PREFACE.
Reading edition
Scandinavia prior to the tenth century is the region of romance,—of the wildest legends. These are admissible into the severe domain of history in so far only as they illustrate national opinions and manners,—the noblest part of the study. For this reason, chiefly, more have been retained in the present volume than are to be found in any preceding work on the subject. Indeed, were they rejected, nine tenths of northern history must be rejected with them.
Another reason for dwelling on the earlier and more obscure events has been the wish to deviate as much as possible from a recent popular work in the “Edinburgh Cabinet Cyclopedia.” Two publications on the same subject, and designed for the same class of readers, would scarcely be required, unless they were distinguished from each other in their manner of treating it.
If the present volume be one of entertainment chiefly, the next will be one of instruction. The religion and laws, the manners and opinions, of the Northmen, will receive their due notice.
viiTABLE,
ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL,
TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF
THE HISTORY OF SCANDINAVIA.
INTRODUCTION.
UNCERTAINTY ATTENDING THE EARLY HISTORY OF ALL NATIONS.—MONSTROUS HYPOTHESES RESPECTING THAT OF NORTHERN EUROPE.—FABULOUS, OR AT LEAST DOUBTFUL, KINGS OF SWEDEN, NORWAY, AND DENMARK.—DISTINCTION OF RACES IN THE NORTH.—THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS, THE SWIONES, GOTTONES, DANKIONES, WERE PROBABLY THE SWEDES, GOTHS, AND DANES.—THE JUTES AND LAPPS AND FINNS DIFFERENT FROM THE NEW COMERS.—INFORMATION COLLECTED BY ALFRED RELATIVE TO THE NORTH.—NUMEROUS CHIEFS WITH THE REGAL TITLE.—KINGS OF DENMARK: DAN—HUMBLE—LOTHER—SKIOLD—GRAM, ETC.—WONDERFUL ADVENTURE OF HADDING AND OF THE GIANTESS HARDGRIPE.—FRODE I.—ODIN—HIS ORIGIN ACCORDING TO SAXO—ACCORDING TO THE YNGLINGA SAGA.—HIS SUPERNATURAL POWERS.—REASONS ASSIGNED FOR HIS EXISTENCE.—HODER AND BALDER.—THE FATAL SISTERS.—DEATH AND FUNERAL OF BALDER.—JOURNEY TO THE SHADES BELOW IN QUEST OF HIS SOUL.—HERMOD’S JOURNEY.—ODIN’S.—PROPHECY.—RINDA AND ODIN.—CHARACTER OF ODIN.—RURIC.—HAMLET PRINCE OF JUTLAND.—HIS REAL OR FABULOUS ADVENTURES.—FENGO.—DANISH KINGS AFTER RURIC.
Page
Futility of Inquiries into the Origin of Nations 1
That of the Swedes obscure and fabulous.—Pedigree of the Swedish Kings from Noah, according to Joannes Magnus 2
viiiOrigin of Idolatry and War in the North.—Extension of the Gothic Empire, and a new Empire founded by them, the seat of which was in Poland or Hungary. 3
The Empire of the Goths broken into numerous Principalities.—The Danes aspire to throw off the Yoke of Sweden; but being assailed by the Saxons, submit, and receive Dan, a Swedish Prince, as their King. This Prince gave his Name to the Danish Kingdom, and his Brother Angul, the First King of the English, left his name to that People.—Wars between Sweden and Denmark.—Swibdager, King of Norway, elected King of the Goths and Swedes.—Defeats and slays Gram, King of Denmark, and subjects his Kingdom to the Swedes. All this according to Joannes Magnus 4
Norway. According to Torfœus, the Giants, of whom he gives a minute Account, were the most ancient Inhabitants of this Region 6
Soon after them came the Goths, about the Period of the Fall of Troy; next came the Asae, or Scythians 7
To these he adds an indigenous Race, which is evidently a Mythologic Creation 8
Thor, the Father of Nor, the common Ancestor of all the Norwegian Princes, deemed by that People superior to Odin himself. The Danes and Swedes held Odin to be the Supreme God.—Amalgamation of the two Religions 9
Denmark. Claims to great Antiquity.—List of Danish Kings from Noah to Odin, “that King of the Turks whom the Romans forced towards the North;” and from the latter to Hardicanute and Harald Harfager 10
The Goths were in the North of Europe prior to the Times we call Historic; but the Cimbri were there before them; and these were probably preceded by other Swarms, whose very names are lost 11
The Finns and the Lapps probably Descendants of the earliest Inhabitants of the North.—The People of the North were split into numerous Tribes, of which the Swiones were the most conspicuous.—The Dankiones, probably the Danskir, or Danes.—The Swiones, Goths, and Teutones, all kindred Tribes.—The Finns 12
The Goths the last People that reached Western Europe.—Their gradual Amalgamation with the former Inhabitants produced that Form of Society peculiar to the North 13
The Sons of Odin probably the first Gothic Monarchs of the North.—The original Inhabitants different, in all respects, from the Goths.—The Finns and Lapps represented in the early Gothic Poetry as Magicians, and the Jutes as Giants and Magicians.—Antipathy between the Goths and the former Races, and the Causes of it 14
Tacitus’s meagre Account of the Northern Tribes that constituted the Anglo-Saxons.—Alfred’s Account of what he learned of the North from Otter, a Norwegian Navigator 15
Curious Particulars of what constituted Riches in the extreme North, in the Days of Otter.—The Finns tributary to the Goths.—Credibility of Otter’s Relation.—Acknowledged Distinction between the various Tribes of the North 16
ixThe original Tribes gradually expelled, and driven North towards the Arctic Circle by the Goths and Swiar.—Scandinavian domestic History, for centuries after the Arrival of Odin, little known.—Numerous Chieftains in the North under the regal Title 17
Contradictory Accounts of the Sovereigns and Transactions of the northern Kingdoms; yet they cannot be rejected as wholly fabulous, as the Songs which form the entire History of the North supply us with the best Picture of national Manners 18
Summary of Saxo’s History of Denmark during the doubtful Period 19
Dan, the first King of Denmark, gave his Name to that Country.—On his Death his Son Humble elected in his stead.—His Brother, Lother, revolts and usurps the Dignity.—Is slain by his Subjects, and his son, Skiold, the Hercules of the North, raised to the Throne 19
His Prowess.—Overthrows the Duke of the Alemanni, reduces his People to the Condition of Tributaries, and marries his Daughter Awilda; his Wisdom equal to his Valour; his Benevolence, good Laws and Government; his love of Glory 20
