Archery in King Olaf Tryggvasson's Saga

Andrew Gould — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:49:11 +1000

In one famous story, King Olaf Tryggvasson's Saga, the King's longship has been surrounded by his enemy, Earl Eric Hakonsson . . .

Earl Hakonsson was in the forehold of his ship, where a shield wall had been set up . . . everything that could be used as a missile was being thrown. Some shot with bows, others hurled javelins. In fact so many weapons rained down, so thickly flew the spears and arrows, that the shields barely withstood them. Einar Tambarskelve, one of the sharpest of archers, stood by the mast shooting his bow. He shot an arrow at Earl Eric which hit the tiller-end so hard that it penetrated up to its shaft. The Earl looked around and asked if anyone had seen who had shot, just as another arrow flew between his hand and his side and sank so far into the head-board that it came out the other side.

Then the Earl called to Fin "Shoot that man by the mast!".

Fin shot and his arrow hit the middle of Einar's bow just as he was drawing it, and split it in two.

"What was that, that just broke with such a noise?" called King Olaf.

"Norway, King", called Einar, "From your grip!".