[13] Scat was a land-tax paid to the king in money, malt, meal, or flesh-meat, and was adjudged to each king on his succession by the “Thing,” or assembly of lawgivers. [14] The bishop of the islands is still styled Bishop of Sodor (_i.e._ the Sudreys) and Man. Up to the fifteenth century these bishops had to go to Trondhjem in Norway for consecration. [15] See chap. xv., “Wild Tales from the Orkneys,” p. 108. [16] Probably Olaf, son of Godfrey, King of Dublin. [17] _i.e._ Olaf Cuaran. [18] A sort of fury of war which attacked the Northmen when engaged in battle, and made them half-mad with ferocity. [19] _i.e._ the dead bodies of the warriors whom his arm had slain fed the falcons, or carrion-birds. [20] Unnecessary doubt has been thrown upon this practice of pagan baptism, but the instances are too numerous to be set aside. Baptism is a widespread custom among different races. In pagan Ireland also there are instances recorded of a sort of child-naming, combined with christening, by pouring water over the child. Baptism was not invented by Christianity; it was adopted from the Jewish faith into the new religion. [21] The “Thing” was a convention or parliament of the people assembled to make laws or come to decisions on important matters. There were both local and general “Things.” The place where the “Thing” was held was called the “Thing-mote.” [22] The hammer of Thor was somewhat like a Greek cross. [23] Chap. vi., page 48. [24] Twenty benches probably meant forty rowers, besides other fighting men. Two rowers at least would sit to each bench. [25] This cruel method of putting a foe to death was also practised on Ælla of Northumbria; it was probably, as here, a sacrifice to Odin. [26] There are still a few _udal_, or allodial properties, in Orkney. [27] See pp. 152–3. [28] Chap. vi. p. 47. [29] The name Gilli is evidently either Scotch or Irish, which explains the fact that he had an Irish girl among his slaves. He either was an inhabitant of these countries pretending to be a Russian merchant, or he was a Russian who had lived in Scotland. [30] Sitric Silken-beard was son of Olaf Cuaran, or Olaf o’ the Sandal, and his wife Gormliath, or Kormlod. [31] For the story of the burning of Nial, see chap. xx. pp. 157–175. [32] The same description is given of the banner of the sons of Lodbrog, taken by Alfred the Great. [33] Freeman (“Norman Conquest,” Vol. I., p. 342), considers that Thorkill acted throughout independently of Sweyn, and aimed at setting up a princedom of his own. He explains in this way Thorkill’s sudden alliance with Ethelred against Sweyn in 1013. Thorkill remained faithful to the English king until his flight, and later gave his adherence to Canute, who first enriched and afterwards banished him (see pp. 193–4). [34] See note at end of this chapter.