Harald grabbed his hand with the lot, threw it into the sea, and said, “That was our lot.”
Gyrgir said, “Then why didn’t you let others see it?”
“Look at the one left,” said Harald, “and you will recognize your mark.”
Then they looked at that lot, and all saw it bore Gyrgir’s mark. So it was decided that the Varangians should have the first choice in all matters under dispute. There were several matters on which they could not agree, and the end was that Harald always had his way.
Chapter 5. Harald Gains Great Possessions in Africa
During the summer the whole army harried [in the countryside]. Whenever the whole army was together, Harald had his men keep away from battle or, at least, stay where there was least danger, saying that he wished to avoid losing his men. But when his troop was alone, he gave himself to fighting so furiously that he would either be victorious or else die. Thus it often happened that when Harald led he won the victory whilst Gyrgir did not. The soldiers took note of this and said they would have more success if Harald alone was general of the whole army; and they reproached the commander that neither he nor his men showed any efficiency.
Gyrgir said that the Varangians refused to support him, and requested them to turn elsewhere and let him and the remainder of the army achieve what they could. Thereupon Harald left the army together with the Varangians and the Latin men.1 Gyrgir then proceeded with his army of Greeks, and it became apparent then who was most effective. Harald always was victorious and won booty, but the Greeks returned to Miklagarth, excepting the young men who wanted to gain riches. They joined Harald and chose him as their general. He proceeded with his army west to Africa, which the Varangians call Serkland [Saracen Land], and there he increased his strength greatly. In Saracen Land he gained possession of eighty cities. Some surrendered, some he took by force. Thereupon he proceeded to Sicily. As says Thjóthólf:
(81.)
448. Taken were twice forty
towns—oft risked his life the
youthful glow-red gold-rings’-
giver—in land of Saracens,
ere the hardy hero
Hild’s-dire-game, to Saracens
baleful, buckler-shielded
brought to level Sicily.
Thus says Illugi Bryndœlaskáld:2
(82.)
449. Mighty Michael didst make
master—his kin, Atli3
to him invited, heard we—
Harald, over Southlands.
Here we are told that Michael was king over the Greek Empire at that time.
Harald remained many years in Africa and acquired great quantities of chattels—gold, and all kinds of valuable things. But all the property thus acquired which he did not need for his living expenses he sent by trusty men north to Hólmgarth for King Jarizleif to keep and safeguard; and an immense amount of treasure accumulated thus, as was to be expected, seeing that he harried in that part of the world which is richest in gold and treasure, and also considering his achievements, having as was stated truthfully before, conquered eighty strongholds.
Chapter 6. Harald Gains a City by a Stratagem
Now when Harald came to Sicily he harried there and with his army laid siege to a great and populous fortified city. He surrounded the place, because it had strong walls, so that it seemed unlikely that he could break them down. The townspeople had sufficient victuals and other things required to resist a siege. Then Harald hit upon this stratagem: he let his fowlers catch little birds which had their nests in the city and tie plane shavings of resinous pine soaked with molten wax and sulphur on their backs, to which he set fire. When liberated, all the birds at once flew into the city to seek their young and the nests they had under the thatches of reed or straw. And then the fire spread from the birds to the house-thatches; and though each single one carried but little fire, it soon grew to a conflagration, since many birds carried it all about the thatches of the city; and soon one house after the other began to burn till the whole city was aflame. Then all the people came out of the city and begged for mercy—the very same who many a day had spoken overbearingly and scornfully about the Greek army and its generals. Harald gave all those quarter who asked for it, and made himself master of that city.
Chapter 7. Harald Digs a Tunnel to Overcome a City
There was another fortified town to which Harald laid siege. It was both populous and strong, so that they could not expect to break it down, [especially] seeing that it was surrounded by a flat, hard plain. Then Harald began to dig an underground passage from a place where a creek flowed in a deep gorge so that one could not see down into it from the stronghold. They dumped the earth [they excavated] into the water, and let the current carry it away. They kept at this work both day and night, in shifts. But the army every day went up to the castle, and the garrison stood behind their ramparts, and they shot at each other. But at night both sides slept. When Harald judged that the underground passage had reached to within the castle wall he ordered his army to be ready for battle. It was toward daybreak when they entered the passage. And when they reached the end of it they began to dig over their heads until they came to stones laid in lime. That was the flooring of a stone hall. Then they broke through the floor and went up into the hall. There they found many townsmen who were eating and drinking there; and it was for them a most unforeseen calamity, because the Varangians attacked them with drawn swords, killing some, while others fled who could. The Varangians pursued them, and some seized the castle gates and undid them, letting in the whole army. When they entered the stronghold the townsfolk fled, but many asked for mercy, and all who surrendered were given quarter. In this fashion Harald took possession of the town and won immense booty.
