P R E F A C E .

IN the eleventh century, *Sigurd*, Earl of the Orkney islands, went with a fleet of ships, and a confiderable body of troops, into Ireland, to the affiftance of *Sigtryg* with the *filken beard*, who was then making war on his father-in-law *Brian*, King of Dublin. The Earl and all his forces were cut to pieces, and *Sigtryg* was in danger of a total defeat; but the enemy had a greater loss, by the death of *Brian*, their King, who fell in the action. On Christmas-day, (the day of the battle,) a native of *Caithnefs* in Scotland faw, at a diftance, a number of perſons on horfeback, riding full ſpeed towards a hill, and feeming to enter into it. Curioſity led him to follow

H 2 them;