palace. Here the King and the Bishop kept separate tables in the
halls, each for his own retinue; but the King dined in the upper
story. He ordered certain districts to furnish his nobility and
household with provisions. Andrew Plytt had the inspection of the
King's table, and delivered out to the courtiers, retainers, masters
of the Lights, and other attendants their usual allowance. After the
proper arrangements were taken concerning the disposal of the fleet,
the different captains went whither their ships were laid up. The
Barons who remained at Kirkwall were Briniolf Johnston, Erling Alfson,
Ronald Urka, Erling of Birkey, John Drotning, and Erlend Red. The
other Barons repaired to their proper districts.

King Haco had spent the summer in much watchfulness and anxiety. Being
often called to deliberate with his captains, he had enjoyed little
rest, and when he arrived at Kirkwall, he was confined to his bed by
his disorder. Having lain for some nights, the illness abated, and he
was on foot for three days. On the first day he walked about in his
apartments; on the second, he attended at the Bishop's chapel to hear
mass; and on the third he went to Magnus's Church, and walked round
the shrine of St Magnus, Earl of Orkney. He then ordered a bath to be
prepared, and got himself shaved. Some nights after he relapsed, and
took again to his bed. During his sickness, he ordered the Bible and
Latin authors to be read to him. But finding his spirits were too much
fatigued by reflecting on what he had heard, he desired Norwegian
books might be read to him night and day; first the lives of Saints,
and, when they were ended, he made his attendants read the Chronicles
of our Kings from Haldan the Black, and so of all the Norwegian
Monarchs in succession, one after the other. The King still found his
disorder increasing. He, therefore, took into consideration the pay to
be given to his troops, and commanded that a mark of fine silver