The Heimskringla on Thorvid
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 74. King Harald'S Battle With Earl Hakon.
attestation: The Gautland lagman Thorvid sat on horseback with the bridle tied to a stake in the mire and made a rousing speech urging his men to fight for Earl Hakon and King Steinkel.
"The lagman of the Gautland people, Thorvid, sat upon a horse, and the bridle was fastened to a stake that stood in the mire. He broke out with these words: "God knows we have many brave and handsome fellows here, and we shall let King Steinkel hear that we stood by the good earl bravely.""
attestation: Thorvid set retreat limits, telling his men to flee no further than a stream, or at worst a hill, confident they would stand firm.
"if our young people give way, and should not stand to it, let us not run farther than to that stream; but if they should give way farther, which I am sure they will not do, let it not be farther than to that hill."
attestation: When the Northmen raised the war-cry, the lagman's horse bolted, and the stake flew up and struck Thorvid on the head. He fled, blaming the Northmen for the 'arrow.'
"The lagman's horse got shy with the war-cry, and backed so hard that the stake flew up and struck the lagman on the head. He said, "Ill luck to thee, Northman, for that arrow!" and away fled the lagman."