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254 HALLS ANI) BUILDIN08.

led him into the higli-seat with him-8 Saga, ch. 24).

A great change was madę in tlie position of the higli-seat in later times by Olaf Kyrri (the Quiet), King of Norway (1067-1093), who placed ii the inuer end of the hall where the cross-bench stood, instead of being in the centro of the long benches.

The benches were so madę as to allow the guests to place at their backs, along the wali, their shields and swords, &e.

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Fig. 1096.—Chair with five distinct rows of runes. The uppermost inscriptiou gives the natne of the owner uf the chair—Thortmn Benedikt’s daughter. On the front part of the seat are carved the twelve signs of the Zodine, and aboye these their names in Latin, with runes; underneath them aro inscribed in runes the Latin names of the twelve months.

“ It was an old custom in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden to liave doors at each end of the hall in king’s residences and feasting halls, with the king’s high seat on the middle of the long bench facing toward the sun. The cjueen sat on the left band of the king, and the seat was then called Ondvegi (higli-seat) ; the seats next to this on both sides were the most dignitied for men and women, while the one next to the door was the least. The most high-bom, old and wise man, was the king’s counsellor, as it was then the custom of kings to have wise men who knew ancient examples and customs of their forefathers, but the counsellor sat ou the northern bench opposite the king, on what was called the lower higli-seat; there were also women on his right hand, hut men on his left. It was then the custom for chicfs to carry the ale over the fire, and drink to the man sitting in the opposite high seat, and it was a great honour at tliat time to be toasted by the king.

** King Olaf had a raiscd bench placed in his fcast halls, and put his high seat on the middle of the cross bench. He

Fig. 1097.—Chair from the Church of Grund, Icelnnd. Ileight. 39 inehes; width, 30£ irches; depth, 17 inehes. Thesc two chuirs are now in the ęhl Northern Musemn of Copcnhagen. The seats, which are but little ornnmented on the back, show that tliey were intended to be placed along a wali, and were undoubtedly covered by cushions. The lower part of the chair forms a box, with a smali lid in the seat; on the upper part of its back, and on both the side-pieces, are inscri]>tions in later runes.

arrangcd his pages and candle boys in front; he also had a candle held in front of erery high-born man who sat at his table, and a page holding a table cup before each ; he had also cbairs (stools) for his marshals and other wise men ” (Kagr-skinna, c. 219, 220).

A few seats, which have been saved from destruction, are beautifully earved with subjects from the Sagas.