Heimskringla
or
The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway

Saga of Olaf Haraldson: Part III

Online Medieval and Classical Library Release#15b

80. OF THE UPSALA THING.The first day the Thing sat, King Olaf was seated on a stool, andhis court stood in a circle around him.  Right opposite to himsat Earl Ragnvald and Thorgny in the Thing upon one stool, andbefore them the earl's court and Thorgny's house-people.  Behindtheir stool stood the bonde community, all in a circle aroundthem.  Some stood upon hillocks and heights, in order to hear thebetter.  Now when the king's messages, which are usually handledin the Things, were produced and settled, the marshal Bjorn rosebeside the earl's stool, and said aloud, "King Olaf sends me herewith the message that he will offer to the Swedish king peace,and the frontiers that in old times were fixed between Norway andSvithjod."  He spoke so loud that the Swedish king coulddistinctly hear him; but at first, when he heard King Olaf's namespoken, he thought the speaker had some message or business ofhis own to execute; but when he heard of peace, and the frontiersbetween Norway and Svithjod, he saw from what root it came, andsprang up, and called out that the man should be silent, for thatsuch speeches were useless.  Thereupon Bjorn sat down; and whenthe noise had ceased Earl Ragnvald stood up and made a speech.He spoke of Olaf the Thick's message, and proposal of peace toOlaf the Swedish king; and that all the West Gautland people senttheir entreaty to Olaf that he would make peace with the king ofNorway.  He recounted all the evils the West Gautlanders weresuffering under; that they must go without all the things fromNorway which were necessary in their households; and, on theother hand, were exposed to attack and hostility whenever theking of Norway gathered an army and made an inroad on them.  Theearl added, that Olaf the Norway king had sent men hither withthe intent to obtain Ingegerd the king's daughter in marriage.When the earl had done speaking Olaf the Swedish king stood upand replied, and was altogether against listening to anyproposals of peace, and made many and heavy reproaches againstthe earl for his impudence in entering into a peaceful truce withthe thick fellow, and making up a peaceful friendship with him,and which in truth he considered treason against himself.  Headded, that it would be well deserved if Earl Ragnvald weredriven out of the kingdom.  The earl had, in his opinion, theinfluence of his wife Ingebjorg to thank for what might happen;and it was the most imprudent fancy he could have fallen upon totake up with such a wife.  The king spoke long and bitterly,turning his speech always against Olaf the Thick.  When he satdown not a sound was to be heard at first.81. THORGNY'S SPEECH.Then Thorgny stood up; and when he arose all the bondes stood upwho had before been sitting, and rushed together from all partsto listen to what Lagman Thorgny would say.  At first there was agreat din of people and weapons; but when the noise was settledinto silent listening, Thorguy made his speech. "The dispositionof Swedish kings is different now from what it has been formerly.My grandfather Thorgny could well remember the Upsala king EirikEymundson, and used to say of him that when he was in his bestyears he went out every summer on expeditions to differentcountries, and conquered for himself Finland, Kirjalaland,Courland, Esthonia, and the eastern countries all around; and atthe present day the earth-bulwarks, ramparts, and other greatworks which he made are to be seen.  And, more over, he was notso proud that he would not listen to people who had anything tosay to him.  My father, again, was a long time with King Bjorn,and was well acquainted with his ways and manners.  In Bjorn'slifetime his kingdom stood in great power, and no kind of wantwas felt, and he was gay and sociable with his friends.  I alsoremember King Eirik the Victorious, and was with him on many awar-expedition.  He enlarged the Swedish dominion, and defendedit manfully; and it was also easy and agreeable to communicateour opinions to him.  But the king we have now got allows no manto presume to talk with him, unless it be what he desires tohear.  On this alone he applies all his power, while he allowshis scat-lands in other countries to go from him through lazinessand weakness.  He wants to have the Norway kingdom laid underhim, which no Swedish king before him ever desired, and therewithbrings war and distress on many a man.  Now it is our  will, webondes, that thou King Olaf make peace with the Norway king, Olafthe Thick, and marry thy daughter Ingegerd to him.  Wilt thou,however, reconquer the kingdoms in the east countries which thyrelations and forefathers had there, we will all for that purposefollow thee to the war.  But if thou wilt not do as we desire, wewill now attack thee, and put thee to death; for we will nolonger suffer law and peace to be disturbed.  So our forefatherswent to work when they drowned five kings in a morass at theMula-thing, and they were filled with the same insupportablepride thou hast shown towards us.  Now tell us, in all haste,what resolution thou wilt take."  Then the whole public approved,with clash of arms and shouts, the lagman's speech.The king stands up and says he will let things go according tothe desire of the bondes.  "All Swedish kings," he said, "havedone so, and have allowed the bondes to rule in all according totheir will."  The murmur among the bondes then came to an end,and the chiefs, the king, the earl, and Thorgny talked together,and concluded a truce and reconciliation, on the part of theSwedish king, according to the terms which the king of Norway hadproposed by his ambassadors; and it was resolved at the Thingthat Ingegerd, the king's daughter, should be married to OlafHaraldson.  The king left it to the earl to make the contractfeast, and gave him full powers to conclude this marriage affair;and after this was settled at the Thing, they separated.  Whenthe earl returned homewards, he and the king's daughter Ingegerdhad a meeting, at which they talked between themselves over thismatter.  She sent Olaf a long cloak of fine linen richlyembroidered with gold, and with silk points.  The earl returnedto Gautland, and Bjorn with him; and after staying with him ashort time, Bjorn and his company returned to Norway.  When hecame to King Olaf he told him the result of his errand, and theking returned him many thanks for his conduct, and said Bjorn hadhad great success in bringing his errand to so favourabie aconclusion against such animosity.82. OF KING HROREK'S TREACHERY.On the approach of spring (A.D. 1018) King Olaf went down to thecoast, had his ships rigged out, summoned troops to him, andproceeded in spring out from Viken to the Naze, and so north toHordaland.  He then sent messages to all the lendermen, selectedthe most considerable men in each district, and made the mostsplendid preparations to meet his bride.  The wedding-feast wasto be in autumn, at the Gaut river, on the frontiers of the twocountries.  King Olaf had with him the blind king Hrorek.  Whenhis wound was healed, the king gave him two men to serve him, lethim sit in the high-seat by his side, and kept him in meat andclothes in no respect Norse than he had kept himself before.Hrorek  was taciturn, and answered short and cross when any onespoke to him.  It was his custom to make his footboy, when hewent out in the daytime, lead him away from people, and then tobeat the lad until he ran away.  He would then complain to KingOlaf that the lad would not serve him.  The king changed hisservants, but it was as before; no servant would hold it out withKing Hrorek.  Then the king appointed a man called Svein to waitupon and serve King Hrorek.  He was Hrorek's relation, and hadformerly been in his service.  Hrorek continued with his habitsof moroseness, and of solitary walks; but when he and Svein werealone together, he was merry and talkative.  He used to bring upmany things which had happened in former days when he was king.He alluded, too, to the man who had, in his former days, torn himfrom his kingdom and happiness, and made him live on alms.  "Itis hardest of all," says he, "that thou and my other relations,who ought to be men of bravery, are so degenerated that thou wiltnot avenge the shame and disgrace brought upon our race."  Suchdiscourse he often brought out.  Svein said, they had too great apower to deal with, while they themselves had but little means.Hrorek said, "Why should we live longer as mutilated men withdisgrace?  I, a blind man, may conquer them as well as theyconquered me when I was asleep.  Come then, let us kill thisthick Olaf.  He is not afraid for himself at present.  I will laythe plan, and would not spare my hands if I could use them, butthat I cannot by reason of my blindness; therefore thou must usethe weapons against him, and as soon as Olaf is killed I can seewell enough that his power must come into the hands of hisenemies, and it may well be that I shall be king, and thou shaltbe my earl."  So much persuasion he used that Svein at lastagreed to join in the deed.  