THE

 NORWEGIAN ACCOUNT

 OF

 HACO'S EXPEDITION

 AGAINST

 SCOTLAND;

 A. D. MCCLXIII. 

 LITERALLY TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL ISLANDIC OF THE FLATEYAN AND FRISIAN MSS. 

 _WITH NOTES_. 

 BY THE

 REV. JAMES JOHNSTONE, A. M. CHAPLAIN TO HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AT THE COURT OF DENMARK. 

 _Originally Printed for the Author in_ 1782. 

 EDINBURGH WILLIAM BROWN, 149 PRINCES STREET. 1882

 * * * * *

TO

ARCHIBALD MACDONALD, ESQ. , MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

FOR

NEWCASTLE UNDER LINE;

THIS FRAGMENT OF ANCIENT SCOTTISH HISTORY, CONTAINING SEVERAL ANECDOTESOF HIS

ANCESTORS

THE

LORDS OF THE HEBRIDES

IS

INSCRIBED. 

 * * * * *

Exactly one hundred years ago this Translation of the NorwegianAccount of Haco's Invasion of Scotland first issued from the press. 

Since then, amid much literature upon the subject, it has always helda most important place in the eyes of the student of early ScottishHistory. 

As an authentic source of information it has been eagerly soughtafter, but it has an additional attraction in the graphic pictureswhich it presents of the various perils by land and sea encountered bythe hardy Norsemen. 

The translator's valuable notes are given _in extenso_, and for easierreference are transferred from the end of the work and printed on thepages to which they belong. 

 * * * * *

PREFACE. 

(1782. )

The editor, from some particular advantages he enjoyed, was encouragedto collect such inedited fragments as might elucidate antient history. He, lately, published "Anecdotes of Olave the Black, king of Man;" andnow lays before the learned the Norwegian account of Haco's celebratedexpedition against Scotland. 

It was the editor's intention to have given a succinct detail of thedescents made by the northern nations upon the British isles, but anincrease of materials induced him to reserve that subject for a futurework. At present, therefore, he thinks it sufficient to premise thatthe Æbudæ were, long, the cause of much dispute between variouskingdoms. They seemed naturally connected with Scotland; but thesuperior navies of Lochlin rendered them liable to impressions fromthat quarter. 

The situation of the Kings of the Isles was peculiarly delicate; for, though their territories were extensive, yet they were by no means amatch for the neighbouring states. On this account, allegiance wasextorted from them by different Sovereigns. The Hebridian Princesconsidered this involuntary homage, as, at least, implying protection:and, when that was not afforded, they thought themselves justified informing new connexions more conducive to their safety. 

The Alexanders of Scotland having united Galloway, then a powerfulmaritime state, to their dominions, began to think of measures forobtaining a permanent possession of the Hebrides by expelling theNorwegians. The preparatory steps they took were first to secure theSomerled family, and next to gain over the insular chieftains. Hacowas no less earnest to attach every person of consequence to hisparty. He gave his daughter in marriage to Harold King of Man; and, ondifferent occasions, entertained at his court King John, Gilchrist, Dugall the son of Rudri, Magnus Earl of Orkney, Simon bishop of theSudoreys, and the abbot of Icolmkil. 

All this, however, did not effectually conciliate the Somerlidiantribe. The Norwegian Monarch, disappointed in his negotiations, hadrecourse to the sword, and sailed with a fleet, which both theSturlunga-saga, and the Flateyan annals represent as the mostformidable that ever left the ports of Norway. 

It would be improper for the editor to draw any comparison between theScottish and Norwegian narratives; he, therefore, leaves it to thediscernment of the reader to fix what medium he thinks reasonable. 

The Flateyan and Frisian are the principal MSS. Now extant, thatcontain the life of Haco the aged. The first belongs to the library ofHis Danish Majesty, the latter is deposited in the Magnæan collection. Of them the editor obtained copies; and by the help of the one wasenabled, reciprocally, to supply the imperfections of the other. Hehas since examined the originals themselves. 

The Fr. MS. Relates the following anecdote of Missel, at thecoronation of Prince Magnus A. D. 1261. During Mass Missel the Knightstood up in the middle of the Choir, and wondered greatly at someceremonies, unusual at the coronation of Scottish Kings. And when KingMagnus was robed, and King Haco and the Archbishop touched him withthe sword of state, the Scottish knight said, "It was told me, thatthere were no knights dubbed in this land; but I never beheld anyknight created with so much solemnity as him whom ten (f. Two) noblelords have now invested with the Sword. "

The conjectures, in my note on page 42 are confirmed by the followingpassage in the Fl. MS. Then came there from the western seas John theson of Duncan, and Dugall the son of Rudra; and both of them solicitedthat King Haco would give them the title of King over the northernpart of the Sudoreys. They were with the King all summer. 

Antiquarians may be desirous of knowing something of the MSS. Fromwhich this work hath been taken, therefore, it was judged not improperto subjoin the following account of them. The Frisian MS. Is a vellumquarto of the largest size, in a beautiful hand, and the characterresembles that which prevailed in the end of the 13 century. The bookof Flatey is a very large vellum volume in folio, and appears to havebeen compiled in the 14. Age. It contains a collection of poems;excerpts from Adam Bremensis; a dissertation on the first inhabitantsof Norway; the life of Eric the Traveller; of Olave Trygvason; of StOlave; of the earls of Orkney; of Suerir; of Haco the Aged; of his sonMagnus; of Magnus the Good; of Harald the Imperious; of Einar Sockasonof Greenland; and of Ölver the Mischievous; it contains also a generalchronology down to A. D. 1394, the year in which the MS. Was completed. The work, from the life of Eric the Traveller to the end of St Olave'shistory, inclusive, was written by John Thordrson the priest; the restby Magnus Thorvaldson also a clergyman. 

The initial letters, in some places, are ornamented with historicalminiature paintings. In page 35, there is a representation of thebirth of Trygvason; and, at the bottom of the leaf, there is a unicornand a lion. 217. An archer shooting. 272. Orme Storolfson carrying offa hay-cock. 295. Haldan the Black beheading the Norwegian princes; oneof them is represented on his knees, dressed in a red cap, a shortdoublet, and in red trousers reaching down to the middle of his legs. 310. Three men armed with swords, and battle axes, dispatching StOlave at Sticklestad; at the bottom of the page a man killing a boar, and another fighting with a mermaid. 650. Haco creating Sculi a Duke. Sculi is drawn with a garland, or coronet, and receiving a sword, together with a book by which he is to swear. Most of the figures, inthese paintings, are depicted in armour or mail; their helmets aresometimes conical, sometimes like a broad-brimmed hat; theirdefensive armour is generally a round target, and a two-handed sword. This venerable volume, the noblest treasure of northern literature nowexisting, though wrote in a very small character, and muchabbreviated, consists of 960 columns, two to every page. 

 * * * * *

THE

HISTORY

OF THE

NORWEGIAN EXPEDITION

AGAINST

SCOTLAND, MCCLXIII. 

At the time that King Haco ruled over Norway, Alexander, the son ofWilliam King of Scotland, was then King of Scotland. He was a greatPrince, and very ambitious of this world's praise. He sent, fromScotland in the Western sea, two Bishops to King Haco. At first theybegged to know if King Haco would give up those territories in theHebrides, [1] which King Magnus Bare-foot had unjustly wrested fromMalcolm, Predecessor to the Scottish King. The King said that Magnushad settled with Malcolm, what districts the Norwegians should havein Scotland, or in the Islands which lay near it. He affirmed, however, that the King of Scotland had no sovereignty in the Hebridesat the time when King Magnus won them from King Godred, [2] and alsothat King Magnus only asserted his Birthright. The commissioners thensaid, that the King of Scotland was willing to purchase all theHebrides from King Haco, and entreated him to value them in finesilver. The King replied, he knew no such urgent want of money aswould oblige him to sell his inheritance. With that answer themessengers departed. From this cause some misunderstanding arosebetween the Kings. The Scottish Monarch, however, frequently renewedthe negotiation, and sent many proposals; but the Scots received noother explanation than what is here related. 

MCCXLIX. 

