The Norwegian account of Hacos expedition against Scotland, A.D. MCCLXIII

The Norwegian account of Haco's
expedition against Scotland, A.D.
MCCLXIII.

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expedition
against Scotland, A.D. MCCLXIII., by Sturla Þórðarson This eBook is
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Title: The Norwegian account of Haco's expedition against Scotland,
A.D. MCCLXIII.
Author: Sturla Þórðarson
Translator: James Johnstone
Release Date: May 2, 2006 [EBook #18299]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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EXPEDITION ***

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THE
NORWEGIAN ACCOUNT
OF
HACO'S EXPEDITION
AGAINST
SCOTLAND;
A.D. MCCLXIII.
LITERALLY TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL ISLANDIC
OF THE FLATEYAN AND FRISIAN MSS.
WITH NOTES.

BY THE
REV. JAMES JOHNSTONE, A.M. CHAPLAIN TO HIS BRITANNIC
MAJESTY'S ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AT THE COURT OF
DENMARK.

Originally Printed for the Author in 1782.

EDINBURGH WILLIAM BROWN, 149 PRINCES STREET. 1882

* * * * *
TO
ARCHIBALD MACDONALD, ESQ.,
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
FOR
NEWCASTLE UNDER LINE;
THIS FRAGMENT OF ANCIENT SCOTTISH HISTORY,
CONTAINING SEVERAL ANECDOTES OF HIS
ANCESTORS
THE
LORDS OF THE HEBRIDES
IS
INSCRIBED.
* * * * *

Exactly one hundred years ago this Translation of the Norwegian
Account of Haco's Invasion of Scotland first issued from the press.
Since then, amid much literature upon the subject, it has always held a
most important place in the eyes of the student of early Scottish
History.
As an authentic source of information it has been eagerly sought after,
but it has an additional attraction in the graphic pictures which it

presents of the various perils by land and sea encountered by the hardy
Norsemen.
The translator's valuable notes are given in extenso, and for easier
reference are transferred from the end of the work and printed on the
pages to which they belong.
* * * * *

PREFACE.
(1782.)
The editor, from some particular advantages he enjoyed, was
encouraged to collect such inedited fragments as might elucidate
antient history. He, lately, published "Anecdotes of Olave the Black,
king of Man;" and now lays before the learned the Norwegian account
of Haco's celebrated expedition against Scotland.
It was the editor's intention to have given a succinct detail of the
descents made by the northern nations upon the British isles, but an
increase of materials induced him to reserve that subject for a future
work. At present, therefore, he thinks it sufficient to premise that the
Æbudæ were, long, the cause of much dispute between various
kingdoms. They seemed naturally connected with Scotland; but the
superior navies of Lochlin rendered them liable to impressions from
that quarter.
The situation of the Kings of the Isles was peculiarly delicate; for,
though their territories were extensive, yet they were by no means a
match for the neighbouring states. On this account, allegiance was
extorted from them by different Sovereigns. The Hebridian Princes
considered this involuntary homage, as, at least, implying protection:
and, when that was not afforded, they thought themselves justified in
forming new connexions more conducive to their safety.
The Alexanders of Scotland having united Galloway, then a powerful

maritime state, to their dominions, began to think of measures for
obtaining a permanent possession of the Hebrides by expelling the
Norwegians. The preparatory steps they took were first to secure the
Somerled family, and next to gain over the insular chieftains. Haco was
no less earnest to attach every person of consequence to his party. He
gave his daughter in marriage to Harold King of Man; and, on different
occasions, entertained at his court King John, Gilchrist, Dugall the son
of Rudri, Magnus Earl of Orkney, Simon bishop of the Sudoreys, and
the abbot of Icolmkil.
All this, however, did not effectually conciliate the Somerlidian tribe.
The Norwegian Monarch, disappointed in his negotiations, had
recourse to the sword, and sailed with a fleet, which both the
Sturlunga-saga, and the Flateyan annals represent as the most
formidable that ever left the ports of Norway.
It would be improper for the editor to draw any comparison between
the Scottish and Norwegian narratives; he, therefore, leaves it to the
discernment of the reader to fix what medium he thinks reasonable.
The Flateyan and Frisian are the principal MSS. now extant, that
contain the life of Haco the aged. The first belongs to the library of His
Danish Majesty, the latter is deposited in the Magnæan collection. Of
them the editor obtained copies; and by the help of the one was enabled,
reciprocally, to supply