ey had heard that the Jomsborg
vikings had come in from sea, and lay at the island Hod; and they, in
consequence, rowed out to seek them. When they reached a place called
Hjorungavag they met each other, and both sides drew up their ships in
line for an attack. Earl Sigvalde's banner was displayed in the midst of
his army, and right against it Earl Hakon arranged his force for attack.
Earl Sigvalde himself had 20 ships, but Earl Hakon had 60. In Earl's
army were these chiefs,--Thorer Hjort from Halogaland, and Styrkar from
Gimsar. In the wing of the opposite array of the Jomsborg vikings was
Bue the Thick, and his brother Sigurd, with 20 ships. Against him
Earl Eirik laid himself with 60 ships; and with him were these
chiefs,--Gudbrand Hvite from the Uplands, and Thorkel Leira from Viken.
In the other wing of the Jomsborg vikings' array was Vagn Akason with 20
ships; and against him stood Svein the son of Hakon, in whose division
was Skegge of Yrjar at Uphaug, and Rognvald of Aervik at Stad, with 60
ships. It is told in the Eirik's lay thus:--

"The bonde's ships along the coast
Sailed on to meet the foemen's host;
The stout earl's ships, with eagle flight,
Rushed on the Danes in bloody fight.
The Danish ships, of court-men full,
Were cleared of men,--and many a hull
Was driving empty on the main,
With the warm corpses of the slain."

Eyvind Skaldaspiller says also in the "Haleygja-tal":--

"Twas at the peep of day,--
Our brave earl led the way;
His ocean horses bounding--
His war-horns loudly sounding!
No joyful morn arose
For Yngve Frey's base foes
These Christian island-men
Wished themselves home again."

Then the fleets came together, and one of the sharpest of conflicts
began. Many fell on both sides, but the most by far on Hakon's side; for
the Jomsborg vikings fought desperately, sharply, and murderously, and
shot right through the shields. So many spears were thrown against Earl
Hakon that his armour was altogether split asunder, and he threw it off.
So says Tind Halkelson:--

"The ring-linked coat of strongest mail
Could not withstand the iron hail,
Though sewed with care and elbow bent,
By Norn (1), on its strength intent.
The fire of battle raged around,--
Odin's steel shirt flew all unbound!
The earl his ring-mail from him flung,
Its steel rings on the wet deck rung;
Par