Note 61 — Chapter I · DENMARK.

List of kings after Christ, according to Saxo:—Frode III., Hiarn, Fridleif, Frode IV., Ingel, Olaf II., Frode V., Harald I., Halfdan II., Harald II., Ungwin, Siwald I., Sigar, Siwald II., Halfdan III., Harald III., Olo (or Olof), Omund, Siward I., Bathul, Jarmeric, Broder, Siwald III., Snio, Biorn, Gormo I., Goderic, Olaf III., Hemming, Siward IV., Ringo, Ragnar Lodbrog, Siward II., Eric I., Canute I., Frode IV., Gormo II., Harald IV., Gormo III., Harald V., Sweno.

Our English Universal History, like Sunning and Torfœus, adopts these names, but incorporates three more.

According to the Langfedgatal, which is derived from Norwegian authorities, while Saxo follows the metrical songs and traditions of Denmark:—

Odin, Skiold, Fridleif I., Frode I., Havar, Frode II., Vermund, Olaf, Dan, Frode III., Fridleif II., Frode IV., Ingell (or Ingiald), Halfdan I., Helge and Roe, Rolf Krake, Eric I., Frode V., Halfdan II., Eric II., Harald, Sigurd I., Ragnar Lodbrog, Sigurd II., Harda Canute, Gormo the Aged, Harald II., Sweyn.

And thus, in about twenty different lists which we have examined, there is only diversity, or rather confusion. Those of modern date are not more uniform. Thus Mallet:—

Skiold, Fridleif I., Frode I., Fridleif II., Havar, Frode II., Wermund, Olaf I., Dan, Frode III., Halfdan I., Fridleif III., Olaf II., Frode IV., Ingel, Halfdan II., Frode V., Roe and Helge, Rolf, Ivar, Harald I., Sigurd I., Ragnar Lodbrog, Sigurd II., Harda Canute, Harald II.

The dates of these reigns in the modern histories of Denmark—for the ancient ones do not condescend to such trifles—are beautifully confounded, sometimes a whole century being assigned to a single reign.