The Norwegian account of Haco's expedition against Scotland, A.D. MCCLXIII. — John Shaqi
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 had a company, particularly selected for his own ship. There
were on the quarter-deck Thorlife abbot of Holm,[38] Sir Askatin,[39]
four priests chaplains to the King, Andrew of Thissisey, Aslac Guss
the King's master of the Horse, Andrew Hawardson, Guthorm Gillason and
Thorstein his brother, Eirek Scot Gautson, with many others. There
were on the main deck Aslack Dagson, Steinar Herka, Klomit Langi,
Andrew Gums, Eirek Dugalson,[40] the father of King Dugal,[41]
Einar Lang-bard, Arnbioern Suela, Sigvat Bodvarson,[42] Hoskuld
Oddson, John Hoglif, Arni Stinkar. On the fore-deck there were, Sigurd
the son of Ivar Rofu, Ivar Helgason of Lofloc, Erlend Scolbein, Dag of
Southeim, Briniolf Johnson, Gudleik Sneis, and most of the King's
Chamberlains, with Andrew Plytt the King's treasurer. There were in
the fore-castle, Eirek Skifa, Thorfin Sigvald, Kari Endridson,
Gudbrand Johnson and many of the Cup-bearers. In general, there were
four men on every half rowers' seat. With King Haco, Magnus Earl of
Orkney left Bergen; and the King gave him a good galley. These Barons
were also with the King, Briniolf Johnson, Fin Gautson, Erling Alfson,
Erlend Red, Bard of Hestby, Eilif of Naustadale, Andrew Pott, Ogmund
Krekidants, Erling Ivarson, John Drotning. Gaut of Meli, and Nicholas
of Giska were behind with Prince Magnus at Bergen, as were several
other sea officers who had not been ready. Many approved commanders
were however with King Haco, and of whom mention hath been made.
King Haco having got a gentle breeze, was two nights at sea, when he
reached that Harbour of Shetland called Breydeyiar-sound, with a great
part of his navy, as Sturlas sings.
5.
The Leader of his people unmoored the ploughers of the
Ocean,[43] and raised aloft the expanded wings[44] of his
sky-blue doves.[45] Our Sovereign, rich in the spoils of the
sea-snakes den,[46] viewed the retiring haven from the
stern of his snorting steed[47] adorned with ruddy gold.
King Haco remained in Breydeyiar-sound near half a month, and from
thence sailed to the Orkneys, and continued some time at Elidarwic
which is near Kirkwall.[48] There he declared before his men, that he
would divide his forces, and send one part south to the Firth of
Forth[49] to plunder. But he himself wished to remain in the Orkneys
with the largest ships and greater part of the army. The vassals and
retainers, however, spoke against this scheme, and made it evident
that they would go nowhere unless with the King himself; so this
proposed expedition was dropt.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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