“Egil grew melancholy in the autumn, and drank little, but sat often drooping his head in his cloak. Arinbjörn (his friend) once went to him and asked what caused his sadness, ‘though thou hast lost thy brother it is manly to bear it well, for man must live after man.’”
“Egil sang a stanza, in which he expressed obscurely the name of Asgerd, and then asked Arinbjörn’s help to a marriage with her. Then he was married to her, and was merry the remaining part of the winter” (Egil’s Saga, chs. 51–56).
Fig. 1361.—Fire-Steel. ⅔ size. In a grave, Götland.
Fig. 1362.—Key of bronze. ⅔ size. Norway; found with buckles, pearls, etc.
CHAPTER XXX.
SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS.
(Continued.)
Harald founds Jomsborg—Svein—His vow to drive Æthelred from England—Creation of the Thingamannalid—Svein’s death—Massacre of Northmen in London—Olaf comes to the help of Æthelred the Second—Attacks the Danes at Southwark—Captures Canterbury—Defends the shores of England, and sails up the New River—His other expeditions.
“Harald Gormsson (c. 940–986) was made king in Denmark after his father; he was a powerful king and a great warrior, and conquered Holstein in Saxland, and possessed a great Earldom in Vindland. There he founded Jomsborg, and placed in it a large garrison, which was under his laws and pay, and which subjugated the country. During the summer they went on expeditions, remaining at home in the winters, and they were called Jomsvikings” (Knytlinga, c. 1).
“Svein (c. 986–1014 A.D.) took possession of the Danish kingdom after his father (Harald Gormsson); he was called Svein Tjúguskegg (fork-beard), and was a powerful king. In his days jarl Sigvaldi and other Jomsvikings went to Norway and fought against Hakon jarl in Mœri in Hjörungavag; there fell Bui the Stout, but Sigvaldi fled. After that the power in Norway was lost to the Danish kings, and a little later Olaf Tryggvason came to Norway and got the rule.