FOOTNOTES.
[1]. Vol. I. p. 175.
[2]. See Vol. I. p. 178.
[3]. Ibid. 176, 178, 179.
[4]. Vol. I. p. 187.
[5]. Ibid. p. 188.
[6]. See Vol. I. p. 216.
[7]. Ibid. p. 320.
[8]. See “The Fatal Sisters.”
[9]. The materials for the preceding section are derived from the Orkneyinga Saga; Snorro, Heimskringla; Johnstone, Antiquitates Celto-Scindicæ.
[10]. The preceding section is derived from, 1. Torfœus, Islandia Antiqua; 2. Ditto, Historia Rerum Norvegicarum; 3. Snorro, Heimskringla; 4. The Landnamabok, seu Origines Islandorum; 5. Schlegel, Comment. de Codice Gragas.; 6. Wharton, History of the Northmen.
[11]. Snorro, Saga af Olafi Tryggva-Syni; Heimskringla (multis locis); Torfœus, Vinlandia Antiqua; Adamas Bremensis, De Situ Daniæ; Malte Brun, Géographie; Pontoppidan, Gesta et Ventigia Danorum extra Daniam.
[12]. Karamzin, tom. i.
[13]. Karamzin, Histoire de Russia; Levesque, Histoire; Pontoppidan, Gesta et Vestigia.
[14]. Pontoppidan, Gesta et Vestigia Danorum extra Daniam. The best account of the piratical exploits of the Northmen in France is in the Roman de Rou of Wace, and, the Chronique of Benoit de St. Maur. Their exploits in Spain are mentioned both by the Mohammedan and Christian writers. Their exploits in Scotland, Iceland, Ireland, and the coast of Britain, are contained in the Sagas; but these abound so much in wild fiction that it is difficult to separate the true from the false.
[15]. The authorities for the present chapter are,—1. Edda Sæmundar hins Froda; Edda Rythmica seu Antiquior vulgo Sæmundina dicta: pars i. 1787, pars ii. 1818, pars iii. 1828. Havniæ.—2. Edda Snorronis à Rask. Coben. 1818.—3. Mallet, Introduction à l’Histoire de Dannemarc, tom. i. and ii.—4. Percy, Notes to the Northern Antiquities.—5. Wheaton, History of the Northmen.—6. Pigott, Manual of Scandinavian Mythology.—7. Foreign Quarterly Review, Nos. 3 and 7.—8. Notes of Stephanius to his edition of Saxo Grammaticus.
[16]. Europe during the Middle Ages, vol. ii., appendix.
[17]. See Vol. I. p. 51.
[18]. Mr. Wheaton.
[22]. Geijr, Svea Bikes Häfder, tom. i. p. 339.
[23]. See Vol. I. p. 91–99.
[25]. Pigott’s translation, p. 95.
[26]. See Vol. I. p. 54.
[27]. See Vol. I. p. 46.
[28]. Thorlacius Noget om Thor og hans Hammer, in the Skandinavisk Museum for 1803.
[29]. Thorlacius ut supra, says the thundering Thor was regarded as particularly inimical to the Skovtrolds, against whom he continually employed his mighty weapon. He thinks the Bidental of the Romans, and the rites connected with it, seem to suppose a similar superstition, and that in the well-known passage of Horace,
Tu parum castis inimica mittes
Fulmina lucis,
the words parum castis lucis may mean groves or parts of woods, the haunt of unclean spirits or Skovtrolds, satyri lascivi et salaces.
[30]. The analogy of Deev, and other words of like import, might lead to the supposition of Spirit being the primary meaning of Alf.
[31]. It is probably derived from an obsolete verb νύβω, the Latin nubo signifying to veil or cover; hence nubes, clouds. In Homer (II. iii. 130.), Iris says to Helen,
Δεῦρ’ ἵθι, νύμφα φίλη.
The preceding and following notes are also from Mr. Keightley.
[32]. Keightley’s Fairy Mythology, vol. i.
[33]. Keightley’s Fairy Mythology, vol. i.
[34]. Keightley, vol. i.
[35]. See Vol. I. p. 32.
[36]. Keightley, vol. i.
[37]. See Vol. I. p. 49.
[38]. Foreign Quarterly Review, No. 3.
[39]. See Vol. I. p. 48.
[40]. See Vol. I. p. 31.
[41]. See Vol. I. p. 35.
[42]. Cæsar, de Bello Gallico, lib. i.
