Heimskringla

by Snorri Sturluson

  Chapter 4. Hákon Avoids Grégóríús in Bergen

  In spring Hákon proceeded south with thirty ships. The men from Vík in his army went before him and pillaged in both districts of Mœr. Within the memory of man no one had ever harried between the two towns of Bergen and Trondheim. Jón, the son of Hallkel Húk, collecting a force of farmers, attacked the pillagers, captured Kolbein Óthi, and slew every one of his crew. After that he sought out others and encountered seven ships and attacked them. But Hallkel, Jón’s father, did not come to reinforce him as had been agreed upon. Many a good farmer fell there, and Jón himself was wounded.

  Hákon sailed south to Bergen with his fleet, and when they arrived at Stjórnvelta1 they learned that King Ingi and Grégóríús had come from the east to Bergen a few days previously, so they did not dare to proceed to Bergen. They sailed south outside the skerries, and on their way met three ships with followers of King Ingi, who had been delayed on their way from the east. They were commanded by Gyrth Ámundason, the foster brother of King Ingi—he was married to Gyrith, the sister of Grégóríús—by Gyrth Lawman, the son of Gunnhild, and by Hávarth Klíning. Hákon then had Gyrth Ámundason and Hávarth Klíning killed, but Gyrth Lawman he took with him as he proceeded to Vík.

  Chapter 5. Grégóríús Is for Attacking Hákon

  When King Ingi learned of these happenings, he sailed east after them. They met east in the [Gaut Elf] River. King Ingi anchored in the northern [western] branch of the river and reconnoitered to find where Hákon’s fleet lay. He made fast outside the island of Hísing, waiting there for his scouts. And when they returned, they reported to the king that they had seen the fleet of King Hákon and what preparations they had made. They told him that they were moored by the piles and had tied the sterns of their vessels to them. “They have two merchantmen, such as frequent the Baltic, and have placed them outside of the other ships.” On these merchantmen were fortified crow’s-nests on the mastheads, and likewise on the prows of both.

  When the king had learned what arrangements the enemies had made, he had the trumpets blown to summon all his army to a council meeting. And as soon as it had assembled, the king sought the advice of his troops, calling on Grégóríús Dagsson and Erling Skakki, his brother-in-law, as well as on other landed-men and skippers, and telling them of the [defensive] arrangements made by Hákon and his followers.

  Grégóríús was the first to answer and reveal his opinion. He spoke as follows: “We have had several encounters with Hákon, when most often they had more numerous troops [than we], yet came off second best. But now we have the larger force by far; and it will seem likely to those men who have but recently lost good kinsmen through them, that here they will have a good chance for revenge, because Hákon’s men have now for a long time eluded us, this summer. We have often said that if ever they waited for us, as we are told is the case now, we would risk an encounter with them. Now I shall declare that so far as I am concerned, I want to engage them in battle, if that is not against the king’s wishes; because I consider it likely that, as before, they will yield ground if we attack them briskly. And I shall attack them where others think it most dangerous.”

  There was much applause to Grégóríús’ speech, and all declared they were ready to do battle with Hákon. Then all the ships were rowed up the river till the two fleets came in sight of each other. Thereupon King Ingi’s fleet left the current and steered into the lee of the island [of Hísing]. Then King Ingi spoke to all the skippers, bidding them make ready to attack. Then he addressed Erling Skakki, saying, as was true, that no one in that army was a wiser man nor more experienced in battle, though some were more impetuous. Then he spoke to a number of landed-men, calling several by name, and concluded by asking each and every one to give such advice as might be most helpful, when all should be agreed on one plan.

