts of his country after the number of sons he should offer to Odin. When he had sacrificed the seventh of his sons he continued to live; but so that he could not walk, but ​was carried on a chair. Then he sacrificed his eighth son, and lived thereafter ten years, lying in his bed. Now he sacrificed his ninth son, and lived ten years more; but so that he drank out of a horn like a weaned infant. He had now only one son remaining, whom he also wanted to sacrifice, and to give Odin Upsal and the domains thereunto belonging, under the name of the Ten Lands, but the Swedes would not allow it; so there was no sacrifice, and King On died, and was buried in a mound at Upsal, Since that time it is called On's sickness when a man dies, without pain, of extreme old age. Thiodolf tells of this:—
"In Upsal's town the cruel king Slaughtered his sons at Odin's shrine— Slaughtered his sons with cruel knife, To get from Odin length of life. He lived until he had to turn His toothless mouth to the deer's horn; And he who shed his children's blood Sucked through the ox's horn his food. At length fell Death has tracked him down, Slowly, but sure, in Upsal's town."
Chapter XXX. Of Egil and Tunne.
Egil was the name of On the Old's son, who succeeded as king in Sweden after his father's death. He was no warrior, but sat quietly at home. Tunne was the name of a slave who had been the counsellor and treasurer of On the Old; and when On died Tunne took much treasure and buried it in the earth. Now when Egil became king he put Tunne among the other slaves, which he took very ill and ran away with others of the slaves. They dug up the treasures which Tunne had concealed, and he gave them to his men, and was made their chief. Afterwards many malefactors flocked to him; and they lay out in the woods, but sometimes fell upon the domains, pillaging and killing the people. When King Egil heard this, he went out with his forces to pursue them; but one night when he had taken up his night quarters, Tunne came there with his men, fell on the king's men unex​pectedly, and killed many of them. As soon as King Egil perceived the tumult, he prepared for defence, and set up his banner; but many people deserted him, because Tunne and his men attacked them so boldly, and King Egil saw that nothing was left but to fly. Tunne pursued the fugitives into the forest, and then returned to the inhabited land, ravaging and plundering without resistance. All the goods that fell into Tunne's hands he gave to his people, and thus became popular and strong in men. King Egil assembled an army again, and hastened to give battle to Tunne. But Tunne was again victorious, and King Egil fled with the loss of many people. Egil and Tunne had eight battles with each other, and Tunne always gained the victory. Then King Egil fled out of the country, and went to Sealand in Denmark, to Erode the Bold, and promised him a scatt from the Swedes to obtain help. Erode gave him an army, and also his champions, with which force King Egil repaired to Sweden. When Tunne heard this he came out to meet him; and there was a great battle, in which Tunne fell, and King Egil recovered his kingdom, and the Danes returned home. King Egil sent King Erode great and good presents every year, but he paid no scatt to the Danes; but notwithstanding the friendship between Egil and Frode continued without interruption. After Tunne's fall, Egil ruled the kingdom for three years. It happened in Sweden that an old bull, which was destined for sacrifice, was fed so high that he became dangerous to people; and when they were going to lay hold of him he escaped into the woods, became furious, and was long in the forest committing great damage to the country. King Egil was a great hunter, and often rode into the forest to chase wild animals. Once he rode out with his men to hunt in the forest. The king had traced an animal a long while, and followed it in the forest, ​separated from all his men. He observed at last that it was the bull, and rode up to it to kill it. The bull turned round suddenly, and the king struck him with his spear; but it tore itself out of the wound. The bull now struck his horn in the side of the horse, so that he instantly fell flat on the earth with the king. The king sprang up, and was drawing his sword, when the bull struck his horns right into the king's breast. The king's men then came up and killed the bull. The king lived but a short time, and was buried in a mound at Upsal. Thiodolf sings of it thus:—
The fair-haired son of Odin's race, Who fled before fierce Tunne's face, Has perished by the demon-beast Who roams the forests of the East. The hero's breast met the full brunt Of the wild bull's shaggy front; The hero's heart's asunder torn By the fell Jotun's spear-like horn."
Chapter XXXI. Of King Ottar.
Ottar was the name of King Egil's son who succeeded to the domains and kingdom after him. He did not continue friendly with King Frode, and therefore King Frode sent messengers to King Ottar to demand the scatt which Egil had promised him. Ottar replied, that the Swedes had never paid scatt to the Danes, neither would he; and the messengers had to depart with this answer. Frode was a great warrior; and he came one summer with his army to Sweden, and landed and ravaged the country. He killed many people, took some prisoners, burned all around in the inhabited parts, made a great booty, and made great devastation. The next summer King Frode made an expedition to the eastward; and when King Ottar heard that Frode was not at home in his own country, he went on board his own ships, sailed over to Denmark, and ravaged there without opposition. As he heard that a great many people were collected at Sealand, he proceeds westward to the ​Sound, and sails north about to Jutland; lands at Lymfiord; plunders the Vend district;burns, and lays waste, and makes desolate the country he goes over with his army. Yatte and Faste were the names of the earls whom Frode had appointed to defend the country in Denmark while he was abroad. When the earls heard that the Swedish king was laying waste Denmark, they collected an army, hastened on board their ships, and sailed by the south side to Lymfiord. They came unexpectedly upon Ottar, and the battle began immediately. The Swedes gave them a good reception, and many people fell on both sides; but as soon as men fell in the Danish army other men hastened from the country to fill their places, and also all the vessels in the neighbourhood joined them. The battle ended with the fall of Ottar and the greater part of his people. The Danes took his body, carried it to the land, laid it upon a mound of earth, and let the wild beasts and ravens tear it to pieces. Thereafter they made a figure of a crow out of wood, sent it to Sweden, and sent word with it that their king, Ottar, was no better than it; and from this he was called Ottar Yendelcrow. Thiodolf tells so of it:—
"By Danish arms the hero bold, Ottar the Brave, lies stiff and cold. To Vendel's plain the corpse was borne; By eagles' claws the corpse is torn, Spattered by ravens' bloody feet, The wild bird's prey, the wild wolf's meat. The Swedes have vowed revenge to take On Frode's earls, for Ottar's sake; Like dogs to kill them in their land, In their own homes, by Swedish hand."
