King Magnus immediately turned round with his army against Svein, whom
he called his earl, although the Danes called him their king; and he
collected ships, and a great force, and on both sides a great strength
was assembled. In Svein's army were many chiefs from Scania, Halland,
Seeland, and Fyen; while King Magnus, on the other hand, had mostly
Norway and Jutland men, and with that war-force he hastened to meet
Svein. They met at Re, near Vestland; and there was a great battle,
which ended in King Magnus gaining the victory, and Svein taking flight.
After losing many people, Svein fled back to Scania, and from thence
to Gautland, which was a safe refuge if he needed it, and stood open to
him. King Magnus returned to Jutland, where he remained all winter (A.D.
1044) with many people, and had a guard to watch his ships. Arnor, the
earls' skald, speaks of this:--
"At Re our battle-loving lord
In bloody meeting stained his sword,--
At Re upon the western shore,
In Vestland warrior's blood once more."