The Heimskringla on Harald Hardrade

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > Preliminary Remarks.

• attestation: Harald son of Sigurd Syr was born in 1015 and left Norway in 1030

  "Harald, son of Sigurd Syr, was born in the year A.D. 1015, and left Norway A.D. 1030."

• attestation: Harald was called Hardrade meaning the severe counsellor or tyrant, though Icelanders never applied this epithet to him

  "He was called Hardrade, that is, the severe counsellor, the tyrant, though the Icelanders never applied this epithet to him."

• attestation: Harald helped the Icelanders in the famine of 1056 and sent them timber for a church at Thingvol

  "Harald helped the Icelanders in the famine of A.D. 1056, and sent them timber for a church at Thingvol."

• attestation: Harald came to Norway in 1046, became sole king in 1047, died in 1066, and his son Magnus died in 1069

  "He came to Norway in A.D. 1046, and became sole king in A.D. 1047. He died in A.D. 1066, and his son and successor Magnus died in A.D. 1069."

• attestation: The Norwegians gave Harald the name tyrant in contrast to the debonairete of Magnus the Good

  "It was the Norwegians who gave him the name tyrant in contrast to the "debonairete" of Magnus."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 1. Harald Escapes From The Battle Of Stiklestad.

• attestation: Harald was fifteen years old at the battle of Stiklestad where King Olaf the Saint fell, and Harald was wounded and escaped

  "Harald, son of Sigurd Syr, brother of Olaf the Saint, by the same mother, was at the battle of Stiklestad, and was fifteen years old when King Olaf the Saint fell, as was before related. Harald was wounded, and escaped with other fugitives."

• relationship: Harald was the brother of Olaf the Saint by the same mother

  "Harald, son of Sigurd Syr, brother of Olaf the Saint, by the same mother"

• attribution: Harald composed verses while fleeing about creeping from wood to wood unnoticed, hoping his name would one day be great at home

  "From wood to wood I crept along, Unnoticed by the bonde-throng; 'Who knows,' I thought, 'a day may come My name will yet be great at home.'"

• attestation: Harald went eastward through Jamtaland and Helsingjaland to Svithjod where he found Ragnvald Brusason and other fugitives from Stiklestad

  "He went eastward over the ridge through Jamtaland and Helsingjaland, and came to Svithjod, where he found Ragnvald Brusason, and many others of King Olaf's men who had fled from the battle at Stiklestad"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 2. Harald'S Journey To Constantinople.

• attestation: In spring 1031, Harald and Ragnvald got ships and sailed east to Russia to King Jarisleif, staying with him all winter

  "The spring after (A.D. 1031) Harald and Ragnvald got ships, and went east in summer to Russia to King Jarisleif, and were with him all the following winter."

• attestation: Harald and Ellif drove eastern Vindland men and compelled the Lesians to accept their conquerors' laws

  "The eastern Vindland men they drove Into a corner; and they move The Lesians, although ill at ease, To take the laws their conquerors please."

• attestation: Harald remained several years in Russia, then began his expedition to Greece with a great suite of men, going to Constantinople

  "Harald remained several years in Russia, and travelled far and wide in the Eastern land. Then he began his expedition out to Greece, and had a great suite of men with him; and on he went to Constantinople."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 3. Of Harald.

• attestation: Harald presented himself to the empress, went into her pay, and immediately went on the galleys to the Greek sea

  "Now when Harald came to Constantinople he presented himself to the empress, and went into her pay; and immediately, in autumn, went on board the galleys manned with troops which went out to the Greek sea."

• attestation: All the Varings (Varangians) flocked to Harald and he was made chief of the Varings

  "Now Harald had been but a short time in the army before all the Varings flocked to him, and they all joined together when there was a battle. It thus came to pass that Harald was made chief of the Varings."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 4. Of Harald And Gyrger Casting Lots.

