When King Haco heard these tidings they gave him much uneasiness, and
he laid the case before his council. Whatever objections were made,
the resolution was then taken, that King Haco should in winter, about
Christmas,[12] issue an edict through all Norway, and order out both
what troops and provisions he thought his dominions could possibly
supply for an expedition. He commanded all his forces to meet him at
Bergen, about the beginning of spring.


MCCLXIII.

Near the middle of Lent King Haco travelled from Drontheim[13] to
Orkadal, thence east through the mountains to Bahus,[14] and so
eastwards to Elfar[15] to see Earl Birger,[16] according to an
appointment that they should meet at Liodhus in Easter week. But when
King Haco came to Liodhus[17] the Earl was already gone away, and so
the King returned north to Bahus.

King Haco arrived at Bergen on the day of the invention of the
Cross.[18] He remained there during the spring, and proceeded in his
preparations with great diligence. Prince Magnus, having given the
necessary directions through Rygiafulke[19] concerning the expedition
and the equipment of the fleet, went to join King Haco. After that a
great number of Barons, and officers, and vassals, and a vast many
soldiers flocked in daily to the Capital.

King Haco held a general council near Bergen at Backa.[20] There the
numerous host was assembled together. The King then declared,
concerning the expedition, that this whole army was intended against
Scotland in the western seas, and to revenge the inroads which the