[36] The Swedes were still heathens, and ate horses, meat then forbidden
to Christians.
_THE DEATH OF HACON THE GOOD_ (A.D. 961)
[Eric Bloodaxe, Harold Fairhair's favourite son,
ruled Norway for a year or so after his father's
death. Then he and his queen Gunnhilda became so
hated by the people that they welcomed as king his
brother Hacon, who returned from England, where he
had been brought up. Eric was forced to flee. For
some time he was in Northumberland; he fell in the
west while freebooting, about A.D. 950. Gunnhilda
and her sons went to Denmark; they made many
attempts to recover Norway; the issue of the last
is here told.]
KING HACON, Athelstan's foster-son, long ruled over Norway; but in the
latter part of his life Eric's sons came to Norway, and strove with him
for the kingdom. They had battles together, wherein Hacon ever won the
victory. The last battle was fought in Hordaland, on Stord Island, at
Fitjar: there Hacon won the victory, but also got his death-wound.
And this battle came about in this wise. Gunnhilda's sons sailed
northward from Denmark, taking the outer way, nor came they to land
oftener than for men to get knowledge of their goings, while they also
got knowledge of the public banquets given to King Hacon. They had ships
well-found in men and weapons; and in their company was a mighty viking
named Eyvind Skreyja; he was a brother of Queen Gunnhilda.
Hacon was at a banquet at Fitjar on Stord Island when they came thither;
but he and all his men were unaware of their coming till the ships were
sailing up from the south and had now gotten close to the island. King
Hacon was even then sitting at table.
Now came a rumour to the King's guard that ships were seen sailing;
wherefore some who were keenest of sight went out to look. And each said
to his fellows that this would be an enemy, and each bade other to tell
the King; but for this task none was found save Eyvind Finnsson, who was
nicknamed Skald-spoiler.
He went in before the King, and spake thus: 'Fleeting hour is short,
sire, but meal-time long.'