The Battle of Yrifanger

The Battle of Yrifanger (862) was battle between Fjordheim, and Nordaland and Krøyland. It was the biggest battle of The Second War of Krøyland, and took place outside the fjord Yrifanger. It is also remembered as one of the biggest naval battles in Norden.



Before
Håkon Håkonsønn Rimøks had been retreating westwards along the coast in with his fleet, away from a fleet from Fjordheim, when he finally met his reinforcements from Nordaland. They then descided to trick their enemy. The now united fleet continued sailing west, but when they passed the fjord Yrifanger, the ships from Nordaland hid in the fjord. Håkon's ships continued sailing west, until the fleet from Fjordheim had passed Yrifanger. As the hidden fleet sailed out of the fjord they turned, and effectively surrendered the enemy fleet.

The Battle
The battle was fought between warriors onboard longships, with the ships of Fjordheim having to fight in two directions. Archers released arrows upon the enemy ships, but the majority of the fighting happended thorough shieldwalls onboard ships, as the warriors tried to board each others ships. Håkon Håkonsønn Rimøks is said to have been leading the boarding of the enemy's flag-ship, and killed the enemy jarl himself- by smashing his head and helmet with his large axe known as "Rimøks". The suprise and chaos, as well as the disadvantage of being surrendered, is probably what caused Fjordheim to lose.

Aftermath
The battle largely let Håkon Håkonsønn Rimøks win the war, leading to a unification of Nordaland and Krøyland.