Then Thorolf became so furious that he cast his shield on his back, and, grasping his halberd with both
hands, bounded forward dealing cut and thrust on either side. Men sprang away from him both ways,
but he slew many. Thus he cleared the way forward to earl Hring’s standard, and then nothing could
stop him. He slew the man who bore the earl’s standard, and cut down the standard-pole. After that he
lunged with his halberd at the earl’s breast, driving it right through mail-coat and body, so that it came
out at the shoulders; and he lifted him up on the halberd over his head, and planted the butt-end in the
ground. There on the weapon the earl breathed out his life in sight of all, both friends and foes. Then
Thorolf drew his sword and dealt blows on either side, his men also charging. Many Britons and Scots
fell, but some turned and fled.

But earl Adils seeing his brother’s fall, and the slaughter of many of his force, and the flight of some,
while himself was in hard stress, turned to fly, and ran to the wood. Into the wood fled he and his
company; and then all the force that had followed the earl took to flight. Thorolf and Egil pursued the
flying foe. Great was then the slaughter; the fugitives were scattered far and wide over the heath. Earl
Adils had lowered his standard; so none could know his company from others.

And soon the darkness of night began to close in. Thorolf and Egil returned to their camp; and just
then king Athelstan came up with the main army, and they pitched their tents and made their
arrangements. A little after came king Olaf with his army; they, too, encamped and made their
arrangements where their men had before placed their tents. Then it was told king Olaf that both his
earls Hring and Adils were fallen, and a multitude of his men likewise.

Chapter 54 - The fall of Thorolf.
King Athelstan had passed the night before in the town whereof mention was made above, and there
he heard rumour that there had been fighting on the heath. At once he and all the host made ready and
marched northwards to the heath. There they learnt all the tidings clearly, how that battle had gone.
Then the brothers Thorolf and Egil came to meet the king. He thanked them much for their brave
advance, and the victory they had won; he promised them his hearty friendship. They all remained
together for the night.

No sooner did day dawn than Athelstan waked up his army. He held conference with his captains, and
told them how his forces should be arranged. His own division he first arranged, and in the van thereof
he set those companies that were the smartest.

Then he said that Egil should command these: ’But Thorolf,’ said he, ’shall be with his own men and
such others as I add thereto. This force shall be opposed to that part of the enemy which is loose and
not in set array, for the Scots are ever loose in array; they run to and fro, and dash forward here and
there. Often they prove dangerous if men be not wary, but they are unsteady in the field if boldly
faced.’

Egil answered the king: ’I will not that I and Thorolf be parted in the battle; rather to me it seems well
that we two be placed there where is like to be most need and hardest fighting.’

Thorolf said, ’Leave we the king to rule where he will place us, serve we him as he likes best. I will, if
you wish it, change places with you.’

Egil said, ’Brother, you will have your way; but this separation I shall often rue.’