The plan was so laid that when theking was ready to go to vespers, Svein stood on the thresholdwith a drawn dagger under his cloak.  Now when the king came outof the room, it so happened that he walked quicker than Sveinexpected; and when he looked the king in the face he grew pale,and then white as a corpse, and his hand sank down.  The kingobserved his terror and said, "What is this, Svein?  Wilt thoubetray me?"  Svein threw down his cloak and dagger, and fell atthe king's feet, saying, "All is in Gods hands and thine, king!"The king ordered his men to seize Svein, and he was put in irons.The king ordered Hrorek's seat to be moved to another bench.  Hegave Svein his life, and he left the country.  The king appointeda different lodging for Hrorek to sleep in from that in which heslept himself, and in which many of his court-people slept.  Heset two of his court-men, who had been long with him, and whosefidelity he had proof of, to attend Hrorek day and night; but itis not said whether they were people of high birth or not.  KingHrorek's mood was very different at different times.  Sometimeshe would sit silent for days together, so that no man could get aword out of him; and sometimes he was so merry and gay, thatpeople found a joke in every word he said.  Sometimes his wordswere very bitter.  He was sometimes in a mood that he would drinkthem  all under the benches, and made all his neighbours drunk;but in general he drank but little.  King Olaf gave him plenty ofpocket-money.  When he went to his lodgings he would often,before going to bed, have some stoups of mead brought in, whichhe gave to all the men in the house to drink, so that he was muchliked.83. OF LITTLE FIN.There was a man from the Uplands called Fin the Little, and somesaid of him that he was of Finnish (1) race.  He was a remarkablelittle man, but so swift of foot that no horse could overtakehim.  He was a particularly well-excercised runner with snow-shoes, and shooter with the bow.  He had long been in the serviceof King Hrorek, and often employed in errands of trust.  He knewthe roads in all the Upland hills, and was well known to all thegreat people.  Now when King Hrorek was set under guards on thejourney Fin would often slip in among the men of the guard, andfollowed, in general, with the lads and serving-men; but as oftenas he could he waited upon Hrorek, and entered into conversationwith him.  The king, however, only spoke a word or two with himat a time, to prevent suspicion.  In spring, when they came alittle way beyond Viken, Fin disappeared from the army for somedays, but came back, and stayed with them a while.  This happenedoften, without anyone observing it particularly; for there weremany such hangers-on with the army.ENDNOTES:(1)  The Laplanders are called Fins In Norway and Sweden. -- L.84. MURDER OF OLAF'S COURT-MEN.King Olaf came to Tunsberg before Easter (A.D. 1018), andremained there late in spring.  Many merchant vessels came to thetown, both from Saxon-land and Denmark, and from Viken, and fromthe north parts of the country.  There was a great assemblage ofpeople; and as the times were good, there was many a drinkingmeeting.  It happened one evening that King Hrorek came ratherlate to his lodging; and as he had drunk a great deal, he wasremarkably merry.  Little Fin came to him with a stoup of meadwith herbs in it, and very strong.  The king made every one inthe house drunk, until they fell asleep each in his berth.  Finhad gone away, and a light was burning in the lodging.  Hrorekwaked the men who usually followed him, and told them he wantedto go out into the yard.  They had a lantern with them, foroutside it was pitch dark.  Out in the yard there was a largeprivy standing upon pillars, and a stair to go up to it.  WhileHrorek and his guards were in the yard they heard a man say, "Cutdown that devil;" and presently a crash, as if somebody fell.Hrorek said, "These fellows must be dead drunk to be fightingwith each other so: run and separate them."  They rushed out; butwhen they came out upon the steps both of them were killed: theman who went out the last was the first killed.  There weretwelve of Hrorek's men there, and among them Sigurd Hit, who hadbeen his banner-man, and also little Fin.  They drew the deadbodies up between the houses, took the king with them, ran out toa boat they had in readiness, and rowed away.  Sigvat the skaldslept in King Olaf's lodgings.  He got up in the night, and hisfootboy with him, and went to the privy.  But as they werereturning, on going down the stairs Sigvat's foot slipped, and hefell on his knee; and when he put out his hands he felt thestairs wet.  "I think," said he, laughing, "the king must havegiven many of us tottering legs tonight."  When they came intothe house in which light was burning the footboy said, "Have youhurt yourself that you are all over so bloody?"  He replied, "Iam not wounded, but something must have happened here." Thereupon he wakened Thord Folason, who was standard-bearer, andhis bedfellow.  They went out with a light, and soon found theblood.  They traced it, and found the corpses, and knew them.They saw also a great stump of a tree in which clearly a gash hadbeen cut, which, as was afterwards known, had been done as astratagem to entice those out who had been killed.  Sigvat andThord spoke together and agreed it was highly necessary to letthe king know of this without delay.  They immediately sent a ladto the lodging where Hrorek had been.  All the men in it wereasleep; but the king was gone.  He wakened the men who were inthe house, and told them what had happened.  The men arose, andran out to the yard where the bodies were; but, however needfulit appeared to be that the king should know it, nobody dared towaken him.Then said Sigvat to Thord, "What wilt thou rather do, comrade,waken the king, or tell him the tidings?"Thord replies, "I do not dare to waken him, and I would rathertell him the news."Then said Sigvat, "There is minch of the night still to pass, andbefore morning Hrorek may get himself concealed in such a waythat it may be difficult to find him; but as yet he cannot bevery far off, for the bodies are still warm.  We must never letthe disgrace rest upon us of concealing this treason from theking.  Go thou, up to the lodging, and wait for me there."Sigvat then went to the church, and told the bell-ringer to tollfor the souls of the king's court-men, naming the men who werekilled.  The-bell-ringer did as he was told.  The king awoke atthe ringing, sat up in his bed, and asked if it was already thehours of matins.Thord replies, "It is worse than that, for there has occurred avery important affair.  Hrorek is fled, and two of the court-menare killed."The king asked how this had taken place, and Thord told him allhe knew.  The king got up immediately, ordered to sound the callfor a meeting of the court, and when the people were assembled henamed men to go out to every quarter from the town, by sea andland, to search for Hrorek.  Thorer Lange took a boat, and setoff with thirty men; and when day dawned they saw two small boatsbefore them in the channel, and when they saw each other bothparties rowed as hard as they could.  King Hrorek was there withthirty men.  When they came quite close to each other Hrorek andhis men turned towards the land, and all sprang on shore exceptthe king, who sat on the aft seat.  He bade them farewell, andwished they might meet each other again in better luck.  At thesame moment Thorer with his company rowed to the land.  Fin theLittle shot off an arrow, which hit Thorer in the middle of thebody, and was his death; and Sigurd Hit, with his men, ran upinto the forest.  Thorer's men took his body, and transported it,together with Hrorek, to Tunsberg.  King Olaf undertook himselfthereafter to look after King Hrorek, made him be carefullyguarded, and took good care of his treason, for which reason hehad a watch over him night and day.  King Hrorek thereafter wasvery gay, and nobody could observe but that he was in every waywell satisfied.85. OF HROREK'S ASSAULT.It happened on Ascension-day that King Olaf went to high mass,and the bishop went in procession around the church, andconducted the king; and when they came back to the church thebishop led the king to his seat on the north side of the choir.There Hrorek sat next to the king, and concealed his countenancein his upper cloak.  When Olaf had seated himself Hrorek laid hishand on the king's shoulder, and felt it."Thou hast fine clothes on, cousin, today," said he.King Olaf replies, "It is a festival today, in remembrance thatJesus Christ ascended to heaven from earth."King Hrorek says, "I understand nothing about it so as to hold inmy mind what ye tell me about Christ. Much of what ye tell meappears to me incredible, although many wonderful things may havecome to pass in old times."When the mass was finished Olaf stood up, held his hands up overhis head, and bowed down before the altar, so that his cloak hungdown behind his shoulders.  Then King Hrorek started up hastilyand sharply, and struck at the king with a long knife of the kindcalled ryting; but the blow was received in the upper cloak atthe shoulder, because the king was bending himself forwards.  