[44]. See Vol. I. p. 229.
[45]. See Vol. I. p. 176.
[46]. See Vol. I. p. 180.
[47]. See Vol. I. p. 181.
[48]. Schefferi Historia Lapponica, cap. ix.
[49]. See Vol. I. p. 30–42.
[50]. Heimskringla, tom. i.
[51]. Wheaton, p. 117.
[52]. See Vol. I. p. 54.
[54]. See Vol. I. p. 86.
[56]. Schefferi Historia Lapponica.
[57]. Europe during the Middle Ages, vol. ii. Appendix.
[59]. See Vol. I. p. 91–99.
[60]. The great, the mysterious Ash Yggrasid, under which Odin and the twelve Aser were accustomed to administer justice.
[61]. Pigott’s translation.
[63]. Great Ormshead in Denbighshire; orm being the Danish, and, indeed, the old English, for a worm. Another, entering the Bristol Channel, is called “The Worm’s Head.”
[64]. Mr. Pigott, p. 82.
[66]. See Vol. I. p. 98.
[67]. Page 91.
[68]. See Vol. I. p. 95.
[69]. Idem, p. 98.
[70]. Heimdal, the wonder of the gods, whose station was at the summit of Bifrost.
[71]. Alluding evidently to the seven colours of the rainbow, which was no other than Bifrost.
[72]. Ohlenschlager, Pigott’s translation.
[73]. Why does Mr. Pigott, in his excellent manual of Scandinavian mythology, follow Ohlenschlager so much, instead of the prose Edda? This latter work is but a modernised amplification, a paraphrastic explanation, of the poetic Edda. To follow a still more paraphrastic moderniser, the Danish poet, is to destroy the very spirit of the mythos.
[74]. The meaning of this word is doubtful: it is another name for Thor.
[75]. Vol. 1. p. 182.
[76]. We must again express our regret that Mr. Pigott, in his otherwise excellent work, should have paid so little attention to the elder Edda, and so much to Ohlenschlager.
[77]. The Dovre-fieldt is one of the loftiest parts of the great Scandinavian chain of mountains, and Sneehattan its highest peak.
[78]. Wadmel is a kind of coarse cloth made in Iceland, and worn universally by the peasants in Norway and Denmark.
[79]. The name of the great Ash.
[80]. Pigott’s Manual of Scandinavian Mythology.
[82]. This expression, we suppose, is for the sake of the metre.
[83]. The keys hung from the girdle of a housewife. They were wanted, we suppose, in Giant-land, as well as on earth. However, they were a symbol of marriage; and none could be effected without them.
[84]. Frost giants.
[85]. The Scandinavians reckoned by nights instead of days, and by winters instead of years.
[86]. This poem has been thus versified by the Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert, in his “Select Icelandic Poetry”:—
Wroth waxed Thor, when his sleep was flown, And he found his trusty hammer gone; He smote his brow, his beard he shook, The son of earth ’gan round him look; And this, the first word that he spoke; “Now listen what I tell thee, Loke; Which neither on earth below is known, Nor in Heaven above—my hammer’s gone.” Their way to Freyia’s bower they took, And this, the first word that he spoke; “Thou, Freyia, must lend a winged robe, To seek my hammer round the globe.”
Freyia (sung).—“That shouldst thou have, though ’twere of gold, And that, though ’twere of silver, hold.”[[87]] Away flew Loke; the wing’d robe sounds, Ere he has left the Asgard grounds, And ere he has reach’d the Jotunheim bounds. High on a mound in haughty state Thrym the king of the Thursi sate; For his dogs he was twisting collars of gold, And trimming the manes of his coursers bold.
Thrym (sung).—“How fare the Asi? the Alfi how? Why com’st thou alone to Jotunheim now?”
Loke (sung).—“Ill fare the Asi; the Alfi mourn; Thor’s hammer from him thou hast torn.”
Thrym (sung).—“I have the Thunderer’s hammer bound, Fathoms eight beneath the ground; With it shall no one homeward tread, Till he bring me Freyia to share my bed.” Away flew Loke; the wing’d robe sounds, Ere he has left the Jotunheim bounds, And ere he has reach’d the Asgard grounds. At Midgard Thor met crafty Loke, And this the first word that he spoke; “Have you your errand and labour done? Tell from aloft the course you run. For setting oft the story fails, And lying oft the lie prevails.”