Alexander King of Scotland, wished much for possession of theHebrides. He had often sent to Norway to redeem them with money, andhe did so this summer. But when he could not purchase thoseterritories of King Haco, he took other measures in hand, which werenot princely. Collecting forces throughout all Scotland, he preparedfor a voyage to the Hebrides, and determined to subdue those islandsunder his dominion. He made it manifest before his subjects, that hewould not desist till he had set his standard east on the cliffs ofThurso, [3] and had reduced under himself all the provinces which theNorwegian Monarch possessed to the westward of the German Ocean. [4]

King Alexander sent word to John King of the isles that he wished tosee him. But King John would not meet the Scottish King till fourEarls of Scotland had pledged their honour, that he should return insafety, whether any agreement was made or not. When the Kings met, theScottish Monarch besought King John, that he would give upKiarnaburgh[5] into his power, and three other Castles which he heldof King Haco; as also the other lands which King Haco had conferredupon him. The Scottish King added, that, if he would join him in goodearnest, he would reward him with many greater estates in Scotland, together with his confidence and favour. All King John's Relations andFriends pressed him to assent. But he behaved well, and uprightly; anddeclared that he would not break his oath to King Haco. On this KingJohn went away, and stopped not at any place till he came quite northto Lewes. [6]

King Alexander, then lying in Kiararey-sound, [7] dreamed a dream, andthought three men came to him. He thought one of them was in royalrobes, but very stern, ruddy in countenance, somewhat thick, and ofmiddling size. Another seemed of a slender make, but active, and ofall men the most engaging, and majestic. The third again, was of verygreat stature, but his features were distorted, and of all the rest hewas the most unsightly. They addressed their speech to the King, andenquired whether he meant to invade the Hebrides. Alexander thought heanswered that he certainly proposed to subject the islands. The Geniusof the vision bade him go back; and told him no other measure wouldturn out to his advantage. The King related his dream; and manyadvised him to return. But the King would not; and a little after hewas seized with a disorder, and died. The Scottish army then broke up;and they removed the King's body to Scotland. The Hebridians say thatthe men whom the King saw in his sleep were St Olave King of Norway, St Magnus Earl of Orkney, and St Columba. 

The Scotch took for their King Alexander the son of King Alexander. Heafterwards married the daughter of Henry King of England, and became agreat prince. 

MCCLXI. 

In summer there came, from Scotland in the west, an Archdeacon, and aknight called Missel, [8] as Envoys from Alexander King of Scotland. They shewed more fair language than truth, as seemed to King Haco. They set out so abruptly on their return, that none wist till theywere under sail. The King dispatched Briniolf Johnson in pursuit, andhe detained them with him. The King declared that they should remainthat winter in Norway, because they had gone away without takingleave, contrary to what other Envoys did. 

MCCLXII. 

In summer there came letters from the Kings of the Hebrides in thewestern seas. They complain'd much of the hostilities which the Earlof Ross, [9] Kiarnach, the son of Mac-camal, and other Scotscommitted in the Hebrides when they went out to Sky. [10] They burnedvillages, and churches, and they killed great numbers both of men andwomen. They affirmed, that the Scotch had even taken the smallchildren and raising them on the points of their spears shook themtill they fell down to their hands, when they threw them awaylifeless on the ground. [11]

They said also, that the Scottish King purposed to subdue all theHebrides, if life was granted him. 

When King Haco heard these tidings they gave him much uneasiness, andhe laid the case before his council. Whatever objections were made, the resolution was then taken, that King Haco should in winter, aboutChristmas, [12] issue an edict through all Norway, and order out bothwhat troops and provisions he thought his dominions could possiblysupply for an expedition. He commanded all his forces to meet him atBergen, about the beginning of spring. 

MCCLXIII. 

Near the middle of Lent King Haco travelled from Drontheim[13] toOrkadal, thence east through the mountains to Bahus, [14] and soeastwards to Elfar[15] to see Earl Birger, [16] according to anappointment that they should meet at Liodhus in Easter week. But whenKing Haco came to Liodhus[17] the Earl was already gone away, and sothe King returned north to Bahus. 

King Haco arrived at Bergen on the day of the invention of theCross. [18] He remained there during the spring, and proceeded in hispreparations with great diligence. Prince Magnus, having given thenecessary directions through Rygiafulke[19] concerning the expeditionand the equipment of the fleet, went to join King Haco. After that agreat number of Barons, and officers, and vassals, and a vast manysoldiers flocked in daily to the Capital. 

King Haco held a general council near Bergen at Backa. [20] There thenumerous host was assembled together. The King then declared, concerning the expedition, that this whole army was intended againstScotland in the western seas, and to revenge the inroads which theScotch had made into his dominions. Prince Magnus begged to commandthis expedition instead of King Haco, who should remain at home. Hethanked him in many courteous words; but he observed, that he himselfwas older, and had longer acquaintance with the western lands, andthat, therefore, he himself would go this voyage. He, however, gavePrince Magnus full power to rule the nation in his absence. At thisCouncil he settled many regulations respecting the internal governmentof the Country; and he granted to the yeomanry, that, while he wasaway, no Sheriff should decide on any cause, unless such cause was ofthe greatest necessity. 

During this voyage King Haco had that great vessel which he had causedto be constructed at Bergen. It was built entirely of oak, andcontained twenty-seven banks of oars. [21] It was ornamented withheads and necks of dragons beautifully overlaid with gold. He had alsomany other well-appointed ships. 

In the spring King Haco sent John-Langlife-son and Henry Scot west tothe Orkneys, to procure pilots for Shetland. From thence John sailedto the Hebrides and told King Dugal that he might expect an army fromthe East. It had been rumoured that the Scots would plunder in theislands that summer. King Dugal, therefore, spread abroad a reportthat forty ships were coming from Norway. And by this means heprevented the Scotch from making a descent. 

Some time before the King himself was ready, he sent eight ships tothe westward. The Captains of these were Ronald Urka, Erling Ivarson, Andrew Nicolson, and Halvard Red. They continued some days out in theroad, as the wind did not favour them. 

When the King had prepared his ship, he removed all his army from thecapital to Eidsvags;[22] afterwards he himself returned to the city, where he remained some nights, and then set out for Herlover. [23] Hereall the troops, both from the Northern and Southern districts, assembled, as is described in the Ravens-ode, which Sturla[24] sung. 

 1. 

 From the recesses of Finland, [25] bands, keen for battle, sought the potent Ruler of the storm of Javelins. The boisterous deep, that girds this earth, bore the ships of the Protector of thrones west from the streams of Gotelfa. 

King Haco mustered all his force at Herlover. It was a mighty andsplendid armament. The King had many large and well-appointed ships, as is thus described. 

 2. 

 No terrifier of dragons, [26] guardians of the hoarded treasure, [27] e'er in one place beheld more numerous hosts. The stainer of the sea-fowl's beak, [28] resolved to scour the main, far distant shores connected by swift fleets. 

 3. 

 A glare of light blazed from the powerful, far-famed monarch while, carried by the sea-borne wooden coursers[29] of Gestils, [30] he broke to the roaring waves. The swelling sails, of keels that ride the surge, reflected the beams of the unsullied sun around the umpire of wars. 

Some nights after King Haco had arrived at Herlover, Ronald and Erlingsailed out of the bay with their squadron. Ronald was separated fromthe rest at sea, and made for the Orkneys with some of the ships. But, Erling, and Andrew, and Halvard steered south before Shetland, and soto the west of Tharey-fiord;[31] and they saw no land; exceptSulna-stapa[32] west of the Orkneys. Afterwards they sailed in toScotland under Dyrness. [33] They went up into the country anddestroyed a castle, but the garrison had fled. They burned more thantwenty hamlets. Next they steered for the Hebrides, and found thereMagnus King of Man. 

Three nights before the Selian vigils[34] King Haco set sail for theGerman sea with all his fleet. He had now been King of Norway six andforty winters. [35] He had a favourable breeze; the weather was fairand the armament beautiful to behold, as Sturlas relates. 

 4. 