• attestation: Gyrger demanded the Varings move their tents from the highest ground so he could camp there, but Harald refused citing Varing privileges

  "Harald replies, "If ye come first to the night quarter, ye take up your ground, and we must go pitch our tents at some other place where we best can. Now do ye so, in the same way, and find a place where ye will. It is, I think, the privilege of us Varings here in the dominions of the Greek emperor to be free, and independent of all but their own commanders"

• attestation: The dispute was settled by arbitration that lots would determine who chose first for riding, rowing, harbour, and tent ground

  "At this arbitration it was determined, with the consent of all parties, that lots should be thrown into a box, and the Greeks and Varings should draw which was first to ride, or to row, or to take place in a harbour, or to choose tent ground"

• attestation: Harald cheated in the lot-drawing by snatching and throwing the drawn lot into the sea, then claiming it was his lot while the remaining one bore Gyrger's mark

  "Harald seized his band, snatched the die, and threw it into the sea, and called out, "That was our lot!" Gyrger said, "Why did you not let other people see it?" Harald replies, "Look at the one remaining in the box,--there you see your own mark upon it.""

• attestation: The judgment was given that the Varings had gained first choice in all matters, and Harald always got his own way in their quarrels

  "accordingly the judgment was given that the Varings had gained the first choice in all they had been quarrelling about. There were many things they quarrelled about, but the end always was that Harald got his own way."

• attestation: Harald asked to see Gyrger's lot mark before drawing, supposedly to avoid duplicating it, but used this knowledge to cheat

  "Harald said to Gyrger, "Let me see what mark thou hast put upon thy lot, that we may not both mark our lots in the same way." He did so. Then Harald marked his lot, and put it into the box along with the other."

• attestation: The dispute between Gyrger and the Varings nearly led to armed combat before men of understanding intervened

  "They disputed long and hotly about this, and both sides armed themselves, and were on the way to fight for it; but men of understanding came between and separated them."

• attestation: The Varings chose the highest ground for tents because the land there becomes soft when rain falls making low ground bad for tents

  "as the Varings came first to the ground, they chose the place which was best for pitching their tents upon, which was the highest ground; for it is the nature of the land there to be soft when rain falls, and therefore it is bad to choose a low situation for your tents."

• attestation: Harald claimed the Varings were free and independent of all but their own commanders in the Greek emperor's dominions, bound only to serve the emperor and empress

  "It is, I think, the privilege of us Varings here in the dominions of the Greek emperor to be free, and independent of all but their own commanders, and bound only to serve the emperor and empress."

• attestation: The Varings and Greeks resolved to settle disputes by lot-drawing for priority in riding, rowing, harboring, and choosing tent ground

  "lots should be thrown into a box, and the Greeks and Varings should draw which was first to ride, or to row, or to take place in a harbour, or to choose tent ground; and each side should be satisfied with what the drawing of the lots gave them."

• attestation: Harald and the Varings quarrelled frequently with the Greeks about various matters but Harald always prevailed

  "There were many things they quarrelled about, but the end always was that Harald got his own way."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 9. Of Ulf And Haldor.

• attestation: Harald's standard-bearer fell during the assault on the castle gate, and Harald ordered Haldor to take up the banner.

  "When Harald came to the castle gate his standard-bearer fell, and Harald said to Haldor, "Do thou take up the banner now.""

• attestation: Harald gained the victory and took the castle; Haldor was badly wounded in the face, causing him lasting pain.

  "the end was that Harald gained the victory and took the castle. Haldor was much wounded in the face, and it gave him great pain as long as he lived."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 10. Battle At A Fourth Castle.

• attestation: The fourth castle was the greatest and strongest of all the castles Harald besieged, making direct assault impossible.

  "The fourth castle which Harald came to was the greatest of all we have been speaking about. It was so strong that there was no possibility of breaking into it."

• attestation: Harald feigned illness and retreated to a tent away from the main camp to deceive the castle defenders.

  "Harald fell sick, and he betook himself to his bed. He had his tent put up a little from the camp, for he found quietness and rest out of the clamour and clang of armed men."

• attestation: Harald's supposed death was announced to the castle defenders, and the Varings requested burial for him inside the castle.