Theclothes were much cut, but the king was not wounded.  When theking perceived the attack he sprang upon the floor; and Hrorekstruck at him again with the knife, but did not reach him, andsaid, "Art thou flying, Olaf, from me, a blind men?"  The kingordered his men to seize him and lead him out of the church,which was done.  After this attempt many hastened to King Olaf,and advised that King Hrorek should be killed.  "It is," saidthey, "tempting your luck in the highest degree, king, to keephim with you, and protect him, whatever mischief he mayundertake; for night and day he thinks upon taking your life. And if you send him away, we know no one who can watch him sothat he will not in all probability escape; and if once he getsloose he will assemble a great multitude, and do much evil."The king replies, "You say truly that many a one has suffereddeath for less offence than Hrorek's; but willingly I would notdarken the victory I gained over the Upland kings, when in onemorning hour I took five kings prisoners, and got all theirkingdoms: but yet, as they were my relations, I should not betheir murderer but upon need.  As yet I can scarcely see whetherHrorek puts me in the necessity of killing him or not."It was to feel if King Olaf had armour on or not that Hrorek hadlaid his hand on the king's shoulder.86. KING HROREK'S JOURNEY TO ICELAND.There was an Iceland man, by name Thorarin Nefiulfson, who hadhis relations in the north of the country.  He was not of highbirth, but particularly prudent, eloquent, and agreeable inconversation with people of distinction.  He was also a far-travelled man, who had been long in foreign parts.  Thorarin wasa remarkably ugly man, principally because he had very ungainlylimbs.  He had great ugly hands, and his feet were still uglier.Thorarin was in Tunsberg when this event happened which has justbeen related, and he was known to King Olaf by their having hadconversations together.  Thorarin was just then done with riggingout a merchant vessel which he owned, and with which he intendedto go to Iceland in summer.  King Olaf had Thorarin with him as aguest for some days, and conversed much with him; and Thorarineven slept in the king's lodgings.  One morning early the kingawoke while the others were still sleeping.  The sun had newlyrisen in the sky, and there was much light within.  The king sawthat Thorarin had stretched out one of his feet from under thebed-clothes, and he looked at the foot a while.  In the meantimethe others in the lodging awoke; and the king said to Thorarin,"I have been awake for a while, and have seen a sight which wasworth seeing; and that is a man's foot so ugly that I do notthink an uglier can be found in this merchant town."  Thereuponhe told the others to look at it, and see if it was not so; andall agreed with the king.  When Thorarin observed what they weretalking about, he said, "There are few things for which youcannot find a match, and that may be the case here."The king says, "I would rather say that such another ugly footcannot be found in the town, and I would lay any wager upon it."Then said Thorarin, "I am willing to bet that I shall find anuglier foot still in the town."The king -- "Then he who wins shall have the right to get anydemand from the other he chooses to make.""Be it so," said Thorarin.  Thereupon he stretches out his otherfoot from under the bed-clothes, and it was in no way handsomerthan the other, and moreover, wanted the little toe.  "There,"said Thorarin, "see now, king, my other foot, which is so muchuglier; and, besides, has no little toe.  Now I have won."The king replies, "That other foot was so much uglier than thisone by having five ugly toes upon it, and this has only four; andnow I have won the choice of asking something from thee.""The sovereign's decision must be right," says Thorarin; "butwhat does the king require of me?""To take Hrorek," said the king, "to Greenland, and deliver himto Leif Eirikson."Thorarin replies, "I have never been in Greenland."The king -- "Thou, who art a far-travelled man, wilt now have anopportunity of seeing Greenland, if thou hast never been therebefore."At first Thorarin did not say much about it; but as the kinginsisted on his wish he did not entirely decline, but said, "Iwill let you hear, king, what my desire would have been had Igained the wager.  It would have been to be received into yourbody of court-men; and if you will grant me that, I will be themore zealous now in fulfilling your pleasure."  The king gave hisconsent, and Thorarin was made one of the court-men.  ThenThorarin rigged out his vessel, and when he was ready he took onboard King Hrorek.  When Thorarin took leave of King Olaf, hesaid, "Should it now turn out, king, as is not improbable, andoften happens, that we cannot effect the voyage to Greenland, butmust run for Iceland or other countries, how shall I get rid ofthis king in a way that will be satisfactory to you?"The king -- "If thou comest to Iceland, deliver him into thehands of Gudmund Eyolfson, or of Skapte, the lagman, or of someother chief who will receive my tokens and message of friendship.But if thou comest to other countries nearer to this, do so withhim that thou canst know with certainty that King Hrorek neveragain shall appear in Norway; but do so only when thou seest noother way of doing whatsoever."When Thorarin was ready for sea, and got a wind, he sailedoutside of all the rocks and islands, and when he was to thenorth of the Naze set right out into the ocean.  He did notimmediately get a good wind, but he avoided coming near the land.He sailed until he made land which he knew, in the south part ofIceland, and sailed west around the land out into the Greenlandocean.There he encountered heavy storms, and drove long about upon theocean; but when summer was coming to an end he landed again inIceland in Breidafjord.  Thorgils Arason (1) was the first man ofany consequence who came to him.  Thorarin brings him the king'ssalutation, message, and tokens, with which was the desire aboutKing Hrorek's reception.  Thorgils received these in a friendlyway, and invited King Hrorek to his house, where he stayed allwinter.  But he did not like being there, and begged thatThorgils would let him go to Gudmund; saying he had heard sometime or other that there in Gudmund's house, was the mostsumptuous way of living in Iceland, and that it was intended heshould be in Gudmund's hands.  Thorgils let him have his desire,and conducted him with some men to Gudmund at Modruveller.Gudmund received Hrorek kindly on account of the king's message,and he stayed there the next winter.  He did not like being thereeither; and then Gudmund gave him a habitation upon a small farmcalled Kalfskin, where there were but few neighbours.  ThereHrorek passed the third winter, and said that since he had laiddown his kingdom he thought himself most comfortably situatedhere; for here he was most respected by all.  The summer afterHrorek fell sick, and died; and it is said he is the only kingwhose bones rest in Iceland.  Thorarin Nefiulfson was afterwardsfor a long time upon voyages; but sometimes he was with KingOlaf.ENDNOTES:(1)  Thorgils was the son of Are Marson, who visited America     (Vindland).  Thorgils, who was still alive in the year 1024,     was noted for his kindness toward all persecuted persons.87. BATTLE IN ULFREKS-FJORD.The summer that Thorarin went with Hrorek to Iceland, HjalteSkeggjason went also to Iceland, and King Olaf gave him manyfriendly gifts with him when they parted.  The same summer EyvindUrarhorn went on an expedition to the west sea, and came inautumn to Ireland, to the Irish king Konofogor (1).  In autumnEinar earl of Orkney and this Irish king met in Ulfreks-fjord,and there was a great battle, in which Konofogor gained thevictory, having many more people.  The earl fled with a singleship and came back about autumn to Orkney, after losing most ofhis men and all the booty they had made.  The earl was muchdispleased with his expedition, and threw the blame upon theNorthmen, who had been in the battle on the side of the Irishking, for making him lose the victory.ENDNOTES:(1)  Konofogor's Irish name was Connor.88. OLAF PREPARES FOR HIS BRIDAL JOURNEY.Now we begin again our story where we let it slip -- at KingOlaf's travelling to his bridal, to receive his betrothedIngegerd the king's daughter.  The king had a great body of menwith him, and so chosen a body that all the great people he couldlay hold of followed him; and every man of consequence had achosen band of men with him distinguished by birth or otherqualifications.  The whole were well appointed, and equipped inships, weapons, and clothes.  They steered the fleet eastwards toKonungahella; but when they arrived there they heard nothing ofthe Swedish king and none of his men had come there.  King Olafremained a long time in summer (A.D. 1018) at Konungahella, andendeavored carefully to make out what people said of the Swedishking's movements, or what were his designs; but no person couldtell him anything for certain about it.  