 The Abyss returned the flaming gleam of war, darted from the bright glittering concave shields of the Goddesses of battle. [36] This voyage, by the bands of the Troubler of peace, through the sea that streams around the world, was unwelcome to the foe--they dreaded the exactor of rings. [37]

King Haco had a company, particularly selected for his own ship. Therewere on the quarter-deck Thorlife abbot of Holm, [38] Sir Askatin, [39]four priests chaplains to the King, Andrew of Thissisey, Aslac Gussthe King's master of the Horse, Andrew Hawardson, Guthorm Gillason andThorstein his brother, Eirek Scot Gautson, with many others. Therewere on the main deck Aslack Dagson, Steinar Herka, Klomit Langi, Andrew Gums, Eirek Dugalson, [40] the father of King Dugal, [41]Einar Lang-bard, Arnbiörn Suela, Sigvat Bodvarson, [42] HoskuldOddson, John Hoglif, Arni Stinkar. On the fore-deck there were, Sigurdthe son of Ivar Rofu, Ivar Helgason of Lofloc, Erlend Scolbein, Dag ofSoutheim, Briniolf Johnson, Gudleik Sneis, and most of the King'sChamberlains, with Andrew Plytt the King's treasurer. There were inthe fore-castle, Eirek Skifa, Thorfin Sigvald, Kari Endridson, Gudbrand Johnson and many of the Cup-bearers. In general, there werefour men on every half rowers' seat. With King Haco, Magnus Earl ofOrkney left Bergen; and the King gave him a good galley. These Baronswere also with the King, Briniolf Johnson, Fin Gautson, Erling Alfson, Erlend Red, Bard of Hestby, Eilif of Naustadale, Andrew Pott, OgmundKrekidants, Erling Ivarson, John Drotning. Gaut of Meli, and Nicholasof Giska were behind with Prince Magnus at Bergen, as were severalother sea officers who had not been ready. Many approved commanderswere however with King Haco, and of whom mention hath been made. 

King Haco having got a gentle breeze, was two nights at sea, when hereached that Harbour of Shetland called Breydeyiar-sound, with a greatpart of his navy, as Sturlas sings. 

 5. 

 The Leader of his people unmoored the ploughers of the Ocean, [43] and raised aloft the expanded wings[44] of his sky-blue doves. [45] Our Sovereign, rich in the spoils of the sea-snakes den, [46] viewed the retiring haven from the stern of his snorting steed[47] adorned with ruddy gold. 

King Haco remained in Breydeyiar-sound near half a month, and fromthence sailed to the Orkneys, and continued some time at Elidarwicwhich is near Kirkwall. [48] There he declared before his men, that hewould divide his forces, and send one part south to the Firth ofForth[49] to plunder. But he himself wished to remain in the Orkneyswith the largest ships and greater part of the army. The vassals andretainers, however, spoke against this scheme, and made it evidentthat they would go nowhere unless with the King himself; so thisproposed expedition was dropt. 

After St Olave's wake[50] King Haco, leaving Elidarwic, sailed southbefore the Mull[51] of Ronaldsha with all his navy. At this place KingHaco was joined by Ronald from the Orkneys, with the ships that hadfollowed him. King Haco next led the whole armament into Ronaldsvo, and lay there for some space. He then sent men over to Cathness[52] tolevy contribution. He, on the one hand, proposed peace if theinhabitants would yield, but otherwise heavy punishment. TheCathnesians submitted to the tax, and King Haco appointed collectorsto receive it, as is here intimated. 

 6. 

 First our wise Sovereign, the Bestower of peace, and Defender of the Northern Thrones, imposed tribute, the ransom of life, on the dwellers of the Ness. [53] All its tribes were terrified by the steel-clad exactor of rings, [54] and panic-struck at his mighty power. 

While King Haco lay in Ronaldsvo a great darkness drew over the sun, so that only a little ring was bright round the sun, and it continuedso for some hours. [55]

On the day of St Laurence's wake[56] King Haco, having ordered theOrkney-men to follow him as soon as they were ready, sailed overPentland-Firth, [57] Earl Magnus, however, staid behind. He was hereinformed that John Drotning, [58] and Kolbein Aslacson, with the shipsexpected from the east, but which had been accidentally detained, werearrived in the Islands. King Haco then sailed with all his forces to ahaven that is called Asleifarvic, [59] from that to Lewes, so on toRaasa, and, from thence to that place, in Sky-sound, which is calledCallach-stane. [60]

Here he was joined by Magnus King of Man, and the relations ErlingIvarson, Andrew Nicolson, and Halward. He next proceeded to the Soundof Mull, [61] and then to Kiararey where King Dugal and the otherHebridians were assembled with all their troops. King Haco had nowabove an hundred vessels, for the most part large, and all of themwell provided both with men and arms. 

While King Haco remained at Kiararey he divided his forces, and sentfifty ships south to the Mull of Kintire[62] to plunder. The captainsappointed over them were King Dugal, Magnus King of Man, BryniolfJohnson, Ronald Urka, Andrew Pott, Ogmund Krækidants, VigleicPriestson. He also ordered five ships for Bute; these were under thecommand of Erlend Red, Andrew Nicolson, Simon Stutt, Ivar Ungi Eyfari, and Gutthorm the Hebridian, each in his own ship. 

King Haco sailed afterwards south to Gudey[63] before Kintire wherehe anchored. There King John met him; he came in the ship with BishopThorgil. King Haco desired him to follow his banner as he should do. But King John excused himself. He said he had sworn an oath to theScottish King, and held of him more lands than of the NorwegianMonarch; he therefore entreated King Haco to dispose of all thoseestates which he had conferred upon him. King Haco kept him with himsome time, and endeavoured to incline his mind to fidelity. Many laidimputations to his charge. King Haco indeed had before received badaccounts of him from the Hebrides; for John Langlife-son came to theKing, while he was sailing west from Shetland, and told him the newsthat John King of the Hebrides, breaking his faith, had turned to theScottish Monarch. King Haco, however, would not believe this till hehad found it so. 

During King Haco's stay at Gudey an Abbot of a monastery ofGreyfriars waited on him, begging protection for their dwelling, andHoly Church: and this the King granted them in writing. 

Friar Simon had lain sick for some time. He died at Gudey. His corpsewas afterwards carried up to Kintire where the Greyfriars interred himin their Church. They spread a fringed pall over his grave, and calledhim a Saint. 

About this time men came from King Dugal, and said that the Lords ofKintire, Margad, [64] and Angus, [65] (also proprietor of Ila), werewilling to surrender the lands which they held to King Haco; and toorder their dependants to join him. The King answered, that he wouldnot lay waste the peninsula, if they submitted on the following daybefore noon; if not he gave them to understand he would ravage it. Themessengers returned. Next morning Margad came and gave up every thinginto the King's power; a little after Angus arrived and likewise didthe same. The King then said, that, if they would enter into articleswith him, he would reconcile them with the King of Scotland. On thisthey took an oath to King Haco, and delivered hostages. The King laida fine of a thousand head of cattle on their estates. Angus yielded upIla also to the King; and the King returned Ila to Angus, upon thesame terms that the other Barons in the Hebrides enjoyed their lands;this is recorded in the Ravens-ode. 

 7

 Our Sovereign, sage in Council, the imposer of tribute, and brandisher of the keen Falchion directed his long galleys thro' the Hebrides. He bestowed Ila, taken by his troops, on the valiant Angus the generous distributor of the beauteous ornaments of the hand. [66]

 8

 Our dareful King that rules the monsters of the deep, [67] struck excessive terror into all the regions of the western ocean. Princes bowed their heads in subjection to the cleaver of the battered helm; he often dismissed the suppliants in peace, and dispelled their apprehensions of the wasteful tribes. 

South in Kintire there was a Castle held by a Knight who came to waiton King Haco, and surrendered the fortress into his hands. The Kingconferred this Castle upon Guthorm Backa-kolf. 

We must next speak of that detachment of the Army, which the King hadsent towards the Mull of Kintire to pillage. The Norwegians made adescent there. They burnt the hamlets that were before them, and tookall the effects that they could find. They killed some of theinhabitants; the rest fled where they could. But, when they wereproceeding to the greater villages, letters arrived from King Hacoforbidding them to plunder. Afterwards they sailed for Gudey to rejoinKing Haco, as is here said. 

 9. 

 The openers of gushing wounds, undaunted of soul, proceeded in the paths[68] of the famed Getis, [69] from the south round Kintire. Our heroes, rousers of the thundering tempest of swords, glutted the swift, sable-clad birds of prey in Scotland. 

