 The events leading up to the Battle of Clontarf became part of a heroic tale in subsequent tradition, both Irish and Norse, and evil portents were recorded throughout the Norse world. According to Njál's Saga, one night a great din passed over Bróðir and his men on the Isle of Man, so that they all sprang up from sleep and dressed themselves. Until dawn, this din was accompanied by a shower of boiling blood, which scalded many of them even though they covered themselves with their shields. As a result, "a man had died on board every ship." On the second night, they awoke to a ghostly assault on their ships by flying swords, axes and spears. Again, this lasted till dawn, and a man died on every ship. On the third night, they were attacked by ravens with iron beaks and claws, once again causing a death in every ship.