Chapter XXXII. Of King Adils marriage.
Adils was the name of King Ottar's son and successor. lie was a long time king, became very rich, and went also for several summers on viking expe​ditions. On one of these he came to Saxonland with his troops. There a king was reigning called Geirthiof, and his wife was called Alof the Great; but nothing is told of their children. The king was not at home, and Adils and his men ran up to the king's house and plundered it, while others drove a herd of cattle down to the strand. The herd was attended by slave-people, carls and girls, and they took all of them together. Among them was a remarkably beautiful girl called Yrsa. Adils returned home with this plunder. Yrsa was not one of the slave girls, and it was soon observed that she was intelligent, spoke well, and in all respects was well behaved. All people thought well of her, and particularly the king; and at last it came to so far that the king celebrated his wedding with her, and Yrsa became queen of Sweden, and was considered an excellent woman.
Chapter XXXIII. Of King Adils' death.
King Halfdan's son klelge ruled at that time over Leidre. He came to Sweden with so great an army, that King Adils saw no other way than to fly at once. King Helge landed with his army, plundered, and made a great booty. He took Queen Yrsa prisoner, carried her with him to Leidre, took her to wife, and had a son by her called Kolf Krake. When Rolf was three years old, Queen Alof came to Denmark, and told Queen Yrsa that her husband, King Helge, was her own father, and that she, Alof, was her mother. Thereupon Yrsa went back to Sweden to King Adils, and was queen there as long as she ​lived. King Helge fell in a war expedition; and Rolf Krake, who was then eight years old, was taken to be king in Leidre. King Adils had many disputes with a king called Ali of the Uplands; and these kings had a battle on the ice of the Venner lake, in which King Ali fell, and King Adils won the battle. There is a long account of this battle in the Skioldunga Saga, and also about Rolf Krake's coming to Adds, and sowing gold upon the Fyrisvold. King Adils was a great lover of good horses, and had the best horses of these times. One of his horses was called Slongvir, and another Raven. This horse he had taken from Ali on his death, and bred from him a horse, also called Raven, which the king sent in a present to King Godgest in Hllogaland, When Godgest mounted the horse he was not able to manage him, and fell off, and was killed. This accident happened at Omd in Halogaiand. King Adils was at a Disa sacrifice; and as he rode around the Disa hall his horse Raven stumbled and fell, and the king was thrown forward upon his head, and his scull was split, and his brains dashed out against a stone. Adils died at Upsal, and was buried there in a mound. The Swedes called him a great king. Thiodolf speaks thus of him:—
Witch-demons, I have heard men say, Have taken Adils' life away. The son of kings of Frey's great race, First in the fray, the fight, the chase, Fell from his steed—his clotted brains Lie mixed with mire on Upsal's plains. Such death (grim Fate has willed it so) Has struck down Ali's deadly foe."
Chapter. XXXIV. Rolf Krake's death.
Eystein, King Adds' son, ruled next over Sweden, and in his lifetime Rolf Krake of Leidre fell. In those days many kings, both Danes and Northmen, ravaged the Swedish dominions; for there were many sea-kings who ruled over many people, but had no lands, and he might well be called a sea-king who never slept beneath sooty roof-timbers.
Chapter. XXXV. Of Eystein and the Jutland king Solve.
There was a sea-king called Solve, a son of Hogne of Niardö, who at that time plundered in the Baltic, but had his dominion in Jutland. He came with his forces to Sweden, just as King Eystein was at a feast in a district called Lofönd. Solve came unexpectedly in the night on Eystein, surrounded the house in which the king was, and burned him and all his court. Then Solve went to Sigtun, and desired that the Swedes should receive him, and give him the title of king; but they collected an army, and tried to defend the country against him, on which there was a great battle, that lasted, according to report, eleven days. There King Solve was victorious, and was afterwards king of the Swedish dominions for a long time, until at last the Swedes betrayed him, and he was killed. Thiodolf tells of it thus:—
For a long time none could tell How Eystein died—but now I know That at Lofond the hero fell; The branch of Odin was laid low, Was burnt by Solve's Jutland men. The raging tree-devourer fire Rushed on the monarch in its ire; First fell the castle timbers, then The roof-beams—Eystein's funeral pyre."
Chapter XXXVI. Of Yngvar's fall.
