[Transcriber's Note:
For this e-text, the word or phrase referenced in the note is shown
in {braces} before the page-and-line citation. Moved markers are
individually noted.
"Translator" refers to the English translation (the present text).]
{King Valdamar} Page 12, line 11. Vladimir the Great of Russia
(980-1015) became Grand Duke of Novgorod in 970.
[Marker printed after "high favour" on following page.]
{'hersir'} Page 19, line 25. The head of a 'her,' _i.e._, a hundred
families. The territory inhabited by them was called a 'herath.' The
'hersir' seems to have combined the offices of commander in time of war,
and religious head of his tribe. --Translator.
{the Fjords} _Ibid._ Nordfiord and Soendfiord.
{war-fine} Page 20, line 1. Those who absented themselves when the ships
were called out for war, or who came to a wrong place of meeting, or at
a wrong time, were compelled to pay a war-fine.
{Vingulmark} Page 28, line 31. This is not in accord with page 22,
line 2, in which Vingulmark is mentioned as being given to Harald the
Grenlander. Perhaps the error is on the page aforesaid, as on page 53,
line 30, Harald is described as King of Vestfold only.
{Vindland (Wendland)} Page 30, line 14. The present North Germany, from
eastern Holstein to eastern Prussia.
[Marker printed after "good havens" on next line.]
{Burizlaf} Page 30, line 17. _I.e._, Boleslaw. By 'Burislav,' as
mentioned here, must not be understood Boleslaw I of Poland (992-1025),
but his father Miesco or Mieczyslaw (964-992).
{Emperor Otta} Page 31, line 12. The Emperor Otta is the Emperor Otho II
(973-983). His march on Denmark did not take place in 988 as Snorri
calculates, but late in the autumn of 974. Nor was the Emperor's object
the conversion of King Harald, for the latter had accepted Christianity
about 960-- but to bring Denmark under his own vassalage.
{Danavirki} Page 31, line 18. The Danavirki, or Danish wall, began in
the east at the head of the Slefjord, and extended to the west only as
far as the Traeaa, the tributary river of the isthmus, and not to the
sea.
[Marker printed after "his call" earlier in sentence.]
{likewise King Burizlaf} Page 32, line 24. It is not historical that
Burislaw (or Miesco) accompanied the Emperor to the Danish wall; nor was
Olaf Tryggvason, who was not full grown in 974, with him.
{saintly bishop} Page 33, line 33. As early as 968 Vidkund of Corvey, in
his chronicle of that year, mentions Poppo's miracle and its effect in
causing Harald to embrace Christianity. The incident must be ascribed to
about the year 906.
{other learned men} Page 34, line 12. 'Learned men' means men trained in
the learning of the Church, that is to say, belonging to the priesthood.
{Gat answer Fret} Page 35, line 3. 'Go to Fret' (?) means to consult the
gods by means of the so-called 'blotspaan,' or sacrificial shavings.
These, and pieces of wood (perhaps inscribed with runes) were disposed
in a particular manner, for the purpose of gaining information from the
gods as to the future.
{Gyda} Page 39, line 6. Gyda was the daughter of Olaf Kvaran, and not
his sister. Olaf Kvaran died an old man in 980.
[Correct line reference is 7.]
{holmgangsman} Page 40, line 3. 'Holmgang' so called in Norway because
the two combatants retired alone to a holm or uninhabited islet to
fight. --Translator.
{across the isthmus} Page 48, line 1. Mandseidet in Stadland.
{Vissavald} Page 55, line 15. The Russian name Wsevolod.
{King Olaf Kvaran} Page 57, line 22. According to English sources Olaf
was lying with his fleet off Southampton during the winter of 994-995.
He received instruction there in Christianity from English bishops, and
was confirmed in the spring of 995, on which occasion King Ethelred was
his sponsor. He returned home to his country early in the summer.
{Rimul} Page 59, line 28. Rimul now the farm of Romol (Guldalen) on the
west side of the Gula river, opposite Melhus.
