OF SWEIN AND HOLDBÖDI’S RAIDS.
THIS winter Swein married Ingirid, and remained there, greatly honoured.
In the spring he gathered men together, and went to see Höldbodi, and
asked for his assistance, but he excused himself, saying that many of
his men were occupied, and some on trading trips; so Swein got none
there. But the truth was, that he had secretly made peace with Höld, and
confirmed their alliance by exchanging presents. Swein went out,
nevertheless, with three ships, but made little booty in the earlier
part of the summer. Later they went south, under Ireland, and seized a
barge belonging to some monks in Syllingar,[360] and plundered it. He
made inroads in Ireland in many places, obtained a large booty, and
returned to the Isle of Man in autumn.
When Swein had been a short time at home, he heard a report to the
effect that Höldbodi was not faithful to him, but Swein shrank from
believing it. One night in the spring Swein’s watchmen came to him and
said that enemies were approaching them. Swein and his men seized their
arms, and ran out, and saw a great number of men carrying fire to the
homestead. Then Swein and his men ran to a hill, and defended themselves
from it. They had a horn[361] which they sounded. The neighbourhood was
thickly inhabited, and men came flocking to help Swein, so that the
assailants at last gave way. Swein and his men pursued them, and killed
many in the flight, but many of both sides were wounded before they
parted. The chief of the attacking band was Höldbodi. He escaped in the
flight, and did not stop till he came to Lundey (Lundy Isle). Höld
received him well, and they remained together. Swein went home, and kept
a large number of his men about him, maintaining a strict watch, because
he distrusted the Sudreyarmen. Late in the winter he sold his lands, and
went early in the spring to Liódhús (Lewis). During this expedition he
had committed many ravages.