When King Eirik had left the country, King Hakon, Athelstan's
foster-son, subdued the whole of Norway. The first winter (A.D. 936)
he visited the western parts, and then went north, and settled in
Throndhjem. But as no peace could be reasonably looked for so long as
King Eirik with his forces could come to Norway from the West sea, he
set himself with his men-at-arms in the middle of the country,--in the
Fjord district, or in Sogn, or Hordaland, or Rogaland. Hakon placed
Sigurd earl of Hlader over the whole Throradhjem district, as he and his
father had before had it under Harald Harfager. When King Hakon heard
of his brother Eirik's death, and also that his sons had no footing in
England, he thought there was not much to fear from them, and he went
with his troops one summer eastward to Viken. At that time the Danes
plundered often in Viken, and wrought much evil there; but when they
heard that King Hakon was come with a great army, they got out of the
way, to Halland; and those who were nearest to King Hakon went out to
sea, and over to Jotland (Jutland). When the king heard of this, he
sailed after them with all his army. On arriving in Jutland he plundered
all round; and when the country people heard of it, they assembled in a
great body, and determined to defend their land, and fight. There was
a great battle; and King Hakon fought so boldly, that he went forward
before his banner without helmet or coat of mail. King Hakon won the
victory, and drove the fugitives far up the country. So says Guthorm
Sindre, in his song of Hakon:--
"Furrowing the deep-blue sea with oars,
The king pursues to Jutland's shores.
They met; and in the battle storm
Of clashing shields, full many a form
Of goodly warrior on the plain,
Full many a corpse by Hakon slain,
Glutted the ravens, who from far,
Scenting the banquet-feast of war,
Came in black flocks to Jutland's plains
To drink the blood-wine from the veins."