Chapter 9 - Battle in Hafr’s Firth.
King Harold proclaimed a general levy, and gathered a fleet, summoning his forces far and wide
through the land. He went out from Throndheim, and bent his course southwards, for he had heard that
a large host was gathered throughout Agdir, Rogaland, and Hordaland, assembled from far, both from
the inland parts above, and from the east out of Vik, and many great men were there met who
purposed to defend their land from the king. Harold held on his way from the north, with a large force,
having his guards on board. In the forecastle of the king’s ship were Thorolf Kveldulfsson, Bard the
White, Kari of Berdla’s sons, Aulvir Hnuf and Eyvind Lambi, and in the prow were twelve Berserks
of the king.

The fleets met south in Rogaland in Hafr’s Firth. There was fought the greatest battle that king Harold
had had, with much slaughter in either host. The king set his own ship in the van, and there the battle
was most stubborn, but the end was that king Harold won the victory. Thorir Longchin, king of Agdir,
fell there, but Kjotvi the wealthy fled with all his men that could stand, save some that surrendered
after the battle. When the roll of Harold’s army was called, many were they that had fallen, and many
were sore wounded. Thorolf was badly wounded, Bard even worse; nor was there a man unwounded
in the king’s ship before the mast, except those whom iron bit not to wit the Berserks.

Then the king had his men’s wounds bound up, and thanked them for their valour, and gave them
gifts, adding most praise where he thought it most deserved. He promised them also further honour,
naming some to be steersmen, others forecastle men, others bow-sitters. This was the last battle king
Harold had within the land; after this none withstood him; he was supreme over all Norway.

The king saw to the healing of his men, whose wounds gave them hope of life, as also to the burial of
the dead with all customary honours. Thorolf and Bard lay wounded. Thorolf’s wounds began to heal,
but Bard’s proved mortal. Then Bard had the king called to him, and spoke thus:

’If it so be that I die of these wounds, then I would ask this of thee, that I may myself name my heir.’

To this when the king assented, then said he:

’I will that Thorolf my friend and kinsman take all my heritage, both lands and chattels. To him, also,
will I give my wife and the bringing up of my son, because I trust him for this above all men.’

This arrangement he made fast, as the law was, with the leave of the king. Then Bard died, and was
buried, and his death was much mourned. Thorolf was healed of his wounds, and followed the king,
and had won great glory.

In the autumn the king went north to Throndheim. Then Thorolf asked to go north to Halogaland, to
see after those gifts which he had received in the summer from his kinsman Bard. The king gave leave
for this, adding a message and tokens that Thorolf should take all that Bard had given him, showing
that the gift was with the counsel of the king, and that he would have it so. Then the king made
Thorolf a baron, and granted him all the rights which Bard had had before, giving him the journey to
the Finns on the same terms. He also supplied to Thorolf a good long-ship, with tackling complete,
and had everything made ready for his journey thence in the best possible way. So Thorolf set out, and
he and the king parted with great affection.