{Urgutherjot and Brimiskiar, Page 66 bottom.}
_Note missing._
{eastward as far as Lidandisnes} Page 72, line 6. The 'Sogn-sea' formed
the boundary between Sogn and Hordaland so that the territory given to
Erling was Hordaland, Rogaland, and the western part of Agder, as far as
the Naze.
{Sigurd Sow} Page 74, line 4. So-called because he 'rooted in the soil,'
_i.e._, practised agriculture.
{Olaf her son} Page 74, line 11. This is not historical. Olaf the Saint
was not christened until he was full grown. According to the oldest
sources he was baptized in Rouen by Archbishop Robert, the brother of
Duke Richard.
{Easter Eve} Page 76, line 21. April 16, 998.
{never should Odin beguile them} Page 78, line 20. Olaf, like all
Christians at that time, thought Odin to be an evil spirit.
{war-arrow} Page 78, line 27. A war-arrow was furnished with a cord or
twist of withy at one end, and was intended to summon all men armed to a
Thing.
{Scipa-Krok} Page 82, line 8. 'Ship-corner,' a little creek of the river
Nid, at the end of the present Strand Gade in Trondhjem.
{the Skeggi barrow at Austratt} Page 82, line 13. This barrow,
Skjeggehaugen, existed at the beginning of the nineteenth century;
it was situated to the south of the farm of 'Oestraat' (Austrat).
{aft with a crook} Page 91, line 33. _Svirar_: what these were is not
known; they must have been at the stern of the ship.
{Michaelmas} Page 93, line 16. September 29, 999.
{white weeds} Page 94, line 3. _I.e._, in christening raiment, which was
worn for a week after baptism.
{Aldeigiaborg} Page 100, line 31. The town of Ladoga; it was situated at
that time on the river Volkhov which debouches into the lake of Ladoga.
{Adalsysla & Eysysla} Page 101, line 8. The island of Oesel was named in
Old-Norse Ey-Sysla (island district) and the mainland opposite
Adal-Sysla (chief district), and the whole of Estland (or Esthonia)
together Sysla.
{Queen Gunnhild fell sick and died} Page 101, line 32. This is
incorrect. Gunnhild was put away by King Svein and sent home to
Wendland; after the death of Svein in 1014 her sons had her brought back
to Denmark.
{Vineland the Good} Page 107, line 29. North America, probably Nova
Scotia.
{skeid} Page 108, line 7. A particular kind of long-ship without a
'head' at the prow.
{Svold} Page 110, line 7. Svold is not an island as Snorri thought, but
a haven or creek in the mouth of a river somewhat west of Ruegen.
{Finnish} Page 118, line 1. _I.e._, Lappish. --Translator.
{the burner of the Bulgars} Page 126, line 10. Harald Hardrad, or Harald
the Tyrant was in the service of the Greek Emperor in the year 1041, and
took part in the pillaging of the rebellious Bulgarians. The account of
this was not known to Snorri who lived so much later, but Thiodolf had
heard of it.
{Laesirs} Page 127, line 23. An unknown people, perhaps 'Lechers,'
_i.e._, Poles.
{Gyrgir} Page 128, line 10. Georgios Maniakes, the brave commander of
the Greeks in the valley of the Euphrates 1033-1035, and in Sicily in
1038-1040.
{Vaerings} Page 128, line 13. Mercenaries, chiefly the northern
inhabitants of Russia and of Greece.
{Serkland} Page 130, line 26. Snorri here confuses 'Serkland' in Asia
with Africa. Harald was taking part in the wars in Syria and Armenia in
the years 1035-1037, before going in 1038 with the Greek army to Sicily.
{The son of Budli, as 'twas said / Showed friendship by his fellowship}
Page 131, lines 8 and 9. These two lines refer to Atli the King of the
Huns, who according to the legend invited his brothers-in-law (Gunnar
and Hogn) to a feast in order to betray them.