Yngvar, who was King Eystein's son, then became king of Sweden. He was a great warrior, and often lay out with his war-ships; for the Swedish dominions ​were much ransacked then by Danes and East-country men. King Yngvar made a peace with the Danes; but betook himself to ravaging the East country in return. One summer he went with his forces to Esthonia, and plundered at a place called Stein. The Esthonians came down from the interior with a great army, and there was a battle; but the army of the country was so brave that the Swedes could not withstand them, and King Yngvar fell, and his people fled. He was buried close to the sea-shore under a mound, and after this defeat the Swedes returned home. Thiodolf sings of it thus:—
"Certain it is the Esthland foe The fair-haired Swedish king iaid low. On Esthland's strand, o'er Swedish graves, The East Sea sings her song of waves; King Yngvar's dirge is ocean's roar Resounding on the rock-ribbed shore."
Chapter XXXVII. Of Onund the Land-clearer.
Onund was. the name of Yngvar's son who succeeded him. In his days there was peace in Sweden, and he became rich in valuable goods. King Onund went with his army to Esthonia to avenge his father, and landed and ravaged the country round far and wide, and returned with a great booty in autumn to Sweden. In his time there were fruitful seasons in Sweden, so that he was one of the most popular of kings. Sweden is a great forest land, and there are such great uninhabited forests in it that it is a journey of many days to cross them. Onund bestowed great diligence and expense on clearing the woods and cultivating the cleared land. He made roads through the desert forests; and thus cleared land is found all through the forest country, and great districts are settled. In this way extensive tracts of land were brought into cultivation, for there were country people enough to cultivate the land. Onund had roads made through all Sweden, both through forests and mo​rasses, and also over mountains; and he was therefore called Onund Roadmaker, He had a house built for himself in every district of Sweden, and went over the whole country in guest-quarters.
Chapter XXXVIII. Of Ingiald the Bad.
Onund had a son called Ingiald, and at that time Yngvar was king of the district of Fiadryndaland. Yngvar had two sons by his wife,—the one called Alf, the other Agnar,—who were about the same age as Ingiald. Onund's district-kings were at that time spread widely over Sweden, and Svipdag the Blind ruled over Fiundaland, in which Upsal is situated, and where all the Swedish Things are held. There also were held the mid-winter sacrifices, at which many kings attended. One year at mid-winter there was a great assembly of people at Upsal, and King Yngvar had also come there with his sons. Alf, King Yngvar's son, and Ingiald, King Onund's son, were there,—both about six years old. They amused themselves with child's play, in which each should be leading on his army. In their play Ingiald found himself not so strong as Alf, and was so vexed that he almost cried. His foster-brother Gautvid came up, led him to his foster-father Svipdag the Blind, and told him how ill it appeared that he was weaker and less manly than Alf, King Yngvar's son. Svipdad replied that it was a great shame. The day after Svipdag took the heart of a Avolf, roasted it on the tongs, and gave it to the king's son Ingiald to eat, and from that time he became a most ferocious person, and of the worst disposition. When Ingiald was grown up, Onund applied for him to King Algaut for his daughter Gautheld. Algaut was a son of Gautrek ​the Mild, and grandson of Gant; and from them Gotland took its name. King Algaut thought his daughter would be well married if she got King Onund's son, and if he had his father's disposition; so the girl was sent to Sweden, and King Ingiald celebrated his wedding with her in due time.
Chapter XXXIX. Of King Onund's death.
King Onund one autumn, travelling between his mansion-houses, came over a road called Himmen-heath, where there are some narrow mountain valleys, with high mountains on both sides. There was heavy rain at the time, and before there had been snow on the mountains. A landslip of clay and stones came down upon King Onund and his people, and there he met his death, and many with him. So says Thiodolf; namely,—
"We all have heard how Jonkur's sons. Whom weapons could not touchy with stones Were stoned to death—in open day, King Onund died in the same way. Or else perhaps the wood-grown land, Which long had felt his conquering hand, Uprose at length in deadly strife, And pressed out Onund's hated life."
Chapter XL. The burning in Upsal.
Then Ingiald, King Onund's son, came to the kingdom. The Upsal kings were the highest in Sweden among the many district-kings who had been since the time that Odin was chief. The kings who resided at Upsal had been the supreme chiefs over the whole Swedish dominions until the death of Ague, when, as ​before related, the kingdom came to be divided between brothers. After that time the dominions and kingly powers were spread among the branches of the family as these increased; but some kings cleared great tracts of forest-land, and settled them, and thereby increased their domains. Now when Ingiald took the dominions and the kingdom of his father, there were, as before said, many district-kings. King Ingiald ordered a great feast to be prepared in Upsal, and intended to enter at it on his heritage after King Onund his father. He had a large hall made ready for the occasion,—one not less, nor less sumptuous, than that of Upsal; and this hall was called the Seven Kings Hall, and in it were seven high seats for kings. Then King Ingiald sent men all through Sweden, and invited to his feast kings, earls, and other men of consequence. To this heir-feast came King Algaut, his father-in-law; Yngvar king of Fiadryndaland, with his two sons, Alf and Agnar; King Spossniall of Nerike; King Sighvat of Aattundaland: but Granmar king of Sondermanland did not come. Six kings were placed in the seats in the new hall; but one of the high seats which Ingiald had prepared was empty. All the persons who had come got places in the new hall; but to his own court, and the rest of his people, he had appointed places at Upsal. It was the custom at that time that he who gave an heirship-feast after kings or earls, and entered upon the heritage, should sit upon the footstool in front of the high seat, until the full bowl, which was called the Braga-bowl, was brought in. Then he should stand up, take the braga-bowl, make solemn vows to be afterwards fulfilled, and thereupon empty the bowl. Then he should ascend the high seat which his father had occupied; and thus he came to the full heritage after his father. Now it was done so on this occasion. When the full braga-bowl came in, King Ingiald stood up, grasped a large ​ball's horn, and made a solemn vow to enlarge his dominions by one half, towards all the four corners of the world, or die; and thereupon pointed with the horn to the four quarters. Now when the guests had become drunk towards evening King Ingiald told Svipdag's sons, Folkvid and Hylvid, to arm themselves and their men, as had before been settled; and accordingly they went out, and came up to the new hall, and set tire to it. The hall was soon in a blaze, and the six kings, with all their people, were burned in it. Those who tried to come out were killed. Then King Ingiald laid all the dominions these kings had possessed under himself, and took scatt from them.
