438 SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS. 



maiden was Vebjorg, who came from the south from Gotland, 

 and many champions followed her, of whom the n ost valiant 

 and renowned were Ubbi Friski (the Frisian), Brat Irski (the 

 Irish), Orm Enski (the English), Bui Bramuson, Ari the 

 One-eyed, and Geiralf. 



" Many Vindar (Vends) were in the train of Visma ; they were 

 easily recognised, for they had long swords and bucklers, 1 but 

 not long shields like the other men. On one wing was Heid 

 with her standard, and one hundred champions ; these were 

 her Berserks, and many chiefs were there too. On the other 

 wing was Haki Hoggvinkinni (the cheek-cut one), and the 

 standards were carried in front of him ; there were many kings 

 and champions with him, amongst them Alfar and Alfarin, the 

 sons of King Gandalf, who had before been hirdrnen at home 

 with Harald. Harald was in a waggon, for he was not able to 

 fight on foot in the battle. He sent Briini and Heid to see 

 how Hring had arrayed his host, and if he was ready for 

 battle. Bruni said : * It seems to me that Hring and his host 

 are ready ; bnt he has arrayed them in a strange way ; he 

 has drawn up his men in a swine-array,' 2 ' and it will not be easy 

 to fight against him.' Harald asked : ' Who has taught Hring 

 to draw up his men in a wedge shape? I thought nobody 

 knew this except myself and Odin ; or is Odin going to fail 

 in giving the victory to me ? That has never happened 

 before, and even now I ask him not to do it ; if he does not 

 want to grant me victory, may he let me fall in the battle 

 with all my host ; if he does not wish that the Danes should 

 gain the victory as formerly ; all the men who fall on this 

 battle-field I give to Odin.' It was as Bniiii had told. Hring 

 had arrayed his men in wedge-shape, so the array looked all 

 the deeper for this ; nevertheless it was so broad that one 

 Hank reached to the river Vata, and the other to Bravik. 



" Hring had many kings and champions with him ; 

 the foremost was King Ali the valiant, who had a great 

 many men and many other famous kings and champions ; 

 with him was the champion whose renown is the highest in 

 old Sagas, Storkud the* Old Storverksson, who had been 

 brought up in Norway, in Hordaland, in the island Fenring, 

 and had travelled abroad far and wide, and had been with 

 many kings." 



Many other champions had come from Norway to this 

 battle. 



1 Buckler, probably a smaller shield. 



2 The " wedge shape " was the same 

 as that called cuncus by the ancient 



Romans, and was very old ; it is men- 

 tioned by Tacitus. 



