The Norwegian account of Haco's expedition against Scotland, A.D. MCCLXIII.Sturla Þórðarson
History
The Norwegian account of Haco's expedition against Scotland, A.D. MCCLXIII.
Sturla Þórðarson
Haakon IV Haakonsson, King of Norway, 1204-1263; Norway -- History -- 1030-1397; Scandinavians; Scotland -- History -- To 1603
Afterwards the Sovereign himself, attended by Thorlaug Bosa, set sail
in a barge belonging to the Masters of the Lights.[86] As soon as the
King's men approached the land the Scotch retired; and the Norwegians
continued ashore all night. The Scotch, however, during the darkness,
entered the transport,[87] and carried off as much of the lading as
they could. On the morning, the King with a numerous reinforcement
came on shore; and he ordered the transport to be lightened, and towed
out to the ships.
In a little time, they descried the Scottish army, and it was so
numerous that they supposed the King of Scotland was present. Ogmund
Kraekidants with his company was stationed on a hill. The Scottish van
skirmished with his men; and, their main body coming on, the
Norwegians entreated the King, as they were anxious for his safety, to
row to his fleet and to send them help. The King insisted on remaining
on shore; but they would not assent to his continuing any longer so
exposed; he, therefore, sailed out in a barge to his ships at the
Cumbras. The following Barons remained on land, Lord Andrew Nicolson,
Ogmund Kraekidants, Erling Alfson, Andrew Pott, Ronald Urka, Thorlaug
Bosi, Paul Soor. The whole number of soldiers with them was eight or
nine hundred. Two hundred men were upon the rising-ground with Ogmund;
but the rest of the troops were posted down upon the beach.
The Scottish army now advanced, and it was conjectured to consist of
near fifteen hundred knights.[88] All their horses had breast-plates;
and there were many Spanish steeds in complete armour. The Scottish
King had, besides, a numerous army of foot soldiers, well accoutred.
They generally had bows and spears.
The Norwegians on the hill, apprehensive of being surrounded, began to
retire in scattered parties towards the sea. Andrew Nicolson,
observing this, came up to the rising ground, and desired Ogmund to
draw off his men towards the beach, but not to retreat so
precipitately as if he fled. The Scotch at this time attacked them
furiously with darts and stones. Showers of weapons were poured upon
the Norwegians, who defended themselves, and retired in good order.
But when they approached the sea, each one hurrying faster than
another, those on the beach imagined they were routed. Some therefore
leaped into their boats, and pushed off from the land, others jumped
into the transport. Their companions called upon them to return, and
some returned, tho' few. Andrew Pott leaped over two boats, and into a
third, and so escaped from land. Many boats went down, and some men
were lost, and the rest of the Norwegians at last wheeled about
towards the sea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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