themfelves, and formed a fortrefs at the Burgh-lad of Moray, which ref.<le”« 
gave them an ample and a favourable range for foraging, and feizing on the 
ftock of that rich and fertile province. 
Thefe invaders kept regular pofieffion of that ftrong bold for near a h« n< ^ 
and fifty years ; during which time they made many fuccefsful depredations, 
ftrove, with various fortune, to eftabliih inland colonies. 
In thefe fanguine endeavours to extend their fway, and at the fame time 
more fpeedy retreat to their lines, when carrying off booty, or baffled in any 
tempt, the aid of cavalry was of effential and almoft indifpenfable importance, 
naturally became the diftinguilhing charadteriftic of tlreir forces. 
Of conlequence, as it was the great objeft of Caledonian policy and 
feize their horfes, in order to defeat their enterprizes ; fo when, in a fortunate pe ^ 
they fucceeded in totally routing the Scandinavian bands, and compelling t e ^ 
leave their fhores, if they wi filed to erect a confpicuous memorial of the eveI ^ in g 
moft ftriking article would be to exhibit the feizure of the horfes, and the in 1 
of capital penalty on their riders; and this is done, in the moft confpicuous P 
ments of the column. 
It is moreover evident, from the concurring teftimony of hiftory and tra(3l ^ n <l 
that part of the troops and warlike adventurers which had embarked in J he A ^ 
expedition undertaken by Olaus Prince of Norway, about the year 1,000 , ‘ j„g 
inforce the garrifon at Eccialjbacca, or the Burgh of Moray, and made fome 
advances towards the fubduing of the furrounding countries— and that foon a . fl 
period, their repeated defeats induced them wholly to relinquifii their fettlem 
that province. 
• de ^ 
No event was therefore more likely to become a fubjeft of national gratitu ^ 
honour, than thofe aftions in which the princes of Norway and their military 
rents were totally defeated, and which fo fully paved the way for returning 
to fmile over thefe harafled and extenfive territories. And, in confequence ot t ¥ 
dinavian forces finally evacuating their polls, a treaty of amicable alliance m ^ 
formed between Malcolm and Canute — or Sue no king of Norway : and tie 
fi<mres on the bafe of the crofs have been fculptured to exprefs that impoi tan . 
cibation.— While the figures on the adjacent edge of the obelilk, which ar^ ^ 
hand in hand, and in attitudes of friendly communication, may allude to ^ ^ 
degrees of mutual confidence and fecurity which took place after the eU 
fettled, that are reprefented on the front of the column. 
* See Ex traits from Torfevs, Sett. III. in Antiquities and Scenery of Scotland. 
