It is said that the Throndhjem people took Hakon as king, on the terms that he should have from Inge the third part of Norway as his paternal heritage.King Inge and Gregorius were in Viken, and Gregorius wanted to make an expedition against the party in the north; but it came to nothing that winter, as many dissuaded from it.
4.FALL OF GYRD AND HAVARD.
King Hakon left Throndhjem in spring with thirty ships nearly;and some of his men sailed before the rest with seven ships, and plundered in North and South More.No man could remember that there ever before had been plundering between the two towns (Bergen and Nidaros).Jon the son of Halkel Huk collected the bondes in arms, and proceeded against them; took Kolbein Ode prisoner, killed every woman's son of them in his ship.Then they searched for the others, found them all assembled in seven ships, and fought with them; but his father Halkel not coming to his assistance as he had promised, many good bondes were killed, and Jon himself was wounded.Hakon proceeded south to Bergen with his forces; but when he came to Stiornvelta, he heard that King Inge and Gregorius had arrived a few nights before from the east at Bergen, and therefore he did not venture to steer thither.They sailed the outer course southwards past Bergen, and met three ships of King Inge's fleet, which had been outsailed on the voyage from the east.On board of them were Gyrd Amundason, King Inge's foster-brother, who was married to Gyrid a sister of Gregorius, and also lagman Gyrd Gunhildson, and Havard Klining.King Hakon had Gyrd Amundason and Havard Klining put to death; but took lagman Gyrd southwards, and then proceeded east to Viken.
5.OF THE CONSULTATIONS OF KING INGE.
When King Inge heard of this he sailed east after them, and they met east in the Gaut river.King Inge went up the north arm of the river, and sent out spies to get news of Hakon and his fleet;but he himself landed at Hising, and waited for his spies.Now when the spies came back they went to the king, and said that they had seen King Hakon's forces, and all his ships which lay at the stakes in the river, and Hakon's men had bound the stems of their vessels to them.They had two great East-country trading vessels, which they had laid outside of the fleet, and on both these were built high wooded stages (castles).When King Inge heard the preparations they had made, he ordered a trumpet to call a House-thing of all the men; and when the Thing was seated he asked his men for counsel, and applied particularly to Gregorius Dagson, his brother-in-law Erling Skakke, and other lendermen and ship-commanders, to whom he related the preparations of Hakon and his men.
Then Gregorius Dagson replied first, and made known his mind in the following words: -- "Sometimes we and Hakon have met, and generally they had the most people; but, notwithstanding, they fell short in battle against us.Now, on the other hand, we have by far the greatest force; and it will appear probable to the men who a short time ago lost gallant relations by them, that this will be a good occasion to get vengeance, for they have fled before us the greater part of the summer; and we have often said that if they waited for us, as appears now to be the case, we would have a brush with them.Now I will tell my opinion, which is, that I will engage them, if it be agreeable to the king's pleasure; for I think it will go now as formerly, that they must give way before us if we attack them bravely; and I shall always attack where others may think it most difficult."The speech was received with much applause, and all declared they were ready to engage in battle against Hakon.Then they rowed with all the ships up the river, until they came in sight of each other, and then King Inge turned off from the river current under the island.Now the king addressed the lendermen again, and told them to get ready for battle.He turned himself especially to Erling Skakke, and said, what was true, that no man in the army had more understanding and knowledge in fighting battles, although some were more hot.The king then addressed himself to several of the lendermen, speaking to them by name; and ended by desiring that each man should make his attack where he thought it would be of advantage, and thereafter all would act together.
6.ERLING'S SPEECH.
Erling Skakke replied thus to the king's speech: "It is my duty, sire, not to be silent; and I shall give my advice, since it is desired.The resolution now adopted is contrary to my judgment;for I call it foolhardy to fight under these circumstances, although we have so many and such fine men.Supposing we make an attack on them, and row up against this river-current; then one of the three men who are in each half room must be employed in rowing only, and another must be covering with the shield the man who rows; and what have we then to fight with but one third of our men? It appears to me that they can be of little use in the battle who are sitting at their oars with their backs turned to the enemy.Give me now some time for consideration, and Ipromise you that before three days are over I shall fall upon some plan by which we can come into battle with advantage."It was evident from Erling's speech that he dissuaded from an attack; but, notwithstanding, it was urged by many who thought that Hakon would now, as before, take to the land."And then,"said they, "we cannot get hold of him; but now they have but few men, and we have their fate in our own hands."Gregorius said but little; but thought that Erling rather dissuaded from an attack that Gregorius's advice should have no effect, than that he had any better advice to give.
7.OF HAKON'S FLEET.
