Hakon Sigurdsson

Heimskringla

• attestation: Earl Hakon fathered a son named Eirik with a girl of mean birth during a winter visit to the Uplands. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. Earl Eirik'S Birth.)

  "Earl Hakon came one winter to the Uplands to a feast, and it so happened that he had intercourse with a girl of mean birth. Some time after the girl had to prepare for her confinement, and she bore a child, a boy, who had water poured on him, and was named Eirik."

• attestation: Earl Hakon placed his son Eirik to be raised by Thorleif the Wise, a rich and powerful man in Medaldal. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. Earl Eirik'S Birth.)

  "The earl placed him to be brought up with a man called Thorleif the Wise, who dwelt in Medaldal, and was a rich and powerful man, and a great friend of the earl."

• attestation: Young Eirik showed early promise and was handsome and strong, though the earl paid him little attention. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. Earl Eirik'S Birth.)

  "Eirik gave hopes very early that he would become an able man, was handsome in countenance, and stout and strong for a child; but the earl did not pay much attention to him."

• attestation: Earl Hakon himself was one of the handsomest men, not tall but very strong, well-practiced in exercises, prudent, and deadly at arms. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. Earl Eirik'S Birth.)

  "The earl himself was one of the handsomest men in countenance,--not tall, but very strong, and well practised in all kinds of exercises; and withal prudent, of good understanding, and a deadly man at arms."

• attestation: In the autumn of 962, Earl Hakon, King Trygve Olafson, King Gudrod Bjornson, and Dale-Gudbrand met secretly at Hedemark in the Uplands. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 9. King Trygve Olafson'S Murder.)

  "It happened one harvest (A.D. 962) that Earl Hakon, on a journey in the Uplands, came to Hedemark; and King Trygve Olafson and King Gudrod Bjornson met him there, and Dale-Gudbrand also came to the meeting."

• attestation: Earl Hakon sailed south to More, pillaging and killing, then sent the bonde army back to Throndhjem. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 12. Earl Hakon'S Feuds.)

  "he steered south with his fleet to More, pillaging wherever he came, and killing many people. He then sent the whole of the bonde army back to Throndhjem"

• attestation: To avoid Gunhild's overwhelming force, Hakon sailed far out to sea from Stad, invisible from land, and escaped to Denmark and then the Baltic. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 12. Earl Hakon'S Feuds.)

  "Earl Hakon set out to sea from the north side of Stad, so far that his sails could not be seen from the land, and then sailed eastward on a line with the coast, and came to Denmark, from whence he sailed into the Baltic, and pillaged there during the summer."

• attestation: At harvest 963, Earl Hakon sailed to the Bothnian Gulf at Helsingjaland and beached his ships there. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 13. Of Earl Hakon And Gunhild'S Sons.)

  "Earl Hakon, towards harvest (A.D. 963), sailed into the Bothnian Gulf to Helsingjaland, drew his ships up there on the beach"

• attestation: Hakon traveled overland through Helsingjaland and Jamtaland, crossing the Kjol mountain ridge back to Throndhjem. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 13. Of Earl Hakon And Gunhild'S Sons.)

  "took the land-ways through Helsingjaland and Jamtaland, and so eastwards round the dividing ridge (the Kjol, or keel of the country), and down into the Throndhjem district."

• attestation: Hakon remained at Hlader through winter while Gunhild's sons occupied More, with both sides raiding and killing each other's people. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 13. Of Earl Hakon And Gunhild'S Sons.)

  "Earl Hakon came to his seat at Hlader, and remained there all winter. The sons of Gunhild, on the other hand, occupied More; and they and the earl attacked each other in turns, killing each other's people."

• attestation: Earl Hakon sailed to More and defeated Grjotgard, who commanded the defense there for Gunhild's sons, killing him and two other earls. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 15. Grjotgard'S Fall.)

  "Earl Hakon advanced to meet him, and gave him battle; and there fell Grjotgard and two other earls, and many a man besides."

• attestation: After the battle, Earl Hakon sailed to Denmark and was received well by King Harald Gormson, staying the winter of 969. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 15. Grjotgard'S Fall.)

  "Earl Hakon went out to sea, and sailed outside the coast, and came to Denmark. He went to the Danish King, Harald Gormson, and was well received by him, and staid with him all winter (A.D. 969)."

