Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/184

 174 EARLY KINGS OF NORWAY. gold ring (which had been his father's, and even his father's mother'^s, as Uncle Harald noticed), and nothing more whatever of that precious metal to com- bine with Harald's treasures : — all this is new to me, naturally no hint of it in any English book ; and lends some gleam of romantic splendour to that dim business of Stamford Bridge, now fallen so dull and torpid to most English minds, transcendently important as it once was to all Englishmen. Adam of Bremen says, the English got as much gold plunder from Har aid's people as was a heavy burden for twelve men ; * a thing evidently impossible, which nobody need try to believe. Young Olaf, Harald's son, age about sixteen, steering do^ni the Ouse at the top of his speed, escaped home to Norway with all his ships, and sub- sequently reigned there with Magnus, his brother. Harald's body did lie in English earth for about a year; but was then brought to Norway for burial. He needed more than seven feet of grave, say some ; Laing, interpreting Snorro's measurements, makes Harald eight feet in stature, — ^I do hope, with some 5S!
 * Camden, Rapin, &c. quote.