ote a ship of war of the larger class. The snekke was
the cutter or smaller war-ship.--L.
(2) The shields were hung over the side-rails of the ships.--L.
(3) The wolf-skin pelts were nearly as good as armour against
the sword.

20. HARALD SUPREME SOVEREIGN IN NORWAY.

After this battle King Harald met no opposition in Norway, for all his
opponents and greatest enemies were cut off. But some, and they were a
great multitude, fled out of the country, and thereby great districts
were peopled. Jemtaland and Helsingjaland were peopled then, although
some Norwegians had already set up their habitation there. In the
discontent that King Harald seized on the lands of Norway, the
out-countries of Iceland and the Farey Isles were discovered and
peopled. The Northmen had also a great resort to Hjaltland (Shetland
Isles) and many men left Norway, flying the country on account of King
Harald, and went on viking cruises into the West sea. In winter they
were in the Orkney Islands and Hebrides; but marauded in summer in
Norway, and did great damage. Many, however, were the mighty men who
took service under King Harald, and became his men, and dwelt in the
land with him.

21. HARALD'S MARRIAGE AND HIS CHILDREN.

When King Harald had now become sole king over all Norway, he remembered
what that proud girl had said to him; so he sent men to her, and had her
brought to him, and took her to his bed. And these were their children:
Alof--she was the eldest; then was their son Hrorek; then Sigtryg,
Frode, and Thorgils. King Harald had many wives and many children. Among
them he had one wife, who was called Ragnhild the Mighty, a daughter of
King Eirik, from Jutland; and by her he had a son, Eirik Blood-axe. He
was also married to Svanhild, a daughter of Earl Eystein; and their sons
were Olaf Geirstadaalf, Bjorn and Ragnar Rykkil. Lastly, King Harald
married Ashild, a daughter of Hring Dagson, up in Ringerike; and their
children were, Dag, Hring, Gudrod Skiria, and Ingigerd. It is told that
King Harald put away nine wives when he married Ragnhild the Mighty. So
says Hornklofe:--

"Harald, of noblest race the head,
A Danish wife took to his bed;
And out of doors nine wives he thrust,--
The mothers of the princes first.
Who 'mong Holmrygians hold command,
And those who rule in Hordaland.
And then he packed from out the place
The children born of Holge's race."

King Harald