• attestation: The story of Hakon the earl is incorporated within Olaf Trygvason's Saga. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > Preliminary Remarks.)

  "The story of Hakon the earl is incorporated in this saga."

• attestation: Earl Hakon wintered with Danish King Harald Gormson after fleeing Norway from Gunhild's sons, falling into deep sorrow and illness. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. Of Hakon Earl Of Hlader.)

  "Earl Hakon, Sigurd's son, was with the Danish king, Harald Gormson, the winter after he had fled from Norway before Gunhild's sons. During the winter (A.D. 969) the earl had so much care and sorrow that he took to bed"

• attestation: Hakon secretly messaged his Throndhjem friends proposing they kill King Erling, promising to come in summer. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. Of Hakon Earl Of Hlader.)

  "Then he sent a private message to his friends north in Throndhjem, and proposed to them that they should kill King Erling, if they had an opportunity; adding, that he would come to them in summer."

• attestation: Hakon encouraged Gold Harald, saying the enterprise required a bold man who would stick at nothing. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 9. Of Gold Harald.)

  "rather consider with thyself what thou art man enough to undertake; for to accomplish such a purpose requires a bold and firm man, who will neither stick at good nor evil to do that which is intended"

• attestation: Hakon played both sides, counseling the king against diminishing his kingdom while warning that killing Gold Harald, a popular man's son, would be called a great enormity. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 9. Of Gold Harald.)

  "it would be a great enormity if you were to kill your relation; for, as things now stand, all men would say that he was innocent. But I am far from saying, or advising, that you should make yourself a smaller king than your father Gorm was"

• attestation: Earl Hakon advised King Harald to keep the entire Danish kingdom but give Gold Harald a kingdom elsewhere. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 10. Councils Held By Hakon And Harald.)

  "I have," said the earl, "considered it night and day ever since, and find it most advisable that you retain and rule over the whole of your kingdom just as your father left it; but that you obtain for your relation Harald another kingdom, that he also may enjoy honour and dignity."

• attestation: Hakon suggested Norway as the kingdom Gold Harald could conquer, noting the current kings were oppressive and the people against them. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 10. Councils Held By Hakon And Harald.)

  ""It is Norway," said the earl. "The kings who are there are oppressive to the people of the country, so that every man is against them who has tax or service to pay.""

• attestation: Hakon proposed that Harald Gormson invite his foster-son Harald Grafeld to Denmark with offers of lands, then let Gold Harald fight him in Norway. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 10. Councils Held By Hakon And Harald.)

  "Send a message to your foster-son Harald, Eirik's son, and offer him the lands and fiefs which Gunhild's sons held before in Denmark. Appoint him a meeting, and Gold Harald will soon conquer for himself a kingdom in Norway from Harald Grafeld."

• attestation: Hakon countered the king's reluctance by saying Danes would prefer killing a Norwegian viking to killing a Danish nephew. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 10. Councils Held By Hakon And Harald.)

  "The Danes," answered the earl, "will rather say that it was better to kill a Norwegian viking than a Danish, and your own brother's son."

• attestation: Earl Hakon told Gold Harald that a kingdom in Norway might be available, urging him to take it since King Harald Gormson was old with only a concubine's son as heir. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 11. Harald Gormson'S Message To Norway.)

  "King Harald is now very old, and has but one son, and cares but little about him, as he is but the son of a concubine."

• attestation: The messengers told Harald Grafeld that Earl Hakon was dangerously sick and almost out of his senses. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 11. Harald Gormson'S Message To Norway.)

  "The messengers told him that Earl Hakon was in Denmark, but was lying dangerously sick, and almost out of his senses."

• attestation: Earl Hakon had twelve large warships ready and warned King Harald Gormson that Gold Harald might seize Norway and then betray the Danish king. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 12. Treachery Of Harald And Hakon.)

  "Earl Hakon had also his war force on foot; namely, twelve large ships, all ready"

• attestation: Hakon told King Harald that Gold Harald had confided plans to kill the king, and offered to win Norway as the king's vassal earl instead. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 12. Treachery Of Harald And Hakon.)

  "he told me in winter that he would take your life if he could find opportunity to do so. Now I will win Norway for you, and kill Gold Harald, if you will promise me a good condition under you."