Chapter 8. A Third Stronghold Defies Harald
They came to a third stronghold, the largest and strongest of them all, and also the richest and most powerfully garrisoned. About this stronghold there were moats so large that they saw they could not win the place with wiles as they did the other ones. They lay before it a very long time without accomplishing anything. But when the people in the stronghold saw that, they became quite bold. They placed their men on the battlements and then opened up the castle gates, shouting at the Varangians, daring them to come into the stronghold, and taunting them and saying that they couldn’t fight any more than chickens. Harald asked his men to behave as though they did not know what they said. “We shall not accomplish anything,” he said, “even though we assault their stronghold. They can shoot at us from above, and though we might get into the stronghold with some troops, they have the power to lock in those they want to, and lock others out, because they have set guards over all the gates. We shall make no less game of them and let them see that we are not afraid of them. Let our men go forward as far as possible on the level ground before the fortress, yet be careful not to come within range of their arrows. Let all our men go unarmed and play games and let the men in the stronghold see that we are not concerned about their array.” And thus it went on for several days.
Chapter 9. Harald Forces the Castle Gate
Mention is made of two Icelanders who were in Harald’s army. One was Halldór, a son of Snorri Gothi [the Priest]—he brought this account to Iceland; the other, Úlf, the son of Óspak, the son of Ósvífr the Wise. Both men were of great strength and valor and were dear friends of Harald. Both took part in the games. Now when things had gone on this way for several days, the men of the fortress wanted to show still greater hardihood and went up on the fortress walls unarmed, leaving the gates of the stronghold open. But when the Varangians saw that, one day, they went to the games with their swords under their cloaks and their helmets under their hoods. When they had disported themselves for a while they saw that the men of the fortress were off their guard. Then they quickly brandished their swords and ran toward the gate. But when the men of the fortress saw that, they made a courageous stand, fully armed, and there was a battle in the castle gate. The Varangians had
no means for protecting themselves except that they wrapped their mantles around their left arm. Some were wounded, some fell, and all were in great danger. Harald and those who were in the camp with him came up to support his men. But the men of the fortress had by that time gone on the castle wall and shot and threw stones down on them. A hard battle ensued. Those [Varangians] inside the castle gate thought there was more delay in helping them than they could have wished. When Harald arrived at the castle gate his standard bearer fell. Then he said, “Halldór, you take up the banner!”
Harald storms a walled city.
Halldór, taking up the standard, answered rather unwisely, “Who would bear your standard if you do your part so timidly as you have been doing?” These were words of anger rather than the truth, for Harald was the most valiant of men. Then they forced their way into the stronghold. There was the fiercest battle, but in the end Harald won the victory and took the fortress. Halldór was severely wounded with a great wound in his face, and that blemish disfigured him for life.
Chapter 10. Harald Wins a Fourth City by Shamming Death
The fourth stronghold Harald came to with his army was larger than all those spoken of before. It was also so strong that they saw no hope of taking it. So they laid siege to it, to prevent any supplies being brought into it. Now after they had camped there but a little time, Harald fell ill, so that he had to take to his bed. He had his tent pitched at some distance from the other encampment, because he felt it to be more restful not to hear the noise and uproar of the troops. His men often went to and from his tent for advice. The people in the stronghold observed that something had happened among the Varangians. So they sent out spies to find out what it was. And when these spies returned to the stronghold, they were able to report that the chieftain of the Varangians was sick and that this was the reason no attack was made on the city. And when things had gone on this way for a while, Harald’s strength failed him. Then his men became very sad and downcast. All this was learned by the citizens. And finally Harald wasted away so greatly that his death was noised abroad through his army. Thereupon the Varangians had a parley with the townsmen and told them of the death of their chieftain and asked the priests to let him be interred in the fortress. But when the townsmen heard this, many who ruled over cloisters or other great churches in the city all wanted to have the body interred in their churches, because they knew that rich donations could be expected. So all the priests clad themselves in their vestments and went out of the city with shrines and holy relics and formed a fine procession. The Varangians also prepared a great funeral. The coffin was borne on high, covered with costly cloths, and with many banners borne over it. But when the coffin was carried in past the castle gate they set down the bier across the open castle gate. Thereupon the Varangians sounded a war blast with all their trumpets and bared their swords. Then all the army of the Varangians rushed out of their camp fully armed and ran toward the stronghold with shouts and whooping. But the monks and other clerics who had issued for this funeral procession and had vied with each other to be the first and foremost to come out and receive the offerings, now were more eager by half to run away from the Varangians, because they slew all of those nearest to them, whether priest or layman. And the Varangians went through the whole city, killing the men, plundering all the churches, and taking immense booty.
Chapter 11. Of Harald’s Eighteen Battles
Harald for many years took part in the campaign just described, both in Serkland [Saracen Land] and in Sicily. After that he returned to Miklagarth with that army and remained there for a little while before starting out for Jerusalem Land. Then he left behind him there the payment in gold for his military services for the Greek king, and so did all Varangians who had been in this expedition with him. It is said that in all these campaigns Harald fought eighteen great battles. As says Thjóthólf:
(83.)
450. All have heard that Harald
had—oft the folk-leader
urged the storm-of -arrows—
eighteen fierce-fought battles.
Glorious king! With gore the
grey eagles’ talons you did
redden, wherever you harried,
home ere that you journeyed.
