Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway
Saltnes, Jon Ketling, Sigurd, and William, joined them; and when they
proceeded afterwards from Nidaros up Orkadal, they could number nearly
2000 men. They afterwards went to the Uplands, and on to Thoten
and Hadaland, and from thence to Ringerike, and subdued the country
wheresover they came.
42. THE FALL OF KING EYSTEIN.
King Magnus went eastward to Viken in autumn with a part of his men and
with him Orm, the king's brother; but Earl Erling remained behind in
Bergen to meet the Berkebeins in case they took the sea route. King
Magnus went to Tunsberg, where he and Orm held their Yule (A.D. 1177).
When King Magnus heard that the Birkebeins were up in Re, the king and
Orm proceeded thither with their men. There was much snow, and it was
dreadfully cold. When they came to the farm they left the beaten track
on the road, and drew up their array outside of the fence, and trod a
path through the snow with their men, who were not quite 1500 in number.
The Birkebeins were dispersed here and there in other farms, a few men
in each house. When they perceived King Magnus's army they assembled,
and drew up in regular order; and as they thought their force was larger
than his, which it actually was, they resolved to fight; but when they
hurried forward to the road only a few could advance at a time, which
broke their array, and the men fell who first advanced upon the beaten
way. Then the Birkebeins' banner was cut down; those who were nearest
gave way and some took to flight. King Magnus's men pursued them,
and killed one after the other as they came up with them. Thus the
Birkebeins could never form themselves in array; and being exposed to
the weapons of the enemy singly, many of them fell, and many fled. It
happened here, as it often does, that although men be brave and gallant,
if they have once been defeated and driven to flight, they will not
easily be brought to turn round. Now the main body of the Birkebeins
began to fly, and many fell; because Magnus's men killed all they could
lay hold of, and not one of them got quarter. The whole body became
scattered far and wide. Eystein in his flight ran into a house, and
begged for his life, and that the bonde would conceal him; but the bonde
killed him, and then went to King Magnus, whom he found at Rafnnes,
where the king was in a room warming himself by the fire along with many
people. Some went for the corpse, and bore it into the room, where the
king told the people to come and inspect the body. A man was sitting on
a bench in the corner, and he was a Birkebein, but nobody had observed
him; and when he saw and recognised his chief's body he sprang up
suddenly and actively, rushed out upon the floor, and with an axe he had
in his hands made a blow at King Magnus's neck between the shoulders.
A man saw the axe swinging, and pulled the king to a side, by which the
axe struck lower in the shoulder, and made a large wound. He then raised
the axe again, and made a blow at Orm, the King-brother, who was lying
on a bench, and the blow was directed at both legs; but Orm seeing the
man about to kill him, drew in his feet instantly, threw them over his
head, and the blow fell on the bench, in which the axe stuck fast; and
then the blows at the Birkebein came so thick that he could scarcely
fall to the ground. It was discovered that he had dragged his entrails
after him over the floor; and this man's bravery was highly praised.
King Magnus's men followed the fugitives, and killed so many that they
were tired of it. Thorfin of Snos, and a very great number of Throndhjem
people, fell there.
43. OF THE BIRKEBEINS.
The faction which called itself the Birkebeins had gathered together in
great numbers. They were a hardy people, and the boldest of men under
arms; but wild, and going forward madly when they had a strong force.
They had few men in their faction who were good counsellors, or
accustomed to rule a country by law, or to head an army; and if there
were such men among them who had more knowledge, yet the many would
only allow of those measures which they liked, trusting always to their
numbers and courage. Of the men who escaped many were wounded, and had
lost both their clothes and their arms, and were altogether destitute
of money. Some went east to the borders, some went all the way east to
Svithjod; but the most of them went to Thelemark, where they had their
families. All took flight, as they had no hope of getting their lives
from King Magnus or Earl Erling.
44. OF KING MAGNUS ERLINGSON.
King Magnus then returned to Tunsberg, and got great renown by this
victory; for it had been an expression in the mouths of all, that Earl
Erling was the shield and support of his son and himself. But after
gaining a victory over so strong and numerous a force with fewer troops,
King Magnus was considered by all as surpassing other leaders, and that
he would become a warrior as much greater than his father, Earl Erling,
as he was younger.