{all the days of his life} Page 135, line 7. Snorri Sturlason was
descended from Halldor in the fifth degree.
{Jorsalaheim (Palestine)} Page 136, line 24. The Greek Emperor concluded
a peace with the Calif of Egypt in 1036 which enabled the Emperor to
build churches near the Holy Sepulchre. Craftsmen were despatched
thither for this purpose by the Emperor, and among the troops sent to
protect them was Harald Hardrad, or Harald the Tyrant.
{the daughter of the brother to Queen Zoe} Page 138, line 1. Zoe never
had a brother, so the relationship, at all events, is inaccurate.
{that chapel has stood there unto this very day} Page 138, line 18.
No such chapel has ever been known to exist in Constantinople.
{this deed} Page 139, line 15. It is a fact that Harald was one of those
who blinded the 'Greek King' Michael Kalafates. The latter was accepted
as the son of Zoe and became Emperor together with her in 1041. After
deposing her (April 21, 1042) he was himself deposed, and was blinded in
the street by his body-guard, in which Harald was serving as
'spatharokandidat' (colonel). Michael is in this case confused with his
successor Constantine.
{Siavidarsund} Page 139, line 19. Siavidarsund (_i.e._, 'the sound with
the sea-wood') is the present Golden Horn; the heavy iron chain, which
was stretched across its extremity, in times of dispute rested on wooden
floats.
{Ellipalta} Page 140, line 3. The mouth of the Dnieper in the Black Sea.
{East-realm} Page 140, line 4. East-realm, _i.e._, Russia, or its
eastern provinces.
{three occasions} Page 140, line 21. If this is correct Harald must have
gone to Constantinople before 1034, as there was a change of monarch in
1034, 1041, and 1042.
{Sudatorp} Page 143, line 13. In south Jutland, west of Aabenraa. Magnus
died in Zealand. His successor Svein (who was also named Magnus) died at
Sudatorp.
{brother} Page 143, line 14. _I.e._, half-brother (Alfhild's son, not
Olaf's).
{Budli's ways} Page 148, line 10. Budli's, or the sea-king's way-- the
sea.
{Harald's soul in Heaven} Page 148, line 28. This line with line 23 on
page 137 and one omitted from the foregoing verse form together a kind
of refrain which runs as follows: "May it dwell where it listeth-- In
Christ's eternal House-- Harald's soul in Heaven."
{Peter Burden-Swain} Page 152, line 33. So named because upon a certain
occasion he carried King Sigurd Slembe at a Thing.
{the church of Saint Olaf} Page 153, line 7. Ruins of the church of
Saint Olaf are to be found under the present Town Hall on the northern
side of Kongens Gade, in Trondhjem.
{relics of King Olaf} Page 153, line 20. They were moved thither from
St. Clement's church.
[Marker printed at end of sentence.]
{church of Saint Gregory} Page 153, line 23. This church was west of the
church of Saint Olaf, on the north side of the present Kongens Gade,
where the Savings Bank now stands.
{eight or nine long-ships, and nigh upon five hundred men} Page 155,
line 13. That is to say, 600.
{the King's-House down by the river} Page 156, line 10. 'The
King's-House down by the river' was the new King's-House which Harald
had built east of the church of Saint Mary.
{Guthorm Gunhildson} Page 158, line 11. The son of Ketil Calf and
Gunnhild (mentioned on page 154).
{said to be nephew} Page 162, line 32. Asmund's father was Biorn Ulfson,
the brother of Harald (died 1049).
{King Margad} Page 166, line 35. Margad (in Irish Eachmargach)
Rognvaldson was the King of Dublin in 1035-1038 and 1046-1052.
{St. Olafmas} Page 167, line 26. July 28, 1052.
{there} Page 168, line 11. _I.e._ in the Cathedral.
{Oslo} Page 170, line 20. On the site of part of the present city of
Christiania.