• attestation: Hakon proposed to be Harald Gormson's earl, swear fidelity, conquer all Norway for him, and pay taxes, making the king greater than his father. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 12. Treachery Of Harald And Hakon.)

  "I will be your earl; swear an oath of fidelity to you, and, with your help, conquer all Norway for you; hold the country under your rule; pay you the scat and taxes; and you will be a greater king than your father"

• attestation: Earl Hakon attacked Gold Harald immediately after Harald Grafeld's fall, defeated him, captured him, and had him hanged on a gallows. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 14. Gold Harald'S Death.)

  "Soon after Harald Grafeld's fall, Earl Hakon came up to Gold Harald, and the earl immediately gave battle to Harald. Hakon gained the victory, and Harald was made prisoner; but Hakon had him immediately hanged on a gallows."

• attestation: Hakon then went to the Danish king and apparently settled easily for having killed Gold Harald. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 14. Gold Harald'S Death.)

  "Hakon then went to the Danish king, and no doubt easily settled with him for the killing his relative Gold Harald."

• attestation: Earl Hakon and Harald Grenske, son of King Gudrod, accompanied the Danish fleet, along with other Norwegian notables who had fled Gunhild's sons. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 15. Division Of The Country.)

  "There were with him Earl Hakon, Harald Grenske, a son of King Gudrod, and many other great men who had fled from their udal estates in Norway on account of Gunhild's sons."

• attestation: Hakon received rights equivalent to those Harald Fairhair had given his sons, plus use of the king's estates and taxes during wartime. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 15. Division Of The Country.)

  "These seven districts gave King Harald to Earl Hakon to rule over, with the same rights as Harald Harfager gave with them to his sons; only with the difference, that Hakon should there, as well as in Throndhjem, have the king's land-estates and land-tax"

• attestation: Earl Hakon conquered the whole country by winter 970, restoring the ancient temples and sacrifices across his dominions. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 16. Gunhild'S Sons Leave The Country.)

  "Earl Hakon now brought all the country under him, and remained all winter (A.D. 970) in Throndhjem."

• attestation: After Hakon restored the temples, the earth yielded good harvests again, with herrings returning to the fjords and crops ripening. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 16. Gunhild'S Sons Leave The Country.)

  "The first winter that Hakon ruled over Norway the herrings set in everywhere through the fjords to the land, and the seasons ripened to a good crop all that had been sown."

• attestation: The Vellekla verse invokes Odin's name and describes Hakon offering the sacrifice of gore and conquering all north of Viken land. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 16. Gunhild'S Sons Leave The Country.)

  "The shield-bearer in Loke's game Invokes once more great Odin's name. The green earth gladly yields her store"

• attestation: Earl Hakon quickly mobilized troops from Throndhjem and met Ragnfred at the north corner of More. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 17. Hakon'S Battle With Ragnfred.)

  "Earl Hakon heard the news of disturbance in More, he fitted out ships, sent the war-token through the land, made ready in all haste, and proceeded out of the fjord."

• attestation: Hakon had more men but fewer and smaller ships than Ragnfred; the fighting was ship-to-ship, bow to bow. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 17. Hakon'S Battle With Ragnfred.)

  "Hakon, who had most men, but fewer ships, began the battle. The combat was severe, but heaviest on Hakon's side; and as the custom then was, they fought bow to bow"

• attestation: A current drove all ships onto the land, so Hakon ordered his men ashore, drew up the ships, and challenged Ragnfred to land and fight. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 17. Hakon'S Battle With Ragnfred.)

  "there was a current in the sound which drove all the ships in upon the land. The earl ordered to row with the oars to the land where landing seemed easiest. When the ships were all grounded, the earl with all his men left them"

• attestation: Ragnfred refused to land and after an exchange of missile fire, sailed south around Stad, fearing the country's forces would rally to Hakon. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 17. Hakon'S Battle With Ragnfred.)

  "Ragnfred sailed with his fleet southwards around Stad; for he was much afraid the whole forces of the country would swarm around Hakon."

• attestation: Hakon returned north to Throndhjem for the winter, declining another sea battle due to the size disparity of the ships. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 17. Hakon'S Battle With Ragnfred.)

