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28 THE SCANDINAVIANS, AND
BOOK i. of Ella by Regnar's sons, and this story having little
CHAP^II. SUpp0rt from Northern history, we may claim attention
for the much more numerous Scandinavian
authorities, which state that Regnar Lodbrog perished
in Ireland, being captured and put to death by Hella
(Ailill), an Irish prince. It is distinctly stated by
Saxo Grammaticus 1
that Regnar Lodbrog invaded
Ireland, and, having killed its king, Melbricus, be-
sieged and took Dublin, where he remained a year.
Unfortunately, Saxo is not equally clear respecting
Hella he says that "the Galli" having expelled
Ivar, Regnar's son, and conferred the authority of
king on Hella, son of Hamon, " Regnar landed, and
after a protracted battle, forced Hella to fly, although
supported by the valour of the Galli."
But whether these Galli were the people of Wales
or the Welsh of Cornwall, who were in constant com-
munication with the people of the south of Ireland,
and Hella, an Irish prince, who then ruled over them,
we are left to conjecture. Saxo, however, adds, that
"
Hella, having repaired to the Irish, put to death
all who had joined Regnar;" and that "Regnar
attacking him with a fleet," was captured and thrown
into prison, where he paid the just penalty for his
persecution
of Christians. 2
1 Saxo Grammat., Danica Hist., in opem filiis Hyberniam petit,
Frankfort, 1576, p. 158. " Verum occisoque ejus regc Melbrico, Dyhanc
moeroris acerbitatem Ivari ilinain barbaris opibus refertissi-
regno pulsi repentinus detraxit ad- mam obsedit, oppugnavit, accepit;
ventus. Quippe Galli, fugato eo, ibiquc annuo stativis habitis," &c.,
in Hellam qucndam Hamon is (ilium &c., ct seq.
falsain regis contulerant potcsta- LLangcbck, vol. i., p. 268, A.D.
tern, &c., &c. 826 " Persecutio Regneriana con-
"Cumque ibidem Regnerus annum tra Xovitios Christianos." Saxo,
victor explcwet consequenter excitia p. 1 58, "Superveniens enim Regne-