No More Learning

It would thus seem, that under the care of his mother, Olaf was brought up in his foster-father's house. His future greatness was predicted by Sigurd, who probably inferred it, from the natural abilities he discovered in the child. According to some of the northern chronicles, when Olaus I. , King of Norway, and suraamed Trygvason, came to Ringarik to spread Chris- tianity,Sigurdandhiswife,withOlaf,Harald'sson,werebaptized. Atthis time, our Olaf must have been very young, since Olaf Trygvason engaged in war with Sweyn I. , King of Denmark, and he fell in a great naval battle fought a. d. 1000. While Olave was instructed, according to some accounts, at an early period of his life, in the Gospel truths, the wild stories related of his warlike adventures and his method of government give us rather an idea, that in manners and practice, he was by natural disposition ferocious and cruel. Yet, it does not seem so certain, that at this early term of his years, he had been otherwise than ignorant of the Christian doctrine and of its
moral obligations. According to other accounts, Olave embraced the faith in 68
England, buthewasnotbaptizeduntilhecametoNormandy,andthere,in
the of Rouen, he first received the Sacrament of 6? After- city regeneration.
wards, as we are told, he became very perfect ; for, in his ardour to obtain
eternal life, he despised all earthly enjoyments and pleasures. During the period of his youth, wild tales of adventures by sea and of foreign conquest must have been dinned into the ears of the boy, while these excited his imagination, and filled his mind with an ardent desire to seek an opportunity for distinguishing himself, like so many of his countrymen. At the age of eight, he is said to have surpassed all other children, in bodily strength and in
66
According to Undalin, in lib. ii. , cap. vi. to ix.
6? This is asserted in the Codex Flateyen-
"
as he who has been already mentioned, and who brought the news of Harald's death to Asta. He was also styled Peregrinator or the Wanderer, as also Nutricius, the Fos-
terer, probably owing to his training of Olaf.
7I Three different Manuscripts have this
statement, according to Torfreus.
Ja Found in a Manuscript old as those
mentioned. See Torfaeus, " Historia Re- rum Norvegicarum," tomus iii. , lib. i. , cap. xv. , p. 23.
Historia Re- rum Norvegicarum," tomus ii. , lib. viii. ,
sis, according to Torfaeus in cap. xvii. , p. 327.
68
See Bishop Challoner's "Memorials of British Piety," p. no.
69 Such is the statement contained in his
short Acts, as published by the Bollandists, cap, i. , num 2.
? ° He seems to have been the same
person,
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 445 powers of mind. His tutor or governor appears to have been Hranius,?
r
who brought him to sea in his twelfth year ;?
while, according to another
statement,' his age. 73
2 that nautical was undertaken in the fifteenth of trip year
CHAPTER II.
EARLY WARLIKE PROPENSITIES OF OLAF—HIS FIRST MARITIME ADVENTURES AGAINST DENMARK AND SWEDEN, FRIESLAND AND—HOLLAND—NORTHMAN INVASIONS OF ENGLAND AND WARS WITH THE SAXONS KING OLAF ARRIVES IN NORMANDY, WHERE PROBABLY HE WAS BAPTIZED—HE RETURNS TO AID ETHELRED IN ENGLAND—HIS VICTORIES—HE RECOVERS NORWAY FROM THE SWEDES AND DANES—HE IS THEN PROCLAIMED KING OF THAT COUNTRY.