  Chapter 6. Erling Counsels Against an Attack

  Erling Skakki replied to the king’s speech as follows: “I owe it to you, sir king, to make answer to your speech. And if you are anxious to know what my advice would be, I shall let you hear it. The plan which has been proposed is straight counter to my mind; for I consider it unwise to fight them as conditions are now, though we have a large and fine army. If we were to attack them, rowing against this current, with three men in each compartment, then one will have to row and one other, to shield him. Then what would that mean except that but one third of our force would be left to fight with? It would seem to me that those who do the rowing and turn their backs to the enemy will not be of much use in battle. Give me time to devise a plan, and I promise you that before three days have elapsed I shall devise a stratagem to attack them more easily.” And it was clear from Erling’s speech that he was against making an attack. Nevertheless many others urged it, saying that Hákon and his men would escape to land as before—“and then they will get away from us,” they said, “whereas now they have but few troops, and we have them altogether in our power.” Grégóríús made but a few remarks, cuttingly observing that the main reason for Erling’s being against an attack was that he wanted to scout the counsels which he, Grégóríús had given, rather than that he had a better understanding of these matters than others.

  Chapter 7. King Ingi Adopts Erling’s Plan

  King Ingi then said to Erling, “Brother-in-law Erling,” said he, “now we mean to follow your advice, how to manage the attack; but because the leaders are bent on that, we shall attack the enemy today.”

  Then Erling said: “Let all skiffs and light ships row around the island and up the eastern fork of the river, and then come down on them and try to detach them from the piles. Then we shall row at them with the big ships from below; but the outcome will show whether they who now oppose me will fight harder than I in the same measure as they are more insistent on it.”

  This counsel was approved by all. A point of land jutted out between Ingi’s fleet and that of Hákon, so that neither could see the ships of the other side. And when the flotilla of skiffs came rowing down the river, Hákon’s men caught sight of them. Before that they had held a council and discussed their plans. There were some who supposed that King Ingi would attack them, but many considered that he wouldn’t trust himself to do so since the attack seemed to be delayed and because they had confidence in their own preparations and their forces.

  There were many men of high rank in their fleet. There was Sigurth of Reyr and the two sons of Símun. Also Níkolás Skjaldvararson and Eindrithi, the son of Jón Mornef, who at that time was the most prominent as well as the most popular man in the province of Trondheim. Many others there were landed-men and district chieftains.

  Now when they saw that Ingi’s men with many ships rowed downstream, the followers of Hákon thought that Ingi and his force wanted to flee, so they cut their cables, took to the oars, and rowed after them, intending to pursue them. The ships were carried along by the fast current which bore them past the point of land which previously had concealed one from the other; and then they saw that the main portion of Ingi’s fleet lay along the island of Hísing. The followers of Ingi now [on their part] caught sight of Hákon’s ships and thought they were about to attack.

  Then there arose a great tumult, with clashing of arms and shouts of encouragement, and they raised the war cry. But Hákon’s men steered their ships to the northern bank of the river where there is a small indentation, and where they got out of the current. There they prepared for defense, making fast to the land with stern cables and turning their prows out [toward the river]. They fastened their ships together and placed the Baltic merchantmen outside the other vessels, one upstream and one downstream, tying them fast to the warships. The ship of King Hákon lay in the center of the fleet, with Sigurth’s ship beside it and that of Níkolás on the other side, and next to his, that of Eindrithi Jónsson. All the smaller ships were on the flanks. Nearly all the ships they had filled with stones and weapons.

  Chapter 8. Sigurth of Reyr Exhorts Hákon’s Troops


  Sigurth of Reyr spoke to the following effect: “It is likely that now will happen what for a long time has been predicted for us, namely that we shall encounter Ingi in battle. And we have also for a long time prepared against it, and many of our companies have boasted that they would not flee or flinch fighting against King Ingi or Grégóríús, and it is a good thing to recall their words now. But we who on earlier occasions have had somewhat of a drubbing [from them] may talk about that with less confidence; and the fact is, as everyone has heard, that we have very often come off second best in encounters with them. But all the same it behooves us to face them in the most manful fashion and stand fast; for this is the [only] way for us to be victorious. And though we have a somewhat smaller force, yet fate will decide which side shall win.