The wind was not favourable, King Haco, however, made Andrew Pott gobefore him south to Bute, with some small vessels, to join those hehad already sent thither. News was soon received that they had won afortress, the garrison of which had capitulated, and accepted terms ofthe Norwegians. There was with the Norwegians a sea-officer, calledRudri. [70] He considered Bute as his Birthright; and because he hadnot received the Island of the Scotch he committed many ravages, andkilled many people; and for that he was outlawed by the Scottish King. He came to King Haco, and took the oaths to him; and with two of hisbrothers became his subjects. As soon as the garrison, after havingdelivered up the strong-hold, were gone away from the Norwegians, Rudri killed nine of them, because he thought that he owed them nogood will. Afterwards King Haco reduced the island, as is here said. 

 10. 

 The wide-extended Bute was won from the forlorn wearers[71] of rings by the renowned and invincible troops of the promoter of conquest, --they wielded the two-edged sword--the foes of our Ruler dropt, and the Raven from his fields of slaughter, winged his flight for the Hebrides. 

The Norwegians who had been in Bute went to Scotland, where theyburned many houses, and several towns. Rudri, proceeding a great way, did all the mischief that he could, as is here described. 

 11. 

 The habitations of men, the dwellings of the wretched, flamed. Fire, the devourer of halls, glowed in their granaries. The hapless throwers of the dart[72] fell near the swan-frequented plain, [73] while south from our floating pines[74] marched a host of warriors. 

While King Haco was in the Hebrides, deputies came to him from Irelandintimating that the Irish[75] Ostmen would submit to his power, if hewould secure them from the encroachments of the English, whopossessed all the best towns along the sea-coast. King Hacoaccordingly sent Sigurd the Hebridian, with some fast-sailing vessels, to examine on what terms the Irish invited him thither. 

After this King Haco sailed south before the Mull of Kintire with allhis fleet, and anchored for some time in Arran-sound. Then, there cameoften Predicant, or Barefooted friars, from the Scottish Monarch, toKing Haco, to sound him about a pacification between the twoSovereigns. At this juncture also King Haco set King John at liberty;and bidding him go in peace, wherever he would, gave him several richpresents. He promised King Haco, to do everything in his power toeffectuate a peace between him and the Scottish King; and that hewould immediately return to King Haco whenever he desired him. Soonafter King Haco sent Gilbert Bishop of Hamar, Henry Bishop of Orkney, Andrew Nicolson, Andrew Plytt, and Paul Soor as envoys to treat abouta peace with the King of Scotland. They went to the Scottish Monarch, and laid before him their overtures. He received them honourably, seemed inclined to a compromise, and said that such terms ofaccommodation as he would consent to, would be transmitted to KingHaco. The commissioners departed; and the Scottish envoys arrived soonafter. King Haco had ordered that all the Islands to the west ofScotland, which he called his, should be wrote down. The King ofScotland again had named all such as he would not relinquish. Thesewere Bute, Arran, and the two Cumbras;[76] as to other matters therewas very little dispute between the Sovereigns; but however noagreement took place. 

The Scotch purposely declined any accommodation, because summer wasdrawing to a period, and the weather was becoming bad. Finding this, Haco sailed in, with all his forces, past the Cumbras. 

Afterwards an interview in Scotland was agreed upon for areconciliation. King Haco sent thither a Bishop and a Baron; and tomeet them came some Knights and Monks. They spoke much about anaccommodation, but, at last, things ended the same way as formerly. Towards the conclusion of the day a greater number of Scots convenedfrom the country than the Norwegians thought were to be trusted. Theytherefore, retiring to the ships, waited on the King, and told himtheir opinion. The generality advised him to declare that the trucewas now ended, and to give orders to plunder, as the army was veryshort of provisions. 

King Haco, however, sent one of his courtiers, called Kolbein Rich, tothe Scottish Monarch. He carried with him the Articles of pacificationwhich the Scottish King had sent to King Haco, and was commanded tobring back the proposals which King Haco had sent to the King ofScotland. He was besides to propose that the Sovereigns should meetwith all their forces and treat about a peace. If that, by the graceof God, took place, it was very well; but if it should turn outotherwise, then Haco proposed to the King of Scotland to fight, withtheir whole armies, and let him conquer whom God pleased. The ScottishMonarch seem'd not unwilling to fight, but he gave no explanation. Kolbein, therefore, returned back to his Sovereign, who appeared butlittle satisfied with his message; as is mentioned in the Ravens-ode. 

 12. 

 The Eastern Hero great in command, and ennobled by Victory, repeatedly offered the decisive conflict of Javelins to the enemy. The strangers, distrustful of their strength, risked not the combat against our magnanimous Prince, wielder of the gleaming blade. 

The truce was now declared to be totally ended. The King accordinglysent sixty ships in to Loch-Long. [77] They were commanded by MagnusKing of Man, King Dugal, [78] and Allan his brother, Angus, Margad, Vigleik Priestson and Ivar Holm. When they came into the inlet theytook their boats, and drew them[79] up to a great lake which is calledLoch-Lomond. On the far side round the lake was an Earldom calledLennox. [80] In the lake there were a great many islands wellinhabited;[81] these islands the Norwegians wasted with fire. Theyalso burned all the buildings about the lake, and made greatdevastation, as Sturlas relates. 

 13. 

 The persevering shielded warriors of the thrower of the whizzing spear[82] drew their boats across the broad isthmus. Our fearless troops, the exactors of contribution, with flaming brands wasted the populous islands in the lake, and the mansions around its winding bays. 

Allan the brother of King Dugal, marched far over into Scotland, andkilled great numbers of the inhabitants. He took many hundred head ofcattle, and made vast havoc, as is here described. 

 14. 

 Our veterans fierce of Soul, feeders of wolves, hastened their wasteful course through the spacious districts of the mountains. Allan, the bravest of mortals, at the fell interview of battle, often wreaked his fatal vengeance on the expiring foe. 

Afterwards the Norwegians retired to their fleet, and met with soviolent a storm that it dashed in pieces about ten of their ships inLoch-Long. At this time Ivar Holm was seized with an acute disease, which occasioned his death. 

King Haco, as was before written, still lay in the Hebrides. Michaelmas fell on a Saturday; and, on the Monday night after, therecame a great tempest with hailstones and rain. The watch on thefore-castle of the King's ship called out, and said that a transportvessel was driving full against their cable. The sailors immediatelysprung upon deck; but the rigging of the transport getting entangledin the King's ship, carried away its beak. The transport then fellaboard in such a manner, that the anchor grappled the cordage of theKing's ship, which then began to drag its anchors. The King, therefore, ordered the cable of the transport to be cut, which wasaccordingly done. It then drove out to sea, but the King's shipremained steadfast, and continued uncovered[83] till daylight. On themorning, the transport floated with the tide, and, together with agalley, was cast ashore on Scotland. The wind gradually increasing, the crew of the King's ship got more cables, and dropt a fifthanchor. The King himself then took to his long-boat, and rowing out tothe islands, ordered mass to be sung. The fleet in the meantime wasforced up the channel; and the tempest that day was so furious thatsome vessels cut away their masts, others ran aground. The King's shipalso drove into the sound, tho' seven anchors, including that takenfrom the transport, had been used. They then let go an eighth, whichwas the sheet anchor; the ship still drove, but the anchors at lengthtook fast hold. Five vessels were cast ashore. So great was this stormthat people said it was raised by the power of Magic, and the quantityof rain was prodigious, as is thus described. 

 15. 

 Now our deep-enquiring Sovereign encounter'd the horrid powers of enchantment, and the abominations of an impious race. The troubled flood tore many fair gallies from their moorings and swept them anchorless before its waves. 

 16. 

 A magic-raised watery tempest blew upon our warriors, ambitious of conquest, and against the floating habitations[84] of the brave. The roaring billows and stormy blast threw shielded companies of our adventurous nation on the Scottish strand. 

When the Scotch saw that the vessels had run aground, they assembledtogether, and advancing against the Norwegians, attacked them withmissile weapons. They, however, defended themselves gallantly undercover of their ships; the Scotch made several attempts, at differenttimes, but killed few, tho' many were wounded. King Haco, as the windwas now somewhat abated, sent in some boats with a reinforcement, asis here mentioned. 

 17. 

 The victorious breaker of gleaming weapons, attentive of soul, then sent his bands to the hard-fought field, where breast-plates rang. Our troops, by the slaughter of the suspicious foe, established their Monarch's fame, vilified by the dwellers of the vallies. [85]

Afterwards the Sovereign himself, attended by Thorlaug Bosa, set sailin a barge belonging to the Masters of the Lights. [86] As soon as theKing's men approached the land the Scotch retired; and the Norwegianscontinued ashore all night. The Scotch, however, during the darkness, entered the transport, [87] and carried off as much of the lading asthey could. On the morning, the King with a numerous reinforcementcame on shore; and he ordered the transport to be lightened, and towedout to the ships. 

