Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 3.djvu/383

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 371 eclipse. The degree of obscurity produced by a total eclipse notes. is not such that objects at the distance of 40 or 50 yards are undistinguishable, so that the use of the bow or movements in the field, such as the advance of Dag Ringson, as stated in Chapter 139., could be impeded or suspended by it; but these circumstances would apply perfectly to a dense fog. The red- ness of the air and the light, although the sky was without a cloud, and the sun shone clear, applies perfectly to the land being enveloped in a dense mist, through which the rays of the sun could not penetrate; and the gradual coming on of this obscurity, until at last people could not see each other for two hours distinctly, is exactly what might occur in a very thick fog, although the sun and sky were not obscured by clouds ; but could not occur from the obscurity of a few minutes' duration attending a total eclipse, and which is not a darkness sufficient to obstruct any work or movement out of doors hke the obscurity of a tliick mist. Whether the ob- scurity was caused by fog or by an eclipse, and whether the day was the 29th of July or the 31st of August, the year is fixed as well as any chronological point can be to the year 1030. Now going upwards from this point, we find — Olaf the Saint had reigned when he fell - 15 years. Earls Swend and Hakon, whom he expelled - 2 — Earl Eric, their father - - - 12 — Olaf Tryggvesson - - - - 4 — Earl Hakon the Great - - - 17 — Harald Graafeld and Gunhild's sons - - 14 — Hakon Athelstan's foster-son - - 26 — Harald Haarfager, who lived 83 years, reigned 73 — We have here eight reigns, including one of very unusual duration, averaging 20| years. Going downwards from the same point, we find — Swend Alfifason, for his father Canute the Great 7 years. Magnus the Good and his uncle Harald Haar- drade - - - - - 12 — Harald Haardrade, after the death of Magnus, alone - - - - -19 — Magnus his son, jointly with Olaf Kyrrc - 3 — Olaf Kyrrc alone - - - - 24 — Magnus Barefoot - - - - 10 — B B 2