Then he sent men up toGautland to Earl Ragnvald, to ask him if he knew how it came topass that the Swedish king did not come to the meeting agreed on.The earl replies, that he did not know.  "But as soon," said he,"as I hear, I shall send some of my men to King Olaf, to let himknow if there be any other cause for the delay than the multitudeof affairs; as it often happens that the Swedish king's movementsare delayed by this more than he could have expected."89. OF THE SWEDISH KING'S CHILDREN.This Swedish king, Olaf Eirikson, had first a concubine who wascalled Edla, a daughter of an earl of Vindland, who had beencaptured in war, and therefore was called the king's slave-girl.Their children were Emund, Astrid, Holmfrid....  They had,besides, a son, who was born the day before St. Jacob's-day. When the boy was to be christened the bishop called him Jacob,which the Swedes did not like, as there never had been a Swedishking called Jacob.  All King Olaf's children were handsome inappearance, and clever from childhood.  The queen was proud, anddid not behave well towards her step-children; therefore the kingsent his son Emund to Vindland, to be fostered by his mother'srelations, where he for a long time neglected his Christianity.The king's daughter, Astrid, was brought up in West Gautland, inthe house of a worthy man called Egil.  She was a very lovelygirl: her words came well into her conversation; she was merry,but modest, and very generous.  When she was grown up she wasoften in her father's house, and every man thought well of her.King Olaf was haughty and harsh in his speech.  He took very illthe uproar and clamour the country people had raised against himat the Upsala Thing, as they had threatened him with violence,for which he laid the chief blame on Earl Ragnvald.  He made nopreparation for the bridal, according to the agreement to marryhis daughter Ingegerd to Olaf the king of Norway, and to meet himon the borders for that purpose.  As the summer advanced many ofhis men were anxious to know what the kings intentions were;whether to keep to the agreement with King Olaf, or break hisword, and with it the peace of the country.  But no one was sobold as to ask the king, although they complained of it toIngegerd, and besought her to find out what the king intended.She replied "I have no inclination to speak to the king againabout the matters between him and King Olaf; for he answered meill enough once before when I brought forward Olaf's name."  Inthe meantime Ingegerd, the king's daughter, took it to heart,became melancholy and sorrowful and yet very curious to know whatthe king intended.  She had much suspicion that he would not keephis word and promise to King Olaf; for he appeared quite enragedwhenever Olaf the Thick's name was in any way mentioned.90. OF THE SWEDISH KING OLAF'S HUNTING.One morning early the king rode out with his dogs and falcons,and his men around him.  When they let slip the falcons theking's falcon killed two black-cocks in one flight, and three inanother.  The dogs ran and brought the birds when they had fallento the ground.  The king ran after them, took the game from themhimself, was delighted with his sport, and said, "It will be longbefore the most of you have such success."  They agreed in this;adding, that in their opinion no king had such luck in hunting ashe had.  Then the king rode home with his followers in highspirits.  Ingegerd, the king's daughter, was just going out ofher lodging when the king came riding into the yard, and sheturned round and saluted him.  He saluted her in return,laughing; produced the birds, and told her the success of hischase."Dost thou know of any king," said he, "who made so great acapture in so short a time?""It is indeed," replied she, "a good morning's hunting, to havegot five black-cocks; but it was a still better when, in onemorning, the king of Norway, Olaf, took five kings, and subduedall their kingdoms."When the king heard this he sprang from his horse, turned toIngegerd, and said, "Thou shalt know, Ingegerd, that howevergreat thy love may be for this man, thou shalt never get him, norhe get thee.  I will marry thee to some chief with whom I can bein friendship; but never can I be a friend of the man who hasrobbed me of my kingdom, and done me great mischief by maraudingand killing through the land."  With that their conversationbroke off, and each went away.91. OLAF THE NORWAY KING'S COUNSELS.Ingegerd, the king's daughter, had now full certainty of KingOlaf's intention, and immediately sent men to West Gautland toEarl Ragnvald, and let him know how it stood with the Swedishking, and that the agreement made with the king of Norway wasbroken; and advising the earl and people of West Gautland to beupon their guard, as no peace from the people of Norway was to beexpected.  When the earl got this news he sent a message throughall his kingdom, and told the people to be cautious, and preparedin case of war or pillage from the side of Norway.  He also sentmen to King Olaf the Thick, and let him know the message he hadreceived, and likewise that he wished for himself to hold peaceand friendship with King Olaf; and therefore he begged him not topillage in his kingdom.  When this message came to King Olaf itmade him both angry and sorry; and for some days nobody got aword from him.  He then held a House-Thing with his men, and init Bjorn arose, and first took the word.  He began his speech bytelling that he had proceeded eastward last winter to establish apeace, and he told how kindly Earl Ragnvald had received him;and, on the other hand, how crossly and heavily the Swedish kinghad accepted the proposal. "And the agreement," said he, "whichwas made, was made more by means of the strength of the people,the power of Thorgny, and the aid of the earl, than by the king'sgood-will.  Now, on these grounds, we know for certain that it isthe king who has caused the breach of the agreement; therefore weought by no means to make the earl suffer, for it is proved thathe is King Olaf's firm friend."  The king wished now to hear fromthe chiefs and other leaders of troops what course he shouldadopt.  "Whether shall we go against Gautland, and maraud therewith such men as we have got; or is there any other course thatappears to you more advisable?"  He spoke both long and well.Thereafter many powerful men spoke, and all were at last agreedin dissuading from hostilities.  They argued thus: -- "Althoughwe are a numerous body of men who are assembled here, yet theyare all only people of weight and power; but, for a warexpedition, young men who are in quest of property andconsideration are more suitable.  It is also the custom of peopleof weight and power, when they go into battle or strife, to havemany people with them whom they can send out before them fortheir defence; for the men do not fight worse who have littleproperty, but even better than those who are brought up in themidst of wealth."  After these considerations the king resolvedto dismiss this army from any expedition, and to give every manleave to return home; but proclaimed, at the same time, that nextsummer the people over the whole country would be called out in ageneral levy, to march immediately against the Swedish king, andpunish him for his want of faith.  All thought well of this plan.Then the king returned northwards to Viken, and took his abode atSarpsborg in autumn, and ordered all things necessary for winterprovision to be collected there; and he remained there all winter(A.D. 1019) with a great retinue.92. SIGVAT THE SKALD'S JOURNEY EASTWARDS.People talked variously about Earl Ragnvald; some said he wasKing Olaf's sincere friend; others did not think this likely, andthought it stood in his power to warn the Swedish king to keephis word, and the agreement concluded on between him and KingOlaf.  Sigvat the poet often expressed himself in conversation asEarl Ragnvald's great friend, and often spoke of him to KingOlaf; and he offered to the king to travel to Earl Ragnvald's andspy after the Swedish kings doings, and to attempt, if possible,to get the settlement of the agreement.  The king thought well ofthis plan; for he oft, and with pleasure, spoke to hisconfidential friends about Ingegerd, the king's daughter.  Earlyin winter (A.D. 1019) Sigvat the skald, with two companions, leftSarpsborg, and proceeded eastwards over the moors to Gautland.Before Sigvat and King Olaf parted he composed these verses: --     "Sit happy in thy hall, O king!     Till I come back, and good news bring:     The skald will bid thee now farewell,     Till he brings news well worth to tell.     He wishes to the helmed hero     Health, and long life, and a tull flow     Of honour, riches. and success --     And, parting, ends his song with this.     The farewell word is spoken now __     The word that to the heart lies nearest;     And yet, O king!  before I go,     One word on what I hold the dearest,     I fain would say, "O!  may God save     To thee the bravest of the brave,     The land, which is thy right by birth!"     This is my dearest with on earth."Then they proceeded eastwards towards Eid, and had difficulty incrossing the river in a little cobble; but they escaped, thoughwith danger: and Sigvat sang: --     "On shore the crazy boat I drew,     Wet to the skin, and frightened too;     For truly there was danger then;     The mocking hill elves laughed again.      