  "Thereafter the Varings went to the castle-men; told them, in a parley, of the death of their commander; and begged of the priests to grant him burial in the castle."

• attestation: Multiple priests and religious leaders competed to receive Harald's corpse for their churches, expecting rich funeral gifts.

  "there were many among them who ruled over cloisters or other great establishments within the place, and who were very eager to get the corpse for their church, knowing that upon that there would follow very rich presents."

• attestation: Harald used the ruse of feigning death with a false funeral procession as a stratagem to capture an otherwise impregnable castle.

  "At last Harald's sickness increased so rapidly that his death was expected through all the army."

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

• attestation: Harald campaigned for many years in both Serkland and Sicily before returning to Constantinople.

  "Harald was many years in these campaigns, both in Serkland and in Sicily. Then he came back to Constantinople with his troops"

• attestation: Harald left his accumulated pay from the Greek emperor in Constantinople before departing for Jerusalem, as did all accompanying Varings.

  "There he left the pay he had received from the Greek emperor and all the Varings who accompanied him did the same."

• attestation: Harald fought eighteen regular battles across all his campaigns, as attested by the skald Thiodolf.

  "It is said that on all these expeditions Harald had fought eighteen regular battles. So says Thiodolf"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 12. Harald'S Expedition To Palestine.

• attestation: Harald traveled to Jerusalem and all towns and strongholds in the land surrendered to him without resistance.

  "Harald went with his men to the land of Jerusalem and then up to the city of Jerusalem, and wheresoever he came in the land all the towns and strongholds were given up to him."

• attestation: Harald bathed in the Jordan River according to pilgrim custom and gave great gifts to the Holy Sepulchre, the Holy Cross, and other relics.

  "He then went out to Jordan and bathed therein, according to the custom of other pilgrims. Harald gave great gifts to our Lord's grave, to the Holy Cross, and other holy relics in the land of Jerusalem."

• attestation: Harald cleared the entire road to the Jordan River by killing robbers and other disturbers of the peace.

  "He also cleared the whole road all the way out to Jordan, by killing the robbers and other disturbers of the peace."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 13. Harald Put In Prison.

• attestation: Harald returned to Constantinople from Jerusalem and desired to go back north to Norway.

  "When Harald returned to Constantinople from Jerusalem he longed to return to the North to his native land"

• attestation: Harald learned that Magnus Olafson, his brother's son, had become king of both Norway and Denmark, prompting him to resign from Greek service.

  "when he heard that Magnus Olafson, his brother's son, had become king both of Norway and Denmark, he gave up his command in the Greek service."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 14. King Olaf'S Miracle And Blinding The Greek Emperor.

• attestation: A noblewoman rescued Harald, Haldor, and Ulf from the tower prison by lowering a rope from above, having been previously healed by Saint Olaf.

  "a lady of distinction with two servants came, by the help of ladders, to the top of the tower, let down a rope into the prison and hauled them up. Saint Olaf had formerly cured this lady of a sickness and he had appeared to her in a vision and told her to deliver his brother."

• attestation: After escaping prison, Harald went to the Varings who received him with joy, then they seized the emperor and blinded him.

  "Harald went immediately to the Varings, who all rose from their seats when he came in and received him with joy. The men armed themselves forthwith and went to where the emperor slept. They took the emperor prisoner and put out both the eyes of him."

• attestation: Both Thorarin Skeggjason and Thiodolf the skald confirm that Harald himself blinded the Greek emperor, and the skalds would have named another if this were not true.

  "In these two songs, and many others, it is told that Harald himself blinded the Greek emperor; and they would surely have named some duke, count, or other great man, if they had not known this to be the true account"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 15. Harald'S Journey From Constantinople.

• attestation: Harald and his men abducted Maria from her sleeping quarters and took two Varing galleys to escape through the Sjavid sound.

  "King Harald and his men went to the house where Maria slept and carried her away by force. Then they went down to where the galleys of the Varings lay, took two of them and rowed out into Sjavid sound."

• attestation: Harald ordered crew to run to the stern to tilt the galley over the iron chain blocking Constantinople's harbor, but the second galley split in two.

