The Viking Age. Volume 1 (of 2): The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nationsDu Chaillu, Paul B. (Paul Belloni)
History
The Viking Age. Volume 1 (of 2): The early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nations
“The brothers Eirik and Jorund became very famous by this deed (slaying
King Gudlaug of Hálogaland), and they thought themselves far greater men
than before. When they heard that King Haki had allowed his champions to
go away, they sailed to Sweden and collected a host, and when it was
known that the two Ynglings had returned the Swedes flocked to them in
great numbers. They sailed up into the Log (Lake Mälar) and went to
Uppsalir against King Haki, who met them on Fyrisvellir. A great battle
ensued; King Haki rushed forward with such valour that he slew all that
were near him, he finally killed Eirik and cut down the standard bearers
of the brothers, whereupon Jorund fled to his ship with his men. Haki
received such severe wounds that he saw his days would not be long. He
then had a _skeid_ which he owned loaded with dead men and weapons, he
had it launched on the sea, and the rudder adjusted and the sea sail
hoisted. He had tarred wood kindled and a pyre made on the ship, the
wind blew towards the sea. Haki was almost dead when he was laid on the
pyre. Then the burning ship sailed out to sea. This was very famous for
a long time after” (Ynglinga Saga, c. 27).
“King Hakon then took the ships belonging to Eirik’s sons, which lay on
the dry beach, and had them dragged ashore. He placed Egil Ullserk,
together with all who had fallen on his side, in a ship, which was
covered with earth and stones. He also had dragged ashore several more
ships, and into these were laid the dead. The mounds are still to be
seen south of Frædarberg. High bautastones stand at the mound of Egil
Ullserk” (Hakon the Good’s Saga, ch. 27).
Women were sometimes buried in ships.
“After this Unn, who was now quite old, as was her custom, went into her
sleeping-house to rest, but bade her guests enjoy themselves, and
ordered that they be entertained as splendidly as possible. When she
retired the feast continued until it was time to go to bed. The next
day, as Unn remained longer than usual in her sleeping-room, Olaf went
in and found her dead. He returned to the guests and announced this to
them, who all said that Unn had well kept up her dignity to the last.
“At the same time Olaf’s wedding and Unn’s _arvel_ were held. On the
last day of the feast her body was carried to the mound which had been
prepared for it. She was placed in a ship therein, and with her a great
deal of property, and then the mound was closed.” Olaf then took
possession of his grandmother’s property, and, after the feast was over,
gave fine presents to the foremost of those present, and all departed
(Laxdæla, ch. 8).[214]
Men were sometimes buried in a ship’s boat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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