Loke (sung).—“My labour is past, mine errand I bring; Thrym has thine hammer, the giant king; With it shall no one homeward tread, Till he bear him Freyia to share his bed.” Their way to lovely Freyia they took, And this the first word that he spoke; “Now Freyia, busk as a blooming bride, Together, we must to Jotunheim ride.” Wroth waxed Freyia with ireful look; All Asgard’s hall with wonder shook; Her great bright necklace started wide. “Well may ye call me a wanton bride, If I with ye to Jotunheim ride.” The Asi did all to council crowd, The Asiniæ all talk’d fast and loud: This they debated, and this they sought, How the hammer of Thor should home be brought. Up then and spoke Heimdallar free, Like the Vani, wise was he; “Now busk[[88]] we Thor, as a bride so fair; Let him that great bright necklace wear; Round him let ring the spousal keys; And a maiden kirtle[[89]] hang to his knees, And on his bosom jewels rare; And high and quaintly braid his hair.” Wroth waxed Thor with godlike pride; “Well may the Asi me deride, If I let me dight[[90]], as a blooming bride.” Then up spoke Loke, Laufeyia’s son; “Now hush thee, Thor; this must be done: The giants will strait in Asgard reign, If thou thine hammer dost not regain.” Then busk’d they Thor, as a bride so fair, And the great bright necklace gave him to wear; Round him let ring the spousal keys, And a maiden kirtle hang to his knees, And on his bosom jewels rare; And high and quaintly braided his hair. Up then arose the crafty Loke, Laufeyia’s son, and thus he spoke; “A servant I thy steps will tend, Together we must to Jotunheim wend.” Now home the goats together hie; Yoked to the axle they swiftly fly. The mountains shook, the earth burn’d red, As Odin’s sons to Jotunheim sped. Then Thrym the king of the Thursi said; “Giants, stand up; let the seats be spread: Bring Freyia Niorder’s daughter down To share my bed from Noatun. With horns all gilt each coal-black beast Is led to deck the giant’s feast; Large wealth and jewels have I stored; I lack but Freyia to grace my board.” Betimes at evening they approach’d, And the mantling ale the giants broach’d. The spouse of Sifia ate alone Eight salmons, and an ox full-grown. And all the cates, on which women feed; And drank three firkins of sparkling mead. Then Thrym the king of the Thursi said; “Where have ye beheld such a hungry maid? Ne’er saw I a bride so keenly feed, Nor drink so deep of the sparkling mead.” Then forward leant the crafty Loke, And thus the giant he bespoke; “Nought has she eat for eight long nights, So did she long for the nuptial rites.” He stoop’d beneath her veil to kiss, But he started the length of the hall, I wiss. “Why are the looks of Freyia so dire? It seems as her eyeballs glistened with fire.” Then forward leant the crafty Loke, And thus the giant he bespoke; “Nought has she slept for eight long nights, So did she long for the nuptial rites.” Then in the giant’s sister came, Who dared a bridal gift to claim; “Those rings of gold from thee I crave, If thou wilt all my fondness have, All my love and fondness have.” Then Thrym the king of the Thursi said; “Bear in the hammer to plight the maid; Upon her lap the bruizer lay, And firmly plight our hands and fay.”[[91]] The Thunderer’s soul smiled in his breast, When the hammer hard on his lap was placed; Thrym first the king of the Thursi he slew, And slaughter’d all the giant crew. He slew that giant’s sister old, Who pray’d for bridal gifts so bold. Instead of money and rings, I wot, The hammer’s bruises were her lot. Thus Odin’s son his hammer got.
[87]. Transcriber’s note: There was no footnote text for this marker.
[88]. Busk, dress.
[89]. Kirtle, a woman’s garment.
[90]. Dight, dressed, adorned.
[91]. Fay, faith.
[93]. See Vol. I. p. 3.
[94]. Pigott’s translation.
[96]. Ibid. p. 61.
[97]. Ibid. p. 107.
[99]. How then could Jotunheim be so dark? The reason is afterwards given. Her supernatural beauty illumined the whole country.
[101]. Mr. Herbert has thus versified the expedition of Skirnir:—
“Skirnir, arise! and swiftly run,
Where lonely sits our pensive son!
Bid him to parley, and enquire,
’Gainst whom he teems with sullen ire.”
Skirnir (sung).—“Ill words, I fear, my lot will prove,
If I thy son attempt to move;
If I bid parley, and enquire,
Why teems his soul with savage ire.”
