Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

SAGA OF HARALD GRAAFELD. 193
that the earls were a short way off with a great host. Then the earl turned
his host thither, and the name of the place was " Duncansness," above which
they met, and it came to a great battle between them. Kari turns to meet
Earl Melsnate, and Melsnate hurls a spear at Kari ; but Kari caught the spear,
and hurls it back through Melsnate. Then Earl Htuidi fled ; and they chased
the fleers until they heard that King Malcolm was gathering a host at Duncans-
bay. Then the earl took counsel with his men, and it seemed best to all not to
fight against such a land force ; so they turned back." — Burnt Njal, from 1003
to 1033.
Besides Donald Bain, Malcolm Casnmore is said to have had another bro-
ther, Melsnate, Melnare, or Oberard. "Earl Hundi"must have been their
grandfather, " Crynan," Abthane of Dunkeld and the Hebudes, the husband
of Bethoc. In the sagas, " the gracious Duncan " is sometimes called " Earl
Hundason," and " the king, whose father was only an earl;" for succession to
the throne through a female was contrary to the laws of Scandinavia, and this
was the first instance of the kind in Scotland.
Harald, the eldest surviving son of Eric Blodaxe, became chief King of Nor- 963.
way; and Gunhilda, under the title of " King-mother," held the most authority.
There were also many chiefs in the land — " Tryggve Olafson" in the Eastland ;
Gudrod Biornson in Westfold ; and " Sigurd Earl of Lade," in Drontheimland ;
but by means of messages and embassies it was settled that they should hold
their lands of Gunhilda's sons, as they had done from Hakon. Little good is
recorded of this Harald, except the incident from which he derived his name.
Once he went on board a ship, laden with skins, which had just arrived from
Iceland, and the captain complained that no one would buy them. Then King
Harald asked for a skin, and'wrapped himself up in it, and all his suite did the
same. Next day every one came for skins, so that there were not half enough ;
and from that time King Harald was called "Harald Graafcld" (Grey Skin).
Soon after " King Tryggve Olafson " and " King Gudrod Biornson," two
grandsons of Harald Haarfagers, were killed by Gunhilda's sons ; and they
sought also to kill Earl Hakon, but he sailed to Denmark and remained all
winter with the Danish King, " Harald Gormson." At last Hakon worked
upon the king to send messengers to his foster-son, Harald Graafeld, to offer to
give him up his fiefs and lands in Denmark if he would come and be invested in
them. In summer, therefore, after much consultation with his mother and his
friends, Harald went with three long ships, and landed at Lymfiord, on a narrow
neck of land, where the Danish king was expected. But Earl Hakon had per-
suaded Gormson to send a cousin, named " Gold Harald " (who troubled him
in Denmark, demanding half the kingdom), to meet Harald Graafeld, that he