In a little time, they descried the Scottish army, and it was sonumerous that they supposed the King of Scotland was present. OgmundKrækidants with his company was stationed on a hill. The Scottish vanskirmished with his men; and, their main body coming on, theNorwegians entreated the King, as they were anxious for his safety, torow to his fleet and to send them help. The King insisted on remainingon shore; but they would not assent to his continuing any longer soexposed; he, therefore, sailed out in a barge to his ships at theCumbras. The following Barons remained on land, Lord Andrew Nicolson, Ogmund Krækidants, Erling Alfson, Andrew Pott, Ronald Urka, ThorlaugBosi, Paul Soor. The whole number of soldiers with them was eight ornine hundred. Two hundred men were upon the rising-ground with Ogmund;but the rest of the troops were posted down upon the beach. 

The Scottish army now advanced, and it was conjectured to consist ofnear fifteen hundred knights. [88] All their horses had breast-plates;and there were many Spanish steeds in complete armour. The ScottishKing had, besides, a numerous army of foot soldiers, well accoutred. They generally had bows and spears. 

The Norwegians on the hill, apprehensive of being surrounded, began toretire in scattered parties towards the sea. Andrew Nicolson, observing this, came up to the rising ground, and desired Ogmund todraw off his men towards the beach, but not to retreat soprecipitately as if he fled. The Scotch at this time attacked themfuriously with darts and stones. Showers of weapons were poured uponthe Norwegians, who defended themselves, and retired in good order. But when they approached the sea, each one hurrying faster thananother, those on the beach imagined they were routed. Some thereforeleaped into their boats, and pushed off from the land, others jumpedinto the transport. Their companions called upon them to return, andsome returned, tho' few. Andrew Pott leaped over two boats, and into athird, and so escaped from land. Many boats went down, and some menwere lost, and the rest of the Norwegians at last wheeled abouttowards the sea. 

Here Haco of Steini, one of King Haco's household, fell. TheNorwegians were then driven south from the transport, and were headedby Andrew Nicolson, Ogmund Krækidants, Thorlaug Bosi, and Paul Soor. There soon began a severe contest, tho' very unequal, as ten Scotsfought against each Norwegian. Among the Scotch there was a youngknight called Ferash, [89] equally distinguished for his birth andfortune. He wore a helmet plaited with gold, and set with preciousstones, and the rest of his armour was of a piece with it. He rodegallantly up to the Norwegians, but no other ventured. He gallopedfrequently along the Norwegian line, and then back to his ownfollowers. Andrew Nicolson had now reached the Scottish van. Heencountered this illustrious knight, and struck at his thigh with suchforce that he cut it off, [90] through the armour, with his sword, which penetrated to the saddle. The Norwegians stript him of hisbeautiful belt. [91] The hardest conflict then commenced. Many fell onboth sides, but more of the Scotch, as Sturlas sings. 

 18. 

 Where cuirasses rung, our generous youths, formed in a circle, prostrated the illustrious givers of bracelets. The birds of prey were gluttonously filled with lifeless limbs. What great chieftain shall avenge the fate of the renowned wearer of the Belt?

During the battle there was so great a tempest that King Haco saw nopossibility of bringing the army ashore. Ronald, and Eilif ofNaustadale, however, with some men, rowed to land, and greatlydistinguished themselves; as did those troops who had before gone outin their boats. Ronald, in the end, was repulsed to his ships; butEilif behaved most heroically. The Norwegians now began to formthemselves anew; and the Scotch took possession of the rising ground. There were continued skirmishes with stones and missile weapons; buttowards evening the Norwegians made a desperate charge against theScotch on the hill, as is here recorded. 

 19. 

 The champions of Nordmæra's[92] Lord saluted the stout, harnassed Barons, with the rough music of battle. The train of the supporter of thrones, courageous, and clad in steel, marched to the din of clashing swords. 

 20. 

 At the conflict of corselets on the blood-red hill, the damasked blade hewed the mail of hostile tribes, ere the Scot, nimble as the hound, would leave the field to the followers of our all-conquering king. 

The Scotch then left the eminence, and fled, where they could, away totheir mountains. The Norwegians, perceiving this, retired to theirboats, and rowing out to their ships, luckily escaped the storm. Onthe morning they came back in search of the bodies of those who haddropt. Among the dead were Haco of Steini, and Thorgisl Gloppa, bothbelonging to King Haco's household. There fell also a worthy vassalcalled Karlhoved, from Drontheim, and another vassal named Halkel, from Fiorde. Besides, there died three Masters of the Lights, Thorstein Bat, John Ballhoved, and Halward Buniard. It was impossiblefor the Norwegians to tell how many were killed of the Scotch, becausethose who dropt were taken up and removed to the woods. King Hacoordered his dead to be carried to a church. 

Five days after, King Haco commanded his men to weigh anchor and tobring his ship close under the Cumbras. He was soon joined by thesquadron which had been in Loch-long. On the fast day following, theweather was good, and the King sent some retainers ashore to burn thevessels which had been stranded; that same day the King sailed pastCumbra to Melansey, [93] where he lay some nights. Here he was met bythe Commissioners he had sent to Ireland, who assured him that theIrish Ostmen would willingly engage to maintain his army till he freedthem from the dominion of the English. King Haco was extremelydesirous of sailing for Ireland, and, as the wind was not favourable, he held a Council on the subject, but the whole army was against thisplan. He, therefore, told them that as he was short of provisions hewould steer for the Hebrides. The King then ordered the body of IvarHolm to be carried to Bute, where it was interred. 

Afterwards King Haco sailed past Melansey and lay some nights nearArran, then proceeded to Sandey and so to the Mull of Kintire, and atnight he arrived north at Gudey; next he sailed out to Ila-sound, where he remained two nights. King Haco laid a contribution, rated atthree hundred head of cattle, on the island, but part was to be paidin meal, part in cheese. Haco set sail again on the first Sunday ofwinter, and met a fog and a storm so violent that few of the shipscould carry their sails. The king, therefore, made for Kiararey, andabout this time messengers passed between him and King John, but tolittle purpose. Here the King was informed that his troops had madedepredations in Mull, and that some of the Mull-men, with two or threeNorwegians, had been killed. 

King Haco next sailed in to the Calf of Mull, [94] where he stayed somenights. There King Dugal and Allan his brother took leave of the King, who gave them those estates which King John formerly possessed--MagnusKing of Man and other Hebridians had returned home before. He gaveBute to Rudri, and Arran to Margad. To King Dugal he gave the Castlein Kintire which Guthorm Backa-kolf had besieged and taken during thesummer. In this expedition King Haco regained all those provinceswhich King Magnus Barefoot had acquired, and conquered from the Scotchand Hebridians, as is here narrated. 

 21. 

 The Lord of Egda[95] soon recovered all those territories on the continent which had been subjected by the Scottish tribes. In the western regions none durst contend with the offspring of Ingui. [96] His army, like a gathering tempest, indicated desolation to the dominions of his imperious adversary. 

King Haco, leaving the calf of Mull, sailed to Rauney. Here heovertook Balti a vassal of Shetland, with those who had been sent tothe Orkneys, and to whom a permission had been given of returning toNorway. King Haco from Rauney steered northwards. The wind beingunfavourable, he made for Westerford in Sky, and ordered the islandersto supply him with provisions. Next he sailed past Cape Wrath, [97] andarriving at Dyrness, there happened a calm, for which reason the Kingordered the fleet to be steered into Gia-ford. [98] This was done onthe feast of the two apostles, Simon and Jude, [99] which fell on aSunday. The King spent the night there. On this festival, after masshad been sung, some Scots, whom the Norwegians had taken prisoners, were presented to the King. The King detained one as a hostage, andsent the others up the country, at liberty, on giving a promise thatthey would return with cattle. On the same day it happened that ninemen belonging to Andrew Biusa's ship went ashore to procure water, andan outcry was soon heard from the mainland. The crew, therefore, immediately setting off from their ships, found two men swimming, though badly wounded, and took them on board; the other seven, unarmed, and incapable of making any defence, remained by their boat(which was left aground by the tide) and were killed by the Scotch. The Norwegians landing, carried away their dead; and the Scotch, inthe meantime, fled to a wood. On the Monday, King Haco sailed fromGia-ford after having liberated the Scottish hostage, and sent himashore. The King in the evening reached the Orkneys, and anchored in acertain sound, to the north of Asmundsvo, [100] from whence he, withthe greatest part of his fleet, steered for Ronaldsvo. In passing overPentland Firth, a terrible whirlpool appeared, and in which a shipfrom Rygia-fylke, with all on board, perished. John of Hestby wasdriven through the straits, and was very near being swallowed up inthe gulf; but, by the mercy of God, his ship was forced east to theocean, and he made for Norway. 