Skirnir (sung).—“Prince of the gods, and first in fight,
Speak, honoured Freyr, and tell me right!
Why spends my lord the tedious day
In his lone hall to grief a prey?”
Freyr (sung).—“O how shall I, fond youth, disclose
To thee my bosom’s heavy woes?
The ruddy god shines every day,
But dull to me his cheerful ray.”
Skirnir (sung).—“Thy sorrows deem not I so great,
That thou the tale shouldst not relate.
Together sported we in youth,
And well may trust each other’s truth.”
Freyr (sung).—“In Gymer’s court I saw her move,
The maid, who fires my breast with love.
Her snow-white arms and bosom fair
Shone lovely, kindling sea and air.
Dear is she to my wishes more,
Than ere was maid to youth before:
But gods and elfs[[102]], I wot it well,
Forbid that we together dwell.”
Skirnir (sung).—“Give me that horse of wonderous breed
To cross the nightly flame[[103]] with speed;
And that self-brandish’d sword to smite
The giant race with strange affright.”
Freyr (sung).—“To thee I give this wond’rous steed,
To pass the watchful fire with speed;
And this, which borne by valiant wight,
Self-brandished will his foemen smite.”
Skirnir (addressed to his horse).—“Dark night is spread; ’tis time, I trow,
To climb the mountains hoar with snow.
Both shall return, or both remain
In durance by the giant ta’en.”
Skirnir rode into Jotunheim to the court of Gymer; furious dogs were tied there before the door of the wooden enclosure, which surrounded Gerda’s bower. He rode towards a shepherd, who was sitting on a mound, and addressed him:
“Shepherd, who sittest on the mound,
And turn’st thy watchful eyes around,
How may I lull these bloodhounds, say!
How speak unharm’d with Gymer’s may!”[[104]]
The Shepherd (sung).—“Whence, and what art thou? doomed to die,
Or dead revisitest the sky?
For ride by night, or ride by day,
Thou ne’er shalt come to Gymer’s may.”
Skirnir (sung).—“I grieve not, I; a better part
Fits him, who boasts a ready heart.
At hour of birth our lives were shaped;
The doom of fate can ne’er be ’scaped.”
Gerda (sung).—“What sounds unknown mine ears invade,
Frighting this mansion’s peaceful shade?
The earth’s foundation rocks withal,
And trembling shakes all Gymer’s hall.”
The Attendant (sung).—“Dismounted stands a warrior sheen;
His courser crops the herbage green.”
Gerda (sung).—“Haste, bid him to my bower with speed,
To quaff unmix’d the pleasant mead:
And good betide us![[105]] for I fear
My brother’s murderer is near.—
What art thou? Elf, or Asian son?
Or from the wiser Vanians sung?
Alone to visit our abode
O’er bickering flames why hast thou rode?”
Skirnir (sung).—“Nor Elf am I, nor Asian son;
Nor from the wiser Vanians sprung:
Yet o’er the bickering flames I rode
Alone to visit your abode.
Eleven apples here I hold,
Gerda, for thee, of purest gold;
Let this fair gift thy bosom move
To grant young Freyr thy precious love.”
Gerda (sung).—“Eleven apples take not I
From man, as price of chastity!
While life remains, no tongue shall tell,
That Freyr and I together dwell.”
Skirnir (sung).—“Gerda, for thee this wonderous ring
Burnt on young Balder’s pile I bring;
On each ninth night shall other eight
Drop from it, all of equal weight.”
Gerda (sung).—“I take not, I, that wonderous ring,
Though it from Balder’s pile you bring.
Gold lack not I in Gymer’s bower;
Enough for me my father’s dower.”
Skirnir (sung).—“Behold this bright and slender brand
Unsheath’d and glittering in my hand;
Deny not, maiden! lest thine head
Be sever’d by the trenchant blade.”
Gerda (sung).—“Gerda will ne’er by force be led
To grace a conqueror’s hateful bed:
But this, I trow, with main and might
Gymer shall meet thy boast in fight.”
Skirnir (sung).—“Behold this bright and slender brand
Unsheath’d, and glittering in my hand!
Slain by its edge thy sire shall lie;
That giant old is doom’d to die.
E’en as I list, the magic wand
Shall tame thee! Lo, with charmed hand
I touch thee, Maid! There shalt thou go,
Where never man shall learn thy woe.