We are informed, that Olaf's foster-father Sigurd was remarkable for his
moderation of character and for his love of domestic life
in his expenditure, and much interested in superintending the concerns of his farm, while cultivating likewise the mechanical arts. Moreover, sparing of words, he was free from avarice and content with what he possessed ; of a peaceful temperament, and assiduous in civil administration, he detested war and military glory. Those subject to his rule were justly governed, and wise laws were wisely administered to them. He was remarkable for his prudence, andworthytobeclassedasaPhilosopher,owingtohiswisdom. Hehada sufficiency of this world's goods. It was undoubtedly a matter of great im- portance,thathisfoster-sonOlafwaseducatedbysuchapatron; and,ifwe are to believe the Legend, it was owing to the son's pronouncement, when
he was only six years old, that Asta had preferred Sygurd Syr to another chief named Gissur, the son of Gudbrand, who had hoped to obtain her con-
1 An anecdote is related of the child, that shows his natural instincts were enterprising and warlike. Being instructed by his step- father in those exercises becoming his tender years, while the chamber door of his mother stood open one day, Olaf entered, and seeing there a sword belonging to Besing, he enquired regarding it. Being told it had belonged to Olaf, who had bestowed it, and whose name it bore, he asked for and obtained it ; but, his strength was not then equal to the task of raising it, and he dragged it along. His stepfather then reproached his mother, for having given it to her son, as a weapon altogether unsuited for him ; while adding, at the same time, that mothers never had the fortitude to refuse anything asked of them by children, whether those were suitable for them or other- wise. She then ordered a trial to be made, if the child could be induced willingly to part with it. Wherefore, with blandishments, and promising to give him some other suitable gift, Asta coaxed her son, that she might get
sent for a
marriage.
73 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Julii xxix. De S. Olavo Regeet Martyre, Nidrosiae in Norvegia. Commen- tarius Historicus, sect, ii. , iii. , pp. 89 to 92.
trimulus quidem victricum nactus fuerit, utut id de rivalibus verum sit. " We are then told,
that the queen preferred Siguard, descended from Harald of the Beautiful Hair to Gissur,
Chapter —r "
and that Olafs forecast was
alone in having for a son Harald the Severe, but also many other descendants, who after- wards, were renowned Kings of Norw
See Thormod Torfseus' " Historia Rer
Norvegicarum," tomus iii. , lib. i. , cap. p. 22.
ii; Fertur tunc mater
fulfilled, not
utrumque ad convivium invitasse, omenque
ex pueri responso captura, eum super tanta
re consuluisse, cui potissimum nuberet? Is
autem respondisse, Regi nubendum, ut
Regesmdeprocrearipossent. Id vero respon- sum ei affictum ex jam relatis patet, cum ne
;
he was economical
446 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
back the sword, to keep for him, until he should *be able to wield it. Having
been asked for the weapon two or three times, he drew the sword from its
scabbard, at last, and hiding the latter under the cloak of Hran, holding the hilt, he extended the sword. He was then asked, why he did not give up the sheath, when he replied, because he had not strength to fight, for other-
2
ThenNorwayhadpassedunderthegovernmentofSweyn,3 KingofDen-
mark. Thatcountryremaineddividedbetweenhim,OlaveScot-Konung,*
and Eric. s The Danish King also sent his brother Earl Harald to govern
Norway. Itissaid,thatatanearlyage,Olafwasdesirousofobtainingdis-
tinction as a sea-rover. He was only fifteen—some even have it twelve-years
old, when he became leader of a piratical expedition. His appearance is thus
described at that age. He was not tall, but middle-sized, stout and strong.
He had light brown hair, and a white and red complexion. His eyes were
peculiarly fine, beautiful and piercing, so that one was afraid to look at him
in the face, when he was angry. Olaf was very expert in all bodily exercises,
heunderstoodwellhowtohandlethebow,andtothrowthespear. Hewasa
great swimmer, and handy at smith's work. It seems probable, that Olaf
deemed himself safer from his enemies at sea than on land, and he undertook
diversexpeditionsintheNorthernSeas. HismotherAastagavehimincharge
to one Hran or who was nicknamed, The Foster-father of 6 It Rane, Kings.
was customary for those, who took the lead of troops or of ships among the
Northmen, to assume likewise the name of Viking, although they had neither
land nor kingdom. Accordingly, Olaf obtained this title from the crew. We
are told, that while Hran or Rane sat at the helm, although he was king of
the men-at-arms, Olaf himself served as a common rower ; for, in those times,
ships were propelled by oars as well as by sails. The ships steered east-
ward along the land, and he came first to Denmark. 7 What had been the
object of this voyage does not very, clearly appear. Towards autumn, he
sailed to Sweden, as he thought he had cause of hostility against the Swedes,
because had killed his father Harald. 8 He took them they vengeance upon
by slaughter, burnings and booty, according to the rough usages of that
period. 9
His first recorded battle was fought at Sotholm, within the Skiergard, or
wise he should not surrender it to anyone.