  "the men who were not rowing to run all to the stern of the galley, each with his luggage in his hand. The galleys thus ran up and lay on the iron chain. As soon as they stood fast on it, and would advance no farther, Harald ordered all the men to run forward into the bow. Then the galley, in which Harald was, balanced forwards and swung down over the chain; but the other, which remained fast athwart the chain, split in two"

• attestation: Harald put Maria ashore before leaving and sent her back to Constantinople with an escort, taunting Empress Zoe's powerlessness.

  "before he left the land he put the lady ashore and sent her back with a good escort to Constantinople and bade her tell her relation, the Empress Zoe, how little power she had over Harald"

• attestation: Harald sailed through the Black Sea and composed sixteen love songs about Ellisif (Elisabeth), daughter of King Jarisleif of Novgorod.

  "Harald then sailed northwards in the Ellipalta and then all round the Eastern empire. On this voyage Harald composed sixteen songs for amusement and all ending with the same words."

• attribution: Harald's verse refers to Ellisif as 'the Russian queen' and expresses fear that she does not love him.

  "Yet to the Russian queen, I fear, My gold-adorned, I am not dear."

With this he meant Ellisif, daughter of King Jarisleif in Novgorod."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 16. Of King Harald.

• attestation: King Jarisleif received Harald most warmly in Novgorod, where Harald stayed the entire winter of 1045.

  "When Harald came to Novgorod King Jarisleif received him in the most friendly way and he remained there all winter (A.D. 1045)."

• attestation: Harald retrieved a vast treasure in Novgorod, previously sent from Constantinople, unmatched in the Northern lands.

  "Then he took into his own keeping all the gold and the many kinds of precious things which he had sent there from Constantinople and which together made up so vast a treasure that no man in the Northern lands ever saw the like of it in one man's possession."

• attestation: Harald had participated three times in the poluta-svarf, the Varing custom of plundering the emperor's palaces when a Greek emperor died.

  "Harald had been three times in the poluta-svarf while he was in Constantinople. It is the custom, namely, there, that every time one of the Greek emperors dies, the Varings are allowed poluta-svarf; that is, they may go through all the emperor's palaces where his treasures are and each may take and keep what he can lay hold of while he is going through them."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 17. King Harald'S Marriage.

• attestation: Harald departed Novgorod in spring, took shipping at Aldeigjuborg, and sailed west to Sigtuna in Svithjod.

  "In spring he began his journey from Novgorod and came to Aldeigjuborg, where he took shipping and sailed from the East in summer. He turned first to Svithjod and came to Sigtuna."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 18. The League Between King Harald And Svein Ulfson.

• attestation: Harald met Svein Ulfson in Svithjod; Svein had fled there after King Magnus defeated him at Helganes in autumn 1045.

  "Harald found there before him Svein Ulfson, who the autumn before (A.D.

1045. had fled from King Magnus at Helganes"

• attestation: Harald and Svein swore oaths of friendship, and all the Swedes supported them both due to Svein's high-born family connections.

  "Harald and Svein entered into friendship with each other and confirmed it by oath. All the Swedes were friendly to Svein, because he belonged to the greatest family in the country; and thus all the Swedes were Harald's friends and helpers also"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 19. King Harald'S Foray.

• attestation: Harald and Svein gathered a great fleet and sailed from the east towards Denmark.

  "Then Harald and Svein fitted out ships and gathered together a great force; and when the troops were ready they sailed from the East towards Denmark."

• attestation: Harald and Svein landed first in Seeland where they raided and burned, then moved on to Fyen to do the same.

  "They landed first in Seeland with their men and herried and burned in the land far and wide. Then they went to Fyen, where they also landed and wasted."

• attestation: The raids resulted in captives, particularly women, who were driven in chains down to the ships.

  "The only captives form the fray Were lovely maidens led away. And in wild terror to the strand, Down to the ships, the linked band Of fair-haired girls is roughly driven, Their soft skins by the irons riven."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 20. King Magnus'S Levy.

