Swedes fled; and King Hake subdued the country, and became king of Sweden. He then sat quietly at home for three years; but during that time his combatants went abroad on viking expeditions, and gathered property for themselves.
Chapter XXVI.
King Gudlög's death.
Jorund and Eric, the sons of Yngve Alricson, lay all this time in their war-ships, and were great warriors. One summer they marauded in Denmark, where they met a King Gudlög, and had a battle with him, which ended in their clearing Gudlög’s ship and taking him prisoner. They carried him to the land at Stromöness, and hanged him there, and afterwards his men raised a mound over him. So says Eyvind Skaldaspiller:—
"By the fierce East-kings'[1] cruel pride,
Gudlög must on the wild horse ride—
The wildest horse you e’er did see:
'Tis Segur’s steed—the gallows tree.
At Stromoness the tree did grow,
Where Gudlög’s corpse waves on the bough.
A high stone stands on Stromo’s heath,
To tell the gallant hero’s death."
Chapter XXVII.
Of King Hake.
The brothers Eric and Jorund became more celebrated by this deed, and appeared to be much greater men than before. When they heard that King Hake in Sweden had sent from him his champions, they steered towards Sweden, and gathered together a strong force. As soon as the Swedes heard that the Ynglingers were come to them, they flocked to the brothers in multitudes. The brothers proceeded up the Mælare lake, and advanced towards Upsal against King Hake, who came out against them on the Fyrisvold with far fewer people. There was a great battle, in which King Hake went forward so bravely that he killed all who were nearest to him, and at last killed King Eric, and cut down the banner of the two brothers. King Jorund with all his men fled to their
- ↑ The Swedish kings Jorund and Eric, of Yngve’s race, are said to be of the East—as relative to Norway, from which Gudlog came.