While King Haco remained in the Orkneys the most part of his troopssailed to Norway; some went with the King's permission, but otherstook leave for themselves. King Haco, on his arrival at the islands, had at first given out that he would return immediately to Norway;but, as it was a long time before the wind favoured him, he determinedto winter in the Orkneys. He, therefore, named twenty ships that wereto remain with him, and dismissed the rest. All the vassals stayedwith him, except Eilif of Naustdale; he sailed home. Most of thegentry, however, continued with their Sovereign. The King thendespatched letters to Norway, concerning the necessaries he shouldwant. After All Saints Day, the King steered for Medalland[101]harbour; but spent one day at Ronaldsha. 

On the Saturday before Martinmas King Haco rode to the port ofMedalland, and after mass he was taken very ill. He was aboard hisship during the night; but, on the morning, he ordered mass to be sungon shore. He afterwards held a council to deliberate where the vesselsshould be laid up; and ordered his men to be attentive, and see aftertheir respective ships. Upon this each captain took the charge of hisown galley. Some were laid up in the harbour of Medalland, and othersat Skalpeid. [102]

Next King Haco proceeded to Skalpeid, and then rode to Kirkwall. He, with such officers as dined at his table, lodged in the Bishop'spalace. Here the King and the Bishop kept separate tables in thehalls, each for his own retinue; but the King dined in the upperstory. He ordered certain districts to furnish his nobility andhousehold with provisions. Andrew Plytt had the inspection of theKing's table, and delivered out to the courtiers, retainers, mastersof the Lights, and other attendants their usual allowance. After theproper arrangements were taken concerning the disposal of the fleet, the different captains went whither their ships were laid up. TheBarons who remained at Kirkwall were Briniolf Johnston, Erling Alfson, Ronald Urka, Erling of Birkey, John Drotning, and Erlend Red. Theother Barons repaired to their proper districts. 

King Haco had spent the summer in much watchfulness and anxiety. Beingoften called to deliberate with his captains, he had enjoyed littlerest, and when he arrived at Kirkwall, he was confined to his bed byhis disorder. Having lain for some nights, the illness abated, and hewas on foot for three days. On the first day he walked about in hisapartments; on the second, he attended at the Bishop's chapel to hearmass; and on the third he went to Magnus's Church, and walked roundthe shrine of St Magnus, Earl of Orkney. He then ordered a bath to beprepared, and got himself shaved. Some nights after he relapsed, andtook again to his bed. During his sickness, he ordered the Bible andLatin authors to be read to him. But finding his spirits were too muchfatigued by reflecting on what he had heard, he desired Norwegianbooks might be read to him night and day; first the lives of Saints, and, when they were ended, he made his attendants read the Chroniclesof our Kings from Haldan the Black, and so of all the NorwegianMonarchs in succession, one after the other. The King still found hisdisorder increasing. He, therefore, took into consideration the pay tobe given to his troops, and commanded that a mark of fine silvershould be given to each courtier, and half a mark to each of themasters of the lights, chamberlains, and other attendants on hisperson. He ordered all the ungilt plate belonging to his table to beweighed, and to be distributed if his plain silver fell short. Atthis time also letters were wrote to Prince Magnus concerning thegovernment of the nation, and some things which the King wanted tohave settled respecting the army. King Haco received extreme unctionon the night before the festival of St Lucia. [103] Thorgisl, Bishop ofStavanger, Gilbert Bishop of Hamar, Henry Bishop of Orkney, AbbotThorleif, and many other learned men were present; and before theunction, all present bade the King farewell with a kiss. He stillspoke distinctly; and his particular favourites asked him if he leftbehind him any other son than Prince Magnus, or any other heirs thatshould share in the kingdom, but he uniformly persisted that he had noother heirs in the male or female line, than what were publicly known. 

When the histories of all the Kings down to Suerer had been recited, he ordered the life of that Prince to be read, and to be continuednight and day, whenever he found himself indisposed to sleep. 

The festival of the Virgin St. Lucia happened on a Thursday, and onthe Saturday after, the King's disorder increased to such a degreethat he lost the use of his speech; and at midnight Almighty Godcalled King Haco out of this mortal life. This was matter of greatgrief to all those who attended, and to most of those who heard of theevent. The following Barons were present at the death of the King, Briniolf Johnson, Erling Alfson, John Drottning, Ronald Urka, and somedomestics who had been near the King's person during his illness. Immediately on the decease of the King, Bishops, and learned men weresent for to sing mass. Afterwards all the company went out exceptBishop Thorgisl, Briniolf Johnson and two other persons, who watchedby the body, and performed all the services due to so illustrious aLord and Prince as King Haco had been. On Sunday the royal corpse wascarried to the upper hall, and laid on a bier. The body was clothed ina rich garb, with a garland on the head, and dressed out as became acrowned monarch. The masters of the lights stood with tapers in theirhands, and the whole hall was illuminated. All the people came to seethe body, which appeared beautiful and animated, and the King'scountenance was as fair and ruddy as while he was alive. It was somealleviation of the deep sorrow of the beholders to see the corpse oftheir departed Sovereign so decorated. High mass was then sung for thedeceased. The Nobility kept watch by the body during the night. OnMonday the remains of King Haco were carried to St. Magnus's church, where they lay in state that night. On Tuesday the royal corpse wasput into a coffin, and buried in the Choir of St. Magnus's Church, near the steps leading to the shrine of St. Magnus Earl of Orkney. Thetomb was then closed, and a canopy was spread over it. It was alsodetermined that watch should be kept over the King's grave all winter. At Christmas the Bishop and Andrew Plytt furnished entertainments, asthe King had directed, and good presents were given to all thesoldiers. 

King Haco had given orders that his remains should be carried east toNorway, and buried near his Father and relations. Towards the end ofwinter, therefore, that great vessel which he had had in the west waslaunched, and soon got ready. On Ash-Wednesday the corpse of King Hacowas taken out of the ground; this happened on the third of the nonesof March. The Courtiers followed the corpse to Skalpeid where the shiplay, and which was chiefly under the direction of Bishop Thorgisl, andAndrew Plytt. They put to sea on the first Saturday in Lent; butmeeting with hard weather, they steered for Silavog. [104] From thisplace they wrote letters to Prince Magnus acquainting him with thenews, and then set sail for Bergen. They arrived at Laxavog[105]before the festival of St. Benedict. [106] On that day Prince Magnusrowed out to meet the corpse. The ship was brought near to the King'spalace; and the body was carried up to a summer house. Next morningthe corpse was removed to Christ-church, and was attended by PrinceMagnus, the two Queens, the Courtiers, and the town's people. The bodywas then interred in the Choir of Christ-church; and Prince Magnusaddressed a long and gracious speech to those who attended thefuneral procession. All the multitude present expressed great sorrowof mind as Sturlas says. 

 22. 

 Three nights did the brave warriors, the flower of chivalry, continue at Bergen, ere they entombed their wise and glorious Prince. The breakers of temper'd metals, stood crowding around the grave of the ruler of the nation, while in their swimming eyes appear'd no look of joy. --Then commenced those bloody feuds which till our days have reigned. 

King Haco was buried three nights before the festival of theannunciation of the Virgin Mary; and after the Incarnation of our LordJesus Christ one thousand two hundred and sixty three years. [107]

FINIS. 

