The Jarl talked to him in every way to make him cheerful, and brought forward everything he could think of to amuse him; but the King remained stern, and speaking little.

At last the Jarl proposed a game of chess, which he agreed to.

A chess-board was produced, and they played together.

Jarl Ulf was hasty in temper, stiff, and in nothing yielding; but everything he managed went on well in his hands: and he was a great warrior, about whom there are many stories.

He was the most powerful man in Denmark next to the King.