  "Hakon, on his part, was not inclined to try again a battle, for he thought the difference between their ships in size was too great; so in harvest he went north to Throndhjem"

• attestation: Earl Hakon ordered out all men from the north, drawing from Halogaland, Naumudal, all the coast from Bryda to Stad, and all of Throndhjem and Raumsdal. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Battle Between Hakon And Ragnfred.)

  "Towards spring Earl Hakon ordered out all the men north in the country; and got many people from Halogaland and Naumudal; so that from Bryda to Stad he had men from all the sea-coast."

• attestation: Hakon's force comprised men from four great districts with seven earls following him and a very large army. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Battle Between Hakon And Ragnfred.)

  "It was said for certain that he had men from four great districts, and that seven earls followed him, and a matchless number of men."

• attestation: The Vellekla verse says Hakon armed his warrior-band in the north and led his force to Sogn's shore, with seven kings sailing to meet him. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Battle Between Hakon And Ragnfred.)

  "Hakon, defender of the land, Armed in the North his warrior-band To Sogn's old shore his force he led, And from all quarters thither sped War-ships and men"

• attestation: Earl Hakon sailed south around Stad and met King Ragnfred in Sogn. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Battle Between Hakon And Ragnfred.)

  "Earl Hakon sailed then with his fleet southwards around Stad; and when he heard that King Ragnfred with his army had gone towards Sogn, he turned there also with his men to meet him"

• attestation: Hakon landed his ships and marked out a formal battle-field with hazel branches for Ragnfred. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Battle Between Hakon And Ragnfred.)

  "Hakon came to the land with his ships, marked out a battle-field with hazel branches for King Ragnfred, and took ground for his own men in it."

• attestation: The Vellekla describes the fierce battle where Ragnfred met "the grim foe of Vindland men" and Hakon had ranged his warriors on the strand. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Battle Between Hakon And Ragnfred.)

  "In the fierce battle Ragnfred then Met the grim foe of Vindland men; And many a hero of great name Fell in the sharp sword's bloody game."

• attestation: Earl Hakon won the battle at Thinganes, where Sogn and Hordaland meet, by overwhelming force. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Battle Between Hakon And Ragnfred.)

  "There was a great battle; but Earl Hakon, having by far the most people, gained the victory. It took place on the Thinganes, where Sogn and Hordaland meet."

• attestation: After the battle, Ragnfred fled Norway and Earl Hakon restored peace, dismissing his northern army and staying south through autumn and winter 972. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Battle Between Hakon And Ragnfred.)

  "After this battle King Ragnfred fled from Norway; but Earl Hakon restored peace to the country, and allowed the great army which had followed him in summer to return home to the north country, and he himself remained in the south that harvest and winter (A.D. 972)."

• relationship: Earl Hakon married Thora, the daughter of the powerful Skage Skoptason. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 19. Earl Hakon'S Marriage.)

  "Earl Hakon married a girl called Thora, a daughter of the powerful Skage Skoptason, and very beautiful she was."

• relationship: Earl Hakon and Thora had two sons named Svein and Heming, and a daughter called Bergljot. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 19. Earl Hakon'S Marriage.)

  "They had two sons, Svein and Heming, and a daughter called Bergljot"

• attestation: Earl Hakon was notoriously unfaithful to his wives and had many children. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 19. Earl Hakon'S Marriage.)

  "Earl Hakon was much addicted to women, and had many children"

• attestation: Hakon favored Thora's family above all others and granted Skopte many great fiefs in More. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 19. Earl Hakon'S Marriage.)

  "The Earl loved Thora so much that he held Thora's family in higher respect than any other people, and Skopte his brother-in-law in particular; and he gave him many great fiefs in More."

• attestation: Eirik, Earl Hakon's son, was about ten or eleven years old and sailed aboard Thorleif's ship. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 20. Death Of Skopte.)

  "In it was also Eirik, Earl Hakon's son, then about ten or eleven years old."

• attestation: Earl Hakon overruled his son and forced Thorleif to yield the berth to Skopte. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 20. Death Of Skopte.)

  "When Earl Hakon heard that his son thought himself too great to give place to Skopte, he called to them immediately that they should haul out from their berth, threatening them with chastisement if they did not."

• attestation: Earl Hakon ruled Norway but paid no tribute (scat) to the Danish king. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 23. Earl Hakon Pays No Scat.)