Chapter XLI. Of Hiorvard's mariage.
When King Granular heard the news of this treachery, he thought the same lot awaited him if he did not take care. The same summer King Hiorvard, who was a son of Ylfing, came with his fleet to Sweden, and went into a fiord called Myrkva-fiord. When King Granmar heard this he sent a messenger to him to invite him and all his men to a feast. He accepted it willingly; for he had never committed waste in King Granmar's dominions. When he came to the feast he was gladly welcomed. In the evening, when the full bowls went round, as was the custom of kings when they were at home, or in the feasts they ordered to be made, they drank together, the man and woman with each other in pairs, and the rest of the company drank all round in one set. But it was the law among the vikings that all who were at the entertainment should drink together in one company all round. King Hiorvard's high seat was placed right opposite to King Granmar's high seat, and on the same bench sat all his men. King Granmar told his daughter Hildigunna, who was a remarkably beautiful girl, to make ready to carry ale to the vikings. ​Thereupon she took a silver goblet, filled it, bowed before King Hiorvard, and said, "Success to all Ylfingers: this cup to the memory off Rolf Krake,"— drank out the half, and handed the cup to King Hiorvard. He took the cup, and took her hand, and said she must sit beside him. She says, that is not viking fashion to drink two and two with women. Hiorvard replies, that it were better for him to mak a change, and leave the viking law, and drink in company with her. Then Hildigunne sat down beside him, and both drank together, and spoke a great deal with each other during the evening. The next day, when King Granmar and Hiorvard met, Hiorvard spoke of his courtship, and asked to have Hildigunne in marriage. King Granmar laid this proposal before his wife Hilda, and before people of consequence, saying they would have great help and trust in Hiorvard; and all approved of it highly, and thought it very advisable. And the end was, that Hildigunne was promised to Hiorvard, and the wedding followed soon after; and King Hiorvard staid with King Granmar, who had no sons, to help him to defend his dominions.
Chapter XLII. War between Ingiald and Granmar and Hiorvard
The same autumn King In A aid collected a war-force, with which he intended to fall upon these two relations 5 but when they heard it they also collected a force, and Hogne, who ruled over East Gotland, together with his son Hildur, came to their assistance. Hogne was father of Hilda, who was married to King Granmar. King Ingiald landed with his army, which was by far the most numerous. A battle began, which was very sharp; but after it had lasted a short time, the chiefs who ruled over Eiadryndaland, West Gotland, Henke, and Aatundaland, took to flight with all the men from those countries, and hastened to their ships. This placed King Ingiald in great danger, and he received many wounds, but escaped by flight ​to his ships. Svipdag the Blind, Ingiald's foster- saga i. father, together with his sons, Gautvid and Hylvid, fell. Ingiald returned to IJpsal, very ill satisfied with his expedition; and he thought the army levied from those countries he had acquired by conquest had been unfaithful to him. There was great hostility after¬ wards between King Ingiald and King Grammar, and his son-in-law King Hiorvard; and after this had con¬ tinued a long time the friends of both parties brought about a reconciliation. The king appointed a meeting, and concluded a peace. This peace was to endure as long as the three kings lived, and this was confirmed by oath and promises of fidelity. The spring after King Granmar went to IJpsal to make offering, as usual, for a steady peace. Then the foreboding turned out for him so that it did not promise him long life, and he returned to his dominions.
Chapter XLIII. Death of the kings Granmar and Hirovard
The autumn after, King Granmar and his son-in-law Hiorvard went to a feast at one of their farms in the island Sili. When they were at the entertainment, King Ingiald came there in the night with his troops, surrounded the house, and burnt them in it, with all their men. Then he took to himself all the country these kings had possessed, and placed chiefs over it. King Hogne and his son Hillder often made inroads on horseback into the Swedish dominions, and killed King Ingiald's men, whom he had placed over the kingdom which had belonged to their relation Granmar. This strife between King Ingiald and King Hogne continued for a long time; but King Hogne defended his kingdom against King Ingiald to his dying day. King Ingiald had two children by his wife;—the eldest called Aasa, the other Olaf. Gauthild, the wife of Ingiald, sent the boy to his foster-father Bove, in West Gotland, where he was ​brought up along with Sayre, Bove's son, who had the surname of Elettir. It was a common saying that King Ingiald had killed twelve kings, and deceived them all under pretence of peace; therefore he was called Ingiald the Evil-adviser. He was king over the greater part of Sweden. He married his daughter Aasa to Gudrod king of Scania; and she was like her father in disposition. Aasa brought it about that Gudrod killed his brother Halfdan, father of Ivar Yidfadme; and also she brought about the death of her husband Gudrod, and then fled to her father; and she thus got the name also of Aasa the Evil-adviser.
