[233]. Macrobius states the same belief in quite similar terms: the south wind comes from a frozen clime just as the north wind does; but “since it comes to us through the flames of the torrid zone and mixes with the fire, it becomes hot, so that what was cold in the beginning comes to us with warmth.” (P. 603.)
[234]. Cf. Capella, Satiricon, 204.
[235]. To go to the king’s hand (ganga konungi til handa) is the technical term for the formal initiation into the royal service. “The king was in his high-seat with his guard grouped about him; across his knees lay a sword, his right hand grasping the hilt. The candidate approached, knelt, touched the swordhilt, and kissed the royal hand. He then arose and took the oath of fealty. Kneeling once more he placed his folded hands between those of the king and kissed his new lord.” Larson, “The Household of the Norwegian Kings in the Thirteenth Century:” American Historical Review, XIII, 461.
[236]. The mark as a standard of value was widely used in the middle ages. Originally it was a measure of weight equivalent to eight ounces of gold or silver. Its value varied at different times and in different places. Dr. Gjerset estimates the purchasing power of a mark of silver in the fourteenth century as equal to that of $80 at the present time. History of the Norwegian People, II, 18-19, note.
[237]. Thegn money (þegngildi) was a fine paid to the king by one who had been guilty of manslaughter.
[238]. The housecarle fine was higher than that exacted for the death of a common subject because the housecarle stood in a personal relation to the king.
[239]. See American Historical Review, XIII, 469-471.
[240]. The head-ward was stationed near the king’s person, usually outside the door of the chamber where he slept. See American Historical Review, XIII, 462.
[241]. The Eyrir (pl. aura, from Latin aurum?) was an ounce of silver, or one-eighth of a mark.
[242]. The landedman (lendir maðr) was one who enjoyed a fief granted by the king. The term was also used in a more restricted sense for the local chieftains who in return for the fief enjoyed gave certain assistance in the local administration. See Norges Gamle Love, V, 396-397; Gjerset, History of the Norwegian People, I, 387-388; American Historical Review, XIII, 467-468.