  "Earl Hakon ruled over Norway, and paid no scat"

• attestation: The Danish king granted Earl Hakon all the scat revenue belonging to the crown in Norway in exchange for defending the country against Gunhild's sons. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 23. Earl Hakon Pays No Scat.)

  "because the Danish king gave him all the scat revenue that belonged to the king in Norway, for the expense and trouble he had in defending the country against Gunhild's sons."

• attestation: In 975 AD, Earl Hakon levied a very large army across all Norway and sailed to meet the Danish king. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 24. Harald Opposes Christianity.)

  "In spring (A.D.

975. Earl Hakon levied an army over the whole country which was very numerous, and with it he sailed to meet the Danish king."

• attribution: The Vellekla poem describes Earl Hakon sailing from Hordaland past Dovre to aid the Danish king. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 26. Otta And Hakon In Battle.)

  "The gallant chief of Hordaland Sat at the helm with steady hand, In casque and shield, his men to bring From Dovre to his friend the king."

• attestation: Earl Hakon successfully defended the Danavirke against Emperor Otto's forces in a hard battle. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 26. Otta And Hakon In Battle.)

  "There was a hard battle there"

• attestation: Hakon stationed troops on gate-towers and moved reserves along the wall to counter each attack. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 26. Otta And Hakon In Battle.)

  "Earl Hakon drew up his people in ranks upon all the gate-towers of the wall, but the greater part of them he kept marching along the wall to make a defence wheresoever an attack was threatened."

• attestation: Many of the emperor's forces fell without breaching the fortification, forcing Otto to withdraw. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 26. Otta And Hakon In Battle.)

  "Many of the emperor's people fell without making any impression on the fortification, so the emperor turned back without farther attempt at an assault on it."

• attribution: The Vellekla poem credits Earl Hakon with driving the Saxons back and saving the Danavirke. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 26. Otta And Hakon In Battle.)

  "Earl Hakon drive by daring deeds The Saxons to their ocean-steeds; And the young hero saves from fall The Danavirke--the people's wall."

• attestation: After the battle, Earl Hakon went to his ships intending to sail home but was delayed at Limafjord awaiting favorable wind. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 26. Otta And Hakon In Battle.)

  "After this battle Earl Hakon went back to his ships, and intended to sail home to Norway; but he did not get a favourable wind, and lay for some time outside at Limafjord."

• attestation: When Earl Hakon arrived at Marsey, King Harald forced the earl to accept baptism as well. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 27. Harald And Hakon Are Baptized.)

  "the king forced the earl to allow himself also to be baptized. So Earl Hakon and all the men who were with him were baptized"

• attestation: Earl Hakon put the Christian priests ashore as soon as favorable wind came, abandoning his forced baptism. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Renounces Christianity.)

  "When a wind came with which he thought he could get clear out to sea, he put all the learned men on shore again, and set off to the ocean"

• attestation: Hakon sailed through Eyrarsund ravaging both sides, then eastward along Skane plundering wherever he went. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Renounces Christianity.)

  "he sailed eastward, out through Eyrarsund, ravaging the land on both sides. He then sailed eastward along Skane, plundering the country wherever he came."

• attestation: Hakon interpreted two croaking ravens as Odin's acceptance of his blood-sacrifice and a sign of good luck in battle. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Renounces Christianity.)

  "There came two ravens flying which croaked loudly; and now, thought the earl, the blood-offering has been accepted by Odin, and he thought good luck would be with him any day he liked to go to battle."

• attestation: Hakon burned his ships, landed his men, and marched overland with armed force through the countryside. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Renounces Christianity.)

  "Then he set fire to his ships, landed his men, and went over all the country with armed hand."

• attestation: Earl Ottar of Gautland opposed Hakon in battle but was defeated and killed along with a great part of his men. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Renounces Christianity.)

  "Earl Ottar, who ruled over Gautland, came against him, and they held a great battle with each other; but Earl Hakon gained the day, and Earl Ottar and a great part of his men were killed."

• attestation: Hakon ravaged through both Gautlands with fire and sword, then returned overland to Throndhjem. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Renounces Christianity.)

  "Earl Hakon now drove with fire and sword over both the Gautlands, until he came into Norway; and then he proceeded by land all the way north to Throndhjem."

• attribution: The Vellekla poem celebrates Hakon's restoration of Norse temples and his victories in Gautland. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Renounces Christianity.)

