heimskringla-第203章
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e had also the whole fleet and the land defence under him。 He was a while in Bergen in autumn； but went from thence eastward to Viken； where he settled in Tunsberg for his winter quarters （A。D。 1163）； and collected in Viken all the taxes and revenues that belonged to Magnus as king； and he had many and very fine troops。 As Earl Sigurd had but a small part of the country； and kept many men on foot； he soon was in want of money； and where there was no chief in the neighbourhood he had to seek money by unlawful ways； sometimes by unfounded accusations and fines； sometimes by open robbery。
10。 EARL SIGURD'S CONDEMNATION。
At that time the realm of Norway was in great prosperity。 The bondes were rich and powerful； unaccustomed to hostilities or violence； and the oppression of roving troops； so that there was soon a great noise and scandal when they were despoiled and robbed。 The people of Viken were very friendly to Erling and King Magnus； principally from the popularity of the late King Inge Haraldson； for the Viken people had always served under his banner。 Erling kept a guard in the town； and twelve men were on watch every night。 Erling had Things regularly with the bondes； at which the misdeeds of Sigurd's people were often talked over； and by the representations of Erling and his adherents； the bondes were brought unanimously to consider that it would be a great good fortune if these bands should be rooted out。 Arne； the king's relation； spoke well and long on this subject； and at last severely； and required that all who were at the Thing； men…at…arms； bondes； towns…men； and merchants； should come to the resolution to sentence according to law Earl Sigurd and all his troop； and deliver them to Satan； both living and dead。 From the animosity and hatred of the people； this was agreed to by all； and thus the unheard…of deed was adopted and confirmed by oath； as if a judgment in the case was delivered there by the Thing according to law。 The priest Hroald the Long…winded； who was a very eloquent man； spoke in the case； but his speech was to the same purpose as that of others who had spoken before。 Erling gave a feast at Yule in Tunsberg； and paid the wages of the men…at…arms at Candlemas。
11。 OF ERLING。
Earl Sigurd went with his best troops down to Viken； where many people were obliged to submit to his superior force； and many had to pay money。 He drove about thus widely higher up the country； penetrating into different districts。 But there were some in his troop who desired privately to make peace with Erling； but they got back the answer； that all who asked for their lives should obtain quarter； but they only should get leave to remain in the country who had not been guilty of any great offenses against Erling。 And when Sigurd's adherents heard that they would not get leave to remain in the country； they held together in one body； for there were many among them who knew for certain that Erling would look upon them as guilty of offences against him。 Philip Gyrdson made terms with Erling； got his property back； and went home to his farm； but soon after Sigurd's men came there； and killed him。 They committed many crimes against each other； and many men were slain in their mutual persecution； but here what was committed by the chiefs only is written down。
12。 ERLING GETS NEWS OF EARL SIGURD。
It was in the beginning of Lent that news came to Erling that Earl Sigurd intended to come upon him； and news of him came here and there； sometimes nearer； sometimes farther off。 Erling sent out spies in all quarters around to discover where they were。 Every evening he assembled all the men…at…arms by the war…horn out of the town； and for a long time in the winter they lay under arms all night； ready to be drawn up in array。 At last Erling got intelligence that Sigurd and his followers were not far distant； up at the farm Re。 Erling then began his expedition out of the town； and took with him all the towns…people who were able to carry arms and had arms； and likewise all the merchants； and left only twelve men behind to keep watch in the town。 Erling went out of the town on Thursday afternoon； in the second week of Lent （February 19）； and every man had two days' provisions with him。 They marched by night； and it was late before they got out of the town with the men。 Two men were with each shield and each horse； and the people； when mustered； were about 1200 men。 When they met their spies； they were informed that Sigurd was at Re； in a house called Rafnnes； and had 500 men。 Then Erling called together his people； told them the news he had received； and all were eager to hasten their march； fall on them in the houses； or engage them by night。
Erling replied to them thus： 〃It is probable that we and Earl Sigurd shall soon meet。 There are also many men in this band whose handy…work remains in our memories； such as cutting down King Inge； and so many more of our friends； that it would take long to reckon them up。 These deeds they did by the power of Satan； by witchcraft； and by villainy； for it stands in our laws and country rights； that however highly a man may have been guilty； it shall be called villainy and cowardly murder to kill him in the night。 This band has had its luck hitherto by following the counsel of men acquainted with witchcraft and fighting by night； and not in the light of day； and by this proceeding have they been victorious hitherto over the chiefs whose heads they have laid low on the earth。 Now we have often seen； and proved； how unsuitable and improper it is to go into battle in the nighttime； therefore let us rather have before our eyes the example of chiefs better known to us； and who deserve better to be imitated； and fight by open day in regular battle array； and not steal upon sleeping men in the night。 We have people enough against them； so few as they are。 Let us； therefore； wait for day and daylight； and keep together in our array in case they attack us。〃
Thereafter the whole army sat down。 Some opened up bundles of hay； and made a bed of it for themselves； some sat upon their shields； and thus waited the daydawn。 The weather was raw； and there was a wet snowdrift。
13。 OF EARL SIGURD'S BATTLE ARRAY。
Earl Sigurd got the first intelligence of Erling's army； when it was already near to the house。 His men got up； and armed themselves； but not knowing how many men Erling had with him； some were inclined to fly； but the most determined to stand。 Earl Sigurd was a man of understanding； and could talk well； but certainly was not considered brave enough to take a strong resolution； and indeed the earl showed a great inclination to fly； for which he got many stinging words from his men…at…arms。 As day dawned； they began on both sides to draw up their battle array。 Earl Sigurd placed his men on the edge of a ridge between the river and the house； at a place at which a little stream runs into the river。 Erling and his people placed their array on the other side of the river； but at the back of his array were men on horseback well armed； who had the king with them。 When Earl Sigurd's men saw that there was so great a want of men on their side； they held a council； and were for taking to the forest。 But Earl Sigurd said； 〃Ye alleged that I had no courage； but it will now be proved； and let each of you take care not to fail； or fly； before I do so。 We have a good battle…field。 Let them cross the bridge； but as soon as the banner comes over it let us then rush down the hill upon them； and none desert his neighbour。〃
Earl Sigurd had on a red…brown kirtle； and a red cloak； of which the corners were tied and turned back； shoes on his feet； and a shield and sword called Bastard。 The earl said； 〃God knows that I would rather get at Erling Skakke with a stroke of Bastard； than receive much gold。〃
14。 EARL SIGURD'S FALL。
Erling Skakke's army wished to go on to the bridge； but Erling told them to go up along the river； which was small； and not difficult to cross； as its banks were flat； and they did so。 Earl Sigurd's array proceeded up along the ridge right opposite to them； but as the ridge ended； and the ground was good and level over the river； Er
