[3] hlífðut ‘did not protect’: (a) The meaning of oddar hlífðut sœfi hlenna could be straightforwardly, ‘the [Norwegians’] spear-points did not protect the slayer of robbers [Haraldr]’, i.e. the row of spears afforded no defence. (b) On the other hand, hlífðut could well be an ironic understatement: ‘the [enemy] points did not spare him’—indeed, they were the death of him.