  "No wonder that the gods delight To give such luck in every fight To Hakon's men--for he restores Their temples on our Norway shores."

• attestation: Earls Hakon and Eirik sent war-arrows throughout Throndhjem, both Mores, Raumsdal, Naumudal, and Halogaland, summoning men and ships. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 40. Eirik And Hakon Make A War Levy.)

  "The earls Hakon and Eirik had war-arrows split up and sent round the Throndhjem country; and despatched messages to both the Mores, North More and South More, and to Raumsdal, and also north to Naumudal and Halogaland."

• attestation: Earl Hakon went south to More to reconnoitre and gather men, while Earl Eirik raised an army from the north. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 40. Eirik And Hakon Make A War Levy.)

  "Earl Hakon set out immediately to the south, to More, to reconnoitre and gather people; and Earl Eirik gathered an army from the north to follow."

• attestation: Earl Hakon rode through every fjord collecting men, sent scouts along the ridges and southward, and headed north to meet Eirik. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 41. Expedition Of The Jomsborg Vikings.)

  "On this the earl rode into every fjord, going in along the one side of the land and out at the other, collecting men; and thus he drove along night and day. He sent spies out upon the upper ridges, and also southwards into the Fjords; and he proceeded north to meet Eirik with his men."

• attestation: Earl Hakon was feasting at Medalhus in Gaulardal with his ships moored at Viggja. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 53. Earl Hakon'S Flight.)

  "Earl Hakon was at a feast in Medalhus in Gaulardal and his ships lay out by Viggja."

• attestation: Hakon sent thralls to fetch Gudrun, but Orm refused to send her and rallied his neighbors against the earl. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 53. Earl Hakon'S Flight.)

  "The earl sent his slaves to Orm, with the errand that they should bring Orm's wife, Gudrun, to the earl."

• attestation: The bondes revolted and marched on Medalhus; Hakon fled to Jarlsdal (Earl's Dale) with his followers. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 53. Earl Hakon'S Flight.)

  "the people made a general revolt, and set out all to Medalhus. When the earl heard of this, he left the house with his followers, and concealed himself in a deep glen, now called Jarlsdal (Earl's Dale)."

• attestation: Hakon's son Erlend commanded the earl's ships; Hakon sent his men away through forest roads to Orkadal. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 53. Earl Hakon'S Flight.)

  "his son Erlend, a remarkably handsome and hopeful young man, had the command of."

• attestation: Hakon fled with only his thrall Kark, riding his horse onto the ice of the Gaul river and hiding in Jarlshella (the Earl's Hole). (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 53. Earl Hakon'S Flight.)

  "Then the earl went his way with one thrall or slave, called Kark, attending him. There was ice upon the Gaul (the river of Gaulardal), and the earl drove his horse upon it, and left his coat lying upon the ice. They then went to a hole, since called Jarlshella (the Earl's Hole)"

• attestation: Thora covered the pit with wood, earth, and dung, and drove swine on top of it to conceal Hakon and Kark. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 53. Earl Hakon'S Flight.)

  "Thora covered it with wood, and threw earth and dung over it, and drove the swine upon the top of it."

• attestation: The freed prisoners reported that the bondes had driven Earl Hakon away and his troops were all dispersed. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 54. Erlend'S Death.)

  "They learned then that the bondes had driven away Earl Hakon, and that he had fled, and his troops were all dispersed."

• attestation: Hakon and Kark heard the speech from their hiding place; Hakon noticed Kark's changing pallor and warned him not to betray him. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 55. Earl Hakon'S Death.)

  ""Why art thou so pale," says the earl, "and now again black as earth? Thou hast not the intention to betray me?""

• attestation: Hakon told Kark they were born on the same night and that the time between their deaths would be short. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 55. Earl Hakon'S Death.)

  ""We were born on the same night," says the earl, "and the time will be short between our deaths.""

• attestation: The entire army of bondes threw stones at the heads, calling the pair worthless fellows. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 56. Earl Hakon'S Head.)

  "the whole army of the bondes cast stones at them, screaming and shouting that the one worthless fellow had followed the other."

• attestation: The Throndhjem people's enmity was so great that no one dared call Hakon anything but 'Hakon the Bad' for a long time after. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 56. Earl Hakon'S Head.)