To see us in this cobble sailing,     And all our sea-skill unavailing.     But better did it end, you see,     Than any of us could foresee."Then they went through the Eid forest, and Sigvat sang: --     "A hundred miles through Eid's old wood,     And devil an alehouse, bad or good, --     A hundred miles, and tree and sky     Were all that met the weary eye.     With many a grumble, many a groan.     A hundred miles we trudged right on;     And every king's man of us bore     On each foot-sole a bleeding sore."They came then through Gautland, and in the evening reached afarm-house called Hof.  The door was bolted so that they couldnot come in; and the servants told them it was a fast-day, andthey could not get admittance.  Sigvat sang: --     "Now up to Hof in haste I hie,     And round the house and yard I pry.     Doors are fast locked -- but yet within,     Methinks, I hear some stir and din.     I peep, with nose close to the ground.     Below the door, but small cheer found.     My trouble with few words was paid --     "`Tis holy time,' the house-folkd said.     Heathens!  to shove me thus away!     I' the foul fiend's claws may you all lay."Then they came to another farm, where the good-wife was standingat the door. and told them not to come in, for they were busywith a sacrifice to the elves.  Sigvat sang of it thus: --     "`My poor lad, enter not, I pray!'     Thus to me did the old wife say;     `For all of us are heathens here,     And I for Odin's wrath do fear.'     The ugly witch drove me away,     Like scared wolf sneaking from his prey.     When she told me that there within     Was sacrifice to foul Odin."Another evening, they came to three bondes, all of them of thename of Olver, who drove them away.  Sigvat sang: --     "Three of one name,     To their great shame,     The traveller late     Drove from their gate!     Travellers may come     From our viking-home,     Unbidden guests     At these Olvers' feasts."They went on farther that evening, and came to a fourth bonde,who was considered the most hospitable man in the country; but hedrove them away also.  Then Sigvat sang: --     "Then on I went to seek night's rest     From one who was said to be the best,     The kindest host in the land around,     And there I hoped to have quarters found.     But, faith,'twas little use to try;     For not so much as raise an eye     Would this huge wielder of the spade:     If he's the hest, it must he said     Bad is the best, and the skald's praise     Cannot be given to churls like these.     I almost wished that Asta's son     In the Eid forest had been one     When we, his men, were even put     Lodging to crave in a heathen's hut.     I knew not where the earl to find;     Four times driven off by men unkind,     I wandered now the whole night o'er,     Driven like a dog from door to door."Now when they came to Earl Ragnvald's the earl said they musthave had a severe journey.  Then Sigvat sang: --     "The message-bearers of the king     From Norway came his words to bring;     And truly for their master they     Hard work have done before to-day.     We did not loiter on the road,     But on we pushed for thy abode:     Thy folk, in sooth, were not so kind     That we cared much to lag hehind.     But Eid to rest safe we found,     From robbers free to the eastern bound:     This praise to thee, great earl, is due --     The skald says only what is true."Earl Ragnvald gave Sigvat a gold arm-ring, and a woman said "hehad not made the journey with his black eyes for nothing." Sigvat sang: --     "My coal-black eyes     Dost thou despise?     They have lighted me     Across the sea     To gain this golden prize:     They have lighted me,     Thy eyes to see,     O'er Iceland's main,     O'er hill and plain:     Where Nanna's lad would fear to be     They have lighted me."Sigvat was long entertained kindly and well in the house of EarlRagnvald.  The earl heard by letters, sent by Ingegerd the king'sdaughter, that ambassadors from King Jarisleif were come fromRussia to King Olaf of Svithjod to ask his daughter Ingegerd inmarriage, and that King Olaf had given them hopes that he wouldagree to it.  About the same time King Olaf's daughter Astridcame to Earl Ragnvald's court, and a great feast was made forher.  Sigvat soon became acquainted by conversation with theking's daughter, and she knew him by name and family, for Ottarthe skald, Sigvat's sister's son, had long intimate acquaintancewith King Olaf, the Swedish king.  Among other things talked of,Earl Ragnvald asked Sigvat if the king of Norway would not marrythe king's daughter Astrid.  "If he would do that," said he, "Ithink we need not ask the Swedish king for his  consent." Astrid, the kings daughter, said exactly the same.  Soon afterSigvat returns home, and comes to King Olaf at Sarpsborg a littlebefore Yule.When Sigvat came home to King Olaf he went into the hall, and,looking around on the walls, he sang: --     "When our men their arms are taking     The raven's wings with greed are shaking;     When they come back to drink in hall     Brave spoil they bring to deck the wall --     Shield, helms, and panzers (1), all in row,     Stripped in the field from lifeless fow.     In truth no royal nail comes near     Thy splendid hall in precious gear."Afterwards Sigvat told of his journey, and sang these verses: --     "The king's court-guards desire to hear     About our journey and our cheer,     Our ships in autumn reach the sound,     But long the way to Swedish ground.     With joyless weather, wind and raind,     And pinching cold, and feet in pain --     With sleep, fatigue, and want oppressed,     No songs had we -- we scarce had rest."And when he came into conversation with the king he sang: --     "When first I met the earl I told     How our king loved a friend so bold;     How in his heart he loved a man     With hand to do, and head to plan.     Thou generous king!  with zeal and care     I sought to advance thy great affair;     For messengers from Russian land     Had come to ask Ingegerd's hand.     The earl, thy friend, bids thee, who art     So mild and generous of heart,     His servants all who here may come     To cherish in thy royal home;     And thine who may come to the east     In Ragnvald's hall shall find a feast --     In Ragnvald's house shall find a home --     At Ragnvald's court be still welcome.     When first I came the people's mind     Incensed by Eirik's son I find;     And he refused the wish to meet,     Alleging treachery and deceit.     But I explained how it was here,     For earl and king, advantage clear     With thee to hold the strictest peace,     And make all force and foray cease.     The earl is wise, and understands     The need of peace for both the lands;     And he entreats thee not to break     The present peace for vengeance's sake!"He immediately tells King Olaf the news he had heard; and atfirst the king was much cast down when he heard of KingJarisleif's suit, and he said he expected nothing but evil fromKing Olaf; but wished he might be able to return it in such a wayas Olaf should remember.  A while afterwards the king asks Sigvatabout various news from Gautland.  Sigvat spoke a great dealabout Astrid, the kings daughter; how beautiful she was, howagreeable in her conversation; and that all declared she was inno respect behind her sister Ingegerd.  The king listened withpleasure to this.  Then Sigvat told him the conversation he andAstrid had had between themselves, and the king was delighted atthe idea.  "The Swedish king," said he, "will scarcely think thatI will dare to marry a daughter of his without his consent."  Butthis speech of his was not known generally.  King Olaf and Sigvatthe skald often spoke about it.  The king inquired particularlyof Sigvat what he knew about Earl Ragnvald, and "if he be trulyour friend," said the king.  Sigvat said that the earl was KingOlaf's best friend, and sang these verses: --     "The mighty Olaf should not cease     With him to hold good terms and peace;     For this good earl unwearied shows     He is thy friend where all are foes.     Of all who dwell by the East Sea     So friendly no man is as he:     At all their Things he takes thy part,     And is thy firm friend, hand and heart."ENDNOTES:(1)  The Pantzer -- a complete suit of plate-armour.93. RAGNVALD AND ASTRA'S JOURNEY.After Yule (A.D. 1019), Thord Skotakol, a sister's son of Sigvat,attended by one of Sigvat's footboys, who had been with Sigvatthe autumn before in Gautland, went quite secretly from thecourt, and proceeded to Gautland.  When they came to EarlRagnvald's court, they produced the tokens which Olaf himself hadsent to the earl, that he might place confidence in Thord.Without delay the earl made himself ready for a journey, as didAstrid, the king's daughter; and the earl took with him 120 men,who were chosen both from among his courtmen and the sons ofgreat bondes, and who were carefully equipped in all things,clothes, weapons, and horses.  