The Heimskringla on Earl Sigurd

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 10. Earl Sigurd'S Condemnation.

• attestation: The unprecedented condemnation of Earl Sigurd was unanimously agreed upon and confirmed by oath at the Thing.

  "the unheard-of deed was adopted and confirmed by oath, as if a judgment in the case was delivered there by the Thing according to law."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 11. Of Erling.

• attestation: Earl Sigurd brought his best troops down to Viken, where he forced submission and extracted money from the populace.

  "Earl Sigurd went with his best troops down to Viken, where many people were obliged to submit to his superior force, and many had to pay money."

• attestation: Some of Sigurd's followers secretly sought peace with Erling, who offered quarter to those who asked for their lives but denied residency to serious offenders.

  "there were some in his troop who desired privately to make peace with Erling; but they got back the answer, that all who asked for their lives should obtain quarter, but they only should get leave to remain in the country who had not been guilty of any great offenses against Erling."

• attestation: Sigurd's men held together because many knew Erling would consider them guilty of offences against him.

  "when Sigurd's adherents heard that they would not get leave to remain in the country, they held together in one body; for there were many among them who knew for certain that Erling would look upon them as guilty of offences against him."

• attestation: The narrative records only what the chiefs committed, though many men were slain in mutual persecution.

  "many men were slain in their mutual persecution; but here what was committed by the chiefs only is written down."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 13. Of Earl Sigurd'S Battle Array.

• attestation: Earl Sigurd was a man of understanding and good speech, but was not considered brave enough for strong resolutions and showed inclination to flee.

  "Earl Sigurd was a man of understanding, and could talk well, but certainly was not considered brave enough to take a strong resolution; and indeed the earl showed a great inclination to fly"

• attestation: Earl Sigurd positioned his men on a ridge between the river and the house, while Erling's array stood on the opposite bank with horsemen guarding the king behind.

  "Earl Sigurd placed his men on the edge of a ridge between the river and the house, at a place at which a little stream runs into the river. Erling and his people placed their array on the other side of the river; but at the back of his array were men on horseback well armed, who had the king with them."

• attribution: Sigurd rallied his wavering men by challenging them to prove their courage, saying he would not flee before any of them.

  "Ye alleged that I had no courage, but it will now be proved; and let each of you take care not to fail, or fly, before I do so."

• attestation: Earl Sigurd wore a red-brown kirtle and red cloak with tied-back corners, carried a shield, and bore a sword called Bastard.

  "Earl Sigurd had on a red-brown kirtle, and a red cloak, of which the corners were tied and turned back; shoes on his feet; and a shield and sword called Bastard."

• attribution: Earl Sigurd declared he would rather land a blow on Erling Skakke with Bastard than receive much gold.

  "God knows that I would rather get at Erling Skakke with a stroke of Bastard, than receive much gold."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 14. Earl Sigurd'S Fall.

• attestation: Earl Sigurd fell in the fighting along with Jon Sveinson and nearly sixty of his men.

  "In this tumult fell Earl Sigurd and Jon Sveinson, and nearly sixty men."