1028–1029 Triumphant Invasion of Canute, who is 270 acknowledged Monarch of Norway; Olaf flees with Precipitation, first into Sweden, and then into Russia 1029. His good Reception by the King and Queen 271 of Holmgard; is at length enabled to return into Sweden 1030. Aided by Swedish Forces, he returns 272 towards Norway; his unfavourable reception by his former Subjects; he dies in Battle Character of this precious Saint 273 CHAP. IV. MARITIME EXPEDITIONS OF THE NORTHMEN DURING THE PAGAN AGE. SECTION I. IN ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND IRELAND. EARLY EXPEDITIONS OF THE NORTHMEN TO THE COASTS OF THE ROMAN PROVINCES.—CAUSES WHICH LED TO THEM:—POVERTY OF THE SOIL, FAMINE, COURAGE.—DOMESTIC PIRACY.—TRIBES OF PIRATES.—INVASION OF ENGLAND BY THE SAXONS AND DANES.—AUTHORITY OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS.—DEPREDATIONS IN ENGLAND PRIOR TO THE REIGN OF ATHELSTANE.—VICTORY OF THAT MONARCH.—RAVAGES OF THE NORTHMEN IN FRANCE.—HASTINGS.—ROLLO THE GREATEST OF THE SCANDINAVIAN PIRATES.—HIS CONQUEST OF NORMANDY, OF WHICH HE WAS THE FIRST DUKE.—THE NORTHMEN IN IRELAND.—EARLY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE IRISH AND THE NORTH OF EUROPE.—FIRST RAVAGES OF THE NORTHMEN.—THEIR ALARMING PROGRESS IN THAT ISLAND.—VICTORY OBTAINED OVER THEM BY KING BRIAN.—THEIR SUBSEQUENT DEPREDATIONS AND DECLINE. Early Appearance of the Scandinavian 276 Pirates on the Coasts of the Roman Provinces and in Ireland Causes which led to the voluntary or 278 compulsory Expatriation of the Northmen:—Poverty of the Soil, Insufficiency of Food, Expertness in the Management of small Vessels Progress of Piracy in the North 279 Domestic Piracy gives rise to maritime 280 Expeditions into the South The Roman Provinces the chief Objects of 283 Plunder at a very early Age Expeditions of the Saxons and Northmen 283 to England Foundations of the Saxon Kingdoms in 285 England On the Degree of Reliance to be placed 286 in the Statements of Saxo Grammaticus, respecting the early Communications between Denmark and England Extract from Mr. Turner, on this 287 Subject, and Comments thereupon