King Ragnfred and King Gudrod, both sons of Gunhild and Eirik, were now
the only sons of Gunhild remaining in life. So says Glum Geirason in
Grafeld's lay:--
"When in the battle's bloody strife
The sword took noble Harald's life,
Half of my fortunes with him fell:
But his two brothers, I know well,
My loss would soon repair, should they
Again in Norway bear the sway,
And to their promises should stand,
If they return to rule the land."
Ragnfred began his course in the spring after he had been a year in the
Orkney Islands. He sailed from thence to Norway, and had with him fine
troops, and large ships. When he came to Norway he learnt that Earl
Hakon was in Throndhjem; therefore he steered northwards around Stad,
and plundered in South More. Some people submitted to him; for it often
happens, when parties of armed men scour over a country, that those who
are nearest the danger seek help where they think it may be expected. As
soon as Earl Hakon heard the news of disturbance in More, he fitted out
ships, sent the war-token through the land, made ready in all haste,
and proceeded out of the fjord. He had no difficulty in assembling men.
Ragnfred and Earl Hakon met at the north corner of More; and Hakon, who
had most men, but fewer ships, began the battle. The combat was severe,
but heaviest on Hakon's side; and as the custom then was, they fought
bow to bow, and there was a current in the sound which drove all the
ships in upon the land. The earl ordered to row with the oars to the
land where landing seemed easiest. When the ships were all grounded, the
earl with all his men left them, and drew them up so far that the
enemy might not launch them down again, and then drew up his men on a
grass-field, and challenged Ragnfred to land. Ragnfred and his men laid
their vessels in along the land, and they shot at each other a long
time; but upon the land Ragnfred would not venture: and so they
separated. Ragnfred sailed with his fleet southwards around Stad; for
he was much afraid the whole forces of the country would swarm around
Hakon. Hakon, on his part, was not inclined to try again a battle, for
he thought the difference between their ships in size was too great; so
in harvest he went north to Throndhjem, and staid there all winter (A.D.
971). King Ragnfred consequently had all the country south of Stad at
his mercy; namely, Fjord district, Hordaland, Sogn, Rogaland; and he had
many people about him all winter. When spring approached he ordered out
the people and collected a large force. By going about the districts he
got many men, ships, and warlike stores sent as he required.