CHAPTER XXIX.
SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS.
(Continued.)
The first Jarl of Normandy—His banishment from Norway—Genealogy of the Jarls of Normandy—Political connection between kings of the North and of England—Jealousy between Athelstan and Harold Fairhair—Hákon of Norway educated in England—Northern chiefs come to the help of English kings—Battle of Brunanburgh.
Very little is said in the Sagas of Göngu Hrolf, the first jarl of Normandy, for he, like all those who left their country to settle in foreign lands, was forgotten by the scalds at home, as these did not take part in their expeditions. We give here different sagas which confirm each other in regard to him. But the little we have concerning him is extremely interesting, as his descendants conquered England and part of France. All the different Sagas agree in calling him a son of Rognvald jarl of Norway.
The causes which led to his banishment are simply and clearly related.
“Rögnvald Mæra jarl was a very great friend of King Harald, and was much valued by him. Rögnvald was married to Hrolf Nefja’s daughter Hild,[[399]] and had by her the sons Hrolf and Thorir.... Hrolf was a great Viking, and so large that no horse could carry him, so that he walked wherever he went, and for this reason he was called Göngu Hrolf (walking Hrolf). He made much warfare in the east. One summer when he returned from ‘Vikingry,’ or a raiding expedition in the east, he committed acts of depredation in Vikin. King Harald, who was then in Vikin, was very angry when he heard of this, for he had strictly forbidden robbery within his land. He therefore announced at a Thing that he made Hrolf an outlaw from Norway. When Hrolf’s mother Hild[[399]] heard this, she went to him to ask for pardon for Hrolf, but the king was so angry that her prayers were of no avail. Then she sang:
Disgrace not Nefja’s namesake[[400]]
Nor drive the wolf from the land,
The wise kinsman of Höld,[[401]]
Why dealest thou thus with him, king?
It is bad to worry