Chapter 12. Harald Bathes in the Jordan River
Harald proceeded with his army to Jerusalem Land and then overland to Jerusalem itself. And wherever he went all castles and strongholds surrendered to him. Thus says the skald Stúf,1 who had heard the king himself tell about these events:
(84.)
451. Wended, weapon-bold, the
warrior out from Greek-land—
to follow him that folk was
fain—Jerusalem-ward.
Unburned also, because of
awe of his power, was the
Holy Land handed to him.
Harald’s soul, we pray, shall.2
Here we are told that this land came into Harald’s power unburned and unharried. Then he journeyed to the Jordan River and bathed in it, as is the custom of other palmers. Harald made great gifts to our Lord’s sepulchre as well as to the Holy Cross and other sacred places in Jerusalem Land. He rendered the road safe all the way to the Jordan River and killed robbers and other disturbers of the peace. As says Stúf:
(85.)
452. Held good Harald’s angry
hest, the Egthir’s3 ruler’s,
on both the banks of Jordan—
bad men’s wiles it stopped short.
But for taunts and treachery
trounced them thoroughly the
stern folk-warder straightway.
Stay with Christ forever.
Thereupon he returned to Miklagarth.
Chapter 13. Harald Is Imprisoned by the Greek Emperor
Once back in Miklagarth from Jerusalem Land, Harald felt the desire to return to the North and his own ancestral possessions. He had learned that Magnús, the son of Óláf, had become king of Norway and also of Denmark. So he gave up service for the Greek king. But when Queen Zóë learned of this she became enraged and accused him of having misappropriated the property of the Greek king which Harald had acquired on these expeditions when chieftain over his army.
Máría was the name of a beautiful young maiden. She was the daughter of Queen Zóë’s brother. Harald had asked for the hand of this maiden, but the queen had forbidden it. According to Varangians who had served as soldiers in Miklagarth and returned to Iceland, it was said by well-informed men there that Queen Zóë herself wished to marry Harald and that this was the chief reason for her accusation of Harald when he desired to leave Miklagarth, though the people were given another reason. At that time Konstantínus Mónomákús1 was the king of the Greeks. He ruled together with Queen Zóë. For the reasons alleged, the king of Greece had Harald taken prisoner and put into a dungeon.
Chapter 14. Harald Blinds the Greek Emperor
But when Harald approached the prison, Holy King Óláf appeared to him, saying that he would succor him. On the street there a chapel was built later and consecrated to King Óláf, and that chapel has stood there ever since. The prison was made in such fashion that it was a high tower, open above, with a door leading into it from the street. Harald was locked in there, and with him, Halldór and Úlf.
In the following night a certain lady of high degree came to the top of the prison, having climbed the tower with ladders, together with two servants of hers. They let down a rope into the dungeon and pulled them up by it. This woman, Holy King Óláf had healed, and he had appeared to her and told her that she should free his brother from prison. Then Harald at once went to the Varangians, and they all arose and bade him welcome. Thereupon all the army took their weapons and went to the bedchamber of the king. They made him prisoner and put out both his eyes. As says Thórarin Skeggjarson1 in his drápa:
(86.)
453. Gained e’en more of the glow-red
gold our valiant chieftain.
With eyes destroyed, stone-blind
So says also the skald Thjóthólf:
(87.)
454. On both eyes blinded was then—
baleful strife was started—
Greekland’s great lord by the
greedy-wolf-brood’s-sater.
Over in the East, an
ill mark Norway’s ruler,
Magnús’ kinsman, made on
mainsworn Greek king’s countenance.
In these two drápas in honor of Harald, and in many other poems about him, it is mentioned that Harald put out the eyes of the very emperor of the Greeks. They might have named a duke or count or some other man of princely rank as having done it if they knew that to be more true. But Harald himself told this story, as did the other men who were with him there.
Chapter 15. Harald Escapes with Princess Máría
That same night Harald and his men went to the house where Máría slept and took her away by force. Then they went to the place where the galleys of the Varangians were anchored. They captured two of them and rowed out into the Golden Horn,1 and when they came to where iron chains were stretched across the entrance of the harbor Harald ordered the men on both vessels to take to their oars; and those who did not row were to run back to the stern, each with his sleeping bag in hand. So they ran the galleys up on the iron chains. And as soon as they were fast and the momentum was spent, Harald ordered them all to run forward. Then the galley on which Harald was, plunged forward and through this teetering slid down from the iron chain; but the other galley hung fast on the chain and broke in two, and many drowned there while some were rescued. In this fashion Harald escaped from Miklagarth and sailed into the Black Sea. But before leaving the land he put the maiden ashore, giving her a goodly retinue back to Miklagarth. He bade her tell Zóë, her kinswoman, just how much power she had over him and [ask her] whether the queen’s power would have been able to prevent him from taking the maiden. Then he sailed north to Ellipaltar,2 and from there he travelled all through the eastern realm. On this journey Harald composed humorous verses, sixteen altogether,3 with one refrain for them all. One of them is as follows:
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