Chapter XLIV. Of Ingiald the Bad's death.
Ivar Yidfadme came to Scania after the fall of his uncle Gudrod, and collected an army in all haste, and moved with it into Sweden. Aasa had gone to her father before. King Ingiald was at a feast in Ræning when he heard that King Ivar's army was in the neighbourhood. Ingiald thought he had not strength to go into battle against Ivar, and he saw well that if he betook himself to flight his enemies would swarm around him from all corners. He and Aasa took a resolution which has become celebrated. They drank until all their people were dead drunk, and then put fire to the hall; and it was consumed, with all who were in it, including themselves, King Ingiald, and Aasa. Thus says Thiodolf:—
"With fiery feet devouring flame Has hunted down a royal game At Raening, where King Ingiald gave To all his men one glowing grave. On his own hearth the fire he raised, A deed his foemen even praised; By his own hand he perished so, And life for freedom did forego."
Chapter XLV. Of Ivar.
Ivar Vidfadme subdued the whole of Sweden. He brought in subjection to himself all the Danish dominions, a great deal of Saxonland, all the East country, and a fifth part of England. From his race the kings of Sweden and Denmark who have had the supreme authority in those countries, are descended. After Ingiald the Evil-adviser the Upsal dominion fell from the Yngve race, notwithstanding the length of time they could reckon up the series of their fore-fathers.
Chapter XLVI. Of Olaf the Tree-feller.
When Olaf, King Ingiald's son, heard of his father's end, he went, with the men who chose to follow him, to Nerike; for all the Swedish community rose with one accord to drive out Ingiald's family and all its friends. Now, when the Swedes got intelligence of him he could not remain there, but went on westwards, through the forest, to a river which comes from the north and falls into the Venner lake, and is called Klar Diver. There they sat themselves down, turned to, and cleared the woods, burnt, and then settled there. Soon there were great districts, which altogether were called Yermeland; and a good living was to be made there. Now when it was told of Olaf, in Sweden, that he was clearing the forests, they laughed at his proceedings, and called him the Tree-feller. Olaf got a wife called Solva, or Solveig, a daughter of Halfdan Guldtand, westward in Soloer Islands. Halfdan was a son of Solve Solvesson, who was a son of Solve the Old, who first settled on these islands. Olaf Tree-feller's mother was called Gauthild, and her mother was Alofa, daughter of Olaf Skygne, king in Nerike. Olaf and Solva had two sons, Ingiald and Halfdan. Halfdan was brought up in Soloer Isles, in the house of his mother's brother Solve, and was called Halfdan Huitbein.
Chapter XLVII. Olaf the Tree-feller burned.
There were a great many people who fled the country from Sweden, on account of King Ivar; and when they heard that King Olaf had got good lands in Term eland, so great a number came there to him that the land could not support them. Then there came dear times and famine, which they ascribed to their king; as the Swedes used always to reckon good or bad crops for or against their kings. The Swedes took it amiss that Olaf was sparing in his sacrifices, and believed the dear times must proceed from this cause. The Swedes therefore gathered together troops, made an expedition against King Olaf, surrounded his house, and burnt him in it, giving him to Odin as a sacrifice for good crops. This happened at the Yenner lake. Thus tells Thiodolf of it:—
"The temple wolf, by the lake shores., The corpse of Olaf now devours. The clearer of the forests died At Odin's shrine by the lake side. The glowing flames stripped to the skin The royal robes from the Swedes' king. Thus Olaf, famed in days of yore, Vanished from earth at Venner's shore."
Chapter XLVIII. Halfdan Huitbein made king.
Those of the Swedes who had more understanding found that the dear times proceeded from there being a greater number of people on the land than it could support, and that the king could not be blamed for this. They took the resolution, therefore, to cross the Eida forest with all their men, and came quite unexpectedly into Soloer, where they put to death King Solve, and took Halfdan Huitbein prisoner, and made him their chief, and gave him the title of king. Thereupon he subdued Soloer, and proceeding with his army into Eaumarige, plundered there, and laid that district also in subjection by force of arms.
Chapter XLIX. Of Halfdan Huitbein.
Halfdan Huitbein became a great king. He was married to Asa, a daughter of Eystein the Severe, who was king of the Upland people, and ruled over Hedemark. Halfdan and Asa had two sons, Eystein and Gudrod. Halfdan subdued a great part of Hedemark, Thoten, Hadeland, and much of Westfold.
He lived to be an old man, and died in his bed at Thoten, from whence his body was transported to Westfold, and was buried under a mound at a place called Skserid, at Skiringsall. So says Thiodolf: —
"Halfdan, esteemed by friends and foes, Receives at last life’s deep repose: The aged man at last, though late, Yielded in Thoten to stern fate. At Skiringsal hangs o’er his grave A rock, that seems to mourn the brave. Halfdan, to chiefs and people dear, Received from all a silent tear."
Chapter L. Of Ingiald, brother of Halfdan.