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: Sudr-eyiar, (_orig. _). The Hebrides or southern divisionof the Scottish islands, so called in contradistinction to theOrkneys. ]

[Footnote 2: Godred, Chrou-ban, _i. E. _ the white handed, King of Man. ]

[Footnote 3: _Th_ursa sker (_orig. _) _i. E. _ the giants' rocks, Thurso. ]

[Footnote 4: Solunder-haf, (_orig. _) the Northern ocean. So calledfrom the Soloe islands near that promontory of Norway called Stad. That species of sea fowl which frequent the Bass, probably receivedtheir name from being more commonly found in the Solund isles. ]

[Footnote 5: Kiarna-borg, (_orig. _), _Fl. Ms. _ Kianaborg, from theIrish _carn_ a rock, and the Is. _borg_ a castle. This castle wassituated on a rocky islet near Mul. Fordun calls it Carnborg. ]

[Footnote 6: Liod-hus, _i. E. _ The residence of Liot. It is notunlikely that the isle of Lewes, & the family of McLeod were sonamed from Liod earl of Orkney. ]

[Footnote 7: Kiarareyiar, in the Mss. Kiarbareyiar, the islandKiararey where Alexander died, suddenly, Jul. 8th. 1249. ]

[Footnote 8: Perhaps the Author means Frissel afterwards Bishop of StAndrews; or Michael _viz. _ de Weymyss, who was ambassador to Norway, A. D. 1290. ]

[Footnote 9: Jarlin af Ros ok Kiarnakr son Makamals (_orig. _). Thetext here is much vitiated. The author might have read in some Irishaccounts, Jarl na Ross (William) McKerchar, McCalom, _i. E. _, the Earlof Ross (William) the son of Ferchard, the son of Malcolm. ThisWilliam Mac Erchart was a young Hero, and is corruptly calledMacentagart by the Scottish historians. Or perhaps, three persons maybe alluded to, viz. , the Earl of Ross, Kinneach-son (of Kintail), anda MacCamal of Lochaw, all powerful chieftains on the west coast ofScotland. It is, however, not impossible that Kiarnak was some ancientchieftain from whom a branch of the Grants was called Clan-Chiarnach. The Fl. Ms. For Makamals reads Machamals. ]

[Footnote 10: I Skid (_orig. _). In the Fl. Ms. ístrid e. To war. ]

[Footnote 11: The inhuman practice here described was common in thosetimes. From the Landnamaboc we learn that Olver first discouraged thiscustom. We read, Olver did not permit tossing infants from spear tospear as was usual among pirates, and was therefore surnamedBarna-kall or the protector of Infants. ]

[Footnote 12: Jol (_orig. _). The great brumal festival among theScandinavians. Hence the Scotch word Yule, _i. E. _, Christmas. ]

[Footnote 13: Nid-ar-os (_orig. _), _i. E. _, the mouth of the river Nid, now Drontheim. ]

[Footnote 14: Vikor (_orig. _), now Bahus in Sweden. ]

[Footnote 15: Elfa, the river at Gottenburg. ]

[Footnote 16: An Earl of Sweden and father-in-law to Haco theyounger. ]

[Footnote 17: Liodhusa, a town of Sweden demolished A. D. 1268. ]

[Footnote 18: May 3. ]

[Footnote 19: _i. E. _, the hilly country. Harald Harfager divided hiskingdom into several counties, each of which was to fit out a squadronof ships on an emergency. The counties were again divided into_skipreidor_, or smaller districts, each of which furnished a singlevessel properly equipped. ]

[Footnote 20: _i. E. _, an eminence, near Bergen. ]

[Footnote 21: By banks of oars we are only to understand benches forthe rowers. ]

[Footnote 22: _i. E. _, Cape-bay, near Bergen. ]

[Footnote 23: An island and excellent harbour near Bergen. ]

[Footnote 24: A celebrated poet, uncle to Sigvat Bodvarson, whoattended Haco in this expedition, and from whom Sturla probably hadhis information of facts. ]

[Footnote 25: The most northerly province of Norway. ]

[Footnote 26: _i. E. _, no warrior. ]

[Footnote 27: The Scandinavian Scalds and Mythologists oftenrepresented treasures as guarded by monsters, dragons, sea snakes, &c. This notion probably originated from the fabulous tales of those whotraded to the Indies. An ancient author, speaking of Scythia, says, "nam qvum in plerisque locis auro & gemmis affluant, Gryphorumimmanitate, accessus hominum rarus est. "]

[Footnote 28: _i. E. _, Haco. ]

[Footnote 29: _i. E. _, ships. ]

[Footnote 30: Gestil, a famous sea king or pirate. ]

[Footnote 31: _Th_areyiar-fiörd (_orig. _), perhaps a mistake forFaroeyiar-fiörd. Torfæus read it Barreyiarfiord. ]

[Footnote 32: _i. E. _, the column of pillars, perhaps the islandStaffa. ]

[Footnote 33: _i. E. _, the promontory of deer, nowDurnish. ]

[Footnote 34: 7th of July. ]

[Footnote 35: The Norwegians computed by winters: the Scotch did thesame, as we see by Winton's chronicle:

 "Thretty winters and four than Edan regnyd Max Gowran. "]

[Footnote 36: Val-drosar (_orig. _), the Goddesses of Fate, orValkyriæ, to whom armour was supposed sacred. ]

[Footnote 37: _i. E. _, Tribute--Ringa elldingom, (_orig. _), brightrings: _Ringa_ signify not only rings, or bracelets, but also money;for before the introduction of coinage into the North, very thickspiral gold wires were worn round the wrists of great men, whodistributed bits to those who performed any signal service; and such awire is still to be seen in the Royal Museum at Copenhagen. It is notalways easy to discern when by _ringa_ is understood ornaments for thefingers, bracelets, rings of investiture, or the current money of thetimes. ]

[Footnote 38: _i. E. _, the islet, a monastery near Bergen. ]

[Footnote 39: Afterwards chancellor of Norway. ]

[Footnote 40: Probably the son of Dugal, the son of Somerled. ]

[Footnote 41: The father of King Dugal was Rory, I suppose. See noteson pages 34 and 42. ]

[Footnote 42: Nephew to Sturla author of the Ravens-ode. He attendedHaco in this expedition. ]

[Footnote 43: _i. E. _ ships. ]

[Footnote 44: _i. E. _ sails. ]

[Footnote 45: Bla-dufor (_orig. _), _i. E. _ Blue pigeons. The Scaldsfrequently compared ships under sail to birds, horses, and otheranimals in motion. ]

[Footnote 46: _i. E. _ gold. ]

[Footnote 47: _i. E. _ ship. ]

[Footnote 48: Kirkio-vog (_orig. _) _i. E. _ Church-bay. Kirkwall. ]

[Footnote 49: Breida-fiardar (_orig. _), _i. E. _ Broad bay. The firth ofForth. ]

[Footnote 50: St Olave's day, July 29. ]

[Footnote 51: Mula in Irish and Icelandic signifies a cape or beak. ]

[Footnote 52: Kata-nes (_orig. _), _i. E. _ the promontory of Cadtav orCathness. Cathness was particularly exposed to the inroads of theNorwegians. On this account great numbers of the inhabitants retiredinto Murray and the adjacent counties, where they were afterwardsknown by the name of Clan-Chattan. ]

[Footnote 53: _i. E. _, the promontory, or Cathness. ]

[Footnote 54: Baug-gerdar (_orig. _), _i. E. _ imposer of rings. _Baug_signifies anything circular, therefore, in compounded words, it is noteasy to discern when it denotes rings or shields, &c. See note on_ringa_, p. 19. ]

[Footnote 55: This eclipse happened on the 5th of August 1263. ]

[Footnote 56: St Laurence's wake or vigil, 9th of Aug. ]

[Footnote 57: Cathness by the ancient Britons was called Pentîr, _i. E. _ the headland, whence the neighbouring firth had its name. ]

[Footnote 58: _i. E. _ John the Queen, perhaps the ancestor of theMcQueens. ]

[Footnote 59: Asleifarvik (_orig. _). Fl. MS. , Hals-eyiar-vic. ]

[Footnote 60: _i. E. _ The old woman's rock. _Cailleach_ in Irish, and_kerling_ in Icelandic signify an old woman. ]

[Footnote 61: _i. E. _ The promontory. This island was so calledbecause, from its propinquity to the opposite shore, it appeared likea cape. The old Venetian edition of Pliny has "Mella xxv mill. Pass. Amplior proditur;" in the other copies it is "Reliquarum nulla" &c. Hence the true reading appears to be Reliquarum Mulla &c. ]