28 See #/</. , pp. 22, 23.
3 This powerful monarch invaded England
in 1003, and expelled King Ethelred.
4 He was son—some say brother—to Eric King of Sweden. See " Historia Olai Magni Gothi Archiepiscopi Upsalensis, De Gen- tium Septrionalium," &C, lib. i i. , cap. xxi. ,
p. 67.
s He was son to Macon, Earl of Nor-
way.
6
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 637.
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, pp. 637, 638.
9 This is expressed by a poet in these Latin lines : —
"Vos remis agitare rates et pandere vela
Assvcti, passim Zephyris spirantibus amplis,
Instruct! spoliis peragrastis Balthica regna.
In primis Cygni meritas sunt pen. dere paenas
fratres metus omnia mis- Compulsi :
cuit ingens. "
In the word Cygni, as we are informed by Thormod Toriaeus, there is a play upon words : Evan, meaning a swan, and also a Swede.
,0 " His augustiis circumventus Olaus I Iaraldi, consilium, quod presens necessitas subjecit,extemporecapit; etadAgnisitiam, ab Agno Dageii filio ita dictam, postea Stocholmiam a Stocsundio appellatam, de-
7 This is — in Otto Swart's expressed
Lay
on King Olaf:
** Young was the king when from his
home
He first began in ships to roam, His ocean steed to ride
To Denmark on the tide.
" Well exercised art thou in truth— In manhood's earnest work, brave
youth,
Out from the distant North,
Mighty host, thou come forth. "
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 447
smooth water. This lay within the fringe of Skerries, or rocks, which guards- that coast. He attacked some vikings there ; while he threw grappling irons into their ships, boarded the—m, and cleared them of men. Thence, he steered his way into the Mselar lake that beautiful little inland sea, to which access is obtained through an inlet near Stockholm. He sailed along the shores, ravagingthelandonbothsides. NewsofthehavocreachedOlaf,theSwedish king, and he laid iron chains across Stokkesund, the channel between the Mselarlakeandthesea,andheguardedtheentrancewithhistroops. Itmust be admitted, that the Viking was then of more mature age, than has been generally supposed ; while his judgment and resources, in escaping from dangers, are manifested, from those accounts we have on record regarding his daring maritime adventures. Olaf sailed eastwards, intending to escape out of the lake before winter j but, he found the entrance watched and barred. He therefore dug a channel across the flat land, that lay between the Mselar and the sea. Now a great number of rivers run into the Malar lake ; but, as the only outlet is small when heavy autumn rains fall, the water rushes through the narrow jaws of the Stokkesund like the sluice of a water-wheel, and all the low land round the lake is flooded. That autumn the rain fell in torrents, the rivers were swollen, and the lake brimmed over, rushed into the cutting made by Olaf, and swept his boats through it into the open sea. 10 Olaf then sailed eastward to the Island of Gothland, in harvest, and he there prepared to plunder ; but, the Gothlanders assembled, and sent men to him, offering him money, if he would spare his hand, from burning their stacks and farms. Such a tribute Olaf preferred ; he took their money, and he spent the winter in
He sailed
He next returned to Den- mark, and there he joined company with another pirate, Thorkell the Tall, brother of Earl Sigvald. They sailed along the Jutland coast to Sudurwick. There, they fell in with a fleet of Danish vikings, whom they fought and dis- persed. After having harried the coast of Friesland and of Holland, Olaf then made sail for the English coast. The Icelandic Annals of Norway, usually
refer those events toA. D. 1008.
