_Battle of Brunanburgh_ (Vol. iv., p. 249.).--The _Egils Saga_ describes
the duel between the armies of Olaf and Athelstan to have been fought in
a _champ clos_, inclosed with branches of hazel, upon a space called the
Vinheidi, or _heidi_ of _Vin_, situate _near_ (vid) or _in_ (á) the
Vinskogr, or forest of Vin. _Heidi_ is a rough open space, with scrubs
or bushes, such as furze, juniper, broom, &c. The _heidi_ and the
_skogr_ were distinct, the latter affording shelter to the fugitives
from the former, p. 290. The text, both Norse and Latin, says, "Then he
brought his army to the Vin-heidi. _A certain_ town stood towards the
north of the heidi." But a various reading in the note says, "to the
town of Vinheidi, which was to the north of the heidi." But it seems as
unreasonable for the town to be called Vinheidi, as Vinskogr. _Vin_
should be taken for the name of the town, and the root of the other
phrases. The downs or brakes called Vinheidi were inclosed with hazel,
and lay between the forest, or skogr, and some river. The town, being
Olaf's head quarters, lay north of them. Athelstan occupied the nearest
town to the south of the heidi. [Query, whether south of the river?] The
northern town Vin is no doubt the Weon from which the Weon-dune (downs
of Weon, or heidi of Vin) was called. The other name given by Simeon
Dunelmensis to that space is curious, as showing how well the spot was
adapted for attack and pursuit, "eth-runnan-werc," that is,
"facilis-ad-opus-currendi." The name Brunanburg, probably signifying
"the town of bourns," or watercourses, is unequivocally that of a town.
Since Olaf or Arlaf had his quarters at Vin, it was probably at that
place where Athelstan was stationed. Find these two places, Vin the
northern-most of the two, and find the river. The heidi and the skogr
are probably grubbed and ploughed up.