King Harald came from the East along the coast with a great army, and
this winter (A.D. 1135) is called on that account the Crowd-winter. King
Harald came to Bergen on Christmas eve, and landed with his fleet at
Floruvagar; but would not fight on account of the sacred time. But King
Magnus prepared for defence in the town. He erected a stone-slinging
machine out on the holm, and had iron chains and wooden booms laid
across over the passage from the king's house to Nordnes, and to the
Monks bridge. He had foot-traps made, and thrown into Saint John's
field, and did not suspend these works except during the three sacred
days of Christmas. The last holyday of Yule, King Harald ordered his
war-horns to sound the gathering of his men for going to the town; and,
during the Yule holydays, his army had been increased by about 900 men.