• attestation: Reports described Harald as stronger and stouter than other men, supremely wise, always victorious in battle, and incomparably wealthy.

  "King Harald was stronger and stouter than other men, and so wise withal that nothing was impossible to him, and he had always the victory when he fought a battle; and he was also so rich in gold that no man could compare with him in wealth."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 21. Treaty Between Harald And Magnus.

• attestation: Harald's counselors urged that it would be a great misfortune if the kinsmen Harald and Magnus fought each other.

  "Those of Harald's men who were in his counsel said that it would be a great misfortune if relations like Harald and Magnus should fight and throw a death-spear against each other"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 22. Treaty Between Harald And Svein Broken.

• attestation: Harald valued his banner Land-waster above all his other possessions, believing it guaranteed victory.

  "Svein asked Harald what valuable piece of all his property he esteemed the most.

He answered, it was his banner Land-waster."

• attestation: Harald claimed victory always followed wherever the banner Land-waster was carried.

  "Harald replied, it was a common saying that he must gain the victory before whom that banner is borne, and it had turned out so ever since he had owned it."

• attestation: Harald suspected treachery from Svein and slept away from his bed, placing a wood billet in his place.

  "he said to his footboy, "I will not sleep in my bed to-night, for I suspect there may be treachery abroad. I observed this evening that my friend Svein was very angry at my free discourse.""

• attestation: An assassin boarded Harald's ship at midnight and struck an axe into the bed where Harald was supposed to be sleeping.

  "At midnight a boat rowed alongside to the ship's bulwark; a man went on board, lifted up the cloth of the tent of the bulwarks, went up, and struck in Harald's bed with a great ax, so that it stood fast in the lump of wood."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 23. King Magnus Gives Harald Half Of Norway.

• attestation: Harald thanked Magnus for the title and they spent the evening merry together before Harald returned to his ships.

  "Then Harald stood up, and thanked him for the high title and dignity. Thereupon they both sat down, and were very merry together."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 24. Harald Gives Magnus The Half Of His Treasures.

• attestation: Harald reciprocated by inviting Magnus to a feast and dividing his enormous treasure of gold equally between them on an ox-hide using scales and weights.

  "Then Harald had a large ox-hide spread out, and turned the gold out of the caskets upon it. Then scales and weights were taken and the gold separated and divided by weight into equal parts"

• attestation: Harald told Magnus that the gold was gathered in foreign lands at peril of life and now should be shared equally as they shared Norway equally.

  "Now we on our side have been in foreign parts, and oft in peril of life, to gather together the gold which you here see. Now, King Magnus, I will divide this with you. We shall both own this movable property, and each have his equal share of it, as each has his equal half share of Norway."

• attestation: Harald acknowledged that Magnus was more liberal with wealth, which was why an equal division was best.

  "I know that our dispositions are different, as thou art more liberal than I am; therefore let us divide this property equally between us, so that each may have his share free to do with as he will."

• attestation: All witnesses marveled at the treasure, understanding it came from the Greek emperor's wealth, where whole houses were said to be full of red gold.

  "all people wondered exceedingly that so much gold should have come together in one place in the northern countries. But it was understood that it was the Greek emperor's property and wealth; for, as all people say, there are whole houses there full of red gold."

• attestation: Harald gave Thorer of Steig a gilt silver bowl of mountain birch filled with pure silver money, plus two gold rings worth a mark.

  "King Harald gave Thorer of Steig at that feast a bowl of mountain birch, that was encircled with a silver ring and had a silver handle, both which parts were gilt; and the bowl was filled with money of pure silver. With that came also two gold rings, which together stood for a mark."

• attestation: Harald also gave Thorer a dark purple cloak lined with white skins plus the promise of his friendship and great dignity.

  "He gave him also his cloak of dark purple lined with white skins within, and promised him besides his friendship and great dignity."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 27. Of The Levy Of The Two Kings.

• attestation: Harald took the royal anchorage ground before Magnus arrived, but backed off when Magnus prepared for battle rather than yield.

  "Harald laid his vessel in the royal ground, and there set up his tents. King Magnus got under sail later in the day and came into the harbour just as King Harald had done pitching his tents."

