Sigurd Slembe sailed north around Stad; and when he came to North More,
he found that letters and full powers had arrived before him from the
leaders who had given in their allegiance to Harald's sons; so that
there he got no welcome or help. As Sigurd himself had but few people
with him, he resolved to go with them to Throndhjem, and seek out Magnus
the Blind; for he had already sent a message before him to Magnus's
friends. Now when they came to the town, they rowed up the river Nid
to meet King Magnus, and fastened their land-ropes on the shore at
the king's house; but were obliged to set off immediately, for all the
people rose against them. They then landed at Monkholm, and took Magnus
the Blind out of the cloister against the will of the monks; for he had
been consecrated a monk. It is said by some that Magnus willingly went
with them; although it was differently reported, in order to make his
cause appear better. Sigurd, immediately after Yule (January, A.D.
1137), went forth with his suite, expecting aid from his relations and
Magnus's friends, and which they also got. Sigurd sailed with his men
out of the fjord, and was joined afterwards by Bjorn Egilson, Gunnar
of Gimsar, Haldor Sigurdson, Aslak Hakonson, the brothers Bendikt and
Eirik, and also the court which had before been with King Magnus, and
many others. With this troop they went south to More, and down to the
mouth of Raumsdal fjord. Here Sigurd and Magnus divided their forces,
and Sigurd went immediately westwards across the sea. King Magnus again
proceeded to the Uplands, where he expected much help and strength, and
which he obtained. He remained there the winter and all the summer (A.D.
1137), and had many people with him; but King Inge proceeded against him
with all his forces, and they met at a place called Mynne. There was a
great battle, at which King Magnus had the most people. It is related
that Thjostolf Alason carried King Inge in his belt as long as the
battle lasted, and stood under the banner; but Thjostolf was hard
pressed by fatigue and fighting; and it is commonly said that King Inge
got his ill health there, and which he retained as long as he lived, so
that his back was knotted into a hump, and the one foot was shorter than
the other; and he was besides so infirm that he could scarcely walk as
long as he lived. The defeat began to turn upon Magnus and his men; and
in the front rank of his array fell Haldor Sigurdson, Bjorn Egilson,
Gunnar of Gimsar, and a great number of his men, before he himself would
take to his horse and fly. So says Kolle:--
"Thy arrow-storm on Mynne's banks
Fast thinn'd the foemen's strongest ranks;
Thy good sword hewed the raven's feast
On Mynne's banks up in the East.
Shield clashed on shield, and bucklers broke
Under thy battle-axe's stroke;
While thou, uncovered, urged the fray,
Thy shield and mail-coat thrown away."