Then they rode northwards toSarpsborg, and came there at Candlemas.94. OF KING OLAF'S MARRIAGE.King Olaf had put all things in order in the best style.  Therewere all sorts of liquors of the best that could be got, and allother preparations of the same quality.  Many people ofconsequence were summoned in from their residences.  When theearl arrived with his retinue the king received him particularlywell; and the earl was shown to a large, good, and remarkablywell-furnished house for his lodging; and serving-men and otherswere appointed to wait on him; and nothing was wanting, in anyrespect, that could grace a feast.  Now when the entertainmenthad lasted some days, the king, the earl, and Astrid had aconference together; and the result of it was, that Earl Ragnvaldcontracted Astrid, daughter of the Swedish king Olaf, to Olafking of Norway, with the same dowry which had before been settledthat her sister Ingegerd should have from home.  King Olaf, onhis part, should give Astrid the same bride-gift that had beenintended for her sister Ingegerd.  Thereupon an eke was made tothe feast, and King Olaf and Queen Astrid's wedding was drunk ingreat festivity.  Earl Ragnvald then returned to Gautland, andthe king gave the earl many great and good gifts at parting; andthey parted the dearest of friends, which they continued to bewhile they lived.95. THE AGREEMENT BROKEN BY OLAF.The spring (A.D. 1019) thereafter came ambassadors from KingJarisleif in Novgorod to Svithjod, to treat more particularlyabout the promise given by King Olaf the preceding summer tomarry his daughter Ingegerd to King Jarisleif.  King Olaf talliedabout the business with Ingegerd, and told her it was hispleasure that she should marry King Jarisleif.  She replied. "IfI marry King Jarisleif, I must have as my bride-gift the town andearldom of Ladoga."  The Russian ambassadors agreed to this, onthe part of their sovereign.  Then said Ingegerd, "If I go eastto Russia, I must choose the man in Svithjod whom I think mostsuitable to accompany me; and I must stipulate that he shall nothave any less title, or in any respect less dignity, privilege,and consideration there, than he has, here."  This the king andthe ambassadors agreed to, and gave their hands upon it inconfirmation of the condition."And who," asked the king, "is the man thou wilt take with theeas thy attendant?""That man," she replied, "is my relation Earl Ragnvald."The king replies, "I have resolved to reward Earl Ragnvald in adifferent manner for his treason against his master in going toNorway with my daughter, and giving her as a concubine to thatfellow, who he knew was my greatest enemy.  I shall hang him upthis summer."Then Ingegerd begged her father to be true to the promise he hadmade her, and had confirmed by giving his hand upon it.  By herentreaties it was at last agreed that the king should promise tolet Earl Ragnvald go in peace from Svithjod, but that he shouldnever again appear in the king's presence, or come back toSvithjod while Olaf reigned.  Ingegerd then sent messengers tothe earl to bring him these tidings, and to appoint a place ofmeeting.  The earl immediately prepared for his journey; rode upto East Gautland; procured there a vessel, and, with his retinue,joined Ingegerd, and they proceeded together eastward to Russia.There Ingegerd was married to King Jarisleif; and their childrenwere Valdemar, Vissivald, and Holte the Bold.  Queen Ingegerdgave Earl Ragnvald the town of Ladoga, and earldom belonging toit.  Earl Ragnvald was there a long time, and was a celebratedman.  His sons and Ingebjorg's were Earl Ulf and Earl Eilif.96. HISTORY OF THE LAGMAN EMUND.There was a man called Emund of Skara, who was lagman of westGautland, and was a man of great understanding and eloquence, andof high birth, great connection, and very wealthy; but wasconsidered deceitful, and not to be trusted.  He was the mostpowerful man in West Gautland after the earl was gone.  The samespring (A.D. 1019) that Earl Ragnvald left Gautland the Gautlandpeople held a Thing among themselves, and often expressed theiranxiety to each other about what the Swedish king might do.  Theyheard he was incensed because they had rather held in friendshipwith the king of Norway than striven against him; and he was alsoenraged against those who had attended his daughter Astrid toNorway.  Some proposed to seek help and support from the king ofNorway, and to offer him their services; others dissuaded fromthis measure, as West Gautland had no strength to oppose to theSwedes.  "And the king of Norway," said they, "is far from us,the chief strength of his country very distant; and therefore letus first send men to the Swedish king to attempt to come to somereconciliation with him.  If that fail, we can still turn to theking of Norway."  Then the bondes asked Emund to undertake thismission, to which he agreed; and he proceeded with thirty men toEast Gautland, where there were many of his relations andfriends, who received him hospitably.  He conversed there withthe most prudent men about this difficult business; and they wereall unanimous on one point, -- that the king's treatment of themwas against law and reason.  From thence Emund went intoSvithjod, and conversed with many men of consequence, who allexpressed themselves in the same way.  Emund continued hisjourney thus, until one day, towards evening, he arrived atUpsala, where he and his retinue took a good lodging, and stayedthere all night.  The next day Emund waited upon the king, whowas just then sitting in the Thing surrounded by many people.Emund went before him, bent his knee, and saluted him.  The kinglooked at him, saluted him, and asked him what news he brought.Emund replies, "There is little news among us Gautlanders; but itappears to us a piece of remarkable news that the proud, stupidAtte, in Vermaland, whom we look upon as a great sportsman, wentup to the forest in winter with his snow-shoes and his bow. After he had got as many furs in the mountains as filled hishand-sledge so full that he could scarcely drag it, he returnedhome from the woods.  But on the way he saw a squirrel in thetrees, and shot at it, but did not hit; at which he was so angry,that he left the sledge to run after the squirrel: but still thesquirrel sprang where the wood was thickest, sometimes among theroots of the trees, sometimes in the branches, sometimes amongthe arms that stretch from tree to tree.  When Atte shot at itthe arrows flew too high or too low, and the squirrel neverjumped so that Atte could get a fair aim at him.  He was so eagerupon this chase that he ran the whole day after the squirrel, andyet could not get hold of it.  It was now getting dark; so hethrew himself down upon the snow, as he was wont, and lay thereall night in a heavy snow-storm.  Next day Atte got up to lookafter his sledge, but never did he find it again; and so hereturned home.  And this is the only news, king, I have to tell."The king says, "This is news of but little importance, if it beall thou hast to tell."Ernund replies, "Lately something happened which may well becalled news.  Gaute Tofason went with five warships out of theGaut river, and when he was lying at the Eikrey Isles there camefive large Danish merchant-ships there.  Gaute and his menimmediately took four of the great vessels, and made a greatbooty without the loss of a man: but the fifth vessel slipped outto sea, and sailed away.  Gaute gave chase with one ship, and atfirst came nearer to them; but as the wind increased, the Danesgot away.  Then Gaute wanted to turn back; but a storm came on sothat he lost his ship at Hlesey, with all the goods, and thegreater part of his crew.  In the meantime his people werewaiting for him at the Eikrey Isles: but the Danes came over infifteen merchant-ships, killed them all, and took all the bootythey had made.  So but little luck had they with their greed ofplunder."The king replied.  "That is great news, and worth being told; butwhat now is thy errand here?"Emund replies, "I travel, sire, to obtain your judgment in adifficult case, in which our law and the Upsala law do notagree."The king asks, "What is thy appeal case?"Emund replies, "There were two noble-born men of equal birth, butunequal in property and disposition.  They quarrelled about someland, and did each other much damage; but most was done to himwho was the more powerful of the two.  This quarrel, however, wassettled, and judged of at a General Thing; and the judgment was,that the most powerful should pay a compensation.  But at thefirst payment, instead of paying a goose, he paid a gosling; foran old swine he paid a sucking pig; and for a mark of stampedgold only a half- mark, and for the other half-mark nothing butclay and dirt; and, moreover, threatened, in the most violentway, the people whom he forced to receive such goods in payment.Now, sire, what is your judgment?"The king replies, "He shall pay the full equivalent whom thejudgment ordered to do so, and that faithfully; and further,threefold to his king: and if payment be not made within a yearand a day, he shall be cut off from all his property, his goodsconfiscated, and half go the king's house, and half to the otherparty."Emund took witnesses to this judgment among the most considerableof the men who were present, according to the laws which wereheld in the Upsala Thing.  