  “The best hope we have for our cause is that God knows that we have the right on our side. Ingi has already cut down his two brothers, and no one is so blind as not to know what atonement for the death of his father is in store for King Hákon, and that is, to be cut down like his other kinsmen, and that will become apparent this very day.

  “From the beginning, Hákon demanded no more of Norway for himself than a third, such as his father had had, and that was denied him. But in my opinion Hákon is more entitled to the inheritance of Eystein, his uncle, than Ingi or Símun Skálp or the other men who made away with King Eystein. To many who are anxious for the salvation of their soul and who have committed such monstrous misdeeds as has Ingi, it would seem overweening before God to call themselves kings; and I marvel that God abides his audacity, and it may be that God will cast him down through us.

  “Let us fight bravely, for God will give us victory. But if we fall, God will make retribution for that with manifold joys if he does give evil men the power to overcome us. Let us advance calmly and not be overcome with fright if there is battle. Let each and every one take care of himself and his comrades, and God of us all.”

  Sigurth’s speech was much applauded, and everybody vowed they would give a good account of themselves. King Hákon went aboard one of the Baltic merchantmen, and was surrounded by a wall of shields, but his standard was erected on the warship on which he had been before.

  Chapter 9. Grégóríús and Erling Counsel the King Not to Enter the Fight

  Now to tell about Ingi’s men: when they saw that Hákon’s troops prepared for battle—only the river was between them—they sent a swift boat after that portion of their fleet which had rowed away, with the message that they turn about. But the king and the rest of the fleet waited for them and made ready for the attack. Then the chieftains spoke [to their crews] advising them of their intentions, especially which ships should lie [closest to the enemy].

  Grégóríús said, “We have a large and well-equipped force. Now it is my advice that you, sir king, be not in the attack; for if you live, all is well, and no one knows where a stray arrow may hit. They have taken such measures that from the fortified crow’s-nest on the merchant ships they can launch both stones and shot. Then it is somewhat less risky for those who remain at a distance. The enemy has a force not too big for us landed-men to take on. I shall lay my ship alongside their largest one. This time, too, I don’t believe we will have to wait long before we reach a decision, for so it has been most often in our former contests with them, even though the difference in numbers was in their favor then.” All approved what Grégóríús said about the king’s not taking part in the battle.

  Then spoke Erling Skakki, “With this advice I concur, sir king, that you do not take part in the battle. Their preparations seem to me to be such that we shall have to be on our guard lest we suffer great loss of life from them. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A great many were against the counsel I gave earlier in the day, saying I did not want to fight. Now it would seem to me greatly to our advantage that the enemy is no longer fastened to the piles. And now things have turned out so that I shall not dissuade from making an attack, for I see, as all will understand, how important it is to disperse this band of robbers who have gone about all the country, pilfering and plundering, so that afterwards people may cultivate their land in peace and serve one king, one who is as good and just as is King Ingi, who yet has had trouble and difficulty from the overbearing and iniquity of his kinsmen and has been a shield for all the people, incurring much danger to bring peace to the country.”

  Erling spoke long and eloquently, and so did several chieftains, and all to the same effect, all urging to do battle. They waited till all their forces were gathered. At that time King Ingi had the ship called Bœkisúthin;1 and he heeded the prayer of his friends not to participate in the battle but remained behind by the island.

  Chapter 10. Ivar Fights Grégóríús and Is Helped by Him to Escape

  Now when the fleet was ready for action, it rowed to the attack, and both armies raised the battle cry. Ingi’s followers did not fasten their ships together and did not proceed as a unit, because they rowed across all of the current and the larger ships drifted considerably. Erling Skakki laid his ship alongside of King Hákon’s, wedging its prow between that ship and Sigurth’s. Then the battle began. But Grégóríús’ ship ran aground and tilted much to one side. As a consequence they did not in the beginning take part in the fight. And when Hákon’s men saw his plight they laid their ships alongside his and attacked while Grégóríús’ ship lay fast. Then Ívar, the son of Hákon Maw, moved up his ship to that of Grégóríús so that their poops drifted together. Ívar cast a boat-hook about Grégóríús’ middle and pulled Grégóríús toward the railing, but the scythe slipped up his side. Still Ívar almost managed to drag him overboard. Grégóríús suffered but a slight wound [from it], because he wore plate armor. Ívar shouted over to him, saying he [Grégóríús] had stout armor. Grégóríús replied, saying that the way he [Ívar] went to work, he [Grégóríús] had need for it, nor was it any too thick.

