t
is, breaks the skulls of witches.

15. GRJOTGARD'S FALL.

King Harald Grafeld and his brother King Gudrod gathered together a
great army in the east country, with which they set out northwards to
Throndhjem (A.D. 968). When Earl Hakon heard of it he collected men,
and set out to More, where he plundered. There his father's brother,
Grjotgard, had the command and defence of the country on account of
Gunhild's sons, and he assembled an army by order of the kings.
Earl Hakon advanced to meet him, and gave him battle; and there fell
Grjotgard and two other earls, and many a man besides. So says Einar
Skalaglam:--

"The helm-crown'd Hakon, brave as stout,
Again has put his foes to rout.
The bowl runs o'er with Odin's mead, (1)
That fires the skald when mighty deed
Has to be sung. Earl Hakon's sword,
In single combat, as I've heard,
Three sons of earls from this one fray
To dwell with Odin drove away." (2)

Thereafter Earl Hakon went out to sea, and sailed outside the coast,
and came to Denmark. He went to the Danish King, Harald Gormson, and was
well received by him, and staid with him all winter (A.D. 969). At that
time there was also with the Danish king a man called Harald, a son of
Knut Gormson, and a brother's son of King Harald. He was lately come
home from a long viking cruise, on which he had gathered great riches,
and therefore he was called Gold Harald. He thought he had a good chance
of coming to the Danish kingdom.

ENDNOTES: (1) Odin's mead, called Bodn, was the blood or mead the sons
of Brage, the god of poets, drank to inspire them.--L.
(2) To dwell with Odin,--viz. slew them.--L.

16. KING ERLING'S FALL.

King Harald Grafeld and his brothers proceeded northwards to Throndhjem,
where they met no opposition. They levied the scat-duties, and all other
revenues, and laid heavy penalties upon the bondes; for the kings had
for a long time received but little income from Throndhjem, because Earl
Hakon was there with many troops, and was at variance with these kings.
In autumn (A.D. 968) King Harald went south with the greater part of
the men-at-arms, but King Erlin remained behind with his men. He raised
great contributions from the bondes, and pressed severely on them; at
which the bondes murmured greatly, and submitted to their losses with
impatience. In winter they gathered together in a great force to go
against King Erling, just as