“It has been the custom (shortly before the time of Harald Fairhair, 800 A.D.) for powerful men, kings, or jarls, or equals, to be in warfare, and acquire property and honour; and that property must not be inherited, nor son get it after his father, but be placed in their mound with themselves. Though their sons got the lands (powerful men, kings, or jarls), they could not uphold their position, even if they got dignity with them (the lands), except they placed themselves and their men in danger and warfare, thus earning property and honour one after another, and thus stepping into the footprints of their kinsmen. I suppose that the laws of warriors are unknown to thee, and I could teach thee them; as thou now art come to such an age that it is time for thee to try what luck will grant thee” (Vatnsdœla Saga, c. 2). _Hjalmar’s and Orvar Odd’s Laws._—“Hjalmar said: ‘I will have no other Viking laws but those I have had hitherto.’ Odd replied: ‘When I hear them I will know how I like them.’ Hjalmar said: ‘First I will never eat raw food, nor shall any of my men, for it is the custom of many men to squeeze meat under their clothes and then call it cooked; that is acting more like wolves than men. I will never rob traders or bœndr except when I must make a raid upon land for my men when in need, and then I will pay full value. Never will I rob women, though we find them on land with much property, nor shall women be brought on board against their will; if a woman can show that it has been done against her will, the man shall lose his life for it, whether he is powerful or not’” (Orvar Odd’s Saga, c. 9). _King Half’s Laws._—so named after this mighty king. Of him it is said: The valiant land-defender Did not enjoy his life In deeds of renown As he ought to have; The king went on warfare When twelve winters old; He was thirty when he died. We had all A host of hawk-men[115] Wherever the wise-minded one Tried his fame; With grey helmets We went through Nine folk-lands All full large. I saw Half hewing With both hands; The chief had not A sheltering shield before him; No man will find, Though he journey widely, A nobler heart, Or a bolder one. Men say, Who do not know, That Half’s renown Was the result of folly; The one who attributed Strength of folly To the Halogaland king Knows him not.