32<J BURIALS. 



Another custom no less imposing was to bury the chiefs 

 with their carriages and horses, so that they might make their 

 entries driving into Valhalla, or riding on horseback ; and it 

 was considered honourable to go to Odin with many slain. 



"The second day after the battle (of Bravoll), in the morn- 

 ing, King Hring caused a search to be made among the slain 

 for the body of King Harald, his kinsman, and a great part of 

 the slain host lay on the top of it. It was mid-day before 

 the search was completed and it was found. King Hring took 

 the body of his kinsman, and washed the blood from it, pre- 

 pared it magnificently, according to old custom, and laid it in 

 the waggon which King Harald had in the battle. He then 

 raised a large mound, and caused the body to be carried in the 

 same waggon with the horse which King Harald had in the 

 battle, and thus he had him driven to the mound. There the 

 horse was killed. Then King Hring took the saddle he him- 

 self had ridden on and gave it to King Harald his kinsman, 

 and bade him do as he liked, either ride to Valhalla or 

 drive. He held a great feast to celebrate the going away 

 of his kinsman. Before the mound was closed, King Hring 

 bade all his high-born men and champions who were present 

 to throw into the mound large rings (gold and silver) and 

 good weapons, to honour King Harald Hilditonn, and the 

 mound was carefully closed " (Sogubrot of Fornkonungum). 1 



If circumstances allowed, the deceased seems to have been 

 placed on a bed prepared for the purpose, until the burial 

 could take place. 



" Glrim also went home with his men, and had the dead 

 carried into an outhouse, where Thorvald's body was prepared 

 more honourably than the others, for clothes were laid under 

 him, and he was sewed up in a skin " (Viga Gliim's Saga, 

 c. 23). 



In a large burial chamber at Lower A ure, Norway, were 

 found the remains of a chair, thus confirming the accounts 

 of the Sagas about men being placed on their chair in the 

 grave. Some of these chambers were occasionally built of 

 wood. 



" Aran, a foster-brother of Asmund, died suddenly. Asmund 

 had a mound raised over him, and placed at his side his horse 



For battle, see Vol. ii., p. 436. 