  At that time Grégóríús and his crew were almost on the point of having to leap overboard, when Áslák the Young cast an anchor on board his ship and pulled them off the shoal. Then Grégóríús [in his turn] attacked Ívar’s ship, and they fought for a long time. Grégóríús’ ship was larger and had a more numerous crew. A great many fell on Ívar’s ship, and some leapt overboard. Ívar was seriously wounded so that he was unable to fight, and when his ship was cleared of men, Grégóríús had him brought to land and helped him to escape, and they were friends thereafter.

  Chapter 11. King Ingi’s Forces Are Victorious

  Now when King Ingi and his men saw that Grégóríús had run aground, the king called on his men to row up to him. He said, “That was a most unwise counsel for us to stay behind when our friends went to battle. We have the largest ship with the best crew in the whole fleet, and now I see that Grégóríús, the man to whom I owe most gratitude, needs help; so let us join battle and fight as hard as we can. Also, it is most proper that I be in the battle, for if we win victory, then it will be mine. And even though I knew beforehand that we would lose the fight, yet the only proper thing for us to do is to join in the fight with our men; because I shall not be able to undertake anything if I lose the men who have protected me and are the most gallant and who for a long time have governed for me and my kingdom.”

  And so he bade them raise his standard, which was done, and they rowed across the river. At that time the battle raged most furiously, and the king had no chance to share in the attack, so crowded lay the ships there. Then they rowed close to the Baltic merchantmen, and there they were greeted by a hail of spears and heavy missiles and stones so big that nothing could stand against it, and they had to leave that place. But when the men of the fleet saw that the king had come they made room for him, and then he rowed alongside the ship of Eindrithi Jónsson. Then Hákon’s men abandoned their small ships and boarded the merchantmen, and some went on land.

  Erling Skakki and his men were engaged in a hard fight. He was stationed by the mast. He called on his forecastlemen to board the royal
ship [of Hákon]. They replied that this was no easy matter, that the railing was protected by iron [spikes]. So Erling went forward to the forecastle and stayed there but a little while before they made ready to board the royal ship and [then] cleared it of men. Thereupon the whole army [of the enemy] took to flight. Many leapt overboard, many fell, but the great majority managed to reach land; as says Einar Skúlason:

  (229.)

  597. Many a man off bloody

  mere-ship’s forecastle tumbled.

  Got the giantess’ jade1 his

  jaws filled. Drifted corpses.

  Reddened was the river’s

  rapid flow with wound-gore.

  Was the warmish wolf’s-drink

  washed there into Karmt’s-ring.2

  (230.)

  598. Cleared of men were many

  mast-hogs3 floating down the

  river—rang ’gainst helmets

  red steel—men drew bowstrings—

  from the fray ere landward

  fled warriors from sea-steeds.

  Fewer grew Hákon’s force in

  fiercest storm-of-arrows.

  About Grégóríús Dagsson, Einar composed the flokk4 which is called Elfarvísur [River Ditties]. King Ingi gave quarter to Níkolás Skjaldvararson after his ship had been cleared of men, whereupon he went over to King Ingi and stayed with him as long as he lived. Eindrithi Jónsson leapt onto the ship of King Ingi when his own ship had been cleared of men, and asked for quarter. This, the king wished to grant him, but the son of Hávarth Klíning ran up and gave him the death blow. He was much blamed for his deed, but he said that Eindrithi had been the cause of his father Hávarth’s death. Eindrithi was much mourned, most in the Trondheim District.