The Heimskringla on Ottar Svarte

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > Preliminary Remarks.

• attestation: Skalds quoted in Olaf's saga include Ottar Svarte, Sigvat Skald, Thord Kolbeinson, Thormod Kolbrunarskald, and numerous others.

  "Skalds quoted in this saga are:--Ottar Svarte, Sigvat Skald, Thord Kolbeinson, Berse Torfason, Brynjolf, Arnor Jarlaskald"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 4. King Olaf'S War Expedition.

• attribution: The skald Ottar Svarte composed verses about young King Olaf coming forth from the distant north to Denmark.

  "Young was the king when from his home He first began in ships to roam, His ocean-steed to ride To Denmark o'er the tide."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 6. Foray In Svithjod.

• attribution: Ottar Svarte composed a verse about the scat laid on Gotlanders and Eysyssel people bleeding.

  "Thou seaman-prince! thy men are paid: The scat on Gotlanders is laid"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 12. The Sixth Battle.

• attribution: Ottar Svarte's verse celebrates the fall of London Bridge with the famous line 'London Bridge is broken down' and credits Odin with making Olaf win.

  "London Bridge is broken down.-- Gold is won, and bright renown."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 14. Eighth And Ninth Battles Of Olaf.

• attribution: Ottar Svarte described Olaf making the English pay scat unsparingly, carrying their best wealth to the strand.

  "The English race could not resist thee, With money thou madest them assist thee; Unsparingly thou madest them pay A scat to thee in every way"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Fifteenth Battle.

• attribution: Ottar Svarte praised the young king for fighting and winning wherever he turned, burning Tuskland and plundering Poitou.

  "Our young king, blythe and gay, Is foremost in the fray: Poitou he plunders, Tuskland burns,-- He fights and wins where'er he turns."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 28. Hakon Taken Prisoner By Olaf.

• attribution: Ottar Svarte's verse describes Olaf capturing young Hakon and his ship, coming to demand his forefather's land from the earl.

  "Young Hakon so gay, With his ship, is thy prey: His ship, with its gear, Thou hast ta'en; and art here, Thy forefather's land From the earl to demand."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 160. Battle In Helga River.

• attribution: The skald Ottar Svarte composed a poem celebrating Canute's victory at Helga river, saying two kings would not abide his sword.

  "Great Canute might deride Two kings if he had pride, For at Helga river's side They would not his sword abide."