Gram, the Son and Successor of Skiold, equal to his Father in Strength and Enterprise, and his Life more romantic.—Subdues Sweden, and carries away the princess Gro 20
His Inconstancy.—Is deprived of Empire and Life by Swibdager, King of Norway.—Saxo’s curious Account of the different Species of Giants 21
Swibdager places Guthrum, the Son of Gram, as a Vassal on the Throne of Denmark.—Hadding, the Brother of Guthrum, the most celebrated of Danish Heroes.—His wonderful Adventure with the Giantess Hardgrip 22
His farther wonderful Adventures and Exploits.—He slays Swibdager and his Son Asmund 24
The wonderful Story of the Hero continued 25
His Death.—He is succeeded by his eldest Son, Frode I., also a great Warrior, who carried his Depredations from Russia to the British Islands.—Frequent Intercourse between Denmark and Britain.—Frode fought and killed a Dragon, who brooded over immense Riches, in a Cave 27
Takes London by a Stratagem.—Several Sovereigns succeeded, of whom little is known until the Danish States elected for their Monarch Hoder, a Descendant of the famous Hadding 28
Odin, King of the Hellespont, according to Saxo, laid Claim to Divinity, and was worshipped by most of Europe.—His profound Knowledge of Magic.—A Golden Statue presented to him by the Kings of the North, and placed by him among the Gods.—Deceived by his Wife, Frigga.—Exiles himself for a Season, in consequence.—His Power and Divinity usurped during his Absence.—Returns, and compels the Usurpers to flee the Country 29
xMitothin, one of the Usurpers of Odin’s Authority, flees to Fionia, and is killed by the Inhabitants.—A Plague ensues, which was stayed by his Body being exhumed, the Head cut off, and a stake driven through the Corpse.—Probably the first Vampire on Record.—Snorro’s Account in many Respects different from Saxo’s, as above.—The Cause of that Difference.—Odin’s Government theocratic.—His perpetual Wars.—Always successful.—Called the Father of Victory.—Peculiar Veneration attached to his Character.—War with the Vanir, his Neighbours 30
They cut off the Head of Mimir, one of Odin’s Hostages, and send it to Asgard.—Odin, by his Magic, converts the Head to an Oracle.—He flees the Roman Arms with a Multitude of Followers, and advances to the West.—Reduces some States in Germany, over which he places his Sons.—Passes northward, and fixes his Seat at Odensey—Sends Gefio, one of his Prophetesses, to make Converts in the neighbouring Regions.—She is successful; marries Skiold, the Son of Odin, who reigned over the Danish Islands.—He compels the King of Sweden to cede him the eastern Part of that Kingdom.—He establishes his Seat at Sigtuna, erects Temples, and offers Sacrifices 31
His Worship diffused throughout Germany and Scandinavia.—His extraordinary Qualities.—His wonderful Ship, Skidbladner 32
The oracular Head of Mimir, which acquainted him with all he wished to know, and his two speaking Ravens, which brought him Intelligence of all that happened.—His miraculous Powers.—He and his Pontiffs worshipped as Gods.—His Laws, civil and religious 33
Proofs of his Existence from written as well as from traditionary Testimony 34
Rigs-mal, one of the Eddaic Poems, resembling in its Composition the Anglo-Saxon Poem of Bjówolf, throws much Light on the heroic Age in the North 38
Distinguishes the different Races by which the Country was successively occupied.—The first Gothic Emigrants drive the Finnish Tribes to the Wilds of Norrland, Lapland, and Finland.—The Antipathy between the two Races illustrated by the Legend of Njördr 39
The Sviar and the Goths, by whom they had been preceded, become one People through the religious Ascendancy of Odin 40
Religious Sects in the North.—Junction of the old and new religions.—The temporal Government of Odin perpetuated through his Sons.—Odin the Progenitor of all the great Dynasties of the North.—The Mythic Nor, from whom Norway took its Name 41
Alleged Succession of the Danish Kings.—Hoder beloved by Nanna, daughter of the King of Norway.—Balder, the Son of Odin, is enamoured of the same Princess and plans Hoder’s Destruction.—Hoder’s Interview with the Fatal Sisters 42
He obtains the magic Bracelets and Sword kept by the Satyr Mimring.—Defeats King Gelder.—He encounters Balder, who is assisted by the Gods, with Odin and Thor at their Head 43
He defeats them, and obtains the Hand of Nanna.—Is in turn defeated and dethroned by Balder.—Balder offers human Sacrifices.—Hoder again defeated, and compelled to flee to Jutland 44
Hoder’s second Interview with the Fatal Sisters.—He is again defeated by Balder.—Receives a magic Belt from Balder’s mysterious Purveyors.—Gives Balder a mortal Wound 45
xiBalder’s Death and Funeral.—Balder’s portentous Dream, according to the latter Edda 46
The Descent of Hermod to the Shades, in quest of Balder’s Soul, with the Story of the famous Horse, Sleipner 46
Poetical Description of Hermod’s Descent into the Regions of Hela 49
The Journey to the Shades attributed to Odin himself, in the poetical Edda of Saemund the Wise, while Balder was yet alive.—The Descent of Odin, and what he saw and heard in the Regions below 51
Hoder is killed by Bo, the Son of Odin, by the Princess Rinda.—Death of Odin 55
His pompous Funeral.—His Character 56
Ruric succeeds his Father Hoder on the Throne of Denmark.—The alleged Events on which the Tragedy of Hamlet is founded, happened in the Reign of this Prince.—Hamlet’s Father, Horwendil, Governor of Jutland, and a famous Pirate, killed by his Uncle, who marries the Mother 57
Hamlet feigns Madness.—Is suspected and feared by his Uncle.—Kills one of the Courtiers who had been hid in order to overhear his Conversation with his Mother.—He upbraids his Mother 59
Is sent to England with a View to his Destruction.—Substitutes the Names of his two Companions for his own in the Mandate to the English King, by whom they are put to Death 60
Marries the English King’s Daughter.—Returns to Jutland.—Assumes the Fool.—Burns his Uncle’s Courtiers with the Palace, and slays the Fratricide himself 61
He is declared his Uncle’s Successor.—His Death in Battle.—Skiold, the Son of Odin, the first Monarch of Denmark 62
Various Kings in the North.—That Title given to all Chiefs, Pirates, and others.—The extent of the Authority of any of them uncertain 63
Rational Conclusion drawn from the foregoing fabulous Accounts 65
BOOK I.