• attestation: Harald ordered his men to cut their moorings and withdraw from the royal anchorage, commenting that 'friend Magnus is in a passion.'

  "he says to his men, "Cut our land-fastenings and back the ship out of the ground, for friend Magnus is in a passion.""

• attestation: Harald replied coolly that it was customary for the wisest to yield, implicitly accepting Magnus's precedence.

  "King Harald coolly replied, that it is an old custom for the wisest to yield."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 29. King Magnus'S Funeral.

• attestation: After Magnus's death, Harald proposed going to Viborg Thing to claim kingship over all Danish dominions by hereditary right.

  "King Harald held a Thing of his men-at-arms, and told them his intention to go with the army to Viborg Thing, and make himself be proclaimed king over the whole Danish dominions, to which, he said, he had hereditary right after his relation Magnus, as well as to Norway."

• attestation: Harald returned to Norway to secure it first, having himself proclaimed king in every district from east Viken through all Norway.

  "King Harald returned to Norway with all his army. As soon as he came to Norway he held a Thing with the people of the country, and had himself proclaimed king everywhere."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 31. Of King Harald Sigurdson.

• attestation: Harald Sigurdson took sole royal power over all Norway after Magnus Olafson's death.

  "King Harald Sigurdson took the royal power over all Norway after the death of King Magnus Olafson"

• attestation: After one winter, in spring 1048, Harald ordered a levy of half of all men and ships and sailed south to raid Jutland.

  "when he had reigned over Norway one winter and spring was come (A.D. 1048), he ordered a levy through all the land of one-half of all men and ships and went south to Jutland."

• attestation: Harald raided and burned widely through Jutland that summer and composed verses while anchored in Godnarfjord.

  "He herried and burned all summer wide around in the land and came into Godnarfjord, where King Harald made these verses"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 32. Of Thorkel Geysa'S Daughters.

• attestation: Harald's men burned the house of Thorkel Geysa, a great Danish lord, and carried off his daughters as captives.

  "Then they burned the house of Thorkel Geysa, who was a great lord, and his daughters they carried off bound to their ships."

• attestation: Harald plundered Denmark all summer 1048, taking immense booty but gaining no permanent foothold, then returned to Norway for the winter.

  "King Harald plundered in Denmark all that summer, and made immense booty; but he had not any footing in the land that summer in Denmark. He went to Norway again in autumn and remained there all winter (A.D. 1049)."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 33. Marriages And Children Of Harald Hardrade.

• relationship: After Magnus the Good died, Harald married Thora, daughter of Thorberg Arnason, and they had sons Magnus and Olaf.

  "The winter after King Magnus the Good died, King Harald took Thora, daughter of Thorberg Arnason, and they had two sons; the oldest called Magnus, and the other Olaf."

• relationship: Harald and Queen Ellisif had two daughters: Maria and Ingegerd.

  "King Harald and Queen Ellisif had two daughters; the one Maria, the other Ingegerd."

• attestation: Harald continued annual raids against Denmark starting in spring 1049, as confirmed by the skald Stuf.

  "King Harald ordered the people out and went with them to Denmark (A.D. 1049), and herried there, and did so summer after summer thereafter."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 34. Of The Armaments Of Svein Ulfson And Harald.

• attestation: Harald went to the Gaut river but Svein did not appear; Harald then divided his forces and sailed south to Jutland with his best men.

  "King Harald came with his forces to the appointed meeting-place; but there he heard that King Svein was lying with his fleet at the south side of Seeland. Then King Harald divided his forces"

• attestation: Harald let the greater part of the bonde-troops return home and kept only his court-men, lendermen, and the best fighters for the campaign south.

  "King Harald divided his forces; let the greater part of the bonde-troops return home; and took with him his court-men, his lendermen, the best men-at-arms, and all the bonde-troops who lived nearest to the Danish land."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 35. Harald'S Escape Into The Jutland Sea.

• attestation: Harald sailed north with sixty ships, most large and heavily laden with summer plunder.