On some high pointed rock forlorn
Like eagle[[106]] shalt thou sit at morn;
Turn from the world’s all-cheering light,
And seek the deep abyss of night:
Food shall to thee more loathly show,
Than slimy serpent[[107]] creeping slow.
When forth thou com’st, a hideous sight,
Each wondering eye shall stare with fright.
By all observ’d, yet sad and lone;
’Mongst shivering[[108]] Thursians wider known,
Than him, who sits unmoved on high,
The Guard of heaven with sleepless eye.
’Mid charms, and chains, and restless woe,
Thy tears with double grief shall flow.
Now seat thee, Maid, while I declare
Thy tide of sorrow and despair.
Thy bower shall be some Giant’s cell,
Where phantoms pale shall with thee dwell.
Each day to the cold Thursian’s hall
Comfortless, wretched, shalt thou crawl;
Instead of joy and pleasure gay,
Sorrow and tears and sad dismay;
With some three-headed Thursian wed,
Or pine upon a lonely bed.
From morn till morn love’s secret fire
Shall gnaw thine heart With vain desire;
Like barren root of thistle pent,
In some high ruin’d battlement.
O’er shady hill, through greenwood round,
I sought this wand; the wand I found.
Odin is wroth, and mighty Thor;
E’en Freyr shall now thy name abhor.
But ere o’er thine ill-fated head
The last dread curse of heaven be spread,
Giants and Thursians far and near,
Suttungur’s[[109]] sons, and Asians, hear,
How I forbid with fatal ban
This maid the joys, the fruit of man!
Cold Grimmer is that giant hight
Who thee shall hold in realms of night;
Where slaves in cups of twisted roots
Shall bring foul beverage from the goats:
Nor sweeter draught, nor blither fare,
Shalt thou, sad virgin, ever share.
’Tis done! I wind the mystic charm;
Thus, thus, I trace the giant form;
And three fell characters below,
Fury, and Lust, and restless Woe.
E’en as I wound, I straight unwind
This fatal spell, if thou art kind.”
Gerda (sung).—“Now hail, now hail, thou warrior bold!
Take, take this cup of crystal cold,
And quaff the pure metheglin old!
Yet deem’d I ne’er, that love could bind
To Vanian youth my hostile mind.”
Skirnir (sung).—“I turn not home to bower or hall,
Till I have learnt mine errand all;
Where thou wilt yield the night of joy
To brave Niorder’s gallant boy.”
Gerda (sung).—“Barri is hight the seat of love;
Nine nights elapsed, in that known grove,
Shall brave Niorder’s gallant boy
From Gerda take the kiss of joy.”
Then rode Skirnir home. Freyr stood forth and hailed him, and asked what tidings.
“Speak; Skirnir, speak, and tell with speed!
Take not the harness from thy steed,
Nor stir thy foot, till thou hast said,
How fares my love with Gymer’s maid!”
Skirnir (sung).—“Barri is hight the seat of love;
Nine nights elapsed, in that known grove,
To brave Niorder’s gallant boy
Will Gerda yield the kiss of joy.”
Freyr (sung).—“Long is one night, and longer twain;
But how for three endure my pain!
A month of rapture sooner flies,
Than half one night of wishful sighs.”
[102]. Asi and Alfi.
[103]. The bower of Gerda was surrounded with fire.
[104]. May, maid.
[105]. The duties of hospitality were held so sacred amongst the northern nations, that Gerda would not refuse admittance to Skirnir, though she imagined him to be her greatest enemy.
[106]. Eagles are said to sit without moving for a long time upon some high eminence in the morning.
[107]. Perhaps alluding to the serpent of Midgard in the Icelandic Mythology.
[108]. Hrim-thursar. Hrim (Anglicè rime) was spoken with a guttural aspiration; and probably Crim-Tartary, the former seat of the Asi, was so called from its cold.
[109]. Suttungur, the son of Gilling, was a giant, and possessed the liquor of poetry, which he had gained from the dwarfs. It is related in the Edda, that the Asi and Vani, having been long at war, made peace, and spit into a vase. From this the gods formed Kuaser, a person of exceeding learning; and the dwarfs mixed his blood with honey, and so made the liquor of poetry. The Vani were a Grecian colony, and this fable seems to imply that both the learning and the poetry of the North was partly of Greek origin. Odin, under the feigned name of Bolverk, entered into the service of Bauge, brother of Suttungur, and drank up the liquor. A small quantity of it, which he spilt, was scattered amongst men. It is observable, that the name of Suttungur, from whom Odin gained this liquor, may denote that he derived his poetry from the Southern tongues.