HALF FABULOUS, HALF HISTORIC.
CHAPTER I.
DENMARK.
B.C. 40—A.D. 1014.
ANCIENT KINGS OF DENMARK.—THEY WERE NUMEROUS.—FRODE I.—LEGEND OF SWAFURLAMI AND THE SWORD TYRFING.—INCANTATION OF HERVOR.—THE BERSERKS.—STERKODDER, THE HERCULES OF THE NORTH—HIS ROMANTIC ADVENTURES.—WONDERFUL VOYAGE OF GORM I.—ONE EQUALLY WONDERFUL OF THORKIL.—KINGS OF DENMARK, xiiCONTINUED: GURDIG AND GODFREY—RAGNAR LODBROG—SIGURD RING—HEMMING—GORM THE OLD—HARALD BLAATAND—SWEYN—INVASION OF ENGLAND.
Confusion and Uncertainty with respect to the Kings who reigned in Scandinavia prior to the Christian Era; the Discrepancy continued to the ninth Century 66
Causes of this Discrepancy; Rex Danorum applied to the Governors of Jutland, as well as to those of Zealand and Scania; Uncertainty of the Case 67
Little Dependence to be placed on any List of Kings given by northern Historians to the present Day; Denmark had three or four Sovereigns at the same Time; difficult to say which was the legitimate Rex Danorum; Adam of Bremen complains of the Uncertainty 68
Little known of these Kings to the ninth Century; most of them petty Chiefs; the Danish Islands not united under one Sceptre until the fourth Century; first united under Dan Mykillati; too early a Period assigned to this event; independent States in the Danish Islands as late as the eighth Century 69
B.C. 4. to A.D. 35. Skiold, the reputed Founder of the Danish Monarchy, probably King of Zealand, with a Superiority over the rest; his Valour. Frode I., a valiant and conquering King, probably joined some one of the Confederations against Rome; his good Deeds and Laws 70
His Laws and Institutions successful; the North had numerous Kings in his Age, probably all subordinate to him 71
Arngrim, the Hero who shed the greatest Lustre on the Reign of Frode; his magic Sword Tyrfing, the Destroyer of Men; Osura, Daughter of Frode; Saxo’s Description of the Finns; their Magic 72
Arngrim’s Conquests; marries Osura; their twelve Sons, eminent Pirates, destroyed at Samsoe; Song of the Scalds on the Subject, which throws much light upon the History of the Period; Swafurlam 73
Swafurlam’s rencounter with Dwarfs or Fairies; obtains a wonderful Sword 75
Slain by Arngrim, who marries his Daughter Eyvor 76
Scaldic Story of their twelve Sons 77
All slain; Arngrim’s Granddaughter by his eldest Son; Angantyr and Swafa; her extraordinary Character 78
Becomes a Chief of Pirates, under the Name of Herward; her Boldness and Incantations in the Island of Samsoe 79
Obtains the Magic Sword Tyrfing, which had been buried there 81
xiii Her Fame for Valour and Beauty; Marries Hafod, the Son of King Godmund; their Issue, two Sons, Angantyr and Heidrek, the former noted for his good, the latter for his mischievous, qualities; Hafod succeeds his Father; Heidrek exiled by his Father; his Mother presents him with the Magic Sword; he slays his Brother with it by rashly drawing it; frees Harald of Sweden from two great Chiefs; marries the Monarch’s Daughter; has a Son, whom he names Angantyr; Tyrfing fatal to Harald; his Wife hangs herself 82
Is slain by the fatal Tyrfing, which is drawn by his Slaves; his Son, Angantyr, with it slays his Half Brother, in whose Tomb it is finally buried 83
Angantyr, like all his Race, a Hero by Profession; Champions and Duels of the North 83
Associations of Heroes sealed with their Blood and indissoluble; their Laws and Duties; Rolf’s famous Society of this kind; their necessary Qualifications and Discipline; Exceptions to this Discipline; Abduction common; the berserks 84
Their Turbulence and Bloodshed among themselves; often became Bandits 85
Fridleif II. destroys one of these Bands 85
Fridleif slays Asmund, King of Norway, and seizes upon his Daughter Frogerth; is unfaithful to her; is succeeded by his Son Frode II.; the Name of this Prince, and of his Son Ingel, only interesting from their association with the Name of Sterkodder, the Hercules of the North 86
Story, Adventures, and Fame of Sterkodder; the Intention of the Deities in forming him was to destroy Wikar, a King of Norway 87
He effects Wikar’s Destruction; becomes a Pirate; his Continence and great Fame; his Abstemiousness; probably several of this Name, and their exploits all ascribed to one 87
Kills nine Champions in defence of Helga, Sister of Ingel 88
His Revenge on the Murderers of Frode 89
His remarkable Death 90
Legend of Gorm I. King of Denmark 91
Importance of such Legends as illustrative of the Opinions of Mankind 99
Gorm, according to Saxo, contemporary with the first of the Carlovingian Kings, probably King of Jutland; proofs that he was 100
794–935. Ragnar 101
Probability that there were two of the Name; the Actions of Ragnar and Regnier, a Jutish Pirate, probably confounded; his Death; doubtful whether his Sons revenged his Death, and made Northumberland a Danish State 102
xiv Sigurd II. succeeds Ragnar in Scania and the Isles, while Jutland had its separate Kings; Hemming, King of Jutland, contemporary with Sigurd; Hemming succeeded by Harald, who is exiled by the Sons of Godfrey, turns Christian, and returns in triumph, through the Assistance of Louis le Debonnaire; again, about 828, deprived of his Throne, and passes his future Days in religious Contemplation; his Baptism, and efforts to introduce Christianity in Jutland; St. Anscar; Sigurd, the other King of Denmark, a good and peaceable Prince 102
803. Harda Canute succeeds his Father, Sigurd, but according to Saxo, Eric I. 103
Several Kings ruled in Denmark and Jutland at the same time; all finally subdued by Gorm the Old; Gorm’s Conquests; he is defeated by Henry the Fowler, and compelled to admit the Christian Missionaries 104
His good Policy in respect to Civil Affairs, yet hostile to the Diffusion of Christianity; married to a Christian Lady; restores the Pagan Temples; slays and exiles the Christian Teachers; his Sons noted Pirates; his Death, in 935 or 941 106
935–964. Harald II. succeeds his Father in 941; he assists the Normans; vanquishes and captures the King of France, and reinstates the young Duke of Normandy; places Harald Graafeld on the Throne of Norway; Harald being murdered, he divides Norway into three States, reserving the best to himself; his Expedition against Otho I. 107
Is compelled by the Emperor, with his Son Sweyn, to receive Baptism and encourage Christianity 108
964. Proofs that Harald did homage to Otho 108