  "Then King Harald sailed north and had sixty ships and the most of them large and heavily laden with the booty taken in summer"

• attestation: Harald refused a land battle since he was outnumbered by more than half, and instead challenged Svein to fight at sea.

  "King Harald had little more than half the force of King Svein and therefore he challenged Svein to fight at sea."

• attestation: Harald anchored off Hlesey overnight in fog; at dawn he spotted sunlight reflecting off gilded dragon-heads of the Danish fleet.

  "they brought up under Hlesey, where they lay all night. A thick fog lay upon the sea; and when the morning came and the sun rose they saw upon the other side of the sea as if many lights were burning."

• attestation: Harald identified the lights as sun reflecting on gilded Danish dragon-heads and ordered immediate retreat.

  ""Strike the tilts down on the ships and take to the oars. The Danish forces are coming upon us, and the fog there where they are must have cleared off, and the sun shines upon the dragon-heads of their ships, which are gilded, and that is what we see.""

• attestation: The Norwegian ships were waterlogged and heavy with plunder, allowing the lighter Danish ships to gain on them.

  "The Danish ships flew lighter before the oars; for the Northmen's ships were both soaked with water and heavily laden, so that the Danes approached nearer and nearer."

• attestation: Harald ordered wood and valuable cargo thrown overboard to lighten his ships; the Danes stopped to pick up the floating goods.

  "he ordered his men to throw overboard some wood, and lay upon it clothes and other good and valuable articles; and it was so perfectly calm that these drove about with the tide."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 36. Of Harald.

• attestation: Harald was a great ruler who governed his kingdom well in domestic matters and was of unmatched deep judgment and ready counsel.

  "King Harald was a great man, who ruled his kingdom well in home-concerns. Very prudent was he, of good understanding; and it is the universal opinion that no chief ever was in northern lands of such deep judgment and ready counsel as Harald."

• attribution: Snorri notes that many of Harald's exploits are omitted either from uncertainty or lack of testimony, preferring to include too little rather than too much.

  "This is owing partly to our uncertainty about them, partly to our wish not to put stories into this book for which there is no testimony."

• attestation: Harald was a great friend to Iceland: during famine he sent four ships of meal with a price cap, and allowed poor Icelanders to emigrate to Norway.

  "once, when a very dear time set in, he allowed four ships to transport meal to Iceland, and fixed that the shippund should not be dearer than 100 ells of wadmal. He permitted also all poor people, who could find provisions to keep them on the voyage across the sea, to emigrate from Iceland to Norway"

• attestation: Harald sent a bell for a church in Iceland whose timbers Olaf the Saint had previously donated, erected on the Thing-plain.

  "King Harold also sent from Norway a bell for the church of which Olaf the Saint had sent the timbers to Iceland, and which was erected on the Thing-plain."

• attestation: Much of Harald's history was preserved in verse by Icelandic poets who presented their poems to him or his sons.

  "A great part of his history is put in verse by Iceland men, which poems they presented to him or his sons, and for which reason he was their great friend."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 38. Of Ulf Uspakson.

• attestation: Harald gave Ulf the rights of a lenderman, a fief of twelve marks income, and a half-district in Throndhjem.

  "King Harald gave Ulf the marshal the rights of a lenderman and a fief of twelve marks income, besides a half-district in the Throndhjem land."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 39. Of The Building Of Churches And Houses.

• attestation: Harald built Mary Church from the foundations up at the sandhill near where Olaf's remains were first buried.

  "King Harald had the church called Mary Church built from the foundations up, at the sandhill close to the spot where the king's holy remains were concealed in the earth the first winter after his fall."

• attestation: Harald built the king's house below Mary Church by the river and consecrated a separate hall as Gregorius Church.

  "King Harald had the king's house erected below Mary Kirk, at the side of the river, where it now is; and he had the house in which he had made the great hall consecrated and called Gregorius Church."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 43. Harald'S Pride.

• attestation: Harald grew increasingly proud after being established as king, until it was unsafe to speak against him or propose anything he did not desire.

