341 



relate, to Biadmynja, a daughter of Myrjartak, King of Con- 

 naught, or, as the Norsemen called it, " Kunnaktir." King 

 Myrjartak was consequently an ally of King Magnus Bare- 

 foot on the occasion of his expedition to Ireland. But when 

 Magnus was killed, Sigurd left his wife in Ireland, and after- 

 wards sent an ambassador thither, requiring the Irish to pay 

 him a large sum of money as a fine for the murder of his 

 father, else he would again invade the country. It is said 

 that the Irish, at a numerous meeting, when the ambassador 

 delivered his message, resolved to pay the money. 



The saga introduces the two kings comparing themselves 

 (vid. Laings Translation of Snorre Sturlesoris History of the 

 Kings ofNorivay, vol.iii. pag. 176, sq.), and gives in the two 

 characters an admirable picture of the old and new time in 

 Norway. Sigurd is the old viking, who cares only for war- 

 like achievements, and viking expeditions, and looks with con- 

 tempt upon the man who sits at home. Eistein has in the 

 mean time been building churches, fishing villages, and light- 

 houses ; he has made roads over the mountains, and restored 

 peace in the country ; and he says that the state of Norway 

 has perhaps been more benefited by these domestic services 

 than by his brother's victories over the infidels in the Holy 

 Land. 



The last fragment of the sagas read was a part of the his- 

 tory of an Irishman named Gillekrist or Harald Gille, who is 

 said to have been a son of King Magnus Barefoot, and who, 

 to satisfy King Sigurd the Crusader, proved his descent by 

 undergoing the ordeal of treading over nine red-hot plough- 

 shares ; he afterwards became King of Norway, and left his 

 sons as kings after him. The saga describes some quarrels 

 between Harald and Magnus the son of King Sigurd, and 

 gives a very spirited account of a race between Harald, who 

 was on foot, and Magnus on horseback. The saga says : 

 " Harald Gille was a tall, slender man, with a long neck and 

 face, black eyes and dark hair, brisk and quick, and generally 

 VOL. in. 2 F 



