The Norwegian account of Hacos expedition against Scotland, A.D. MCCLXIII | Page 4

Near the middle of Lent King Haco travelled from Drontheim[13] to
Orkadal, thence east through the mountains to Bahus,[14] and so
eastwards to Elfar[15] to see Earl Birger,[16] according to an
appointment that they should meet at Liodhus in Easter week. But
when King Haco came to Liodhus[17] the Earl was already gone away,
and so the King returned north to Bahus.
King Haco arrived at Bergen on the day of the invention of the
Cross.[18] He remained there during the spring, and proceeded in his
preparations with great diligence. Prince Magnus, having given the
necessary directions through Rygiafulke[19] concerning the expedition
and the equipment of the fleet, went to join King Haco. After that a
great number of Barons, and officers, and vassals, and a vast many
soldiers flocked in daily to the Capital.
King Haco held a general council near Bergen at Backa.[20] There the
numerous host was assembled together. The King then declared,
concerning the expedition, that this whole army was intended against
Scotland in the western seas, and to revenge the inroads which the
Scotch had made into his dominions. Prince Magnus begged to
command this expedition instead of King Haco, who should remain at
home. He thanked him in many courteous words; but he observed, that
he himself was older, and had longer acquaintance with the western
lands, and that, therefore, he himself would go this voyage. He,
however, gave Prince Magnus full power to rule the nation in his
absence. At this Council he settled many regulations respecting the

internal government of the Country; and he granted to the yeomanry,
that, while he was away, no Sheriff should decide on any cause, unless
such cause was of the greatest necessity.
During this voyage King Haco had that great vessel which he had
caused to be constructed at Bergen. It was built entirely of oak, and
contained twenty-seven banks of oars.[21] It was ornamented with
heads and necks of dragons beautifully overlaid with gold. He had also
many other well-appointed ships.
In the spring King Haco sent John-Langlife-son and Henry Scot west to
the Orkneys, to procure pilots for Shetland. From thence John sailed to
the Hebrides and told King Dugal that he might expect an army from
the East. It had been rumoured that the Scots would plunder in the
islands that summer. King Dugal, therefore, spread abroad a report that
forty ships were coming from Norway. And by this means he prevented
the Scotch from making a descent.
Some time before the King himself was ready, he sent eight ships to the
westward. The Captains of these were Ronald Urka, Erling Ivarson,
Andrew Nicolson, and Halvard Red. They continued some days out in
the road, as the wind did not favour them.
When the King had prepared his ship, he removed all his army from the
capital to Eidsvags;[22] afterwards he himself returned to the city,
where he remained some nights, and then set out for Herlover.[23] Here
all the troops, both from the Northern and Southern districts, assembled,
as is described in the Ravens-ode, which Sturla[24] sung.
1.
From the recesses of Finland,[25] bands, keen for battle, sought the
potent Ruler of the storm of Javelins. The boisterous deep, that girds
this earth, bore the ships of the Protector of thrones west from the
streams of Gotelfa.
King Haco mustered all his force at Herlover. It was a mighty and
splendid armament. The King had many large and well-appointed ships,

as is thus described.
2.
No terrifier of dragons,[26] guardians of the hoarded treasure,[27] e'er
in one place beheld more numerous hosts. The stainer of the sea-fowl's
beak,[28] resolved to scour the main, far distant shores connected by
swift fleets.
3.
A glare of light blazed from the powerful, far-famed monarch while,
carried by the sea-borne wooden coursers[29] of Gestils,[30] he broke
to the roaring waves. The swelling sails, of keels that ride the surge,
reflected the beams of the unsullied sun around the umpire of wars.
Some nights after King Haco had arrived at Herlover, Ronald and
Erling sailed out of the bay with their squadron. Ronald was separated
from the rest at sea, and made for the Orkneys with some of the ships.
But, Erling, and Andrew, and Halvard steered south before Shetland,
and so to the west of Tharey-fiord;[31] and they saw no land; except
Sulna-stapa[32] west of the Orkneys. Afterwards they sailed in to
Scotland under Dyrness.[33] They went up into the country and
destroyed a castle, but the garrison had fled. They burned more than
twenty hamlets. Next they steered for the Hebrides, and found there
Magnus King of Man.
Three nights before the Selian vigils[34] King Haco set sail for the
German sea with all his fleet. He had now been King of Norway six
and forty winters.[35]