Saxo Snake-Eye

4. 10. First of all he set about breaking the Scanian power and waged
a heavy battle with the insurgents on the field which in Latin is called
Wool. Ivar, only 7 years old, fought remarkably, displaying a mature
strength in his young body. Sigvard, however, while throwing himself
head-on at his opponents, fell forward to the ground and was
wounded. This accident gave such serious concern to the watching
allies that they considered fleeing, and not only Sigvard was
demoralized but almost the whole armed might on Ragnar‘s side.
Nevertheless Ragnar strengthened their stunned and drooping spirits
by his manly conduct and inspiration and forced them to try for
victory just when they were prepared to accept subjugation.

4. 11. Lathgertha too, with a measure of vitality at odds with her
tender frame, restored the mettle of the faltering soldiery by a
splendid exhibition of bravery. She flew round the rear of the
unprepared enemy in a circling manoeuvre and carried the panic
which had been felt by the allies into the camp of their adversaries.
Finally, when Harald’s line had given way, his troops been massacred
in abundance and their leader put to flight, she returned home from
the battle; that night she stuck a dart, which she had concealed
beneath her gown, into her husband’s throat, thereby seizing for
herself his whole sovereignty and title. This woman, of the haughtiest
temperament, found it pleasanter to govern a realm alone than share
the fortunes of her husband.

4. 12. In the meanwhile Sigvard was borne to a neighbouring town
and his body delivered to the care of doctors. When their efforts had
proved completely hopeless since the terrific gash responded to none
of their poultices, an amazingly tall person* was observed to approach
the sickbed; he guaranteed to Sigvard that he would immediately
enjoy sound health provided he would consecrate to him the souls of
those men he was to strike down in war. Nor did he remain
anonymous, but went on to give his name as Roster. Realizing that
he could gain a vast blessing at the price of one small promise,
Sigvard gladly acceded to his request. Then the old man, touching
the discoloured point of infection, cleared it away with a quick
manipulation of his hand and promptly stretched a scar across the
wound. Lastly, after sprinkling dust on his irises, Roster departed.
Spots unexpectedly appeared in his staring eyes and the dust
produced what looked strikingly like little snakes. I could well believe
that the one who staged this miracle wanted to give a more obvious
proof of the young man’s future savagery through his eyes, so that
this penetrating feature of his person should not fail to offer some
prognostication of his subsequent life. An old crone, who was there to
administer his medicines, took one glance at his countenance bearing
these serpentine marks, recoiled from the young fellow in peculiar
terror, and, slumping suddenly to the floor, fainted away. So it came
about that the popular name of Snake-eye was widely attached to
Sigvard.


- Gesta Danorum, Book IX


("Odin once more. He has appeared under the same name earlier, at iii 4. 2." - Footnote included with translation)