CHAPTER XVII. 



HORSES WAGGONS. 



Favourite colours of horses Splendour of the harness Iron and bronze 



bits Spurs Bridles. 



WE have ample proof from the Sagas that the people of the 

 North were great breeders of horses, and took pride in their 

 adornment. We are told of the favourite colours of horses, and 

 the finds bear witness to the gorgeousness of their harness and 

 trappings. 



" Stein was for a while with King Kmit, and was conspicuous 

 tor his weapons and clothes, and was called Stein the Proud. 

 Old and wise men have told how Stein was so haughty that he 

 had his horse shod with gold, and the hoof above adorned. 

 King Kmit thought Stein vied with him in magnificence, ;md 

 therefore Stein left him " (Fins. v. 181). 



" King Adils liked good horses very much, he had the best 

 horses at that time. One of his horses was called S1<i</r/r 

 (the flinging one), and another Hrafn (Raven) ; the latter he 

 took from Ali when he was dead, and another horse also called 

 Jlrafn was bred by him ; he sent it to Kino; Godgest in 



v */ O 



Haloga'land. Godgest rode on it and could not stop it and fell 

 down, and was killed " l (Ynglinga Saga, ch. 33). 



The chief Thorstein Kuggason had to seek shelter during 

 bad weather at the farm of Bjorn Hitdaelakappi while going to 

 help his foes. When Thorstein took leave : 



"Bjorn sent for the stud-horses which were near the hay- 

 house, for fodder was given to them while the bad weather 

 lasted. The stallion was a son of Hvltimj (some famous 

 stallion") and was white, but the mares were chestnut. Another 



1 Cf. also Flatevjarbuk, i. 401 ; Hrolf Kraki, c. 44 ; Heiclarviga Saga, c. i't.i ; 

 Eyrbysgja Saga, c. 13. 