Wehave already alluded to the Northman incursions and devastations brought
upon Ireland, and the efforts there made to repel them, during the eighth, ninth and tenth centuries. ^ In like manner, England and Scotland suffered under their intolerable yoke and ruthless tyranny. Predatory excursions had often been planned, and especially the towns and villages near the coasts were repeatedly laid waste, by their captains and pirate crews. It was in vain, that money had been given them to procure their departure, for this only increased their spirit of greed and avarice. Towards the close of the tenth century, Ethelred was king of the Saxons in England ;M but, his character was not such as to secure respect for his person, nor to impress the invaders with fear of his opposition. In the year 994, Sweyn or Othon Sven, King of
Gothland. 11 Next he went and spring plundering
burning.
along
the coast of the Eysyssel, and up into Finland. 12
pressiori solo, ubi nunc flumen est Australe, noctu magna suorum industria et celeritate
perfosso, et aqua denso imbre auaucta, ex- traxit s—e cum classe sua, salvusque hinc evasit. " Locenius, "Historia Sueciae," lib. i. , p. 17.
11 Torfseus refers these events of his career
to A. D. 1007 ; while the Bollandist editor 979 to a. d. 1016, although it had been
thinks they must be referable to a later period, or that the date of his birth must be thrown further back into the tenth century, than chroniclers generally state.
IZ
Such are the accounts, as conveyed to us, by Sigurd, the Skald,
I3 See the Fourth Volume of this work, at the 23rd of April, Art. i. The Blessed Bryan Boroimha, King of Munster, Monarch of Ireland, and Martyr.
greatly interrupted by the Danish inva- sions.
IS From the old Icelandic and Norwegian chronicles, the learned Thormod Torfseus
M His reign has been calculated from a. d.
448 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
1*
invade England, over which country Ethelred then ruled. They made
16
descents on the coasts, both of Ireland and of Scotland.
ships, they sailed up the Thames, to attack the city of London, on the 8th of September. They were foiled, however, in this instance ; but, to revenge themselves for such disappointment, they ravaged the neighbouring counties of Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, while they mounted a body of horse-
1
men, to carry their devastations into the interior of the country. ? Unable to
oppose them successfully, Ethelred offered them sixteen thousand pounds to procure their forbearance. Then, Olaf promised the king, that he should not draw his sword any more against his Christian brethren, and he left England. After his baptism in England, Olaf had seen Gyda, the sister of Olaf Kyrre, King of Dublin, a young lady of exquisite beauty, and now the
widow of a Jarl, who had been powerful in England. She was sought in
Denmark, and Olaf Tryggveson,
King of Norway, united their forces to
marriage by several wooers
l8 ;
but, at an of chiefs, which had been assembly
summoned for the
purpose,
she saw Olaf, then a to x 9 and chose stranger her,
him as a husband. 20 With her, he lived for some time in England; but, he
drew together his ships, and sailed over to Ireland, where his brother-in-law
then reigned over Dublin and Fingal. Sweyn was obliged to leave England,
and to follow his confederate ; but, he never afterwards forgave Olaf, for
what he deemed to be a breach of faith, in their engagement. An expedition
against Norway was next planned. At last, Sweyn surprised his rival at sea, near
the islet of Wollin ; and when, overpowered by numbers, disdaining to be
taken alive, Olaf Tryggveson leaped from his ship into the waves, and thus he
21
The dominant Danes had so carried out their contempt for the unfortunate
people subject to their sway, that they presumed to add injuries and insults which became unbearable, while yet no resistance could be offered by force
of arms. Even the most sacred ties and family
perished.
This event happened in the year 1000.
rights hadtheinvadersanyregardforengagementsortreaties. Wherefore,awarrior
of great valour, who was the chief commander over Ethelred's soldiers, but who in his passion for revenge would not stop at the commission of great crimes, advised the king to plan a general massacre of the foreigners, and to give himself a commission for its execution. This barbarous policy of assas- sination was adopted by the king, while the festival of St.
Brice, November 13th, 1002, was fixed upon for the perpetration of that disgraceful tragedy. It was designed and executed with such secrecy and promptitude, that the
has endeavoured to place in an orderly man- ner, the life and actions of this celebrated king and hero. See " Historia Rerum Norvegicarum," tomus ii. , lib. vi. , cap. vii. to xx. , pp. 246 to 272 ; lib. viii. , cap. xix to xxxv. , pp. 330 to 355 ; lib. ix. , cap. i. to li. , PP- 36710460. Also lib. x. , cap. i. to x. .
their opponents—the survivors being bound in fetters to indicate their submission,
r » She asked his name, and having learned that he was Olaf, she told him, that if he de- sired to have her as a wife, she would chose him as a hushand. To this proposal, he willingly consented.
