Gamle Eirikssen

Gamle Eirikssen was a 10th-century Norwegian ruler. He was born about 910 in Norway. He was the eldest son of King Eric Bloodaxe and his Queen Gunnhild. He was named after Gunhild's father, the Danish king Gorm the Old. Gamle is said to have died in 955 fighting against king Hákon the Good near the village of Nedre Frei during the Battle of Rastarkalv on the island of Frei in Nordmøre.

Legacy

Gamle's death was avenged by Harald Greycloak, who killed Hákon at the Battle of Fitjar. According to several kings' sagas this was the subject of an exchange of Skaldic stanzas between the opposing skalds Glúmr Geirason and Eyvindr skáldaspillir. Glúmr began with a bragging stanza praising king Harald:
To this, Eyvindr retorted by insulting the memory of Gamle and praising the dead king Hákon: