EN127.28 Seabattle
Ott 2025
S. Frethorik
3. Liudgeart’s Diary
c. Friso Takes Command
127.28 Now Friso wanted to sail with all his men to Fryasland, where he had been once before. But most of them refused. So Friso went and shot fire into the town with [128] its royal storehouses. As a result, no one could — nor dared — remain, and all were relieved once they had made it out. Except for the women and children, we left everything behind, though we were well equipped with provisions and armaments. Yet Friso still had no peace. When we passed the old harbor, he went off with his bold men for a surprise attack, shooting fire into the ships he could reach with his arrows.
After six days, we saw Demetrius’ battle fleet approaching. Friso ordered us to keep back the smaller ships in a broad line and to put the more massive ones with women and children in front. He also called for us to move the crossbows from the fore to the stern of the ships. “Because,” he said, “we ought to flee as we fight. None may take it upon themselves to pursue any of the enemy.” “This,” he said, “is my decree.”
While we were busy getting these things ready, the wind turned against us, which frightened the cowardly and the women. Because we had no slaves except those who had voluntarily joined us, we could not escape them by rowing. But Wralda had a plan. And Friso, [129] who understood, quickly had burning arrows placed on the crossbows, with the order to wait until he shot first. He also told us to aim for the central ship. “If that target is hit hard enough,” he said, “the others will come to his aid, and then we must all shoot as best we can.”
When they were a cable and a half distance off,[1] the Phoenicians started shooting, but Friso did not answer until the first arrow landed six fathoms from his ship.[2] Then he loosed a shot, and the rest followed. It was like a rain of fire and, as our arrows went with the wind, they all remained alight and reached even the third line. Everyone shouted and cheered, but when we heard the dreadful cries of our adversaries, our hearts were broken. When Friso deemed that it was safe to do so, he called us off and we sped away.
But once we had plied on for two days, another fleet of thirty ships came into view, gaining on us all the time. Friso had us again prepare, but the other fleet sent forward a light longboat full of rowers. Messengers bade us on behalf of them all for permission to join us. They were Ionians who had been forced by Demetrius to sail to the [130] old harbor. There, they had heard of the battle, which led them to don the proud sword and follow us.[3] Friso, who had often sailed with the Ionians, said yes. But Wichhirte, our king, said no. “The Ionians are idol worshipers,” he said. “I myself have heard how they invoke them.”
Friso replied: “It comes through their dealings with the native Greeks. I have often done the same myself, yet I am as true a Frya as the finest of you.” And, as Friso was the one who must guide us to Fryasland, the Ionians joined us.
And this also seemed to be in accordance with Wralda’s will, for within three months we rounded Britannia; three days later, we could cheer, “huzzah!”
Notes
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EN125.05 Demetrius ᐊ previous/next ᐅ EN130.21 Northland
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EN125.05 Demetrius ᐊ previous/next ᐅ EN118.32 Fleet
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Chapter S3: Sandbach 1876