"
to
,6 See M. Le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle tates Celto-Scandicae," p. 73. This incident
pp. 461
Biographic Generale," tome xliv. , col.
625.
» See Rev. Dr. " of Lingard's History
England," vol. i. , chap, v. , p. 237.
"One of these was a Saxon named Alfin, who, when his suit had been rejected in favour of Olaf, challenged the latter to a
James Johnstone's
508.
Antiqui-
According to Matthew of Westminster, per totam Angliam adeo superbiendo duel. According to agreement, this was inualuerunt, quod uxores virorum nobilium
on either et filias vi
when Olafs men were victorious, dere
having killed or wounded dangerously all riarum," p. 391.
with twelve
fought champions,
et — ludibrio tia- opprimere vbique
ride ;
prwsumpserunt,"
&c.
"
Flores Histo-
20 See Rev.
is there referred to 993.
" Among the Poems of the well-known
American Poet W. are Henry Longfellow,
several versified Sagas, relating to Olaf Tryggvason, in Tales of a Wayside Inn.
22 "
With ninety-four
were 22 nor violated,
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 449
invaders were completely taken by surprise. King Ethelred had ordered a general massacre of the Danes, on the same day, and in every district of the land. 2* This mandate was obeyed everywhere by the vengeful chiefs and people; while hatred was so inflamed against the victims, that not only the men, but even the women and children, had their bodies miserably mangled,
2
attheirownfiresidesanddoors. * InLondon,manyfledtothechurchesfor
asylum, but those were pitilessly massacred around the altars. Among the
rest, Gunhilda, sister to Sweyn, had embraced Christianity, and she married Paling, a Northman, who had come to England some years before. Both of
these, with their only son, had been given to Ethelred, as hostages for a peace betweentheEnglishandDanes. 25 Byordersofacruelthane,namedEadric,
to whom those distinguished captives had been consigned, the husband and son of Gunhilda were transfixed with spears, and in her presence. Finally, he ordered her to be decapitated. This iniquitous sentence was borne by Gunhilda with wonderful courage and rare equanimity ; but, before suffering death she declared, that the shedding of her blood should bring ruin upon England. When beheaded, it was remarked afterwards, that her features became composed and placid, as if she had been in a calm slumber.
Her brother Sweyn was only too willing to avenge her death, and that of
hiscountrymen. WhenheheardwhathadoccurredinEngland,hesent
messengers to all his chiefs, to assemble their forces and to prepare their ships.
He even invited pirates and plunderers from distant countries, to join his
expedition, with promises of procuring them plunder and wealth. Sweyn
soon made his appearance and ravaged England, in revenge for the perfidy
and cruelty of King Ethelred. A numerous army had been collected to
oppose him, in 1003 ; but, as the foreigners swarmed like locusts over the
land,
treachery
24 "
26
ibid. , p. 392.
At A. D. 1004, Matthew of Paris writes :
26
and cowardice
the Saxons. — the prevailed among Through
the Norman
been appointed through the influence of Ethelred's wife Emma Sweyn and
his barbarians obtained possession of that town, and thence they penetrated
into the interior of England. The northern fleet entered the port of Sand-
wich, and coasting round East Anglia, those invaders sailed into the mouth
of the Humbert At length, in 1007, Ethelred, by the payment of a heavy
tribute, procured a temporary respite, which he was not able to obtain by
28
Meantime, Olaf was engaged following his pursuits as a marine freebooter andanadventurer; nordoesheappeartohavebeenaChristianatthattime. After many a cruise in his galleys, he landed on the shores of Normandy, where his countrymen, and probably some of his kindred, had already settled on
lands had 2^ The they conquered. ,
or of negligence perfidy Hugo,
governor
of Exete—
force ofarms.
civilizing
now begun to make some progress among them. Twelve years after the
23 "
See Rev. Dr. Lingard's History of
England," vol. i. , chap, v. , pp. 239 to 241.
