[Footnote 14]: A kind of heroic ballad, or metrical romance, similar to "Chevy Chase," or "Sir James the Rose," great numbers of which are still extant in Scandinavia.--Tr.
[Footnote 15]: Thus were called those celebrated sea-rovers and pirates, the Norwegian and Danish sea-kings;--the terror of the European nations, during the middle ages, for their daring exploits both by sea and land.--Tr.
[Footnote 16]: The name of a powerful Swedish family, from which Magnus himself was descended.
[Footnote 17]: Skiold is fabled to have been the first king of Denmark.
[Footnote 18]: The Berserks are celebrated in Scandinavian history and romance for their great strength, courage, and daring. They often fought naked (hence, probably, their appellation--"bare-shirts"); and stimulated their courage to a degree of phrensy or madness by the use of strong liquors, or by chewing some herb, in which state they would rush against naked swords, dash against rocks, and oppose themselves to any odds of antagonists. They were the bullies and bravos of their age, and in this capacity were often retained in the service of great men, proving at times, however, rather intractable followers, and not always to be relied upon.--Tr.
[Footnote 19]: Thorstenson here intends a pun; and Flynderborg has, for the nonce, to be converted into its English equivalent, "Flounder Castle,"--Tr.
[Footnote 20]: Helsingborg, a fortress on the Swedish coast, at this time belonged to the Danes.--Tr.
[Footnote 21]: There were three courts of judicature in Denmark. The "Herred-Ting" was a local court, held weekly, for civil and criminal causes. This court was held, or built, in an open field, outside the towns and villages, to be at a distance from taverns and ale-houses, and strong drink was strictly forbidden to be brought into court. From this court there was an appeal to the "Land-Ting"--a provincial court, held monthly, in the principal cities of the kingdom. The highest court of appeal was the "Retter-Ting," or royal court, where the king himself often presided. It was usually opened about the middle of March, by the king in person, attended by the various estates of the kingdom, and continued its sittings almost daily, until about Christmas. The decrees of the "Retter-Ting" were final. Each of these courts had its judges, secretaries, and assessors, for the trial of causes, and the administration of justice.--Tr.
[Footnote 22]: The snowdrop is, in Denmark, called "sommergiæk"--a summer "geek," or fool.
[Footnote 23]: "Jomfru," the title of unmarried ladies in Denmark.--Tr.