The Heimskringla on Padreim
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 12. Sigurd'S Expedition To Constantinople.
attestation: The Padreim games pitted the king's men against the queen's men, and the king's side winning was considered an omen of military victory
"this day everything went on better for the king than for the queen; for the queen has always the half part in the games, and their men, therefore, always strive against each other in all games. The Greeks accordingly think that when the king's men win more games at the Padreim than the queen's, the king will gain the victory when he goes into battle."
attestation: The Padreim was a walled circular arena with earthen banks for spectators surrounding a flat plain
"the Padreim is thus constructed:--A high wall surrounds a flat plain, which may be compared to a round bare Thing-place, with earthen banks all around at the stone wall, on which banks the spectators sit"
attestation: The Padreim featured copper and metal figures representing events from the stories of the Aesir, Volsungs, and Gjukungs
"There are many sorts of old events represented concerning the Asas, Volsungs, and Giukungs, in these games; and all the figures are cast in copper, or metal, with so great art that they appear to be living things"
attestation: The Padreim spectacles included figures appearing to ride in the air, shot-fire (possibly Greek fire), harps, singing, and other instruments
"The games themselves are so artfully and cleverly managed, that people appear to be riding in the air; and at them also are used shot-fire (1), and all kinds of harp-playing, singing, and music instruments."