Introduction
In 1098, Magnus III ‘Barelegs’, King of Norway, boldly reasserted Norway’s authority over the Isles and Man, a realm of islands around Scotland’s coastline which the Vikings had dominated for over two centuries. Pleased with his progress, Magnus sailed on south to Anglesey, where he stumbled upon a party of Normans celebrating victory over Gruffudd ap Cynan, King of Gwynedd.
AFTERWARDS King Magnus sailed to Wales; and when he came to the sound of Anglesey there came against him an army from Wales, which was led by two [Norman] earls: Hugo the Brave, and Hugo the Stout.* They began immediately to give battle, and there was a severe conflict.* King Magnus shot with the bow; but Hugo the Brave was all over in armour, so that nothing was bare about him excepting one eye. King Magnus let fly an arrow at him, as also did a Halogaland man who was beside the king.* They both shot at once. The one shaft hit the nose-screen of the helmet, which was bent by it to one side, and the other arrow hit the earl’s eye, and went through his head; and that [arrow] was found to be the king’s. Earl Hugo fell, and the Britons fled with the loss of many people. King Magnus gained the victory in this battle, and then took Anglesey Isle, which was the farthest south the Norway kings of former days had ever extended their rule. Anglesey is a third part of Wales.*
* Hugo the Brave is Hugh of Montgomery (?-1098), 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury, also known as ‘the Red’. Hugo the Stout is Hugh d’Avranches (?1047-1101), 1st Earl of Chester, also known as ‘the Fat’. The two Norman barons jointly led an assault on Gruffudd ap Cynan (?1055-1137), King of Gwynedd (r. 1081–1137), in 1098, driving him out into Ireland and recovering Anglesey, which had been lost to the Welsh in a revolt four years earlier.
* It is known today as the Battle of Anglesey Sound.
* Hålogaland is a region of far northern Norway, a coastal strip of fjords with many havens for longships.
* The area governed by the Isle of Anglesey County Council today measures some 276 square miles. Wales as it is today measures some 8,000 square miles. It may be that Sturluson was including ancient Gwynedd (984 square miles today), which is thought to have submitted to his rule along with Anglesey.
Précis
In 1098, Magnus III of Norway came buccaneering through the Hebrides down to Wales, where he stumbled across two Norman barons who at once gave him battle. One of them, Hugh of Montgomery, was clad all in armour but for one eye, but Magnus managed to shoot him through his peephole and the English fled, leaving Anglesey in Magnus’s hands. (60 / 60 words)
In 1098, Magnus III of Norway came buccaneering through the Hebrides down to Wales, where he stumbled across two Norman barons who at once gave him battle. One of them, Hugh of Montgomery, was clad all in armour but for one eye, but Magnus managed to shoot him through his peephole and the English fled, leaving Anglesey in Magnus’s hands.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, because, besides, despite, may, must, whereas.
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