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
King Haco next sailed in to the Calf of Mull,[94] where he stayed some
nights. There King Dugal and Allan his brother took leave of the King,
who gave them those estates which King John formerly possessed--Magnus
King of Man and other Hebridians had returned home before. He gave
Bute to Rudri, and Arran to Margad. To King Dugal he gave the Castle
in Kintire which Guthorm Backa-kolf had besieged and taken during the
summer. In this expedition King Haco regained all those provinces
which King Magnus Barefoot had acquired, and conquered from the Scotch
and Hebridians, as is here narrated.
21.
The Lord of Egda[95] soon recovered all those territories on
the continent which had been subjected by the Scottish
tribes. In the western regions none durst contend with the
offspring of Ingui.[96] His army, like a gathering tempest,
indicated desolation to the dominions of his imperious
adversary.
King Haco, leaving the calf of Mull, sailed to Rauney. Here he
overtook Balti a vassal of Shetland, with those who had been sent to
the Orkneys, and to whom a permission had been given of returning to
Norway. King Haco from Rauney steered northwards. The wind being
unfavourable, he made for Westerford in Sky, and ordered the islanders
to supply him with provisions. Next he sailed past Cape Wrath,[97] and
arriving at Dyrness, there happened a calm, for which reason the King
ordered the fleet to be steered into Gia-ford.[98] This was done on
the feast of the two apostles, Simon and Jude,[99] which fell on a
Sunday. The King spent the night there. On this festival, after mass
had been sung, some Scots, whom the Norwegians had taken prisoners,
were presented to the King. The King detained one as a hostage, and
sent the others up the country, at liberty, on giving a promise that
they would return with cattle. On the same day it happened that nine
men belonging to Andrew Biusa's ship went ashore to procure water, and
an outcry was soon heard from the mainland. The crew, therefore,
immediately setting off from their ships, found two men swimming,
though badly wounded, and took them on board; the other seven,
unarmed, and incapable of making any defence, remained by their boat
(which was left aground by the tide) and were killed by the Scotch.
The Norwegians landing, carried away their dead; and the Scotch, in
the meantime, fled to a wood. On the Monday, King Haco sailed from
Gia-ford after having liberated the Scottish hostage, and sent him
ashore. The King in the evening reached the Orkneys, and anchored in a
certain sound, to the north of Asmundsvo,[100] from whence he, with
the greatest part of his fleet, steered for Ronaldsvo. In passing over
Pentland Firth, a terrible whirlpool appeared, and in which a ship
from Rygia-fylke, with all on board, perished. John of Hestby was
driven through the straits, and was very near being swallowed up in
the gulf; but, by the mercy of God, his ship was forced east to the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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