964. Harald joins the rebel Duke of Bavaria against Otho II.; the Events of the War as respects Harald doubtful; he fails in an Expedition against Norway; his Son Sweyn rebels against him 110
He flees to Normandy and is restored to Part of his Dominions by Duke Richard; is assassinated; his Character, and the Reverence in which he was afterwards held 111
991. Sweyn; he encourages the old Religion, and rebuilds many of the Temples; Jomsburg, a famous City founded by Harald, as a piratical Fortress; the Laws of its community; no Christian admitted; Planotoko, Governor of Jomsburg, the Assassin of Harald, had been Tutor to Sweyn; his great Skill in Archery; a similar Story to that of William Tell told of him 112
Gweyn. Much Obscurity and Contradiction respecting the early Part of his Reign 113
xv False Statements of ancient and modern Historians respecting him refuted and rectified 114
991–993. Leads an Armament against Hako, the Usurper of Norway; his Pirates defeated by Hako 115
And put to death; their resolute bearing; the generous Conduct of Eric, the Son of Hako, towards them 116
991–1001. Invasion of England; Brithnoth the Governor of Essex slain; Treacherous Conduct of Alfric of Mercia; Sweyn and his Ally, Olaf the Son of Trygve, appear in the Thames with a formidable Fleet 117
Their Attack upon London repelled; their dreadful Depredations in Essex, Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire; Money paid them by Ethelred; Olaf visits the Court of the Saxon King, and, having been previously baptized, receives the Rite of Confirmation, and visits the Coast of England no more; Sweyn returns Three Years after, and wastes England without Opposition; Returns to contend with Olaf of Norway; the Danes return, 1001, exact another heavy Ransom, and procure extensive Estates in many Parts of the Kingdom 117
1001–1003. Massacre of the Danes 118
Cowardly and horrid Manner of it; Sweyn’s terrible Retribution 118
1003–1009. Sweyn again visits England, 1004 119
But returns in consequence of a Famine caused by the former Depredations; Deplorable Cowardice and Imbecility of the English King and Nobles; Ethelred marries Emma of Normandy; his brutal Conduct to her draws upon him the Hostility of Duke Richard; 119
1010. Danegelt exacted as an annual Tribute; the Danes possess sixteen English Counties; exact 48,000l. for sparing the others; recommence their Atrocities; St. Elphege’s Description of the woful Condition of the Country 120
Their Cruelties in Kent; Destruction of the City and Cathedral of Canterbury; admirable Conduct of St. Elphege; his Martyrdom 121
1013–1014. In 1013 Sweyn receives the Submission of all England as their Sovereign; Ethelred flees to Normandy; Sweyn dies or is killed one Year after his Elevation; his Character 122
CHAP. II.
SWEDEN.
A.C. 70-A.D. 1001.
UNCERTAINTY AND CONTRADICTION IN THE CHRONOLOGICAL SERIES OF KINGS EXPLAINED BY THE FACT THAT THE GOTHS AND xviSWIONES WERE UNDER DISTINCT RULERS—HENCE THEIR CONFUSION.—THE YNGLINGS, OR SACRED FAMILY OF ODIN, REIGN AT UPSAL.—KINGS OF THAT RACE: ODIN—NIORD—FREYR—FREYA— FIOLNER—SWEGDIR—VANLAND—VISBUR—DOMALD—DOMAR—DYGVE—DAG—AGNE, ETC.—FATE OF THE PRINCES OF THIS HOUSE, OF WHOM MOST DIE TRAGICALLY.—LEGEND OF AUN THE OLD.—INGIALD ILLRADA.—CONQUEST OF SWEDEN BY IVAR VIDFADME.—GOTHIC KINGS FROM GYLFO TO IVAR VIDFADME.—KINGS OF THE SWEDES AND THE GOTHS.
Difficulty attending all Researches into the early History of Sweden 124
The Gothones were in Possession of Sweden previously to the Arrival of Odin and the Swiones; the People long under different Rulers; the Discrepancy in the Lists of Swedish Kings accounted for 126
A.C. 40. to A.D. 14. The Race of Odin, the Pontiff Kings of the Swedes who reigned at Upsal. Niord succeeds his Father Odin as Prophet, Priest, and King in the Capital of Sigtuna; Numerous Kings in Sweden at the Time; Skiold, the Son of Odin, King of Ledra in Zealand; Freyr, Pontiff Chief of Upsal; Heimdal, over the Temple at Hemenbiorg; Thor, at Thrudvang and Balder Breidablik; The happy Reign of Niord 127
His Death and Funeral; He is worshipped as a Deity; Succeeded by his Son Freyr; Freyr’s prosperous Reign; He builds the great Temple at Upsal; more esteemed than his Predecessors; his Surname of Yngve adopted by his Posterity, the Ynglings, as a proud Distinction; a magnificent Tomb erected for him; is succeeded by Freya, the last of the Divine Personages who accompanied Odin from Asia; her Celebrity while living and after Death; her Statue placed with those of Odin and Thor; succeeded by Fiolner, the Son of Freyr; Fiolner’s accidental Death while on a friendly Visit to Frode I. King of Denmark 128
Swegdir goes with twelve Nobles to Asia, to inquire into the Family and Exploits of Odin, where he found many of his Blood; he marries a Lady in the Land of the Vanir, and after five Years returns to Upsal; his Second Journey to Asia; Legend of his Death 128
34–220. Vanland succeeds his Father Swegdir; his warlike Character; he marries the Daughter of a Swede established among the Finns, whom he soon abandons 129
He refuses to return to his Wife, and is, in consequence, destroyed by Witchcraft 130
xvii Visbur, the Son of Vanland by his neglected Wife, succeeds; he dismisses his Wife and two Sons, and takes another; Donald, his Son by the second Marriage; the Sons of the repudiated Queen, Gisle and Ondur, claim their Mother’s Dowry of Visbur, especially a precious Necklace, which is refused; they apply to Hulda the Witch, who had destroyed the Father of Visbur; she promises to destroy him also, and to leave his Doom to the whole of the Ynglings 130
He, with his House, is burned by Gisle and Ondur 131
Domald succeeds; is sacrificed by the People to propitiate the Gods and induce them to avert a Famine; Domar, the Son of Domald; Dygve, the Son of Domar 131
Dag the Wise, the Son of Dygve, celebrated in Northern History; his wonderful Sparrow; his Death 131
Agne, the Son of Dag, succeeds; he slays the Finnish King, and makes his Daughter Skiolfa his Wife; is, while drunk in his Tent, hanged by her 131
Alaric and Eric, his Sons, divide the supreme Power between them; they destroy each other. Yngve and Alf, the Sons of Alaric, divide the Government between them, and also destroy each other 132
