The fourth castle which Harald came to was the greatest of all we have
been speaking about. It was so strong that there was no possibility of
breaking into it. They surrounded the castle, so that no supplies could
get into it. When they had remained here a short time Harald fell sick,
and he betook himself to his bed. He had his tent put up a little from
the camp, for he found quietness and rest out of the clamour and clang
of armed men. His men went usually in companies to or from him to hear
his orders; and the castle people observing there was something new
among the Varings, sent out spies to discover what this might mean. When
the spies came back to the castle they had to tell of the illness of the
commander of the Varings, and that no assault on that account had been
made on the castle. A while after Harald's strength began to fail, at
which his men were very melancholy and cast down; all which was news to
the castle-men. At last Harald's sickness increased so rapidly that his
death was expected through all the army. Thereafter the Varings went to
the castle-men; told them, in a parley, of the death of their commander;
and begged of the priests to grant him burial in the castle. When the
castle people heard this news, there were many among them who ruled over
cloisters or other great establishments within the place, and who were
very eager to get the corpse for their church, knowing that upon that
there would follow very rich presents. A great many priests, therefore,
clothed themselves in all their robes, and went out of the castle with
cross and shrine and relics and formed a beautiful procession. The
Varings also made a great burial. The coffin was borne high in the air,
and over it was a tent of costly linen and before it were carried many
banners. Now when the corpse was brought within the castle gate the
Varings set down the coffin right across the entry, fixed a bar to keep
the gates open, and sounded to battle with all their trumpets, and drew
their swords. The whole army of the Varings, fully armed, rushed from
the camp to the assault of the castle with shout and cry; and the monks
and other priests who had gone to meet the corpse and had striven with
each other who should be the first to come out and take the offering at
the burial, were now striving much more who should first get away
from the Varings; for they killed before their feet every one who was
nearest, whether clerk or unconsecrated. The Varings rummaged so well
this castle that they killed all the men, pillaged everything and made
an enormous booty.