O, it came o’er mine ear like the sweet south,
That breathes upon a bank of violets.
Twelfth Night, Act i., Sc. 2.
[111]. Freya’s daughters were Hnos and Gersime. Siofna was only one of her followers.
[112]. Ohlenschlager, Pigott’s translation.
[113]. Ohlenschlager, Pigott’s translation.
[115]. Alluding not to any degree of consanguinity, but to a sworn covenant of brotherhood.
[116]. See Vol. I. p. 98.
[117]. Vol I. p. 42.
[118]. See Vol. I. p. 51.
[120]. Transcriber’s Note: The text for this footnote marker is missing.
[121]. The first was the death of Balder.
[122]. In another place a ravenous wolf tormented the souls of the damned.
[123]. The great serpent.
[124]. Runes.
[125]. Pigott’s translation.
[126]. The authorities for this section are:—Vita S. Anscharié; Vita S. Remberti (both in Bollandus, Acta SS., and in Langebek, Scriptores Rerum Danicarum); Ornjolm, Historia Ecclesiastica Sueciæ.
[127]. Who was he? Loccenius and most Swedish writers (who are followed by our Universal History), tell us that he was Olaf Trætelia. Yet that prince had been dead two centuries. Neither could it be Olaf Skotkonung, who did not reign until two centuries afterwards—always supposing that any dependence is to be placed on the chronology of the Scandinavians. Yet an Olaf did reign at this period; and this only illustrates what we observed in the first volume as to the confusion so evident in all the regal lists.
[128]. Europe during the Middle Ages (Cab. Cyc.), vol. ii.
[129]. See Vol. I. p. 108.
[130]. The chief authorities for this chapter are:—Saxonis Grammatici Historia Dancia, lib. x. ad fin.; Suenonis Aggonis, cap. 4., &c.; Knytlinga Saga; many of the treatises in Langebek’s Scriptores Rerum Danicarum; Mallet, Histoire de Dannemarc, tom. iii. and iv.; Meursius, Historia Danica; Torfœus, Series Dynastarum et Regum Daniæ; Suhm, Historie af Dannemarc; Adamus Bremensis, Historia Ecclesiastica; with the historians of Germany.
[131]. See Vol. I. p. 237.
[132]. Vol. I. p. 267.
[133]. Vol. I. p. 270.
[134]. Europe during the Middle Ages (Cab. Cyc.), vol. iii.
[135]. Canute, king of all Denmark, England, and Norway, and of part of Sweden, to Egelnoth the metropolitan, to archbishop Alfric, to all the bishops and chiefs, and to all the nation of the English, both nobles and commoners, greeting. I write to inform you that I have lately been at Rome, to pray for the remission of my sins, and for the safety of my kingdoms, and of the nations that are subject to my sceptre. It is long since I bound myself by vow to make this pilgrimage; but I had been hitherto prevented by affairs of state and other impediments. Now, however, I return humble thanks to the Almighty God, that he has allowed me to visit the tombs of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and every holy place within and without the city of Rome, and to honour and venerate them in person. And this I have done, because I had learned from my teachers that the apostle St. Peter received from the Lord the great power of binding and loosing, with the keys of the kingdom of heaven. On this account, I thought it highly useful to solicit his patronage with God. Be it moreover known to you, that there was, at the festival of Easter, a great assemblage of noble personages, with the lord the pope John, and the emperor Conrad, namely, all the chiefs of the nations from Mount Gargano to the nearest sea, who all received me honourably, and made me valuable presents; but particularly the emperor, who gave me many gold and silver vases, with rich mantles and garments. I therefore took the opportunity to treat with the pope, the emperor, and the princes, on the grievances of my people, both English and Danes; that they might enjoy more equal law, and more secure safeguard in their way to Rome, nor be detained at so many barriers, nor harassed by unjust exactions. My demands were granted both by the emperor and by king Rodulf, who rules most of the passages; and it was enacted by all the princes, that my men, whether pilgrims or merchants, should, for the future, go to Rome and return in full security, without detention at the barriers, or the payment of unlawful tolls. I next complained to the pope, and expressed my displeasure, that such immense sums should be extorted from my archbishops, when according to custom they visited the apostolic see to obtain the pallium. A decree was made that this grievance should cease. Whatever I demanded for the benefit of my people, either of the pope, or the emperor, or the princes, through whose