Erling brought up at Hrossanes, and lay there some nights.In the meantime King Hakon made preparations in the town.When Erling and his fleet were coming up to the town, they took a merchant vessel, filled it with wood and straw, and set fire to it; and the wind blowing right towards the town, drove the vessel against the piers.Erling had two cables brought on board the vessel, and made fast to two boats, and made them row along as the vessel drove.Now when the fire was come almost abreast of the town, those who were in the boats held back the vessel by the ropes, so that the town could not be set on fire; but so thick a smoke spread from it over the town, that one could not see from the piers where the king's array was.Then Erling drew the whole fleet in where the wind carried the fire, and shot at the enemy.
When the townspeople saw that the fire was approaching their houses, and many were wounded by the bowmen, they resolved to send the priest Hroald, the long-winded speaker, to Erling, to beg him to spare them and the town; and they dissolved the array in favour of Hakon, as soon as Hroald told them their prayer was granted.Now when the array of towns-people had dispersed, the men on the piers were much thinned: however, some urged Hakon's men to make resistance: but Onund Simonson, who had most influence over the army, said, "I will not fight for Earl Sigurd's earldom, since he is not here himself." Then Onund fled, and was followed by all the people, and by the king himself; and they hastened up the country.King Hakon lost many men here; and these verses were made about it: --"Onund declares he will not go In battle 'gainst Earl Sigurd's foe, If Earl Sigurd does not come, But with his house-men sits at home.
King Magnus' men rush up the street, Eager with Hakon's troop to meet;But Hakon's war-hawks, somewhat shy, Turn quick about, and off they fly."Thorbjorn Skakkaskald also said: --"The Tunsberg men would not be slow In thy good cause to risk a blow;And well they knew the chief could stain The wolves' mouths on a battle-plain.
But the town champion rather fears The sharp bright glance of levelled spears;Their steel-clad warrior loves no fight Where bowstring twangs, or fire flies bright."King Hakon then took the land-road northwards to Throndhjem.
When Earl Sigurd heard of this, he proceeded with all the ships he could get the seaway north-wards, to meet King Hakon there.
4.OF ERLING AND HAKON.
Erling Skakke took all the ships in Tunsberg belonging to King Hakon, and there he also took the Baekisudin which had belonged to King Inge.Then Erling proceeded, and reduced the whole of Viken in obedience to King Magnus, and also the whole country north wheresoever he appeared up to Bergen, where he remained all winter.There Erling killed Ingebjorn Sipil, King Hakon's lenderman of the north part of the Fjord district.In winter (A.D.1162) King Hakon was in Throndhjem; but in the following spring he ordered a levy, and prepared to go against Erling.He had with him Earl Sigurd, Jon Sveinson, Eindride Unge, Onund Simonson, Philip Peterson, Philip Gyrdson, Ragnvald Kunta, Sigurd Kapa, Sigurd Hiupa, Frirek Keina, Asbjorn of Forland, Thorbjorn, a son of Gunnar the treasurer, and Stradbjarne.
5.OF ERLING'S PEOPLE.
Erling was in Bergen with a great armament, and resolved to lay a sailing prohibition on all the merchant vessels which were going north to Nidaros; for he knew that King Hakon would soon get tidings of him, if ships were sailing between the towns.
Besides, he gave out that it was better for Bergen to get the goods, even if the owners were obliged to sell them cheaper than they wished than that they should fall into the hands of enemies and thereby strengthen them.And now a great many vessels were assembled at Bergen, for many arrived every day, and none were allowed to go away.Then Erling let some of the lightest of his vessels be laid ashore, and spread the report that he would wait for Hakon, and, with the help of his friends and relations, oppose the enemy there.He then one day called a meeting of the ship-masters, and gave them and all the merchant ships and their steersmen leave to go where they pleased.When the men who had charge of the cargoes, and were all ready to sail away with their goods, some for trade, others on various business, had got leave from Erling Skakke to depart, there was a soft and favourable wind for sailing north along the coast.Before the evening all who were ready had set sail, and hastened on as fast as they could, according to the speed of their vessels, the one vying with the other.When this fleet came north to More, Hakon's fleet had arrived there before them: and he himself was there fully engaged in collecting people, and summoning to him the lendermen, and all liable to serve in the levy, without having for a long time heard any news from Bergen.Now, however, they heard, as the latest news, that Erling Skakke had laid his ships up in Bergen, and there they would find him; and also that he had a large force with him.King Hakon sailed from thence to Veey, and sent away Earl Sigurd and Onund Simonson to gather people, and sent men also to both the More districts.After King Hakon had remained a few days at the town he sailed farther, and proceeded to the South, thinking that it would both promote his journey and enable new levies to join him sooner.