He then saluted the king, and went hisway; and other men brought their cases before the king, and hesat late in the day upon the cases of the people.  Now when theking came to table, he asked where Lagman Emund was.  It wasanswered, he was home at his lodgings.  "Then," said the king,"go after him, and tell him to be my guest to-day."  Thereafterthe dishes were borne in; then came the musicians with harps,fiddles, and musical instruments; and lastly, the cup-bearers.The king was particularly merry, and had many great people attable with him, so that he thought little of Emund.  The kingdrank the whole day, and slept all the night after; but in themorning the king awoke, and recollected what Emund had said theday before: and when he had put on his clothes, he let his wisemen be summoned to him; for he had always twelve of the wisestmen who sat in judgment with him, and treated the more difficultcases; and that was no easy business, for the king was ill-pleased if the judgment was not according to justice, and yet itwas of no use to contradict him.  In this meeting the kingordered Lagman Emund to be called before them.  The messengerreturned, and said, "Sire, Lagman Emund rode away yesterday assoon as he had dined."  "Then," said the king, "tell me, ye goodchiefs, what may have been the meaning of that law-case whichEmund laid before us yesterday?"They replied, "You must have considered it yourself, if you thinkthere was any other meaning under it than what he said."The king replied, "By the two noble-born men whom he spoke of,who were at variance, and of whom one was more powerful than theother, and who did each other damage, he must have meant us andOlaf the Thick."They answered, "It is, sire, as you say."The king -- "Our case was judged at the Upsala Thing.  But whatwas his meaning when he said that bad payment was made; namely, agosling for a goose, a pig for a swine, and clay and dirt forhalf of the money instead of gold?"Arnvid the Blind replied, "Sire, red gold and clay are thingsvery unlike; but the difference is still greater between king andslave.  You promised Olaf the Thick your daughter Ingegerd, who,in all branches of her descent, is born of kings, and of theUpland Swedish race of kings, which is the most noble in theNorth; for it is traced up to the gods themselves.  But now Olafhas got Astrid; and although she is a king's child, her motherwas but a slave-woman, and, besides, of Vindish race.  Greatdifference, indeed, must there be between these kings, when theone takes thankfully such a match; and now it is evident, asmight be expected, that no Northman is to be placed by the sideof the Upsala kings.  Let us all give thanks that it has soturned out; for the gods have long protected their descendants,although many now neglect this faith."There were three brothers: -- Arnvid the Blind, who had a greatunderstanding, but was so weak-sighted that he was scarcely fitfor war; the second was Thorvid the Stammerer, who could notutter two words together at one time, but was remarkably bold andcourageous; the third was Freyvid the Deaf, who was hard ofhearing.  All these brothers were rich and powerful men, of noblebirth, great wisdom, and all very dear to the king.Then said King Olaf, "What means that which Emund said about Attethe Dull?"None made any reply, but the one looked at the other."Speak freely," said the king.Then said Thorvid the Stammerer, "Atte -- quarrel -- some --greedy -- jealous -- deceitful -- dull."Then said the king, "To whom are these words of reproach andmockery applied?"Freyvid the Deaf replied, "We will speak more clearly if we haveyour permission."The king -- "Speak freely, Freyvid, what you will."Freyvid took up the word, and spoke.  "My brother Thorvid, who isconsidered to be the wisest of us brothers, holds the words`quarrelsome, greedy, jealous, dull,' to be one and the samething; for it applies to him who is weary of peace, longs forsmall things without attaining them, while he lets great anduseful things pass away as they came.  I am deaf; yet so loudhave many spoken out, that I can perceive that all men, bothgreat and small, take it ill that you have not kept your promiseto the king of Norway; and, worse than that, that you broke thedecision of the community as it was delivered at Upsala Thing.You need not fear either the king of Norway, or the king ofDenmark, or any other, so long as the Swedish army will followyou; but if the people of the country unanimously turn againstyou, we, your friends, see no counsel that can be of advantage toyou."The king asks, "Who is the chief who dares to betray the countryand me?"Freyvid replies, "All Swedes desire to have the ancient laws, andtheir full rights.  Look but here, sire, how many chiefs aresitting in council with you.  I think, in truth, we are but sixwhom you call your councillors: all the others, so far as I know,have ridden forth through the districts to hold Things with thepeople; and we will not conceal it from you, that the message-token has gone forth to assemble a Retribution-thing (1).  All ofus brothers have been invited to take part in the decisions ofthis council, but none of us will bear the name of traitor to thesovereign; for that our father never was."Then the king said, "What council shall we take in this dangerousaffair that is in our hands?  Good chiefs give me council, that Imay keep my kingdom, and the heritage of my forefathers; for Icannot enter into strife against the whole Swedish force."Arnvid the Blind replies, "Sire, it is my advice that you ridedown to Aros with such men as will follow you; take your shipthere and go out into the Maeler lake; summon all people to meetyou; proceed no longer with haughtiness, but promise every manthe law and rights of old established in the country; keep backin this way the message-token, for it cannot as yet, in so shorta time have travelled far through the land.  Send, then those ofyour men in whom you have the most confidence to those who havethis business on hand, and try if this uproar can be appeased."The king says that he will adopt this advice. "I will," says he,"that ye brothers undertake this business; for I trust to you themost among my men."Thorvid the Stammerer said, "I remain behind.  Let Jacob, yourson, go with them, for that is necessary."Then said Freyvid, "Let us do as Thorvid says: he will not leaveyou, and I and Arnvid must travel."This counsel was followed.  Olaf went to his ships, and set outinto the Maelar lake, and many people came to him.  The brothersArnvid and Freyvid rode out to Ullaraker, and had with them theking's son Jacob; but they kept it a secret that he was there.The brothers observed that there was a great concourse and war-gathering, for the bondes held the Thing night and day.  WhenArnvid and Freyvid met their relations and friends, they saidthey would join with the people; and many agreed to leave themanagement of the business in the hands of the brothers.  Butall, as one man, declared they would no longer have King Olafover them, and no longer suffer his unlawful proceedings, andover-weening pride which would not listen to any man'sremonstrances, even when the great chiefs spoke the truth to him.When Freyvid observed the heat of the people, he saw in what abad situation the king's cause was.  He summoned the chiefs ofthe land to a meeting with him and addressed them thus: -- "Itappears to me, that if we are to depose Olaf Eirikson from hiskingdom, we Swedes of the Uplands should be the leading men init: for so it has always been, that the counsel which the Uplandchiefs have resolved among themselves has always been followedby the men of the rest of the country.  Our forefathers did notneed to take advice from the West Gautlanders about thegovernment of the Swedes.  Now we will not be so degenerate as toneed Emund to give us counsel; but let us, friends and relations,unite ourselves for the purpose of coming to a determination."All agreed to this, and thought it was well said.  Thereafter thepeople joined this union which the Upland chiefs made amongthemselves, and Freyvid and Arnvid were chiefs of the wholeassemblage.  When Emund heard this he suspected how the matterwould end, and went to both the brothers to have a conversationwith them.  Then Freyvid asked Emund, "Who, in your opinion,should we take for king, in case Olaf Eirikson's days are at anend?"Emund -- "He whom we think best suited to it, whether he be ofthe race of chiefs or not."Freyvid answers, "We Uplanders will not, in our time, have thekingdom go out of the old race of our ancestors, which has givenus kings for a long course of generations, so long as we have sogood a choice as now.  King Olaf has two sons, one of whom wewill choose for king, although there is a great differencebetween them.  