King Olaf used the fashion, which was introduced from the courts of
foreign kings, of letting his grand-butler stand at the end of the
table, and fill the table-cups for himself and the other distinguished
guests who sat at the table. He had also torch-bearers, who held as many
candles at the table as there were guests of distinction present.
There was also a marshal's bench outside of the table-circle, where the
marshal and other persons of distinction sat with their faces towards
the high-seat. King Harald, and the kings before him, used to drink out
of deer-horn; and the ale was handed from the high-seat to the otherside
over the fire, and he drank to the memory of any one he thought of. So
says Stuf the skald:--
"He who in battle is the first,
And now in peace is best to trust,
A welcome, hearty and sincere,
Gave to me on my coming here.
He whom the ravens watch with care,
He who the gold rings does not spare,
A golden horn full to the brink
Gave me himself at Haug to drink."