Ingiald, Halfdan’s brother, was king of Vaermeland; but after his death King Halfdan took possession of Vsermeland, raised scatt from it, and placed earls over it as long as he lived.
Chapter LI. Of King Eystein’s death.
Eystein, Halfdan Huitbein’s son, became king after in Itaumarige and Westfold. He was married to Hilde, a daughter of Eric Agnarson, who was king in Westfold. Agnar, Eric’s father, was a son of Sigtryg, ​king in the Vend district. King Eric had no son, and died while King Halfdan Huitbein was still in life. The father and son, Halfdan and Eystein, then took possession of the whole of Westfold,, which Eystein ruled over as long as he lived. At that time there lived at Varna a king called Skiold, who was a great warlock. King Eystein went with some ships of war to Varna, plundered there, and carried away all he could find of clothes or other valuables, and of peasants' stock, and killed cattle on the strand for provision, and then went off. King Skiold came to the strand with his army, just as Eystein was at such a distance over the fiord that King Skiold could only see his sails. Then he took his cloak, waved it, and blew into it. King Eystein was sitting at the helm as they sailed within the Earl Isles, and another ship was sailing at the side of his, when there came a stroke of a wave, by which the boom of the other ship struck the king and threw him overboard, which proved his death. His men fished up his body, and it was carried into Borre, where a mound was thrown up over it, upon a cleared field out towards the sea at Vodle. So says Thiodolf:—
"King Eystein sat upon the poop Of his good ship: with sudden swoop The swinging boom dashed him to hell, And fathoms deep the hero fell Beneath the brine. The fury whirl Of Lokke , Tempest's brother's girl, Grim Hrele, clutched his soul away; And now where Vodle's ocean bay Receives the ice-cold stream, the grave Of Eystein stands,—the good, the brave!"
Chapter LII. Of Halfdan the Mild.
Halfdan was the name of King Eystein's son who succeeded him. He was called Halfdan the Mild, but the Bad Entertainer; that is to say, he was reported to be generous, and to give his men as much gold as other kings gave of silver, but he starved them in their diet. He was a great warrior, who had been long on viking cruises, and had collected great property. He was married to Hlif, a daughter of King Dag of Westmor. Holtar, in Westfold, was his chief house; and he died there on the bed of sickness, and was buried at Borre under a mound. So says Thiodolf:—
"By Hsele's summons, a great king Was called away to Odin's Thing: King Halfdan, he who dwelt of late At Holtar, must obey grim Fate. At Borre, in the royal mound, They laid the hero in the ground."
Chapter LIII. Of Gudrod the Hunter.
Gudrod, Halfdan's son, succeeded. He was called Gudrod the Magnificent, and also Gudrod the Hunter. He was married to Alfhild, a daughter of King Alfarin of Alfheim, and got with her half the district of Yin-gulmark. Their son Olaf wras afterwards called Geirstad-Alf. Alfheim, at that time, was the name of the land between the Glommen and Gotha rivers. Now when Alfhild died, King Gudrod sent his men west to Agder to the king who ruled there, and who was called Haraid Redbeard. They were to make proposals to his daughter Aasa upon the king's account; but Haraid declined the match, and the ambassadors returned to the king, and told him the result of their errand. Soon after King Gudrod hove down his ships into the water, and proceeded with a great force in them to Agder. He immediately landed, and came altogether unexpectedly, at night, to King Haraid's house. When Haraid was aware that an army was at hand, he went out with the men ​he had about him, and there was a great battle, although he wanted men so much. King Harald and his son Gyrder fell, and King Gudrod took a great booty. He carried away with him Aasa, King Ifarald's daughter, and had a wedding with her. They had a son by their marriage called Halfdan; and the autumn that Halfdan was a year old Gudrod went upon a round of feasts. He lay with his ship in Stifle-sound, where they had been drinking hard, so that the king was very tipsy. In the evening, about dark, the king left the ship; and when he had got to the end of the gangway from the ship to the shore, a man ran against him, thrust a spear through him, and killed him. The man was instantly put to death, and in the morning when it was light the man was discovered to be Aasa's footboy: nor did she conceal that it was done by her orders. Thus tells Thiodolf of it:—
"Gudrod is gone to his long rest, Despite of all his haughty pride,— A traitor's spear has pierced his side: For Aasa cherished in her breast Revenge; and as, by wine opprest, The hero staggered from his ship, The cruel queen her thrall let slip To do the deed of which I sing: And now the far-descended king, At Stifflesund, in the old bed Of the old Gudrod race, lies dead."
Chapter LIV. Of King Olaf's death.
Olaf came to the kingdom after his father. He was a great warrior, and an able man; and was besides remarkably handsome, very strong, and large of growth. He had Westfold; for King Alfgeir took all Vingulmark to himself, and placed his son Gandalf over it. Both father and son made war on Raumarige, and subdued the greater part of that land and dis​trict. Hogne was the name of a son of the Upland king, Eystein the Great, who subdued for himself the whole of Hedemark, Thoten, and Hadeland. Then Ysermeland fell off from Gudrod's sons, and turned itself, with its payment of scatt, to the Swedish king. Olaf was about twenty years old when Gudrod died; and as his brother Halfdan now had the kingdom with him, they divided it between them; so that Olaf got the eastern, and Halfdan the southern part. King Olaf had his main residence at Gairstad. There he died of a disease in his foot, and was laid under a mound at Gairstad. So sings Thiodolf:—
"Long while this branch of Odin's stem Was the stout prop of Norway's realm; Long while King Olaf with just pride Ruled over Westfold far and wide. At length by cruel gout oppressed, The good King Olaf sank to rest: His body now lies under ground, Buried at Gierstad, in the mound."
Chapter LV. Of Rognvald the Mountain-high.
Rognvald was the name of Olaf's son who was king of Westfold after his father. He was called "Mountain-high," and Thiodolf of Huina composed for him the "Ynglinga-talfin;" which he says—
"Under the heaven's blue dome, a name I never knew more true to fame Than Rognvald bore; whose skilful hand Could tame the scorners of the land,— Rognvald, who knew so well to guide The wild sea-horses through the tide: The ' Mountain-high ' was the proud name By which the king was known to fame."
* ↑ Niorvasund, the Straits of Gibraltar; so called from the first Northman who sailed through them,
* ↑ Swithiod the Great, or the Cold, is the ancient Sarmatia; and is also called Godheim in the mythological sagas, or the home of Odin and the other gods. Swithiod the Less is Sweden proper, and is called Mannheim, or the home of the kings the descendants of these gods.
* ↑ Serkland means North Africa and Spain, and the countries of the Saracens in Asia.
* ↑ Blaland, the country of the blacks in Africa.
* ↑ Asgaard is supposed by those who look for historical fact in mythological tales to be the present Assor; others that it is Chasgar in the Caucasian ridge, called, by Strabo Aspurgum—the Asburg or castle of Aas; which word Aas still remains in the northern languages, signifying a ridge of high land.
* ↑ Hof godars, whose office of priests and judges continued hereditary in Scandinavia.
* ↑ These exchanges appear not to have been of hostages, but of chiefs to be incorporated with the people to whom they were sent, and thus to preserve peace.
* ↑ Gardarige is Russia.
* ↑ Saxland is Germany.
* ↑ Leidre, or Hleidre, or Leire, at the end of Isafiord, in the county of Lithraborg, is considered the oldest royal seat in Denmark.
* ↑ This fable is possibly the echo of some tradition of a convulsion in which the ocean broke into the Baltic through the Sound and Belts, or in which the island of Sealand was raised from the deep.
* ↑ Bersærker—so called from ber, bare; and serkr, shirt: that is, bare of any shirt of mail, as they fought without armour. The Bersærkers appear to have gone into battle intoxicated with opium, or some exciting drug; as the reaction after their bersærker gang was over, and their lassitude and exhaustion, prove the use of some stimulant previously to a great excess.
* ↑ This possibly refers to boats covered with skin or leather—the coracle of the Welsh and Irish.
* ↑ Orlög—the original law, the primæval law fixed from the beginning. It is curious that this idea of a predestination existed in the religion of Odin.
* ↑ The meaning seems to be, that he was marked with the sign of the head of a spear; that is, with the sign of the cross. The sign of Thor's hammer, viz. the head of a battle-axe or halberd, was said to be used as the sign of the cross was after Christianity was introduced: it was a kind of consecration by a holy sign. But this is probably a pious interpolation.
* ↑ The Upsal domains were certain estates for the support of the sovereign, and of the temple and rites of worship; which after the introduction of Christianity remained with the crown, and constituted a large portion of the crown property in Sweden.
* ↑ Fey, feig, is used in the same sense in the northern languages as in Scotland, denoting the acts or words or sounds preceding, and supposed to be portending, a sudden death. "The gauger is fey," in Sir Walter Scott's novel "Guy Mannering," is an expression seized by that great painter of Scottish life from the common people, and applied in its true meaning.
* ↑ Diurnir, the second chief of the dwarfs or elves, in the Scandinavian mythology.
* ↑ Sækmimer—the giant of the rocks, whom Odin visited under the assumed name of Ividur.
* ↑ Mara, the nightmare. We retain the name, and the notion that it is a demon riding or treading on the sleeper.
* ↑ Forniot was father of Loge, Ægir, and Kara; or Fire, the Sea, and the Wind; and hence fire is called by the scalds the brother of the sea. Loge is a word still retained in the northern parts of Scotland to signify fire. The lowe, for the blaze or flame of fire, is indeed in general use in Scotland.
* ↑ Noke's or Loke's (the evil principle) daughter was Hæl, who received in the under world those who, not having fallen in battle, were not received by Odin in Valhalla. Our word hell is derived from the name of this goddess apparently.
* ↑ Is it possible that the Ingævones of Tacitus can have any relation to this tribe of Ynguni or Ingve? The passage, cap. 2., "De Moribus Germaniæ," has a remarkable coincidence with the saga story of these Northmen. "Celebrant carminibus antiquis (quod unum apud illos memoriae et annalium genus est) Tuisconem Deum, terra editum, et filium Mannum, originem gentis conditoresque. Manno tres filios e quorum nominibus proximi oceano Ingævones.," Here is a tribe of Ingæve deriving their origin from the gods, like the Ingve or Inguni of the saga.
* ↑ Reidgotaland is understood to mean Jutland, and Eygotaland the islands inhabited by the same people. It is by no means clear that these appellations of Gotlanders on the Baltic coast have any connection with the great population called the Goths, unless a fortuitous similarity of name and a common origin. That the vast hordes called Goths who overwhelmed Italy came from these Gothlands, it is inconsistent with common sense to suppose. The whole coasts of the Baltic could furnish no such masses of armed men now even, when they furnish more subsistence for man.
