without opposition. Then Hakon proceeded along the coast of Scania, pillaging every where, levying taxes and ransoms from the country, and killing all vikings, both Danish and Yendish.[1] He then went eastwards to the island of Gotland, marauded there, and took great ransom from the country. So says Guttorm Sindre:—
"Hakon, who midst the battle shock
Stands like a firmly-rooted oak,
Subdued all Sealand with the sword;
From Vendland vikings the sea-bord
Of Scania swept; and, with the shield
Of Odin clad, made Gotland yield
A ransom of the ruddy gold,
Which Hakon to his war-men hold
Gave with free hand, who in his feud
Against the arrow-storm had stood."
King Hakon returned back in autumn with his army and an immense booty; and remained all the winter in Yiken to defend it against the Danes and Gotlanders, if they should attack it.
Chapter IX.
Of King Tryggve.
In the same winter King Tryggve Olafsson returned from a viking cruise in the West sea, having before ravaged in Scotland and Ireland. In spring King Hakon went north, and set his brother's son, King Tryggve, over Viken [2] to defend that country against, enemies. He gave him also in property all that he could reconquer of the country in Denmark[3], which the summer before King Hakon had subjected to payment of scatt to him. So says Guttorm: —
"King Hakon, whose sharp sword dyes red
The bright steel cap on many a head,
Has set a warrior brave and stout
The foreign foeman to keep out,—
- ↑ Vendland and Vender mean the country and people along the Baltic coast from Saxland and Holstein eastwards; and seems to have included Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and Prussia on the Baltic.
- ↑ Viken, the country north of the Gotha river, forming the great bight of the coast of Norway.
- ↑ Scania, on the Swedish side of the Sound, was called Denmark, as well as the islands and Jutland.
