Erling Skakke had given leave on Sunday to all the merchant vessels to leave Bergen; and on Tuesday, as soon as the early mass was over, he ordered the warhorns to sound, summoned to him the men-at-arms and the townsmen, and let the ships which were laid up on shore be drawn down into the water.Then Erling held a House-Thing with his men and the people of the levy; told them his intentions; named ship commanders; and had the names called over of the men who were to be on board of the king's ship.This Thing ended with Erling's order to every man to make himself ready in his berth wherever a place was appointed him; and declared that he who remained in the town after the Baekisudin was hauled out, should be punished by loss of life or limb.Orm, the king's brother, laid his ships out in the harbour immediately that evening, and many others, and the greater number were afloat before.
6.OF ERLING SKAKKE.
On Wednesday, before mass was sung in the town, Erling sailed from Bergen with all his fleet, consisting of twenty-one ships;and there was a fresh breeze for sailing northwards along the coast.Erling had his son King Magnus with him, and there were many lendermen accompanied by the finest men.When Erling came north, abreast of the Fjord district, he sent a boat on shore to Jon Halkelson's farm, and took Nikolas, a son of Simon Skalp and of Maria, Harald Gille's daughter, and brought him out to the fleet, and put him on board the king's ship.On Friday, immediately after matins, they sailed to Steinavag, and King Hakon, with thirteen ships, was lying in the harbour in the neighbourhood.He himself and his men were up at play upon the island, and the lendermen were sitting on the hill, when they saw a boat rowing from the south with two men in it, who were bending back deep towards the keel, and taking hasty strokes with their oars.When they came to the shore they did not belay the boat, but both ran from it.The great men seeing this, said to each other, "These men must have some news to tell;" and got up to meet them.When they met, Onund Simonson asked, "Have ye any news of Erling Skakke, that ye are running so fast?"They answered, as soon as they could get out the words, for they had lost their breath, "Here comes Erling against you, sailing from the south, with twenty-one ships, or thereabouts, of which many are great enough; and now ye will soon see their sails."Then said Eindride Unge, "Too near to the nose, said the peasant, when his eye was knocked out."They went in haste now to where the games were playing, and immediately the war-horns resounded, and with the battle-call all the people were gathered down to the ships in the greatest haste.
It was just the time of day when their meat was nearly cooked.
All the men rushed to the ships, and each ran on board the vessel that was nearest to him, so that the ships were unequally manned.
Some took to the oars; some raised the masts, turned the heads of the vessels to the north, and steered for Veey, where they expected much assistance from the towns.
7.FALL OF KING HAKON.
Soon after they saw the sails of Erling's fleet, and both fleets came in sight of each other.Eindride Unge had a ship called Draglaun, which was a large buss-like long-ship, but which had but a small crew; for those who belonged to her had run on board of other ships, and she was therefore the hindmost of Hakon's fleet.When Eindride came abreast of the island Sek, the Baekisudin, which Erling Skakke himself commanded, came up with her; and these two ships were bound fast together.King Hakon and his followers had arrived close to Veey; but when they heard the war-horn they turned again to assist Eindride.Now they began the battle on both sides, as the vessels came up.Many of the sails lay midships across the vessels; and the ships were not made fast to each other, but they lay side by side.The conflict was not long before there came disorder in Hakon's ship; and some fell, and others sprang overboard.Hakon threw over him a grey cloak, and jumped on board another ship; but when he had been there a short time he thought he had got among his enemies; and when he looked about him he saw none of his men nor of his ships near him.Then he went into the Baekisudin to the forecastle-men, and begged his life.They took him in their keeping, and gave him quarter.In this conflict there was a great loss of people, but principally of Hakon's men.In the Baekisudin fell Nikolas, Simon Skalp's son; and Erling's men are accused of having killed him themselves.Then there was a pause in the battle, and the vessels separated.It was now told to Erling that Hakon was on board of his ship; that the forecastle-men had taken him, and threatened that they would defend him with arms.
Erling sent men forwards in the ship to bring the forecastle-men his orders to guard Hakon well, so that he should not get away.
He at the same time let it be understood that he had no objection to giving the king life and safety, if the other chiefs were willing, and a peace could be established.All the forecastle-men gave their chief great credit and honour for these words.
Then Erling ordered anew a blast of the war-horns, and that the ships should be attacked which had not lost their men; saying that they would never have such another opportunity of avenging King Inge.Thereupon they all raised a war-shout, encouraged each other, and rushed to the assault.In this tumult King Hakon received his death-wound.When his men knew he had fallen they rowed with all their might against the enemy, threw away their shields, slashed with both hands, and cared not for life.This heat and recklessness, however, proved soon a great loss to them;for Erling's men saw the unprotected parts of their bodies, and where their blows would have effect.The greater part of Hakon's men who remained fell here; and it was principally owing to the want of numbers, as they were not enough to defend themselves.