Stamford Bru [English translation]

"Listen Harald Sigurdsson,

To the dreams-signs of brother Olaf."

"Your mind bent on power; silence it now;

Or you will tread a foul path."

Pay no heed to Jarl Toste,

Who goads us to fare for England."

"Tord he had an eerie dream,

'Tis by many as ill-omens deciphered."

In Spring of 1066: A journey was appraised.

Power-hungry King in Norway reigned,

And bid the lands' levies raised.

One hundred-and-five and ninety ships;

To the Jarl of Orkney, they sailed West,

And Jarl Torfinn's sons loaded

One hundred more longships.

They reached Jorvik town; and wails of battle were met.

The Earl Muru-Kåre fell and Earl Valtjov - he fled.

Harald and Toste rushed a-forth,

But Earl Valtjov he to them swore,

"The Knight's of the King's table

You will meet at Stamford Bridge!"

Harald and Toste; the next day roamed;

No armor worn, not any.

Then, far off the sun did gleam

On helmets and byrnies many.

"The English King it surely is,

I'll summon the Thing-men to prepare for this,

The Norsemen warriors bewildered are;

They stand by Stamford Bridge."

They discussed; the ruling was; Let all men reassemble.

Whilst Styrkår rode down to the ships

As swiftly as he was able.

But to win themselves more time,

They bid Tjodulfr Strong-One;

That he must hinder the King's men,

Out there on Stamford Bridge.

And long Tjodulfr held his stand

'Gainst the Anglo-Saxon King;

But from underneath with spears they stabbed;

Thus, they overcame.

Then others in the battle into frenzy ran,

While Øystein and Styrkår and every man

From the ships they sprang, to get there in time -

Over to Stamford Bridge.

Harald in front of the shieldwall went

And hewed at both lanes!

When a Greylag feathered arrow flew -

T'was the Norse King's Bane!

Then Øystein and Styrkår they'd come;

Fully clad in mail coats everyone;

And toiled and soared - just almost won -

In the hills by Stamford Bridge.

Then the third slaughter began; the warcry - "Orrerira!";

And the number of fallen was great,

But the Norsemen were forced to flee!

Thus it went that William's men;

From the Frankish Realm; dominion won,

- The Right of Norseman Rule was gone -

Out there on Stamford Bridge... ...

• Artist:Harald Foss