Hugleik, the Son of Alf, succeeds; he is slain, and the Swiones subdued by Hako, a Danish Sea King; Hako is slain by Eric and Jorund, the Sons of Hugleik; Eric also slain, and Jorund hailed as the Monarch of the Swedes; he is defeated and hung by Gylang, the Son of Gudlaug, King of Halogia, and is succeeded by Aun, surnamed ‘Hinn’ Gamle, or The Old; Kings of the Danes contemporary with Aun; he is expelled his Kingdom by Halfdan 133
Returns to his Kingdom; consults the Gods respecting the Duration of his Life; sacrifices his Sons on the Altar of Odin; Fables respecting him 134
448–545. He is succeeded by his Son Egil; Rebellion of Tunne, a Slave, and formerly Treasurer to Aun 134
The Rebel defeated by Egil, with the Assistance of Danish Troops, for which he promised to pay Tribute; Egil is killed by a wild Bull, and is succeeded by Ottar, his Son, who, refusing to pay the Tribute to Denmark, is defeated and slain, and is succeeded by his Son Adils, a noted Pirate; he marries Ursa, a Saxon Lady, his Captive; is expelled his Kingdom by Helge, Son of Halfdan of Ledra; the Victor marries Ursa, and has by her a Son, Rolf Krake 135
Ursa discovered to be Helge’s Daughter, and returns to Adils; his Death by a Fall from his Horse; he is succeeded by his Son Eystein; his troublesome Reign; the Sea Kings; he is burnt, with his House, by Solvi, a Jutish Chief, who is killed in his turn by the People of Sigtuna 136
xviii Yngvar succeeds his father Eystein; leads many piratical Expeditions; killed on the Coast of Esthonia, 545 136
545–623. Braut-Onund, a wise Prince, next fills the Throne of the Ynglings; his great agricultural Improvements 136
He is killed by an Avalanche, and succeeded by Ingiald Illrada, his Son; fabulous Account of his Youth; he burns Six Reguli and Jarls on the Night of his Inauguration, and by that atrocious Act becomes absolute Master of all Swionia, except Sudermania, the Dominion of King Grammar 137
Grammar enters into an Alliance with Hiorvardar, a famous Sea King, to whom he gives his Daughter Hildegund; characteristic Description of the Wedding Feast; Ingiald defeated by the Allies; Peace between them; Ingiald treacherously burns Grammar and Hiovardar in a Country House 138
623–630. Asa, the wicked Daughter of Ingiald, persuades her Husband, the King of Scania, to murder his Brother, Halfdan III., King of Zealand; joins in the Destruction of her Husband; flees to Upsal; Ivar Vidfadme, to revenge the Murder of his Father, invades Swionia; Ingiald, by the Advice of his Daughter, in despair, burns her, his Guests, the House, and himself, and is succeeded by Ivar Vidfadme, while Olaf Trætelia, the Son Ingiald, the Last of the Ynglings, retires to the Desert Lands North and West of the Vener Lake, and by clearing them, founds the State of Vermeland; he is the Ancestor of Harald Harfager 139
Reflections on the Crimes and Misfortunes of the Ynglings; Sweden henceforth under the Sway of the Skioldungs, also of Odin’s Race 140
The Goths and Swiones always under different Kings; the more powerful Monarch always called King of the Goths; the Kings of all the Provinces, except Jutland, confounded 141
Confused Chronology of Northern Historians 142
Gylfo, King of the Goths at the Period of Odin’s Arrival in the North 143
The Swiar become the dominant Caste more by the moral Influence of Odin and his Successors than by Force; the different Races in Scandinavia probably from Asiatic Scythia 144
Cause of the rapid Progress of the Odinic Religion; the moral Influence of the Pontiff Sovereigns often resisted by the Gothic Kings, who frequently slew and dethroned them 145
xix70–260. The Line of the Gothic Kings imperfectly recorded; one of the Gothlands the Seat of Gylfo’s Empire; succeeded by Frode; Frode by Sigtrug; Sigtrug slain by Gram, a Danish King, who rescues his Daughter from a Giant, marries her, and obtains the Gothic Kingdom; like the Daughter of Alcinos, he found her washing with her Maidens; Gram is slain by Swibdager of Norway, who seizes upon Gothia and Scania; Swibdager slain by Hadding, the Son of Gram; Asmund, the Son and Successor of Swibdager, also slain by Hadding, who seizes upon his States; Hadding is defeated by Uffo, the Son of Asmund; Uffo treacherously murdered by Hadding, who gives the vacant Throne to Hunding, Uffo’s Brother 146
Doubts as to the Reign of Madding; Ragnar, the Son of Uffo, ascends the Gothic Throne; Gothland invaded by Frode of Denmark, who dies in the Expedition; Death of Ragnar; the Throne seized by Holward or Hodbrod; he invades Denmark, and kills Roe, one of her joint Kings; is mortally wounded by Helge, the remaining Danish King, who makes a Prize of his Kingdom; Atil I. marries Helge’s Daughter, and is raised to the Throne; their Son Hoder becomes in the sequel King of Scania and Gothland 147
Ruric, the Son of Hoder, King of Scania and Gothland; Attil II. assassinated; Hogmor and Hogrin, joint Kings, killed in Battle with the Danes; succeeded by Alaric or Ebric Prince of the Swedes; the Goths and Swedes at this Time united; Confusion of Chronology; Halfdan; Siward; Eric; Halfdan II.; Ragnald; Asmund; Haquin (or Hako); the Story of Birnam Wood, admitted by Shakspeare into the Tragedy of Macbeth, taken from a similar Story told by Hako, while marching to revenge the Death of his Brothers upon the Danish King 148
448–623. Egil Auniff, King of the Goths and Swedes; Identity of many of the Kings mentioned by Snorro and the Swedish Writers; the Subject rendered more intelligible 149
623–794. The four next Kings of the Swedes and Goths also Kings of the Danes; Ivar Vidfadme; his Conquests extend to England 150
Harald Hildetand, Grandson and Successor of Ivar, exceeded him in Glory; his Valour; his Death in Battle against his Nephew, Sigurd Ring 151
Doubts as to the Kings who reigned between Harald and Ragnar Lodbrog 152
794–1001. Ragnar succeeded on the Throne of Sweden by his Son Biorn I., who tolerates the Christian Mission, allowing St. Anscar to exercise his Functions unmolested; Olaf, a doubtful King; Eric I., the Son of Biorn; Eric II.; Edmund; Biorn II.; no Records of their Reigns; Biorn III. (923) enjoyed a long reign; Eric IV. (993) a longer still 154
xx Eric V. closes the List of Pagan Kings; the Confusion of Swedish History from the eighth to the tenth Century; Cause of that Confusion; Eric IV., the Victorious, King of the Goths and Swedes 154
Eric V., King, surnamed Arsael, King of the two Provinces; embraces Christianity; much Obscurity over his Reign 155
CHAP. III.
