The Skald's Tale (4): The Year of 7½ Battles

It seemed to be quite suddenly,

Arrived the end of Season 3.

When so many warbands were clashing.

Seven point five battles in all were fought;

Leaving Vikings atop the leaderboard

(Though Iceland took a bashing).

Internal revolts and wounds from battle

Kept Scots, Norse and Normans home with their cattle

With no choice but to take it.

Tavish Mc T was left alone

And Sibbald chose to leave his home -

But Ubbason was not to make it.

Odin and Hugin watched over this time

(When the raven was not in Muspelheim)

Keeping one eye on the action.

While the fates (who were not so nice)

Seemed often to control the dice,

Favouring no particular faction.

Conflict opened with Conn's bold raid

Against the Norse Gaels in Strathclyde

(Not this time obsessed by cattle).

Within that land they burned and harried,

Departing soon with much gold carried;

Leif's vaults emptied after battle.

Meanwhile Gunnblasdt (Leif's oathsworn)

Sought to improve Iceland's form

By raiding in Vestfold;

And though Norwegians paid the price

Of Ubbason's blood sacrifice,

The Icelanders were repelled.

A boost to Anglo Danish pride -

It turned out luck was on their side

When Oldenburg gave up its prize.

The Anglo Danes obtained great riches,

Despite Cnut's persistent bitches

About Alfred's lucky dice.

And Cnut was once again to suffer

When the Norse Gaels proved much tougher,

Invading his homeland.

Fighting on the open plains

They rapidly saw off the Danes

And took control of Jutland.

Not long could Leif enjoy success

Ere Strathclyde was by Welshmen pressed;

Once more he faced disaster.

His cunning plan of slow retreat

Guaranteed Norse Gael defeat.

Caradog is now Strathclyde's master.

Iceland then would face the test

When Cnut met Gunnblasdt in Bulanssness -

A Springbok Viking duel.

For many turns it looked to be

The long awaited Icelandic victory,

But how the fates are cruel!

Gunnblasdt, reeling from defeat

Determined this should not repeat,

And gainst the Franks fought bravely.

Seeing the chance of a quick win

He charged at Charlemal (all in);

Missed - fell - found himself in slavery.

With their Jarl thus deported

Iceland's people now revolted

And chaos quickly followed.

Anglo Saxons under Aethelflaed

Were thus unopposed upon their raid,

So helped themselves to gold*.

*What meagre spoils of war they'd find

Were just scraps that were left behind

For Gunnblasdt had but little.

And so as Anglo Saxon might

Prevailed without a fight,

It only counts as half a battle.

Now our skald has left a space

At the end here, just in case

A new Jarl comes to reign.

A hero who would have a liking

To take charge of this band of Vikings

And make Iceland great again.