dominions lies the road to Rome, was granted willingly, and confirmed by their oaths, in the presence of four archbishops, twenty bishops, and a multitude of dukes and nobles. Wherefore I return sincere thanks to God that I have successfully performed whatever I had intended, and have fully satisfied all my wishes. Now, therefore, be it known to you all, that I have dedicated my life to the service of God, to govern my kingdoms with equity, and to observe justice in all things. If by the impetuosity or negligence of youth, I have violated justice heretofore, it is my intention, by the help of God, to make full compensation. Therefore I beg and command those to whom I have confided the rule, as they wish to preserve my friendship or save their own souls, to do no injustice either to rich or poor. Let all persons, whether noble or ignoble, obtain their rights according to law, from which no deviation shall be allowed, either from fear of me, or through favour to the powerful, or for the purpose of supplying my treasury. I have no need of money raised by injustice. I am now on my road to Denmark, for the purpose of concluding peace with those nations, who, had it been in their power, would have deprived us both of our crown and our life. But God has destroyed their means: and will, I trust, of his goodness preserve us, and humble all our enemies. When I shall have concluded peace with the neighbouring nations, and settled the concerns of my eastern dominions, it is my intention to return to England as soon as the fine weather will permit me to sail. But I have sent you this letter beforehand, that all the people of my kingdom may rejoice at my prosperity. For you all know that I never spared, nor will spare myself, or my labour, when my object is the welfare of my subjects. Lastly, I entreat all my bishops and all my sheriffs, by the fidelity which they owe to me and to God, that the church-dues, according to the ancient laws, may be paid before my return; namely, the plough alms, the tithes of cattle of the present year, the Peter-pence, the tithes of fruit in the middle of August, and the kirk-shot at the feast of St. Martin, to the parish church. Should this be omitted, at my return I will punish the offender, by exacting the whole fine imposed by law. Fare ye well.
[136]. See Europe during the Middle Ages, vol. iii. chap. i.; and, History of the Germanic Empire, vol. i.
[137]. See Vol. I. p. 273.
[138]. Vol. I. p. 267.
[139]. Mr. Herbert says it was successful, and that the virgin was plighted to him. Certainly his translation agrees better with the tenor of that piece than that of Dr. Bowring in Wheaton.
[140]. Harald is said to have been a poet, and to have sung his own exploits. The piece (Harald’s song) has been thus translated by Bowring:—
1.
“Our ships[[141]] along Sicilia plied,
In those our days of strength and pride,
And Venger’s Stag[[142]] the warriors carried
Still on and on—nor ever tarried.
No craven coward, well I wis,
E’er track’d a dangerous path like this.
Yet Gardar’s Gerda—gold-ring’d maid![[143]]
Flings scorn upon the hero’s head.
2.
* * * * * * * * *
3.
“We baled the ship—we, six and ten,
As broke the mighty seas again—
As rushed the billows at our feet,
While toiling on the rowers’ seat
No craven coward, well I wis,
E’er track’d a dangerous way like this.
Yet Gardar’s Gerda—gold-ring’d maid!
Flings scorn upon the hero’s head.
4.
“Eight[[144]] virtues have I—I can pour
Out Odin’s drink—and forge the ore—
Upon the active horse can ride:
And I can breast the ocean-tide,
And I can glide on skates of snow,
And I can shoot, and I can row.
Yet Gardar’s Gerda—gold-ring’d maid!
Flings scorn upon the hero’s head.
5.
“Can widow, or can maid gainsay,
That we have clash’d our swords in fray,
That we have sought the Southern land,
And forced the city with our band?
At break of day our foes were slain—
And still the vestiges remain.
Yet Gardar’s Gerda—gold-ring’d maid!
Flings scorn upon the hero’s head.
6.
“And I was born in mountains where
The highland heroes wield the spear.
My war-ships, fear’d by men of flocks,
I guide across the ocean-rocks,
And long o’er ocean’s waves have bounded,
And many an ocean-isle surrounded.
Yet Gardar’s Gerda—gold-ring’d maid!
Flings scorn upon the hero’s head.”
It had before been translated by several writers, especially by Mr. Herbert, in a very different manner: that gentleman, however, had not seen the original Knytlinga Saga.
[141]. In the original—the planks—the keel.
[142]. Venger—a Vikingr of old times—the Stag, his battle-ship.