NORWAY.
ABOUT 70 B.C.-A.D. 1030.
NEW KINGDOM OF THE YNGLINGS IN VERMELAND.—KINGS FROM OLAF TRÆTELIA TO HALFDAN THE BLACK.—HALFDAN THE TRUE FOUNDER OF THE NORWEGIAN MONARCHY.—HARALD HARFAGER.—ERIC OF THE BLOODY AXE.—HAKO THE GOOD.—HARALD GRAAFELD.—HAKO THE JARL.—SURPRISING ADVENTURES OF OLAF TRYGVESON.—HIS EARLY PIRATICAL EXPLOITS.—HIS ROMANTIC FORTUNES.—HE BECOMES KING OF NORWAY.—HIS DESTRUCTION OF THE IDOLS.—HIS INTOLERANT BIGOTRY AND CRUEL PERSECUTIONS.—HIS TRAGICAL DEATH, OR, ACCORDING TO SOME WRITERS, HIS MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE FROM THE WORLD.—OLAF THE SAINT.—HIS ADVENTURES OF A PIRATE.—HIS ACCESSION TO THE CROWN OF NORWAY,—HIS PERSECUTING CHARACTER.—HIS QUARRELS AND SUBSEQUENT ALLIANCE WITH SWEDEN.—IS DRIVEN INTO EXILE BY CANUTE THE GREAT.—HE RETURNS, AND IS SLAIN.—HIS PRETENDED SANCTITY.
Early Chiefs of Norway 156
630–640 Olaf Trætelia lays the Foundation of Vermeland; put to Death as the supposed Cause of a Famine; his Character; his Children by the Daughter of Halfdan, King of Soleyr 158
640–840 Halfdan, the Son of Olaf, is demanded by the Swedes for their King; his Grandfather refuses to surrender him; a Battle ensues, and the King of Soleyr is slain; Halfdan governs both States; conquers Raumarik; marries the Daughter of the King of Hedmark; acquires half that State, and subdues part of Westfold 160
730–840 Eystein, the Son of Halfden, succeeds to the united Crowns of Raumarik and Westfold; becomes a Pirate; is killed in one of his Expeditions, and is succeeded by his Son, Halfdan II. 161
xxi His Inconsistency of Character; is succeeded by his Son Gudred; he receives as the Dowry of his Wife part of Vingulmark; demands as his second Wife the Daughter of Harald, Chief of Adger, who, refusing Compliance, falls in Battle, and Adger becomes the Prey of Halfdan; is murdered; his Sons Olaf and Halfdan divide his States 162
840–850 Halfdan the Black only a Year old when his Father died; his Territories (except Adger, his maternal Inheritance) seized by Olaf; at eighteen demands and obtains part of his Inheritance; obtains by Force half of Vingulmark; recovers Raumarik; defeats the King of Hedmark; but grants his Brother one half of Hedmark; subdues two small States bordering on Hedmark 163
850. Marries the Daughter of the King of Sogne; on her Death and that of her Son, takes Possession of that State; defeated by some Chiefs of Vingulmark; is Victor in his turn, and subdues the whole Province 164
852–863 Sigurd Hiort, King of Ringarik, killed by Hako the Berserk and his Company, who capture Guthrum the Son, and Ragnilda the Daughter, of Sigurd; they are rescued by Halfdan 165
Who marries Ragnilda; Issue, Harald Harfager; Character of Harald the Black; his Laws; wonderful Vision preceding his Death; he is drowned 166
863. Harald Harfager a Child at his Father’s Death; his Youth is taken advantage of by the neighbouring Reguli; is defended by his Uncle Guthrum 167
865–868 His General and Minister; his Enemies defeated and spoiled of their Territories; he demands the Hand of Gyda of the King of Hordaland; her proud Reply 168
Harald vows never to cut or comb his Hair until he has subdued all Norway; subdues many Districts, in which he establishes the feudal System; his local Administration and Revenue 169
867–882 Is joined by Jarl Hako; subdues Orkadal, Strinda, Spordal, Veradal, Scaunia, Sparbyggia, and the Islands in the West; the two Kings of Naumdal submit, and are made Jarls; returns to Drontheim, builds a Town as his Seat of Government, and marries Asa, Daughter of Jarl Hako; his military Preparations and System of Discipline 170
He subdues the Möre Tylk, south of Drontheim, and slays their Chiefs; makes the celebrated Rognevald, Father of Rollo, first Duke of Normandy, their Governor; Sunmore and the Fiords subdued 171
Quarrels among his Chiefs 172
882–884 War with Eric of Sweden, who conquers Vermeland; Interview between Harald and Eric; strange Expedient of Aki, their Host 172
xxii Resented by Eric, by whom he is treacherously slain; mutual Hostilities; Conspiracy of the subdued Reguli against Harald 173
The combined Chiefs defeated, and the celebrated Victory of the Bay of Hafursfiord gained by Harald 174
The Conspirators go into Exile, or become Pirates, and infest his Coasts, and those of Britain; Norway being conquered, he cuts his Locks, and obtains the Epithet of Harfager or Fair-haired; marries Gyda, who bears him a Daughter and four Sons 175
Wonderful Story of his Marriage with Snæfrida, the Daughter of a Finnish Magician, who bears him four Sons, Sigurd, Halfdan, Gudred, Rognevald; miraculous Story of her Death, and Harald’s Infatuation 176
He dismisses his four Sons, by the Witch Snæfrida; receives them again at the Intercession of Jarl Hiodulf; they excel in military Exercises; his numerous Wives and Offspring 177
The Crimes and Ambition of most of his Sons shortened their Days; the Sons of Snæfrida burn Rognevald 178
Harald appoints his Sons Kings over the Provinces; Thorgils and Frode conquer Dublin; end their Days tragically 179
Eric Blodöxe burns his Brother Rognevald, with eighty pretended Wizards; slays his Brother Biorn, King of Westfold 180
910–913 Harald’s unaccountable Attachment to Eric; Eric’s early piratical Depredations; his marvellous Adventure in Finland with Gunhilda and two Magicians; he marries Gunhilda 181
930–934 Gudred, the Son of Harald, lost at Sea; Harald resigns the Imperial Dignity to Eric 182
He is opposed by Halfdan the Black, with Olaf, the Brother of the murdered Biorn, King of Westfold; Harald dies at the age of eighty; his Character; military Prowess almost his only great Quality 183
