Part 102 - Crew On Board Of The Long Serpent

Ulf the Red was the name of the man who bore King Olaf's banner, and was in the forecastle of the Long Serpent;

and with him was

• Kolbjorn the marshal,
• Thorstein Uxafot,
• and Vikar of Tiundaland, a brother of Arnliot Gelline.

By the bulkhead next the forecastle were

• Vak Raumason from Gaut River,
• Berse the Strong,
• An Skyte from Jamtaland,
• Thrand the Strong from Thelamork,
• and his brother Uthyrmer.

Besides these were, of Halogaland men,

• Thrand Skjalge
• and Ogmund Sande,
• Hlodver Lange from Saltvik,
• and Harek Hvasse;

together with these Throndhjem men —

• Ketil the High,
• Thorfin Eisle,
• Havard
• and his brothers from Orkadal.

The following were in the fore-hold:

• Bjorn from Studla,
• Bork from the fjords.
   
• Thorgrim Thjodolfson from Hvin,
• Asbjorn and Orm,
• Thord from Njardarlog,
• Thorstein the White from Oprustadar,
• Arnor from More,
• Halstein and Hauk from the Fjord district,
• Eyvind Snak,
• Bergthor Bestil,
• Halkel from Fialer,
• Olaf Dreng,
• Arnfin from Sogn,
• Sigurd Bild,
• Einar from Hordaland,
• and Fin,
• and Ketil from Rogaland
• and Grjotgard the Brisk.

The following were in the hold next the mast:

• Einar Tambaskelfer, who was not reckoned as fully experienced, being only eighteen years old;
• Thorstein Hlifarson,
• Thorolf,
• Ivar Smetta,
• and Orm Skogarnef.

Many other valiant men were in the Serpent, although we cannot tell all their names. In every half division of the hold were eight men, and each and all chosen men; and in the fore-hold were thirty men. It was a common saying among people, that the Long Serpent's crew was as distinguished for bravery, strength, and daring, among other men, as the Long Serpent was distinguished among other ships.

Thorkel Nefja, the king's brother, commanded the Short Serpent; and Thorkel Dydril and Jostein, the king's mother's brothers, had the Crane; and both these ships were well manned. King Olaf had eleven large ships from Throndhjem, besides vessels with twenty rowers' benches, smaller vessels, and provision-vessels.