Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 1.djvu/378



battle; and there fell Griotgaard and two other earls, and many a man besides. So says Einar Skalaglam: —

Thereafter Earl Hakon went out to sea, and sailed outside the coast, and came to Denmark. He went to the Danish king, Harald Gormeson, and was well received by him, and staid with him all winter. At that time there was also with the Danish king a man called Harald, a son of Knud Gormeson, and a brother's son of King Harald. He was lately come home from a long viking cruise, on which he had gathered great riches, and therefore he was called Gold Harald. He seemed to stand a good chance of coming to the Danish kingdom.

King Harald Greyskin and his brothers proceeded northwards to Drontheim, where they met no opposition. They levied the scatt duties, and all other revenues, and laid heavy penalties upon the bonders; for the kings had for a long time received but little income from Drontheim, because Earl Hakon was there with many troops, and was at variance with these kings. In autumn King Harald went south with the greater part of the men-at-arms, but King Erling remained behind with his men. He raised great contributions from the bonders, and pressed severely on them; at which the bonders murmured greatly,