934–936 Hostilities between Eric and his Brothers, Olaf and Sigurd; they are defeated and slain; the People look for a Deliverer from the Tyranny of Eric in the Person of Hako, who had been educated in the Court of Athelstane of England, where he then resided 185
Hako, being supplied with Ships and Money, sails for Norway 185
937–946 He lands at Drontheim; is proclaimed King in a General Assembly of Freemen; he is joined by many Chiefs in the Uplands; he makes Sigurd King of Westfold 186
And Drygve King of Raumarik and Vingulmark; Eric, abandoned by the People, flees to the Orkneys; he ravages the Scottish Coast; he embraces Christianity, and receives the Government of Northumbria from Athelstane 187
xxiii His continual Ravages on the Coasts of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales; his Fame draws many Norwegians, Danes, and Swedes to his Standard; he is absent from Northumbria during the Reign of Edmund the Elder; returns in the first Year of Edred’s Reign, and lays waste the English Coast; is defeated and slain by Edred; Northumbria becomes henceforth an English Province 188
939–940 Hako’s Hostilities with the Danes and Gothlanders, whom he defeats 188
The piratical Sons of Eric, encouraged by the Danish King, commit Depredations on the Coasts of Norway; King Trygve retaliates upon Denmark; Hako encourages Christianity in Norway; sends to England for a Bishop and Priests 189
Pagan Sacrifices; Sigurd’s Zeal for the Religion of Odin 190
941. Hako proposes the Establishment of the Christian Religion in a National Assembly; is opposed by Gaulandal 191
942–956 Hako’s Unwillingness to comply with the Rites of Paganism 192
He is compelled partially to comply, and vows Revenge 193
956–958 The Sons of Eric invade his Coasts; he defeats them, and kills Guthrum with his own Hand; Law for the Protection of the Coasts 194
Eric’s Sons again invade Norway; are defeated by Hako 195
958. The Sons of Eric again defeated by Hako, who is mortally wounded; he declares them his Heirs; dies; probably died a Pagan; his Character 194
963–969 Harald Graafeld, eldest Son of Eric, declared King 196
His Power limited by five Chiefs, or Kings; he procures the Murder of Sigurd 198
He betrays and murders King Trygve, and King Gudred 199
969. Unpopularity of the Sons of Eric; two of them killed by the People 200
Harald betrayed, and killed in Battle; Harald of Denmark becomes supreme Monarch of Norway 201
Deeds of Jarl Hako, Son of Sigurd, Governor of seven Norwegian Provinces; joins Harald against Otho; both compelled to receive Baptism by the Emperor 202
He relapses into Paganism; proclaims his Independence; fabulous Guardians of Iceland; Harald dies 203
His Son Sweyn assails Norway; Story of Harald Grenske and Sigfrida; he is killed by her; Birth of his posthumous Son, Olaf 204
993–995 Hako’s licentious Conduct; Olaf, the Son of Trygve 205
Flight of his Mother Astridda; romantic Circumstances attending his Birth; their miraculous Escapes; they find an Asylum with Hako the Old 206
964–966 Gunhilda’s deceitful Attempts to obtain Possession of his Person 208
xxiv976–984 Astridda flees to her Brother Sigurd, to the Court of Waldemar, King of Gardarik; they are captured by Pirates, and sold 209
Mother and Son separated; Olaf becomes his Master’s Favourite; with his Foster-brother Thorgils, redeemed by his Uncle Sigurd, who accidentally discovers them, and introduces them at the Court of his Master; his Education; becomes a Pirate at twelve Years of Age; protects the Coasts of Gardarik; in favour with the King; he pursues his Fortunes on the Deep 210
985–994 His great Fame; he marries the Widow of Duke Borislaf of Pomerania, and protects her Dominions; treacherous Attempt on his Life 211
Which he defeats, with the Slaughter of his Enemies; he ravages the Coasts of the Baltic; assists the Emperor against the Danes; his Aversion to Idolatry; he returns to Pomerania 212
His Wife dies; he leaves Pomerania; a Christian, yet a Pirate; Visits the Coasts of Britain; marries an Irish Princess 213
967–993 Fate of Astridda after her Capture; she is ransomed by a noble Pirate of Norway, whom she marries 214
995–996 Snares laid for Olaf by Hako of Norway, who employs Thorer, a Pirate, to entrap him 215
Olaf sails for Norway; compels the Jarl of Orkney to embrace Christianity, and do him Homage 216
He discovers Thorer’s Treachery, and slays the Traitor; Hako’s licentious Conduct causes a Conspiracy of the Nobles against him 217
995. Romantic Adventures of Hako and his Slave; Dream in the Cave; Death of Erleng, Son of Hako 218
Second Dream in the Cave; Hako and Kark repair to the House of Thora, and are concealed in a subterraneous Recess; they are pursued by Olaf; Hako killed by his Slave 219
Character of Jarl Hako 222
Olaf, now King of Norway, commences his Persecution of Idolaters 222
997–999 Olaf and the Magicians; he is honoured by a Visit from Odin 224
998. Opposition which his religious Zeal encounters from the Pagans; politic Manner in which he evaded the Demand of his Chiefs that he should sacrifice to the Gods 226
He overthrows the Idols in the great Temple of Drontheim; individual Conversions 227
999. He proceeds on a missionary Tour into Helogia; Legend concerning Bishop Sigurd; Destruction of a noted Pagan 228
xxv Atrocious Manner in which, through his Poet Halfrod, he punishes a Chief who had refused to embrace Christianity 230
His Brutality offends Sigrida, a Swedish Princess, who devotes her future Life to Revenge; marries a Danish Princess 232
999–1000 His new Wife persuades him to equip an Armament for the Coast of Pomerania; Sweden and Denmark oppose him; he is defeated and slain 234
Character of this Monarch 235
1000–1012 Division of Norway by the Conquerors 236
Youth of St. Olaf 237
1007–1014 He becomes a Sea King; his Adventures on several Maritime Coasts, especially on those of Finland and England 238
