The Norwegian Account of Haco’s Expedition Against Scotland.

JOHNSTONE, James [Translator].

$975.00

Item Number: 146130

Copenhagen: Printed for the author, 1782.

Rare first edition of this classic account of Haco’s campaign against Alexander III of Scotland in 1263, a campaign that culminated in the Battle of Largs and resulted in Håkon’s death. Small octavo, bound in half calf over marbled boards, gilt morocco spine label. In very good condition.

King Håkon IV of Norway lived from 1204 to 16 December 1263. He is also referred to as Haakon or Haco. The Norwegian Account of Haco's Expedition Against Scotland, 1263 is a classic account of Håkon or Haco's campaign against Alexander III of Scotland in 1263, a campaign that culminated in the Battle of Largs and resulted in Håkon's death. The account was first published in 1782 by the Rev. James Johnstone, Chaplain to His Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Denmark. He translated it into English from the original Flateyan and Frisian Manuscripts which were written in Old Norse from the personal recollections of many who were involved on the Norwegian side. It is often said that the victor writes history: not in this case, but the Norse authors of the original manuscripts do a fine job in talking up the heroism of the Norwegians who, in the event, suffered a fairly narrow tactical loss that eventually resulted in a major strategic defeat for Norwegian interests in the Western Isles.