  "King Harald was very proud, and his pride increased after he was established in the country; and it came so far that at last it was not good to speak against him, or to propose anything different from what he desired."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 44. Of The Quarrel Of King Harald And Einar Tambaskelfer.

• attribution: Harald composed verses upon seeing Einar's armed procession, warning that Einar might someday need to be stopped with an axe.

  "I see great Tambaskelfer go, With mighty pomp, and pride, and show, Across the ebb-shore up the land,-- Before, behind, an armed band. This bonde-leader thinks to rule, And fill himself the royal stool."

• attribution: Harald's verse included a veiled death threat: 'He who strikes fire from the shield, Einar, may some day make us yield, Unless our axe-edge quickly ends, With sudden kiss, what he intends.'

  "He who strikes fire from the shield, Einar, may some day make us yield, Unless our axe-edge quickly ends, With sudden kiss, what he intends."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 45. The Fall Of Einar And Eindride.

• attestation: Harald had the shutters nearly closed in the Thing-room to create darkness for an ambush.

  "The king ordered the shutters of the loft-opening to be turned, so that there was but a little space left clear."

• attestation: The leaderless bondes could not organize an attack; Harald arrayed his men and departed by ship down the river and out of the fjord.

  "the bondes lost courage, having no leader. They urged each other on, indeed, and said it was a shame they should not avenge their chief; but it came to nothing with their attack. The king went out to his men, arrayed them in battle order"

• attestation: Harald fled the district entirely after the killings, knowing the bondes could not retaliate without a leader.

  "the king went with all his men on board of his ships, rowed down the river, and then took his way out of the fjord."

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 46. Of King Harald And Fin Arnason.

• attestation: Harald asked Fin to reconcile with the Throndhjem bondes and negotiate with Hakon Ivarson in the Uplands.

  ""I will send thee, friend, into the town to bring about a reconciliation with the bondes; and if that will not do, thou must go to the Uplands and bring matters to such an understanding with Hakon Ivarson that he shall not be my opponent.""

• attestation: Harald agreed to all of Fin's conditions, and they confirmed the agreement with witnesses and handshakes.

  "The king assented to all that Fin laid down"

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 49. Of The Courtship Of Hakon Ivarson.

• attestation: Harald agreed to the terms but told Hakon he must win Ragnhild's consent himself, as it was inadvisable to marry her without it.

  "the king said that he, for his part, would adhere to all that was settled in their agreement. "Thou Hakon," says he, "must thyself settle that which concerns Ragnhild, as to her accepting thee in marriage; for it would not be advisable for thee, or for any one, to marry Ragnhild without her consent.""

• attestation: Harald refused to create a second earldom, citing the precedent of Olaf and Magnus allowing only one earl at a time, and not wanting to take Earl Orm's title away.

  ""When my brother, King Olaf, and his son, King Magnus, ruled the kingdom, they allowed only one earl at a time to be in the country, and I have done the same since I came to the kingly title; and I will not take away from Orm the title of honour I had before given him.""

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 54. Fall Of Kalf Arnason.

• attestation: In summer 1050, King Harald ordered a levy and went to Denmark, raiding and plundering until encountering a great force assembled on Fyen.

  "The summer following (A.D. 1050) King Harald ordered out a levy, and went to Denmark, where he plundered during the summer; but when he came south to Fyen he found a great force assembled against him."

• attestation: Harald placed Kalf Arnason at the head of the vanguard division and ordered him to make the first attack on Fyen.

  "He drew up his men on board in order of battle; set Kalf Arnason at the head of one division; ordered him to make the first attack, and told him where they should direct their assault"

• attestation: Harald promised to land with reinforcements to support Kalf's division.

  "promising that he would soon make a landing with the others, and come to their assistance."

• attestation: Harald arrived too late to save Kalf but continued the attack into the country, killing many Danes and destroying much, finding Kalf's body and carrying it to the ships.

  "Now King Harald landed with his array; and they soon came on their way to the field of battle, where they found Kalf's body, and bore it down to the ships. But the king penetrated into the country, killing many people and destroying much."