Earl Hakon left the country this summer (A.D. 1029), and went to
England, and when he came there was well received by the king. The earl
had a bride in England, and he travelled to conclude this marriage, and
as he intended holding his wedding in Norway, he came to procure those
things for it in England which it was difficult to get in Norway. In
autumn he made ready for his return, but it was somewhat late before he
was clear for sea; but at last he set out. Of his voyage all that can
be told is, that the vessel was lost, and not a man escaped. Some relate
that the vessel was seen north of Caithness in the evening in a heavy
storm, and the wind blowing out of Pentland Firth. They who believe this
report say the vessel drove out among the breakers of the ocean; but
with certainty people knew only that Earl Hakon was missing in the
ocean, and nothing belonging to the ship ever came to land. The same
autumn some merchants came to Norway, who told the tidings that were
going through the country of Earl Hakon being missing; and all men
knew that he neither came to Norway nor to England that autumn, so that
Norway that winter was without a head.