Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 But sith we are entred to speake thus farre of the Norwegians, here by the waie I haue thought it not impertinent to the purpose of this Irish histo|rie, to write what we find recorded in the chronicles of those northernlie regions, Denmarke, Norweie, and Sweden, written by Saxo Grammaticus, Al|bertus Saxo Gram. Alber. Crantz. Crantz, and others, concerning the sundrie in|uasions made by the Danes, Norwegians, or Nor|mans (whether we list to call them) into Ireland. Fridleie or Fridlenus king of Denmarke that suc|ceeded Fridlenus. Dan the third of that name, surnamed the Swift, arriuing in Ireland, besieged the citie of Dublin, & perceiuing by the strength of the walles, Dublin be|sieged. that it would be an hard matter to win it by plaine force of hand without some cunning policie, he deui|sed to catch a sort of swallowes that had made their nests in the houses within the towne, tied wild fier to their wings, and therewith cast them vp, and suf|fered them to flie their waies, wherevpon they com|ming to their nests, set the houses on fier, which whiles Dublin set an fire, and won by the Danes. the citizens went about to quench, the Danes entred the citie and wan it.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 Secondlie, Frotho king of Denmarke, the third of that name, after he had subdued the Britons here Frotho the third. in this Ile, made a voiage into Ireland also, where he landed with some danger: for the Irishmen had strawed all alongest the shore a great number of cal|trops Caltrops strawed by the Irish to annoie the Danes. of iron, with sharpe pricks standing vp, to wound the Danes in the féet, as they should come foorth of their ships to follow them, for they meant to flee of a pretensed policie for that purpose. But Fro|tho perceiuing their deceitfull craft, followed them more aduisedlie than rashlie, and so put their cap|teine named Keruill to fight, and siue him in the field; whose brother remaining in life, & mistrusting Keruill go|uernour of Irishmen slaine. his owne puissance, yéelded himselfe to Frotho, who diuiding the preie amongst his souldiers and men of warre, shewed thereby that he onelie sought for glo|rie and not for gaine, reseruing not a pennie of all the spoile to his owne vse. After this, in the daies of Frotho the fourth. king Frotho the fourth of that name, which reigned ouer the Danes, one Starcater a giant, in compa|nie Starcater [...] giant. of Haco a Danish capteine, made a iournie like|wise into Ireland, where in the same season, one Huglet reigned as monarch ouer that Ile: who ha|uing plentie of treasure, was yet so giuen to coue|tousnesse, Huglet king of Ireland. that by such vnprincelie parts as he plaid, to satisfie his graedie desire to fill his coffers, he be|came right odious, and farre out of all fauor with his subiects. Yet there were of his nobles, verie valiant and worthie men, namelie two, Gegathus, & Suib|danus: wherevpon, when it came to passe that he Gegathus & Suibdanus. should ioine in battell with his enimies the Danes, the most part of all his people fled out of the field, so that Gegath and Suibdaue were in maner left a|lone. For they regarding their honors and dutie that apperteined to men of their calling, would not flie, but manfullie did what laie in their powers to beat backe the enimies, insomuch that Gegathus raught Haco such a wound, that the vpper part of his liuer Haco woun|ded. Starcat [...] wounded. appeared bare. He also wounded Starcater in the head right sore, so that in all his life daies, he had not before that time receiued the like hurt: in the end yet Huglet the monarch of Ireland was slaine, and Huglet slaine. Starcater obteining the victorie, did make great slaughter of the Irish subiects, the which had followed their king to this battell, being men (thorough his corrupt example and slouthfull trade of life) degene|rat from all warlike order and vse of manlike exer|cise.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 After this, the Danes went vnto Dublin, which towne they easilie tooke, and found such store of ri|ches Dublin w [...]. and treasure therein, that euerie man had so much as he could wish or desire; so as they needed not to fall out among themselues for the partition, sith there was so much for each mans share as he could conuenientlie carrie awaie. Thus hath Saxo Gram|maticus written in effect of Starcaters comming into Ireland: of whome the Danish writers make such mention, both for his huge stature and great manhood. Some haue thought, that Starcater was the verie same man which the Scots name Finmac|cole, of whome in the Scotish historie we haue made mention: but whereas the Scotish writers affirme that he was a Scotish man borne, the Danish wri|ters report that he was borne in Eastland, among the people called Estones. Reignirus the sonne of Reignirus. Siwardus the second king of Denmarke, hauing atchiued sundrie victories in England and Scotland, and subdued the Iles of Orkneie, he passed likewise into Ireland, siue Melbricke king of that land, and tooke the citie of Dublin by siege, where he remained Melbricke king of Ire|land slaine. the whole tearme of twelue moneths before he de|parted from thense.