CHAPTER VII. 



WAR CUSTOMS. 



Marking and choosing the battle-field The war arrow Peace and war shields 

 Age when called to arms The guest expected to fight for his host- 

 War horses Formation of an army Standards War booty Chivalry 

 in war. 



To such warlike people, well-regulated laws or customs in 

 regard to war were necessary. It seems to have been the 

 right, from very ancient times, of the chief whose land was 

 invaded to choose the battle-field l where the conflict was to 

 take place. The battle-field was marked with poles, and no 

 plundering was allowed before the end of the decisive battle. 



D 



The messengers who brought the summons for the conflict, and 

 those who afterwards came to announce that the combatants 

 were ready, were protected. 



"King Hakon sent word to the sons of Eirik (Bloodaxe), 

 and asked them to go ashore, as he had enhazeled a field for 

 them at Rastarkalf ; there are level and large plains, on the top 

 of which is a long but low hillside. Then Eirik's men left their 

 ships" (Hakon the Good's Saga, c. 24; Heimskringla). 



After the declaration of war the war-arrow was sent, to 

 summon the warriors, when all who were able to carry arms had 

 to turn out, whether thralls or free men. The sending of the 

 war-arrow seems to imply that the message should be carried 



swiftly. 



" When a man carries war-news he shall raise an iron arrow 

 at the end of the land. That arrow shall go with the lendir- 



1 Cf. a similar practice in duelling. | bridge: "Toil no longer in making a 



This custom of staking and choosing the | bridge over the river, but cross over to 



field of battle is also 'seen to hare been i our side while we retire three days' 



practised by the Massagetse. Tomyris inarch from the river; or, if you had 



sent word to Cyrus, who came to sub- rather receive us on your side, do you 



jugate her country, and was building a j the like." 