Sicque Dani, qui firmo fcedere paulo ante vtrinque iurato, cum Anglis pacifice ha- bitare debuerunt, opprobriose nimis sunt perempti, mulieres cum liberis ad domovum postes allisae miserabiliter animas effude- runt. "—"Flores Historiarum," per Mat- thaeum Westmonasteriensem collect! , p. 391.
25 See
tradentes, nee fuit inventus quisquam qui
"
tate inaudita, Angliam totam sicut locustre cooperientes, omnia spoliantes, homines neci
Quo utique anno Dani efcarserunt crudeli-
"
Conquetes des Normands," liv. i. , Paris,
Vol. VII. —No. 8.
1 f
influences of had Christianity
—"Chronica
edited by Henry Richards Luard, M. A. ,
hostibus obviaret. "
Majora,"
vol. i. , p. 481.
s? Matthew of Westminster adds
" a quo flumen Trente ingrediens, ad Gaynesburch villam navigavit, et ibidem nauium suarum stationem composuit. *'—" Flores Historia-
:
28 See Matthew of Paris, -" Chronica Ma-
jora," vol. i. , p. 481. Edited by Henry
Richards Luard, M. A.
29 See Gauttier d'Arc's
rum," ad A. D. , MXIU. rede M. III.
r whohad
Histoire des
450 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
death of King Olaf Tryggveson, for two summers and a winter, Olaf Haraldson coastedroundthewesternshoresofFrance; andoccasionally,wemaysup- pose, he landed on the shores of Normandy, where he received a friendly welcome. The Norman chiefs had traced their descent from the Norwe- gians, and therefore they had kept up friendly relations and alliance with the latter people,* who were able when called upon to send them ships and crews, to strengthen a dominant race, that had now ceased to be colonists. To the time of Olafs arrival in Normandy, about the year 1014,^ it is sup- posedmostprobable,thathehadnotreceivedbaptism; although,aswehave already stated, some accounts of him refer his Christian regeneration to an early period of his life. At that time, when he left England, Robert I. had been Archbishop of Rouen, while Richard II. was Duke of Normandy, and Odo was Count of Carnoet. s* It is generally admitted, by the Icelandic records, that Olaf remained to the spring time of that year in Normandy ; while it is stated, that owing to the influence and persuasion of Milred or Ethelred,andofRoberttheArchbishop,Olafreceivedbaptism. Ithasbeen stated, likewise, that his name had then been changed to James ; however, such a statement does not appear to be correct.
The Danish King Sweyn Forkedbeard had been engaged in England with
a
King Ethelre—d.
of The latter betrayed by some of his own chiefs, and thus
withhisqueen
some accounts
about this— and he had seized
time, upon
—Emmaandhertwosons. Intheautumnof to 1013 according
King Olaf came to England. However, this happened at King 'Sweyn died suddenly at night, in his bed, a. d. 10 14,
powerful army
overpowered wasobligedtoflythecountry,andtotakerefuge—Normandy,
a later period.
and during the first week in February. 33 Ethelred was then in Flanders, and
hearing of Sweyn's death, he prepared at once for a return to England. No sooner had he arrived there, than he invited all to join him, in recovering his rights to that kingdom. Many flocked to his standard. Richard II. , Duke of Normandy, seconded this enterprise. ** Among the rest, King Olaf came to his assistance with a large force of Northmen. Their united enterprise was directed against London, where the Danes had thrown up strong fortifi- cations, on either bank of the Thames. Having united their respective fleets, Olaf and Ethelred sailed their ships into the Thames, and as the Danes held London, which was fortified, and at a place called Sudrvic,35 it was resolved tobesiegethem. Theyhadalreadydugdeepditches,withinwhichtheyhad a bulwark of stone, of turf, and of timber, with a large army to defend it. King Ethelred ordered an assault, which was unsuccessful, for the Danes
bravely repelled it.
1830, 8vo.