1012. He returns to Norway, and captures Hako the Jarl, the Lieutenant of the Danish King; proceeds into the Uplands; his Reception by his Mother; curious Picture of domestic Manners 240
1014. He consults with his Friends as to the meditated Seizure of the Throne, and is encouraged by them to proceed 242
He is promised Support by the Upland Kings, obtains Possession of Nidaros, but is expelled by Sweyn, another Jarl 243
1015. His Victory over his domestic Enemies, and consequent Recognition as Monarch of Norway 245
1016. His legal and religious Reforms; his punctual Attendance at public Worship the chief Cause of his subsequent Apotheosis 246
His Disputes with Sweden; he hangs the Ambassadors of that Prince, and encroaches on her Frontiers 247
1017. Negotiations for Peace at the Court of the Swede long fruitless; Diet of the Kingdom; bold Language of the venerable Thorgnyr; Olaf compelled to promise Obedience to the Wish of his People 249
1018. Olaf of Sweden resolves to evade his Promise of marrying his Daughter Ingigerda to Olaf of Norway; Rage of the latter; he clandestinely marries Astridda, another Daughter of the Swedish King 252
Reconciliation between the two Kings, who play at Dice for a Frontier Province 255
Zeal of St. Olaf in the Diffusion of Christianity; a Conspiracy against him by the Pagan Kings of the Uplands; it is discovered, and the Actors punished 255
1019. Ruric, one of the Captive Kings whom Olaf had blinded, plots his Destruction; Banishment of the Royal Pagan 257
1020–1021. Severity of Olaf against the secret Pagans of Naumdal and Drontheim 259
xxvi1021. He is equally severe in the Uplands; Opposition of Gunbrund, King of the Dales; dispersed by Olaf; new Pagan reinforcements; Interview in the Defiles; the Idol Thor broken to pieces by the Followers of the Saint; Baptism of the foolish Wretches 261
1022–1025 Furious Persecution of the Pagans 264
1026–1027 Canute the Great threatens the Invasion of Norway; St. Olaf combines his Fleet with that of Sweden; Hostilities on the Coasts of Zealand and Scania 265
1027. Canute arrives in the North; orders the Assassination of Ulf, his Brother-in-law 267
1027–1028 St. Olaf finds Treachery in his Councils; Lukewarmness of the People; his great Unpopularity the Result of his own Misconduct 268
1028–1029 Triumphant Invasion of Canute, who is acknowledged Monarch of Norway; Olaf flees with Precipitation, first into Sweden, and then into Russia 270
1029. His good Reception by the King and Queen of Holmgard; is at length enabled to return into Sweden 271
1030. Aided by Swedish Forces, he returns towards Norway; his unfavourable reception by his former Subjects; he dies in Battle 272
Character of this precious Saint 273
CHAP. IV.
MARITIME EXPEDITIONS OF THE NORTHMEN DURING THE PAGAN AGE.
SECTION I.
IN ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND IRELAND.
EARLY EXPEDITIONS OF THE NORTHMEN TO THE COASTS OF THE ROMAN PROVINCES.—CAUSES WHICH LED TO THEM:—POVERTY OF THE SOIL, FAMINE, COURAGE.—DOMESTIC PIRACY.—TRIBES OF PIRATES.—INVASION OF ENGLAND BY THE SAXONS AND DANES.—AUTHORITY OF SAXO GRAMMATICUS.—DEPREDATIONS IN ENGLAND PRIOR TO THE REIGN OF ATHELSTANE.—VICTORY OF THAT MONARCH.—RAVAGES OF THE NORTHMEN IN FRANCE.—HASTINGS.—ROLLO THE GREATEST OF THE SCANDINAVIAN PIRATES.—HIS CONQUEST OF NORMANDY, OF WHICH HE WAS THE FIRST DUKE.—THE NORTHMEN IN IRELAND.—EARLY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE IRISH AND THE NORTH OF EUROPE.—FIRST RAVAGES OF THE NORTHMEN.—THEIR ALARMING PROGRESS IN THAT ISLAND.—VICTORY OBTAINED OVER THEM BY KING BRIAN.—THEIR SUBSEQUENT DEPREDATIONS AND DECLINE.
Early Appearance of the Scandinavian Pirates on the Coasts of the Roman Provinces and in Ireland 276
xxvii Causes which led to the voluntary or compulsory Expatriation of the Northmen:—Poverty of the Soil, Insufficiency of Food, Expertness in the Management of small Vessels 278
Progress of Piracy in the North 279
Domestic Piracy gives rise to maritime Expeditions into the South 280
The Roman Provinces the chief Objects of Plunder at a very early Age 283
Expeditions of the Saxons and Northmen to England 283
Foundations of the Saxon Kingdoms in England 285
On the Degree of Reliance to be placed in the Statements of Saxo Grammaticus, respecting the early Communications between Denmark and England 286
Extract from Mr. Turner, on this Subject, and Comments thereupon 287
794–806 Depredations in Northumbria; Danish Kingdom in that Province; heroic Behaviour of the Coldingham Nuns 289
868–876 Graphic Account of the Destruction of Croyland Monastery 291
870–924 Transactions in Northumbria 294
924–934 Splendid Victory of Brunanburgh 296
400–840 Earliest Depredations of the Northmen in France 296
840. Hastings, the Veteran Pirate, arrives in France 297
842–844 Havoc in France and Spain 298
845–859 Ravages in France; Hastings sails to Italy; he surprises the City of Luna 299
858–863 Numerous piratical Bands in France; Hastings returns, and on the Condition of renouncing Piracy, is created Count de Chartres 301
863–876 Continued Excesses in the different Provinces of France 303
Early Life of Rollo 304
876–888 His Expedition to France 306
888–896 Faithlessness of the Normans 308
896–909 Great Successes of Rollo 308
910–912 He is created Duke of Normandy 310
Advantage of the Policy of the French Court in this respect 311
First Appearance of the Northmen in Ireland 312
795–820 Their early Progress was rapid, and for some Time they met with little Resistance 314
820–848 Progress of the Northmen 315
842–879 Various Successes, with alternate Reverses 317
872–1000 Rapid Decline of the Scandinavian Power in Ireland 319
1000–1014 Its ultimate Destruction 320
Appendix 321
Footnotes 328
1THE
HISTORY
OF
SCANDINAVIA.