Chapter XIII

OF EARL THORFINN’S EXPEDITION TO ENGLAND.

AT that time Hardicanute was King of England and Denmark. Earl Thorfinn went to the Orkneys and spent the winter there. Early in the spring he called out a levy from all his domains, and sent word to his kinsman Rögnvald. Rögnvald assented, and called out men from all his possessions. Earl Thorfinn collected troops in Caithness and the Orkneys. He also had many from Scotland and Ireland, and from the Sudreyar (Hebrides), and with all these forces he sailed to England as he had promised. Hardicanute was in Denmark at the time. As soon as the Earls came into England they began to harry and plunder; but the chiefs whose duty it was to defend the land went to meet them with an army. There was a great and fierce battle, in which the Earls gained the victory. After this they plundered far and wide in England, slaying men, and burning the dwellings of the people. This is mentioned by Arnór:

Not forgotten was this battle
By the English, or men ever.
Hither came the rich ring-giver,
With his warriors, nearly doubled;
Swords cut keenly; under shield-boss
Rushed all Rögnvald’s men together;
Strong were all the old one’s people.
South of Man did these things happen.

On the native land of Britons
Brought the Earl his banner forward;
Reddened then his beak the eagle;
Forward pressing hard his warriors,
Battle waxed, and men diminished;
Fugitives were chased by victors;
Blazed the fire, with red rays gleaming
Of the wood’s foe, leaping heavenward.

Earl Thorfinn had two pitched battles in England. Besides, he had many casual encounters, and slew many people. He stayed there throughout the summer, and went back in autumn to the Orkneys for the winter.