[Footnote 62: Ken-tîr, _i. E. _ the promontory, a Peninsula in Scotland, Kintire. ]

[Footnote 63: _i. E. _ God's-Island. I take this to be Giga, or, asFordon calls it, Gia, compounded of the Gaelic _Dhia_, God, and theIslandic _ey_, an island. ]

[Footnote 64: Who this Margad was does not appear from history, Ibelieve. ]

[Footnote 65: Angus, Lord of Kintire and Ila, was grandson & heir ofReginald king of the isles. His posterity succeeded to the county ofRoss, & John, the second Earl, A. D. 1449, gave to his Brother Hugh theBarony of Slate &c. Lord McDonald Baron of Slate, is the directmale representative of Reginald. ]

[Footnote 66: _i. E. _, rings or bracelets. ]

[Footnote 67: _i. E. _, ships. ]

[Footnote 68: _i. E. _ the sea. ]

[Footnote 69: A celebrated adventurer or sea king. ]

[Footnote 70: Rudri or Ruari is the Irish abbreviation of Roderic. Theperson here meant is, no doubt, the second son of King Reginald, & thesame who in a donation to the abbey of Sandale, is stiled Rodericus deKintire filius Reginaldi. This Roderic, it seems, besides Allan &Dougal, had another son Angus McRorie, Lord of Bute, whose daughterand heiress Jean was married to Alexander sixth Lord High Steward, Grand father to Robert II. King of Scotland. Robert, A. D. 1400. , gaveBute to his son John from whom the present family of Bute is lineallydescended. ]

[Footnote 71: _i. E. _ the Scotch. ]

[Footnote 72: _i. E. _ the Scotch. ]

[Footnote 73: _i. E. _ sea. ]

[Footnote 74: _i. E. _ ships. ]

[Footnote 75: Irar. (_orig. _), _i. E. _ Irish. As the native Irish hadsuffer'd so much from the Scandinavians it is improbable they wouldapply for assistance to the _Siol Lochlin na beum_. We may thereforereasonably conclude that the People here mentioned were thedescendants of those Norwegians or Ostmen, who long inhabited theeastern coast of Ireland and founded some of its best towns. A. D. 1201 those Ostmen or Easterlings were still so considerable that, at arecognition taken of the diocese of Limerick, the arbitratorsconsisted of 12 English, 12 Irish, & 12 Ostmen. Edw. I. GaveGilchrist, William, & John Gilmorys, with other Ostmen in the Countyof Waterford, peculiar privileges; &, by the rolls of Edw. II. Theyevidently subsisted, as a distinct people, during the reign of thatprince. ]

[Footnote 76: Kumr-eyiar (_orig. _), _i. E. _ the Islands of theCumbrians, two small islands to the West of Scotland. ]

[Footnote 77: Skipa-fiörd in Islandic, and Loch-Lhong, in Gaelic, signifies the Bay of Ships. ]

[Footnote 78: Allan & Dougal his brother were, I imagine, the sons ofRudri (see the note on page 34. ) This Allan we may suppose to be thesame who, in Rymer's Foedera, is called "Alanus filius Rotherici, " &who A. D. 1284 was one of the Barons that engaged to support Margaretof Norway's title to the crown of Scotland. Dugal was probably thepredecessor of McDougal of Dunoly _i. E. _ Olave's tower. The placemight receive this name, from having been the residence of Olave, theyoungest Son of Somerled thane of Argyle. ]

[Footnote 79: To avoid long, or dangerous circumnavigations, it wasusual for the antients to draw their light canoes over isthmuses. Among the Greeks such places were termed [Greek: _diolchoi_] _i. E. _dragging-places, and there was a very remarkable one near Corinth. Bythe Scotch they were called Tarbats, from the Gaelic _tarn_ to draw, and _baat_ a boat. There was a Tarbat between Loch-Lomond andLoch-Long. ]

[Footnote 80: Alwin McArkel, as appears from the Chartulary ofGlasgow, was created Earl of Levnach by Maol-Coluim IIII. , A. D. 1153. ]

[Footnote 81: No doubt the neighbouring inhabitants retired to theisles of Loch-Lomond in times of danger. ]

[Footnote 82: _i. E. _ Haco. ]

[Footnote 83: _i. E. _ without an awning. ]

[Footnote 84: _i. E. _ ships. ]

[Footnote 85: _i. E. _, the Scotch. ]

[Footnote 86: Kerti-sveina (_orig. _), _i. E. _ Inspectors of the Lights, who were to see that the Norwegian palace was properly illuminated. The office corresponded exactly to the Canhowllyd of the WelshPrinces. ]

[Footnote 87: In the Fl. Ms. The Norwegians are said to have enteredthe transport. ]

[Footnote 88: Fl. MS. , Five hundred. ]

[Footnote 89: Perus or Pherus (_orig. _), probably Fergus. ]

[Footnote 90: A quotation from Giraldus's account of the Irish willboth illustrate this passage & the antient method of fighting. "Utuntur--securibus quoque amplis, fabrili diligentiâ optimèchalybatis, quas a Norwegiensibus & Oustmannis sunt mutuati. Unâtantum manu, & non ambabus, securi percutiunt, pollice desupermanubrium in longum extenso ictu regente, a quo nec galea, caput, inconum erecta, nec reliquum corpus ferrea loricæ tricatura tuetur. Unde& in nostris contigit temporibus totam militis coxam ferro utcunquefideliter vestitam, uno securis ictu præcisam fuisse, ex unâ equiparte coxâ cum tibiâ, ex altera verò, corpore cadente moribundo. Lapides quoque pugillares, cum alia arma defecerint, hostibus inconflictu damnosissimos, præ alia gente promptius, & expeditius admanum habent. "]

[Footnote 91: Knights at their creation were invested with beltsornamented with gems. See Malmsb. , book 2, chap. 6. ]

[Footnote 92: A district of Norway. ]

[Footnote 93: Melanzeiar (_orig. _). Fl. Ms. Melas eyiar, perhaps theisland of Lamlash or Alisa. ]

[Footnote 94: Mylar-Kalf (_orig. _). Among the Norwegians a smallisland adjoining to a greater was called its calf, as the calf ofMull, the calf of Man, &c. ]

[Footnote 95: A subdivision of Norway. ]

[Footnote 96: Yngua (_orig. _), one of Haco's predecessors. ]

[Footnote 97: Hvarf, (_orig. _), signifies an intervening ridge thatintercepts the prospect--Farohead. ]

[Footnote 98: Giafiörd (_orig. _) Fl. Ms. Goa-fiörd. ]

[Footnote 99: October 28. ]

[Footnote 100: Asmundar-vogi (_orig. _), _i. E. _, Asmund's Bay. ]

[Footnote 101: Probably some harbour of the Mainland, one of theOrkneys. ]

[Footnote 102: A cape of Pomona. ]

[Footnote 103: December 13. ]

[Footnote 104: _i. E. _ Herring bay. ]

[Footnote 105: _i. E. _ Salmon bay. ]

[Footnote 106: March 21. ]

[Footnote 107: Here it must be observed that the Norwegian yearcommenced March 25. So that, according to our reckoning, Haco died inMarch 1264. ]

Recently published. 

_Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor, _ Historical Memoirs of; including the_Story of the Abduction of_ LADY GRANGE. With an Introductory Sketch, illustrative of the Condition of the Highlands prior to 1745. By K. MACLEAY, M. D. I vol. , crown 8vo. , cloth, _with authenticportrait of_ ROB ROY, 5s. 

250 LARGE PAPER COPIES on Dutch Handmade Paper, _with portrait_, 7s. 6d. 

 The previous editions of this interesting and authentic account of the Times, the Family, and the Exploits of the celebrated Rob Roy have now been out of print for many years. It has therefore been increasingly difficult to obtain copies of a work which throws much light, not only upon the romantic career of the outlaw, but upon the state of the Highlands prior to the Rebellion of 1715. The present publisher has for these reasons issued this third edition, which he trusts will meet with acceptance alike from those interested in Scottish history, and those who may be curious to learn more of the life, character, and adventures of the hero of one of Sir Walter Scott's greatest novels. The story of the abduction of Lady Grange, which is added, as in the previous editions, forms an appropriate sequel to the memoirs of Rob Roy, having all the charm of a romance, while well illustrating the utter lawlessness at one time prevailing within the Highland borders. --_Preface. _

 * * * * *

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