13. THE SEVENTH BATTLE.
Reading edition
King Olaf passed all the winter with King Ethelred, and had a great battle at Hringmara Heath in Ulfkel's land, the domain which Ulfkel Snilling at that time held; and here again the king was victorious. So says Sigvat the skald:—
"To Ulfkel's land came Olaf bold, A seventh sword-thing he would hold. The race of Ella filled the plain— Few of them slept at home again! Hringmara heath Was a bed of death: Harfager's heir Dealt slaughter there."
And Ottar sings of this battle thus:—
"From Hringmara field The chime of war, Sword striking shield, Rings from afar. The living fly; The dead piled high The moor enrich; Red runs the ditch."
The country far around was then brought in subjection to King Ethelred: but the Thingmen (1) and the Danes held many castles, besides a great part of the country.
ENDNOTES: (1) Thing-men were hired men-at-arms; called Thing-men probably from being men above the class of thralls or unfree men, and entitled to appear at Things, as being udal-born to land at home.