  "So great was the enmity of the Throndhjem people against Earl Hakon, that no man could venture to call him by any other name than Hakon the Bad; and he was so called long after those days."

• attestation: Despite the hatred, Snorri acknowledges Hakon was in many respects a capable chief: high-born, wise in governance, brave, and victorious. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 56. Earl Hakon'S Head.)

  "Yet, sooth to say of Earl Hakon, he was in many respects fitted to be a chief: first, because he was descended from a high race; then because he had understanding and knowledge to direct a government; also manly courage in battle to gain victories"

• attestation: Hakon's downfall is attributed to the era's transition from heathen sacrifice and idolatry to holy faith. (Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 56. Earl Hakon'S Head.)

  "the greatest misfortunes attended even such a chief at the end of his days: and the great cause of this was that the time was come when heathen sacrifices and idolatrous worship were doomed to fall, and the holy faith and good customs to come in their place."

• attestation: The saga of Hakon Herdebreid describes the feud between Hakon Sigurdson and his uncle King Inge, covering the period A.D. 1157 to 1161. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > Preliminary Remarks.)

  "This saga describes the feud between Hakon Sigurdson and his uncle Inge."

• relationship: Inge was Hakon's uncle, establishing a generational relationship between the feuding kings. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > Preliminary Remarks.)

  "the feud between Hakon Sigurdson and his uncle Inge."

• attestation: Hakon, King Sigurd's son, was chosen chief of the troop that had followed King Eystein and was given the title of king at age ten. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 1. Beginning Of Hakon Herdebreid.)

  "Hakon, King Sigurd's son, was chosen chief of the troop which had followed King Eystein, and his adherents gave him the title of king. He was ten years old."

• attestation: Hakon had with him Sigurd son of Halvard Hauld of Reyr, and his foster-brothers Andreas and Onund sons of Simon. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 1. Beginning Of Hakon Herdebreid.)

  "At that time he had with him Sigurd, a son of Halvard Hauld of Reyr, and Andreas and Onund, the sons of Simon, his foster-brothers"

• attestation: Hakon's party went first to Gautland; King Inge seized their estates and declared them banished. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 1. Beginning Of Hakon Herdebreid.)

  "they went first up to Gautland. King Inge took possession of all the estates they had left behind, and declared them banished."

• attestation: In the summer of A.D. 1158, Hakon came to Konungahella with a numerous troop while Gregorius was in the town. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 2. Of Gregorius Dagson.)

  "The summer after (A.D. 1158) Hakon came with his men, and proceeded to Konungahella with a numerous and handsome troop. Gregorius was then in the town"

• attestation: King Hakon appointed Thorliot Skaufaskalle, a viking and robber, as captain of the merchant ships in the river. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 2. Of Gregorius Dagson.)

  "King Hakon put himself in order in the town, and appointed Thorliot Skaufaskalle, who was a viking and a robber, to be captain of the men in the merchant ships that were afloat in the river"

• attestation: All the townspeople of Konungahella submitted to King Hakon. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 2. Of Gregorius Dagson.)

  "all the townspeople had submitted to King Hakon."

• attestation: Hakon fled to Gautland; the following winter (A.D. 1159) he proceeded to Throndhjem and was received well, being accepted as king on terms of receiving one-third of Norway. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 3. King Hakon'S Flight.)

  "Hakon fled at first up to Gautland with all his men; but the winter after (A.D. 1159), he proceeded by the upper road to Throndhjem, and came there before Easter. The Throndhjem people received him well"

• attestation: King Hakon left Throndhjem in spring with nearly thirty ships; some of his advance party of seven ships plundered in North and South More. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 4. Fall Of Gyrd And Havard.)

  "King Hakon left Throndhjem in spring with thirty ships nearly; and some of his men sailed before the rest with seven ships, and plundered in North and South More."

• attestation: King Hakon had Gyrd Amundason and Havard Klining put to death, but took lagman Gyrd southwards. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 4. Fall Of Gyrd And Havard.)

  "King Hakon had Gyrd Amundason and Havard Klining put to death; but took lagman Gyrd southwards"

• attestation: Hakon's men had fortified their position by binding ships to stakes in the river and placing two large East-country trading vessels with high wooden castles outside the fleet. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 5. Of The Consultations Of King Inge.)

