he, "I make the solemn vow, and take God to witness, who made me [1], and rules over all things, that never shall I clip or comb my hair until I have subdued the whole of Norway, with scatt [2], and duties, and domains; or if not, have died in the attempt." Guttorm thanked the king warmly for his vow; adding, that it was royal work to fulfil royal words.
Chapter V.
The battle in Orkadal.
After this the two relations gather together a great force, and prepare for an expedition to the Uplands, and northwards up the valley (Gudbrandsdal), and north over Dovrefielde; and when the king came down to the inhabited land he ordered all the men to be killed, and every thing wide around to be delivered to the flames. And when the people came to know this, they fled every one where he could; some down the country to Orkadal, some to Gaulerdal, some to the forests. But some begged for peace, and obtained it, on condition of joining the king and becoming his men. He met no opposition until he came to Orkadal. There a crowd of people had assembled, and he had his first battle with a king called Gryting. Harald won the victory, and King Gryting was made prisoner, and most of his people killed. He took service himself under the king, and swore fidelity to him. Thereafter all the people in Orkadal district went under King Harald, and became his men.
Chapter VI.
Of King Harald's laws for land property.
King Harald made this law over all the lands he conquered, that all the udal property should belong to him; and that the bonders, both great and small,
- ↑ This appears a Christian interpolation; at least we find no such vows among the other saga heroes of the Odin religion.
- ↑ Scatt was a land-tax, paid to the king in money, malt, meal, or flesh-meat, from all lands; and was adjudged by the Tiling to each king upon his accession, and being proposed and accepted as king.In Orkney, where the land in general has been feudalised since the annexation in 1463 of the islands to the Scotch crown, the old udal tax of scatt remains as an item in the feu-duties payable to the crown.
