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nging swords； to the wild fight。 His broad axe Hel with both hands wielding； Shields； helms； and skulls before it yielding； He seemed with Fate the world to share； And life or death to deal out there。〃
This battle was not very long； for the king's men were very fiery； and where they came the Vindland men fell as thick as tangles heaped up by the waves on the strand。 They who stood behind betook themselves to flight； and were hewed down like cattle at a slaughter。 The king himself drove the fugitives eastward over the heath； and people fell all over the moor。 So says Thiodolf：
〃And foremost he pursued； And the flying foe down hewed； An eagle's feast each stroke； As the Vindland helms he broke。 He drove them o'er the hearth； And they fly from bloody death； But the moor； a mile or more； With the dead was studded o'er。〃
It is a common saying； that there never was so great a slaughter of men in the northern lands； since the time of Christianity； as took place among the Vindland people on Hlyrskog's Heath。 On the other side； not many of King Magnus's people were killed； although many were wounded。 After the battle the king ordered the wounds of his men to be bound； but there were not so many doctors in the army as were necessary； so the king himself went round； and felt the hands of those he thought best suited for the business； and when he had thus stroked their palms； he named twelve men； who； he thought； had the softest hands； and told them to bind the wounds of the people； and although none of them had ever tried it before； they all became afterwards the best of doctors。 There were two Iceland men among them； the one was Thorkil； a son of Geire； from Lyngar； the other was Atle； father of Bard Svarte of Selardal； from whom many good doctors are descended。 After this battle； the report of the miracle which King Olaf the Saint had worked was spread widely through the country； and it was the common saying of the people； that no man could venture to fight against King Magnus Olafson； for his father Saint Olaf stood so near to him that his enemies； on that account。 never could do him harm。
ENDNOTES： （1） Hel Death： the goddess of Death。 L。
30。 BATTLE AT RE。
King Magnus immediately turned round with his army against Svein； whom he called his earl； although the Danes called him their king； and he collected ships； and a great force； and on both sides a great strength was assembled。 In Svein's army were many chiefs from Scania； Halland； Seeland； and Fyen； while King Magnus； on the other hand； had mostly Norway and Jutland men； and with that war…force he hastened to meet Svein。 They met at Re； near Vestland； and there was a great battle； which ended in King Magnus gaining the victory； and Svein taking flight。 After losing many people； Svein fled back to Scania； and from thence to Gautland； which was a safe refuge if he needed it； and stood open to him。 King Magnus returned to Jutland； where he remained all winter （A。D。 1044） with many people； and had a guard to watch his ships。 Arnor； the earls' skald； speaks of this：
〃At Re our battle…loving lord In bloody meeting stained his sword； At Re upon the western shore； In Vestland warrior's blood once more。〃
31。 BATTLE AT AROS。
Svein Ulfson went directly to his ships as soon as he heard that King Magnus had left his fleet。 He drew to him all the men he could； and went round in winter among the islands； Seeland； Fyen； and others。 Towards Yule he sailed to Jutland； and went into Limfjord； where many people submitted to him。 He imposed scat upon some； but some joined King Magnus。 Now when King Magnus heard what Svein was doing； he betook himself to his ships with all the Northmen then in Denmark； and a part of the Danish troops； and steered south along the land。 Svein was then in Aros with a great force； and when he heard of King Magnus he laid his vessels without the town； and prepared for battle。 When King Magnus heard for certain where Svein was； and that the distance between them was but short； he held a House…thing； and addressed his people thus： 〃It is reported to me that the earl and his fleet are lying not far from us； and that he has many people。 Now I would let you know that I intend to go out against the earl and fight for it； although； we have fewer people。 We will； as formerly； put our trust in God； and Saint Olaf； my father； who has given us victory sometimes when we fought； even though we had fewer men than the enemy。 Now I would have you get ready to seek out the enemy； and give battle the moment we find him by rowing all to attack； and being all ready for battle。〃 Thereupon the men put on their weapons； each man making himself and his place ready； and then they stretched themselves to their oars。 When they saw the earl's ships they rowed towards them； and made ready to attack。 When Svein's men saw the forces they armed themselves； bound their ships together； and then began one of the sharpest of battles。 So says Thiodolf； the skald：
〃Shield against shield； the earl and king Made shields and swords together ring。 The gold…decked heroes made a play Which Hild's iron…shirt men say They never saw before or since On battle…deck； the brave might wince； As spear and arrow whistling flew； Point blank； death…bringing； quick and true。〃
They fought at the bows； so that the men only on the bows could strike； the men on the forecastle thrust with spears： and all who were farther off shot with light spears or javelins； or war… arrows。 Some fought with stones or short stakes； and those who were aft of the mast shot with the bow。 So Says Thiodolf：
〃Steel…pointed spear； and sharpened stake； Made the broad shield on arm shake： The eagle； hovering in the air； Screamed o'er the prey preparing there。 And stones and arrows quickly flew； And many a warrior bold they slew。 The bowman never twanged his bow And drew his shaft so oft as now； And Throndhjem's bowmen on that day Were not the first tired of this play： Arrows and darts so quickly fly； You could not follow with the eye。〃
Here it appears how hot the battle was with casting weapons。 King Magnus stood in the beginning of the battle within a shield… rampart； but as it appeared to him that matters were going on too slowly； he leaped over the shields； and rushed forward in the ship； encouraging his men with a loud cheer； and springing to the bows； where the battle was going on hand to hand。 When his men saw this they urged each other on with mutual cheering； and there was one great hurrah through all the ships。 So says Thiodolf：
〃‘On with our ships！ on to the foe！' Cry Magnus' men on； on they go。 Spears against shields in fury rattle； Was never seen so fierce a battle。〃
And now the battle was exceedingly sharp； and in the assault Svein's ship was cleared of all her forecastle men； upon and on both sides of the forecastle。 Then Magnus boarded Svein's ship； followed by his men； and one after the other came up； and made so stout an assault that Svein's men gave way； a