  "all his ships which lay at the stakes in the river, and Hakon's men had bound the stems of their vessels to them. They had two great East-country trading vessels, which they had laid outside of the fleet, and on both these were built high wooded stages (castles)."

• attestation: Hakon's forces included Sigurd of Reyr, Simon's sons, Nikolas Skialdvarson, and Eindride son of Jon Mornef, described as the most gallant and popular man in Throndhjem. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Of Hakon'S Fleet.)

  "There were many great people with Hakon: there were Sigurd of Reyr, and Simon's sons; Nikolas Skialdvarson; Eindride, a son of Jon Mornef, who was the most gallant and popular man in the Throndhjem country"

• attestation: When Hakon's men saw Inge's ships rowing out of the river, they believed Inge was fleeing, cut their land-ropes, and rowed in pursuit. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Of Hakon'S Fleet.)

  "Now when they saw that King Inge's men with many ships were rowing out of the river, Hakon and his men believed they were going to fly; and therefore they cut their land-ropes with which they lay fast at the piles, seized their oars, and rowed after them in pursuit."

• attestation: When Hakon's fleet drifted past the ness, they saw Inge's main force at Hising island and realized they had been tricked. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Of Hakon'S Fleet.)

  "when they came further down the river, abreast of the ness, they saw King Inge's main strength lying quiet at the island Hising."

• attestation: Hakon's fleet turned to shore, prepared for battle by binding ships together with the two East-country traders on the outside, and loaded smaller ships with weapons and stones. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Of Hakon'S Fleet.)

  "They made ready for battle, carried land-ropes to the shore, turned the stems of their ships outwards, and bound them all together."

• attestation: In the center of Hakon's fleet lay the king's ship, with Sigurd's ship next to it, Nikolas on the other side, and Eindride Jonson next to Nikolas. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Of Hakon'S Fleet.)

  "In the middle of the fleet lay the king's ship, and next to it Sigurd's; and on the other side of the king's ship lay Nikolas, and next to him Endride Jonson."

• attestation: Hakon's men were confident in their preparations and defenses, with many thinking Inge did not dare to attack. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 7. Of Hakon'S Fleet.)

  "some thought King Inge intended to give them battle; but many believed they did not dare, for it looked as if the attack was given up; and they, besides, were very confident, both in their preparations and men."

• attestation: Sigurd argued Hakon had a better right to inherit King Eystein's share than Inge or Simon Skalp or the other killers of King Eystein. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 8. Sigurd Of Reyr'S Speech.)

  "King Hakon has a better right to inherit after his father's brother, King Eystein, than Inge or Simon Skalp, or the other men who killed King Eystein."

• attestation: Hakon originally desired only one-third of Norway as his paternal heritage, which was denied him. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 8. Sigurd Of Reyr'S Speech.)

  "King Hakon desired from the beginning no more of Norway than the third part, which his father had possessed, and which was denied him"

• attestation: King Hakon moved to the large East-country ship with a shield-bulwark around him, while his standard remained on the long-ship. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 8. Sigurd Of Reyr'S Speech.)

  "King Hakon went on board of the great East-country ship, and a shield-bulwark was made around him; but his standard remained on the long-ship in which it had been before."

• attestation: Hakon's men abandoned small ships for the large merchant vessels; some sprang to shore. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 11. King Hakon'S Flight.)

  "Now King Hakon's men abandoned the small ships, and went on board the large merchant vessels; but some of them sprang on shore."

• attestation: Hakon fled up the country; Inge and Gregorius went north to Viken and remained there all winter (A.D. 1160). (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 11. King Hakon'S Flight.)

  "King Hakon fled up the country, and King Inge went north to Viken with his troops; and he, as well as Gregorius, remained in Viken all winter (A.D. 1160)."

• attestation: Hakon and Sigurd retaliated by burning Haldor Brynjolfson's farm at Vettaland, killing Haldor and about twenty house-men. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 13. Munan'S Death.)

  "King Hakon and Sigurd went to Haldor Brynjolfson's farm of Vettaland, set fire to the house, and burnt it. Haldor went out, and was cut down instantly with his house-men; and in all there were about twenty men killed."

• attestation: Hakon's men had cut a rent in the ice and covered it with snow to create a trap. (Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 14. Of The Fall Of Gregorius Dagson.)

  "King Hakon and his men had cut a rent in the ice, and laid snow over it, so that nobody could see it."