round with his army against Svein, whom
he called his earl, although the Danes called him their king; and he
collected ships, and a great force, and on both sides a great strength
was assembled. In Svein's army were many chiefs from Scania, Halland,
Seeland, and Fyen; while King Magnus, on the other hand, had mostly
Norway and Jutland men, and with that war-force he hastened to meet
Svein. They met at Re, near Vestland; and there was a great battle,
which ended in King Magnus gaining the victory, and Svein taking flight.
After losing many people, Svein fled back to Scania, and from thence
to Gautland, which was a safe refuge if he needed it, and stood open to
him. King Magnus returned to Jutland, where he remained all winter (A.D.
1044) with many people, and had a guard to watch his ships. Arnor, the
earls' skald, speaks of this:--

"At Re our battle-loving lord
In bloody meeting stained his sword,--
At Re upon the western shore,
In Vestland warrior's blood once more."

31. BATTLE AT AROS.

Svein Ulfson went directly to his ships as soon as he heard that King
Magnus had left his fleet. He drew to him all the men he could, and went
round in winter among the islands, Seeland, Fyen, and others. Towards
Yule he sailed to Jutland, and went into Limfjord, where many people
submitted to him. He imposed scat upon some, but some joined King
Magnus. Now when King Magnus heard what Svein was doing, he betook
himself to his ships with all the Northmen then in Denmark, and a part
of the Danish troops, and steered south along the land. Svein was then
in Aros with a great force; and when he heard of King Magnus he laid
his vessels without the town, and prepared for battle. When King Magnus
heard for certain where Svein was, and that the distance between them
was but short, he held a House-thing, and addressed his people thus: "It
is reported to me that the earl and his fleet are lying not far from us,
and that he has many people. Now I would let you know that I intend
to go out against the earl and fight for it, although, we have fewer
people. We will, as formerly, put our trust in God, and Saint Olaf, my
father, who has given us victory sometimes when we fought, even though
we had fewer men than the enemy. Now I would have you get ready to seek
out the enemy, and give battle the moment we find him by rowing all to
attack, and being all ready for battle." Thereupon the men put on their
weapons, each man