* ↑ Gram is equivalent to grim, fierce.
* ↑ Stokksund is the sound or stream at Stockholm, between the Mælare lake and the sea.
* ↑ Fyrisvellir are the plains around Upsal-water., on which there are many mounds or tumuli.
* ↑ A bulwark or covering of shields—the testudo of the Romans seems always to have been formed round the king's person in battle.
* ↑ The Swedish kings Jorund and Eric, of Yngve’s race, are said to be of the East—as relative to Norway, from which Gudlog came.
* ↑ Hagbert's noose—the gallows rope by which Hagbert was hanged.
* ↑ Horva, a sea-king, whose name is given also to Odin by the scalds. Odin was the god of the hanged; and Odin's horse was a name for the gallows.
* ↑ Vendill, the part of Jutland north of Lymfiord.
* ↑ The ordinary way, with the vikings, of victualling their ships, was driving cattle down to the strand and killing them, without regard to the property of friends or enemies; and this was so established a practice that it was expressed in a single word, "strandhug." King Harald Haarfager had prohibited the strandhug being committed in his own dominions by his own subjects on their viking cruises; and Rolf Ganger, the son of the Earl of More, having, notwithstanding, landed and made a strandhug in the South of Norway, where the king happened to be, was outlawed; and he in consequence set out on an expedition, in which he conquered and settled in Normandy.
* ↑ Halogaland is the province of Norway now called Nordland, extending from the Namsin river north to Westfiord, where it joins the province of Finmark.
* ↑ Disar was the name given to the goddesses of the northern mythology; and Disa is supposed to have been Freya, in whose honour a great sacrifice, called Disa Blot, was held in mid-winter.
* ↑ Niardö, an island in North Drontheim district,
* ↑ Lofond, an isle in the Mielare lake, on which the palace of Drottning holm now stands.
* ↑ This continued to be the ordinary way of subsisting the kings and court in Norway for many generations. In Sweden the kings appear to have had a fixed residence at Upsal, and in Denmark at Leidre and Odinso; while in Norway they appear to have lived always in royal progresses through the districts in turns., without any palace., castle., or fixed abode.
* ↑ This derivation of the name Gothland, given to the small kingdoms in Sweden called East and West Gothland, and the island of Gothland, from the name of a chief, does away with a great deal of absurd speculation that these small districts were the original seats of the mighty people called Goths who overwhelmed the Roman empire.
* ↑ It is said there is a mound, called Onund's Hog, in the barony of Siunde in Westmanland, where this accident occurred.
* ↑ Jonakur was a king in the Edda whose sons were stoned to death, because steel weapons could not wound them. The meaning is, that Onund was killed in the same way by stones—which the earth may have showered down upon him for his cutting down wood and improving land.
* ↑ Now Morköfiord, in Sodermanland province.
* ↑ Now Srela isle, in the Mælare lake.
* ↑ Ranninge, a village in Fogd isle, in the Mælare lake, is supposed to have been the Raening of the saga. A large circle of stones, or a wall, remains, still called Ranningsborg, on a heath.
* ↑ Soleyar was a district comprehending some of the continent, as well as the group of islands now called Soloer.
* ↑ The temple wolf—the fire which devoured the body of Olaf.
* ↑ Olaf was called the Tree-feller.
* ↑ Eydiskogr, a great uninhabited forest, which then., and to a late period, covered the frontier of Norway towards Sweden on the south.
* ↑ Hedemark, Thoten, Hadeland, Westfold, and the Uplands or Highlands, are all districts in Norway, and in the south of Norway; except the Uplands, which apparently included the upper parts of the valleys of which the waters flow northwards from the dividing ridge, the Dovrefield.
* ↑ Skiringssalr is rather a place of note. It is called "Sciringeshael" in the Voyage of Ottar of Halogaland, written by our King Alfred in the end of the 9th century, and the most learned antiquaries have been puzzled where to look for it. Scania, the neighbourhood of Stockholm, and even Prussia, have been considered the true locality of this ancient seat of trade. The Norwegian antiquary Jacob Aal, in his translation of Snorro, places Skiringssalr in Westfold, in Tiolling parish, in the bailiwick of Laurvig; and the situation, access, ancient names, and remains of tumuli around, make this the probable site of the merchant town of Sciringshael.
* ↑ Now the farm Void, on which the mounds of Eystein and his son Halfdan and others still remain. It adjoins Borre, about six miles from Tunsberg.
* ↑ Lokke (the evil principle) was brother of Bileister, the god of tempests; and Lokke's daughter was Hsele, —from which probably our word Hell, the abode of evil spirits, is derived.
* ↑ The ships appear generally to have been laid all night close to or at the shore, with a gangway to land by; and the crew appear to have had tents on shore to pass the night in.
* ↑ Geirstadir. This ancient seat of royalty in small is now supposed to have been a farm called Gierrestad, in the same parish, Tiolling, in which Skiringssalr was situated.
* ↑ Ynglinga-tal—the succession of the Yngling race. Our word Tale applied to numbers, as things told over one by one, appears connected with this word.
* ↑ The wild sea-horses—ships, which are generally called the horses of the ocean in scaldic poetry.