Every evening he assembled all the men-at-arms by the war-horn out of the town; and for a long time in the winter they lay under arms all night, ready to be drawn up in array.At last Erling got intelligence that Sigurd and his followers were not far distant, up at the farm Re.Erling then began his expedition out of the town, and took with him all the towns-people who were able to carry arms and had arms, and likewise all the merchants; and left only twelve men behind to keep watch in the town.Erling went out of the town on Thursday afternoon, in the second week of Lent (February 19); and every man had two days' provisions with him.They marched by night, and it was late before they got out of the town with the men.Two men were with each shield and each horse; and the people, when mustered, were about 1200 men.When they met their spies, they were informed that Sigurd was at Re, in a house called Rafnnes, and had 500 men.Then Erling called together his people; told them the news he had received, and all were eager to hasten their march, fall on them in the houses, or engage them by night.
Erling replied to them thus: -- "It is probable that we and Earl Sigurd shall soon meet.There are also many men in this band whose handy-work remains in our memories; such as cutting down King Inge, and so many more of our friends, that it would take long to reckon them up.These deeds they did by the power of Satan, by witchcraft, and by villainy; for it stands in our laws and country rights, that however highly a man may have been guilty, it shall be called villainy and cowardly murder to kill him in the night.This band has had its luck hitherto by following the counsel of men acquainted with witchcraft and fighting by night, and not in the light of day; and by this proceeding have they been victorious hitherto over the chiefs whose heads they have laid low on the earth.Now we have often seen, and proved, how unsuitable and improper it is to go into battle in the nighttime; therefore let us rather have before our eyes the example of chiefs better known to us, and who deserve better to be imitated, and fight by open day in regular battle array, and not steal upon sleeping men in the night.We have people enough against them, so few as they are.Let us, therefore, wait for day and daylight, and keep together in our array in case they attack us."Thereafter the whole army sat down.Some opened up bundles of hay, and made a bed of it for themselves; some sat upon their shields, and thus waited the daydawn.The weather was raw, and there was a wet snowdrift.
13.OF EARL SIGURD'S BATTLE ARRAY.
Earl Sigurd got the first intelligence of Erling's army, when it was already near to the house.His men got up, and armed themselves; but not knowing how many men Erling had with him, some were inclined to fly, but the most determined to stand.
Earl Sigurd was a man of understanding, and could talk well, but certainly was not considered brave enough to take a strong resolution; and indeed the earl showed a great inclination to fly, for which he got many stinging words from his men-at-arms.
As day dawned, they began on both sides to draw up their battle array.Earl Sigurd placed his men on the edge of a ridge between the river and the house, at a place at which a little stream runs into the river.Erling and his people placed their array on the other side of the river; but at the back of his array were men on horseback well armed, who had the king with them.When Earl Sigurd's men saw that there was so great a want of men on their side, they held a council, and were for taking to the forest.
But Earl Sigurd said, "Ye alleged that I had no courage, but it will now be proved; and let each of you take care not to fail, or fly, before I do so.We have a good battle-field.Let them cross the bridge; but as soon as the banner comes over it let us then rush down the hill upon them, and none desert his neighbour."Earl Sigurd had on a red-brown kirtle, and a red cloak, of which the corners were tied and turned back; shoes on his feet; and a shield and sword called Bastard.The earl said, "God knows that I would rather get at Erling Skakke with a stroke of Bastard, than receive much gold."14.EARL SIGURD'S FALL.
Erling Skakke's army wished to go on to the bridge; but Erling told them to go up along the river, which was small, and not difficult to cross, as its banks were flat; and they did so.
Earl Sigurd's array proceeded up along the ridge right opposite to them; but as the ridge ended, and the ground was good and level over the river, Erling told his men to sing a Paternoster, and beg God to give them the victory who best deserved it.Then they all sang aloud "Kyrie Eleison", and struck with their weapons on their shields.But with this singing 300 men of Erling's people slipped away and fled.Then Erling and his people went across the river, and the earl's men raised the war-shout; but there was no assault from the ridge down upon Erling's array, but the battle began upon the hill itself.They first used spears then edge weapons; and the earl's banner soon retired so far back, that Erling and his men scaled the ridge.
The battle lasted but a short time before the earl's men fled to the forest, which they had close behind them.This was told Earl Sigurd, and his men bade him fly; but he replied, "Let us on while we can." And his men went bravely on, and cut down on all sides.In this tumult fell Earl Sigurd and Jon Sveinson, and nearly sixty men.Erling lost few men, and pursued the fugitives to the forest.There Erling halted his troops, and turned back.
He came just as the king's slaves were about stripping the clothes off Earl Sigurd, who was not quite lifeless.He had put his sword in the sheath, and it lay by his side.Erling took it, struck the slaves with it, and drove them away.Then Erling, with his troops, returned, and sat down in Tunsberg.Seven days after Earl Sigurd's fall Erling's men took Eindride Unge prisoner, and killed him, with all his ship's crew.
15.MARKUS OF SKOG, AND SIGURD SIGURDSON.