as they
swam: these were Thorkell Netja, Karlshead, Thorstein, and Einar
Bowstring-shaker.

But after the battle was ended Earl Eric took for his own Long Snake and
the other ships of King Olaf, and the weapons of many men who had
wielded them manfully to the death.

Most famous has been this battle in Northland; first by reason of the
brave defence, next for the attack and victory, wherein that ship was
overcome on the deep sea which all had deemed invincible, but chiefly
because there fell a chief famous beyond any of the Danish tongue. So
greatly did men admire King Olaf and seek his friendship, that many
would not hear of his being dead, but declared that he was yet alive in
Wendland or in the south region. And about that many stories have been
made.

FOOTNOTE:

[36] The Swedes were still heathens, and ate horses, meat then forbidden
to Christians.

_THE DEATH OF HACON THE GOOD_ (A.D. 961)

[Eric Bloodaxe, Harold Fairhair's favourite son,
ruled Norway for a year or so after his father's
death. Then he and his queen Gunnhilda became so
hated by the people that they welcomed as king his
brother Hacon, who returned from England, where he
had been brought up. Eric was forced to flee. For
some time he was in Northumberland; he fell in the
west while freebooting, about A.D. 950. Gunnhilda
and her sons went to Denmark; they made many
attempts to recover Norway; the issue of the last
is here told.]

KING HACON, Athelstan's foster-son, long ruled over Norway; but in the
latter part of his life Eric's sons came to Norway, and strove with him
for the kingdom. They had battles together, wherein Hacon ever won the
victory. The last battle was fought in Hordaland, on Stord Island, at
Fitjar: there Hacon won the victory, but also got his death-wound.

And this battle came about in this wise. Gunnhilda's sons sailed
northward from Denmark, taking the outer way, nor came they to land
oftener than for men to get knowledge of their goings, while they also
got knowledge of the public banquets given to King Hacon. They had ships
well-found in men and weapons; and in their company was a mighty viking
named Eyvind Skreyja; he was a brother of Queen Gunnhilda.

Hacon was at a banquet at Fitjar on Stord Island when they came thither;
but he and all his men were unaware of their coming till the ships were
sailin