ch, v] First Crossing of the Threshold 35 
build and rig. Fortunately we know exactly the build 
of the Viking ships, for one dating from the 9th century 
was discovered in 1880, buried in the blue clay at Gokstad 
near Sandefjord 1 . This Viking ship is of oak, clinker- 
built, fastened and riveted with iron bolts. , In those 
days conifers had by no means superseded oaks in 
southern Norway. The ship has the lines of an excellent 
sea boat, 78 feet long over all, with a 66 ft. length of 
keel and 16 feet beam, but only 4 feet in depth. There 
was a mast and a long yard with a square sail, as well as 
64 rowlocks for oars in the third row of planks from the 
top. The steer oar was fitted on the starboard quarter 
of the vessel, which was sharp at both ends and drew 
very little water. Wooden shields were hung round the 
bulwarks and the vessel contained utensils for cooking, 
bedsteads, and various other articles. Hundreds of such 
ships carried the Norse warriors along the coasts or to 
distant shores, some of them, such as the " Ormen 
lange" of Olaf Tryggvason, being probably much larger 
than the interesting relic of Gokstad. 
The time came — as well in Norway as in Denmark and 
Sweden, and as it appears to come sooner or later in all 
lands — when the most powerful of the numerous chiefs 
forced the rest to submit, and united all into one kingdom. 
" Harold of the fair hair" descended from the Ynglings 
of Upsala, children of the God Frey, was the chief of 
Ringerike and Vestfold in the south of Norway, a valiant 
and persistent warrior. He succeeded in subjugating 
the whole country, and founded a dynasty which lasted 
for five centuries. Harold reigned from 860 to 930 a.d. 
His reign was the period of adventurous expeditions and 
of colonisation. The population was increasing, and 
some of the chiefs could not brook the enforced allegiance 
to an overlord. The spirit of adventure and discovery 
was in the air. The northern Vikings loved the freedom 
of a roving life upon the ocean. Brave and fearless, 
they were controlled only by their code of honour, and 
the precepts of Odin's rules contained in the Havamel or 
high song of Odin, and in the lay of the Valkyrie Sigfrida 
1 The name of Viking is derived from Vik, a bay or creek, and the 
patronymic Ing, i.e. "Children of the bays," whence they sallied forth as 
sea rovers. 
3—2 