30 See Rev.
There was a bridge so broad between the castle and
James Johnstone's
tates Celto-Scandicae ; sive Series Rerum
Gestarum inter Nationes Brittannicarum In- sularum et Gentes Septentrionales," at A. D. 1012,pp. 97,98. Theseaccountsarctaken from Snorro, Land-nama-boc, Egils-Skalla- grimi-Saga, Nials-saga, Olaf-Tiyggvasonar- saga, Orkneyinga-saga, Hriggiar-stiekki, Knytlinga-saga, Speculum Regale, &c. The
chronology however is often defective.
"
Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. ,
July 29, p. 645.
32 Now a commune and town of France,
in the Department of C6tes-du-Nord. See
"Gazetteer of the World," vol. iii. , p.
328.
33 It is related, by Houeden, that having
spoiled St. Edmund's monastery in Suffolk, and in the midst of his nobles, he suddenly cried out, that St. Edmund struck him with a sword, when three days afterwards, and
Anliqui-
31 According to another account, he on the 3rd of February, in great anguish and reached Normandy and spent the winter of torment, his career ended. Some state, he
1016-1017 at Rouen, where he met the sons of Ethelred, who had been expelled from
England by King Canute, after the murder of Edmund Ironside. See Rev. S. Baring-
died at Thetford, while other writers have it
at Gainsborough.
34 See John Speed's "History of Great
Britaine," book vii. , chap, xliiii. . p. 396.
the
in
kingdom
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 451
Southwark, that two waggons could pass each other on it. They raised barricades on that bridge, in the direction of the river and across it. Towers and wooden parapets, nearly breast high, crowned the bridge, under which piles had been driven to the bottom of the river. From that vantage ground, the Danes defended themselves. King Ethelred was very anxious, that the bridge should be broken down ; and, to effect that object, a council of the chiefs was held to devise a suitable plan. Then King Olaf offered to lay his ships alongside of the bridge, provided the English should do so ; and, at length, it was determined to make such an attempt. Each captain of a ship now began to superintend the necessary preparations. Several old houses on the Thames were then pulled down, and floating wood was collected, and while stout pillars were set upright in each ship, a roof of shingles but of great strength was set over those posts, so that the covering reached to the
side. These defences were intended to — the crews from the ship's protect
stones, which the Danes were expected to cast probably from balistae; while there was room enough underneath, for the men to wield their own weapons, and, if necessary, to emerge from their cover for an assault. When all was ready, the united fleet rowed up the river ; but, when the mariners came near the bridge, a shower of stones, arrows, javelins and other weapons assailed them. The crews were greatly galled, and many of the ships were so damaged, that they fell out in the line of battle. However, King Olaf and the Northman fleet—most likely deprived of masts—rowed quite up to and under the bridge, when the* crews laid strong cables around the piles supporting it, and then with all their might, they rowed away down the stream. The piles shaken from their foundations became loose under the bridge, and finally they began to give way. At this time, numbers of armed men stood on the bridge, while heavy heaps of stones and other warlike machines added to the weight. Down sunk the battlements, and a great part of the soldiers fell into the river, while all the rest fled, some into the castle and some into Southwark. Soon afterwards, this place was taken by storm.
When the garrison in the castle saw that they now stood alone, and that a passage had been opened for the ships to the head waters of the Thames,
whom
surrendered to
ever, the Danes were still strong, in other parts of the kingdom, while they retained possession of many cities and towns. King Olaf passed all that winter with King Ethelred, who now seemed to have subjected nearly the whole kingdom. HefoughtagreatbattleatHiringmaraHeath,inUlfkel'sland. 3? Here again the king was victorious. When his father died, Canute, the son
they
Ethelred,
they recognised
8 and his actions must have been
his councillors and chiefs. However, the Danes were still able to cause much uneasinesstoEthelred,beingtheninLindesey,apartofLincolnshire. Mean- time,whenleastexpected,KingEthelredledanarmyagainstthem. Then they were obliged to fly for protection to their ships. The city of Canter- bury was still in the hands of the Danes. Olaf led his army against it and forced their defences.