I 



276 FEASTS, ENTERTAINMENTS. 



straw on the floor, two brought in the trapiza (table at the 

 entrance to the hall), and the skap-ker (a vat from which ale 

 was put in cups) ; two placed the tables, two the food (two she 

 sent away from the house), and two carried in the ale ; all the 

 others, both men and women, went out into the yard. Mes- 

 sengers went to King Sigurd to take him his tignarkleedi 

 (clothes of rank) and his horse, which had on a gilt saddle, 

 and the bit was gilt all over and enamelled. Four men Asta 

 sent in four different directions throughout the district, inviting 

 the high-born men to a feast, in order to welcome her sou. 

 All who were there were dressed in their best clothes, and to 

 those who had none suitable she lent clothes " (St. Olaf's 

 Saga, c. 30). 



In contrast with the splendour of the table decorations, the 

 food was often plain, for cooking had not attained a high 

 standard. 



Olver, a hiiskarl (free servant) of the chief Thorir, and Egil 

 with twelve men when on a journey came to Bard, a steward 

 of King Eirik's, in Atley. 



" Bard said : ' Now we will put the tables for you, I know 

 you will like to go to sleep, you are tired.' Olver liked this 

 well. Then tables were set and food given to them, bread 

 and butter, and large bowls filled with curds were set forward. 

 Bard said : ' It is a great pity that there is no ale here, so 

 I cannot entertain you as well as I would like. You must 

 help yourselves to what there is.' They were very thirsty, 

 and swallowed the curds in large draughts. Then Bard had 

 buttermilk brought in, and they drank it " (Egil's Saga, 

 c. 43). 



" King Olaf and all his men stayed with his father, Sigurd 

 Syr, awhile. Sigurd gave them as fare on alternate days fish 

 and milk, meat and ale " (St. Olaf's Saga, c. 33). 



Great care was taken at the feasts to seat guests according 

 to their proper rank, as precedence was thought very much of. 



" The Icelandic chiefs Olaf Hoskuldsson and Usvifr continued 

 their friendship, though there was some rivalry between the 

 younger men. That summer Olaf held a feast half a month 

 before winter; Usvifr had also prepared one on the first winter- 

 nights. Each invited the other, with as many men as he 

 thought proper. Usvifr went first to the feast of Olaf, and at 

 the appointed time came to Hjardarholt ; his daughter Gudrun 