{bussa-ship} Page 171, line 34. A '_Bussa_' was a particular kind of
large ship, broad in the beam, especially a war-ship.
{......} Page 172, line 2. _Svirar_, see note on page 91, line 33.
{one hundred and fifty} Page 174, line 8. That is to say, 180.
{three hundred} Page 174, line 13. 360 ships.
{Leidra} Page 176, line 1. Later Leire, near Roskilde in Zealand.
{Vandrad} Page 178, line 21. _I.e._, one who is in distress.
{two hundred men} Page 182, line 34. That is to say, 240.
{Queen Gyda} Page 190, line 29. Her name was Eadgitha; Gyda was her
mother's name. The sons of Earl Godwin were Harald, Tosti, Svein (died
1052), and Gyrd. Harald was the _eldest_ son. Morcar, or Morkere, and
Walthiof were not Earl Godwin's sons; Morcar was the son of AElfrik of
Mercia, and from 1065 was Earl of Northumberland; Walthiof was the son
of the Danish Earl Siward of Northumberland (died 1055).
{driven out to sea} Page 191, line 6. At Ponthieu, where the Count took
him prisoner. William released him and had him brought to Rouen. It is
not historical that Harald held undue intercourse with William's wife.
William made use of Harald's compulsory sojourn to make him swear
allegiance to him, and affiance him to his daughter.
{St. Paul's Church} Page 192, line 11. Unhistorical. The church referred
to is St. Paul's in London, but Edward died and was buried at
Winchester, where Harald was likewise crowned.
{to guard the treasure of the King} Page 192, line 18. This is
unhistorical. Tosti had been Earl of Northumberland since 1055, but was
driven away by the Northumbrians in October 1065 and fled to Flanders,
so that he was not in England at the time of Edward's death. Harald was
Earl of Wessex and the most powerful man in the land.
{the 13th day} Page 192, line 28. _I.e._, the thirteenth day of
Christmas, January 6.
{more than other earls} Page 193, line 11. Not historical, see page 192,
line 18.
{Thingmanna-host} Page 195, line 20. The name of King Canute's Danish
guard, instituted 1018.
{Solundir} Page 196, line 3. The Sulen Islands outside Sognefjord.
{two hundred} Page 196, line 16. That is to say, 240.
{Earl Morcar} Page 199, line 20. Unhistorical. Morkere, or Morcar,
escaped later and joined Harald the son of (Earl) Godwin.
{Olaf the Mighty is} Page 199, line 27. Part of the refrain which runs
as follows: 'Olaf the Mighty is-- the very greatest chief-- born under
the sun.'
{the Wednesday} Page 200, line 9. September 20 (1066).
{Stanford Bridge} Page 200, line 21. Now Stamford Bridge across the
Derwent. Snorri thought that Stamford was situated nearer York than it
really is.
{the Sunday} Page 200, line 27. September 24.
{a Thing in the city} Page 201, line 2. This is incorrect. The Thing was
to be held at Stamford Bridge and Harald was to be given there hostages
from the whole of Yorkshire. It was for this reason that the battle
occurred there.
{the Monday} Page 201, line 11. September 25 (1066).
{the horsemen} Page 202, line 32. Legends referring to the battle of
Hastings (October 14, 1066) are incorporated in this and the following
narrative. It was the Norwegians who fought on horseback, and who used
the expedient of pretended flight against the English, and not the
reverse: the latter had no horse.
{she fell and straightway died} Page 208, line 19. Quite unhistorical.
{Svein} Page 208, line 34. Svein was killed in 1052.
{the fall of King Harald Sigurdson} Page 209, line 4. October 14, 1066.
{thereafter he was beheaded} Page 209, line 24. Walthiof submitted to
William immediately after the battle, and became in 1070 Earl of
Northumberland. In 1074 he took part in a plot against William and,
although he made a timely confession of it, was beheaded outside
Winchester in 1075.
[Marker printed after following sentence.]
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