[143]. The alliteration of the original line, and its peculiar poetic beauty, which consists in an allusion to one of the fables of the Northern mythology, is happily preserved in this translation. Gardar-rike—Russia, the Russian land. Gerda, a mythic poetic name for Harald’s mistress Elizabeth. Gerda was the beloved of Freyr, the god of the sun, whose love was so long resisted by Gerda. Freyr had also offered to Gerda a golden ring—hence the allusion.—F. Magnussen, Lex. Myt. Bor. 116. 439.
[144]. Yet only seven are enumerated. Professor F. Magnussen supposes the original second line may have been
Oð fet ek lið, at smiða.
Which may be rendered—I make verses—I arrange the battle—I forge (or smith) the ore.
(These notes are from Wheaton, p. 343.)
[145]. We merely allude to English occurrences, the detail of which must be sought in our own history.
[146]. Harald, Canute, Olaf, Eric, Nicholas or Niels.
[147]. Mallet, tom. iii.
[148]. But was she not his step-daughter? Had he married the mother Gunhilda some years before, and lost her by death? We are not very clear as to the degree of affinity.
[149]. See Vol. I. p. 268.
[150]. For the way in which history is sometimes perverted to suit party purposes, we gave a good illustration in the Appendix to Vol. I. That of St. Canute (see the Appendix to the present volume) is scarcely better. It contains nearly as many inaccuracies as there are sentences.
[151]. The Vandals were certainly of Slavonic stock. The name, however, though constantly used by the Danish historians, is not the best that might be used.
[153]. See the chapter on that kingdom.
[155]. For the exploits of this prince, see History of Russia, Vol. I. (Cab. Cyc.), one of the most judicious historical compendiums we have ever seen.
[156]. So called from his frequent use of the word mœn—certainly.
[157]. Known as the Congesta Menvedi.
[158]. Authorities for the present chapter:—Snorronis Sturlonidis Heims-Kringla (in the Sagas of each reign). Torfœus, Historia Rerum Norvegicarum. Saxonis Grammatici Historia Danica. The Chronicles in Langebek, Scriptores Rerum Danicarum. Mallet, Histoire de Daunemarc.
[159]. According to the chronology of Thorlak, and even Snorro himself, Magnus was invited to Norway before the death of Canute, though in the same year (1035). This is too improbable to be received. Certainly the father of Norwegian history must have confounded dates.
[160]. See Vol. I. p. 273.
[161]. See Vol. I. p. 273.
[162]. See Vol. I. p. 254.
[163]. For these events, see the commencement of the last chapter.
[164]. “Suecia enim,” says Snorro, “tunc temporis passim vel ethnica vel male Christiana: reges quinetiam quosdam habuit, qui, abjectâ Christi fide, sacrificia instaurabant.”
[165]. See the reign of [Magnus III].
[166]. See his reign.
[167]. See his reign.
[168]. See before, reign of Hako.
[169]. Authorities for the present chapter:—Torfœus, Historia Norvegica. Loccenius, Historia Suevica. Olaus Roskildensis, Chronicon. Johannes Magnus, Historia Gothorum. Pontanus, Historia.
[170]. Vol I. p. 234.
[171]. Vol I. p. 237.
[172]. Ibid. p. 249–252.
[173]. Ibid. p. 254.
[174]. Ibid. p. 266–272.
[175]. See the corresponding period in the history of Denmark.
[176]. See the reigns of [Eric VIII]. and [Christopher II]. in the history of Denmark.
[177]. See the reign of [Valdemar III]. king of Denmark.
[178]. For these events, we refer to the corresponding period in Danish history.
[179]. See the corresponding period in Danish history.
[180]. For the numerous inaccuracies (to give them the mildest term) in this article, the reader has only to consult the text.
London:
Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
New-Street-Square.
THE
CABINET CYCLOPÆDIA.
CONDUCTED BY THE
M.R.I.A. F.R.A.S. F.L.S. F.Z.S. Hon. F.C.P.S. &c. &c.
ASSISTED BY
EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.
History.
DENMARK, SWEDEN, AND NORWAY.
BY THE AUTHOR OF
THE “HISTORY OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.”
VOL. II.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR
LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND JOHN TAYLOR,
UPPER GOWER STREET.
1839.
London:
Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
New-Street-Square.
- Transcriber’s Note:
- On page [128] there is a reference to footnote [[86]], which contains the line “And that, though ’twere silver, hold.” which ends with footnote marker [[87]], but there was no footnote text.
- Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.
- Typographical errors were silently corrected.
- Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant form was found in this book.