458 SOME EXPEDITIONS AND DEEDS OF GREAT VIKINGS. 



From the Sagas we find that even in the times of their 

 lather their renown was very great, and their expeditions 

 extended far and wide. 



" The sons of Ragnar Lodbrok went thence till they came 

 to a town called Luna, having destroyed nearly every burgh 

 in all Southern realm (Sudrriki) ; they had become so famous 

 all over the world that there was hardly a little child that 

 knew not their name. They intended not to cease until they 

 came to Romaborg, for they were told that this town was both 

 large, populous, and famous and wealthy ; they did not exactly 

 know how far distant it was, but they had so many men that 

 food was not to be procured. In Luna they consulted about 

 the expedition. There came thither an old and grey man, 

 who said he was a beggar, and had been travelling all his life. 

 ' Thou must be able to tell us many tidings we wish to know.' 

 He answered : ' I know of no lands you can ask about, about 

 which I cannot tell you.' ' We want thee to tell us how far 

 it is from here to Romaborg.' He said : ' I can tell you one thing 

 as a mark ; you see these iron shoes which I wear ? They are 

 now old, and those which I carry on my back are also worn out. 

 When I left Rome I tied on my feet these worn-out ones on 

 my back. They were new then, and I have been on the 

 journey since.' When they heard this, they thought they 

 could not carry out their intention of going to Rome, and so 

 they returned with their host, taking many burghs on their 

 way which had never been taken before, the traces of which 

 are seen to this day" (Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok, c. 13). 



" Sigurd was married to Heluna, daughter of King Ella. 

 The sons of Ragnar, after having ravaged in England, Valland, 

 Saxland, and all the way to Lonibardy (Lungbardi), Sweden, 

 Denmark, and Vindland, returned home ; they divided between 

 themselves the lands which they had won. Bjorn Jarnsida 

 (ironside) got in his share both Sweden and Gautland ; Sigurd 

 Snake-eye, Eygotaland, Halland, and Skaney ; Hvitserk, Reid- 

 gotaland (probably some part of Northern Germany), and 

 Vindland. 



" When Sigurd Snake-eye was in Denmark, his wife bore a 

 son named Knut ; he was born at Hord in Jutland, and on 

 that account was called Horda Knut. King Gorm brought 

 him up. Gorm died on a bed of sickness, while Horda Knut 

 became king of Eygotaland, Skaney, and Halland, for these 

 had been the share of his father Sigurd Snake-eye " (Flatey- 

 jarbok ; Jomsvikinga Thatt.). 



" Ivar the Boneless was long King in England, but had no 

 children, as his nature was such that he had no love lust ; but 