The one is noble-born, and of Swedish race on bothsides; the other is a slave-woman's son, and of Vindish race onthe mother's side."This decision was received with loud applause, and all would haveJacob for king.Then said Emund. "Ye Upland Swedes have the power this time todeterminate the matter; but I will tell you what will happen: --some of those who now will listen to nothing but that the kingdomremain in the old race will live to see the day when they willwish the kingdom in another race, as being of more advantage."Thereupon the brothers Freyvid and Arnvid led the king's sonJacob into the Thing, and saluted him with the title of king; andthe Swedes gave him the name of Onund, which he afterwardsretained as long as he lived.  He was then ten or twelve yearsold.  Thereafter King Onund took a court, and chose chiefs to bearound him; and they had as many attendants in their suite aswere thought necessary, so that he gave the whole assemblage ofbondes leave to return home.  After that ambassadors went betweenthe two kings; and at last they had a meeting, and came to anagreement.  Olaf was to remain king over the country as long ashe lived; but should hold peace and be reconciled with King Olafof Norway, and also with all who had taken part in this business.Onund should also be king, and have a part of the land, such asthe father and son should agree upon; but should be bound tosupport the bondes in case King Olaf did anything which thebondes would not suffer.ENDNOTES:(1)  Refsithing -- a Thing for punishment by penalty or death for     crimes and misdemeanours. -- L.97. MEETING OF RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THE KINGS, AND THEIR GAME    AT DICE.Thereafter ambassadors were sent to Norway to King Olaf, with theerrand that he should come with his retinue to a meeting atKonungahella with the Swedish kings, and that the Swedish kingswould there confirm their reconciliation.  When King Olaf heardthis message, he was willing, now as formerly, to enter into theagreement, and proceeded to the appointed place.  There theSwedish kings also came; and the relations, when they met, boundthemselves mutually to peace and agreement.  Olaf the Swedishking was then remarkably mild in manner, and agreeable to talkwith.  Thorstein Frode relates of this meeting, that there was aninhabited district in Hising which had sometimes belonged toNorway, and sometimes to Gautland.  The kings came to theagreement between themselves that they would cast lots by thedice to determine who should have this property, and that he whothrew the highest should have the district.  The Swedish kingthrew two sixes, and said King Olaf need scarcely throw.  Hereplied, while shaking the dice in his hand, "Although there betwo sixes on the dice, it would be easy, sire, for God Almightyto let them turn up in my favour."  Then he threw, and had sixesalso.  Now the Swedish king threw again, and had again two sixes.Olaf king of Norway then threw, and had six upon one dice, andthe other split in two, so as to make seven eyes in all upon it;and the district was adjudged to the king of Norway.  We haveheard nothing else of any interest that took place at thismeeting; and the kings separated the dearest of friends with eachother.98. OF OLAF OF NORWAY, AFTER THE MEETING.After the events now related Olaf returned with his people toViken.  He went first to Tunsberg, and remained there a shorttime, and then proceeded to the north of the country.  Inharvest-time he sailed north to Throndhjem, and had winterprovision laid in there, and remained there all winter (A.D.1090).  Olaf Haraldson was now sole and supreme king of Norway,and the whole of that sovereignty, as Harald Harfager hadpossessed it, and had the advantage over that monarch of beingthe only king in the land.  By a peaceful agreement he had alsorecovered that part of the country which Olaf the Swedish kinghad before occupied; and that part of the country which theDanish king had got he retook by force, and ruled over it aselsewhere in the country.  The Danish king Canute ruled at thattime both over Denmark and England; but he himself was in Englandfor the most part, and set chiefs over the country in Denmark,without at that time making any claim upon Norway.99. HISTORY OF THE EARLS OF ORKNEY.It is related that in the days of Harald Harfager, the king ofNorway, the islands of Orkney, which before had been only aresort for vikings, were settled . The first earl in the OrkneyIslands was called Sigurd, who was a son of Eystein Giumra, andbrother of Ragnvald earl of More.  After Sigurd his son Guthormwas earl for one year.  After him Torf-Einar, a son of Ragnvald,took the earldom, and was long earl, and was a man of greatpower.  Halfdan Haleg, a son of Harald Harfager, assaulted Torf-Einar, and drove him from the Orkney Islands; but Einar came backand killed Halfdan in the island Ronaldsha.  Thereafter KingHarald came with an army to the Orkney Islands.  Einar fled toScotland, and King Harald made the people of the Orkney Islandsgive up their udal properties, and hold them under oath from him.Thereafter the king and earl were reconciled, so that the earlbecame the king's man, and took the country as a fief from him;but that it should pay no scat or feu-duty, as it was at thattime much plundered by vikings.  The earl paid the king sixtymarks of gold; and then King Harald went to plunder in Scotland,as related in the "Glym Drapa".  After Torf-Einar, his sonsArnkel, Erlend, and Thorfin Hausakljufer (1) ruled over theselands. In their days came Eirik Blood-axe from Norway, andsubdued these earls.  Arnkel and Erlend fell in a war expedition;but Thorfin ruled the country long, and became an old man.  Hissons were Arnfin, Havard, Hlodver, Liot, and Skule.  Their motherwas Grelad, a daughter of Earl Dungad of Caithness.  Her motherwas Groa, a daughter of Thorstein Raud.  In the latter days ofEarl Thorfin came Eirik Blood-axe's sons, who had fled from EarlHakon out of Norway, and committed great excesses in Orkney. Earl Thorfin died on a bed of sickness, and his sons after himruled over the country, and there are many stories concerningthem.  Hlodver lived the longest of them, and ruled alone overthis country.  His son was Sigurd the Thick, who took the earldomafter him, and became a powerful man and a great warrior.  In hisdays came Olaf Trygvason from his viking expedition in thewestern ocean, with his troops, landed in Orkney and took EarlSigurd prisoner in South Ronaldsha, where he lay with one ship.King Olaf allowed the earl to ransom his life by letting himselfbe baptized, adopting the true faith, becoming his man, andintroducing Christianity into all the Orkney Islands.  As ahostage, King Olaf took his son, who was called Hunde or Whelp.Then Olaf went to Norway, and became king; and Hunde was severalyears with King Olaf in Norway, and died there.  After his deathEarl Sigurd showed no obedience or fealty to King Olaf.  Hemarried a daughter of the Scottish king Malcolm, and their sonwas called Thorfin.  Earl Sigurd had, besides, older sons; namely, Sumarlide, Bruse, and Einar Rangmund.  Four or five yearsafter Olaf Tryrgvason's fall Earl Sigurd went to Ireland, leavinghis eldest sons to rule the country, and sending Thorfin to hismother's father, the Scottish king.  On this expedition EarlSigurd fell in Brian's battle (l).  When the news was received inOrkney, the brothers Sumarlide, Bruse, and Einar were chosenearls, and the country was divided into three parts among them.Thorfin Sigurdson was five years old when Earl Sigurd fell.  Whenthe Scottish king heard of the earl's death he gave his relationThorfin Caithness and Sutherland, with the title of earl, andappointed good men to rule the land for him.  Earl Thorfin wasripe in all ways as soon as he was grown up: he was stout andstrong, but ugly; and as soon as he was a grown man it was easyto see that he was a severe and cruel but a very clever man.  Sosays Arnor, the earls' skald: --     "Under the rim of heaven no other,     So young in years as Einar's brother,     In battle had a braver hand,     Or stouter, to defend the land."ENDNOTES:(1)  Hausakljufer -- the splitter of skulls. -- L.(2)  Brian's battle is supposed to have taken place on the 23rd     April 1014, at Clontart, near Dublin; and is known in Irish     history as the battle of Clontarf, and was one of the     bloodiest of the age.  It was fought between a viking called     Sigtryg and Brian king of Munster, who gained the victory,     but lost his life. -- L.100. OF THE EARLS EINAR AND BRUSE.The brothers Einar and Bruse were very unlike in disposition.Bruse was a soft-minded, peaceable man, -- sociable, eloquent,and of good understanding.  Einar was obstinate, taciturn, anddull; but ambitious, greedy of money, and withal a great warrior.Sumarlide, the eldest of the brothers, was in disposition likeBruse, and lived not long, but died in his bed.  After his deathThorfin claimed his share of the Orkney Islands.  Einar replied,that Thorfin had the dominions which their father Sigurd hadpossessed, namely, Caithness and Sutherland, which he insistedwere much larger than a third part of Orkney; therefore he wouldnot consent to Thorfin's having any share.  Bruse, on the otherhand, was willing, he said, to divide with him.  "I do not-desire," he said, "more than the third part of the land, andwhich of right belongs to me."  Then Einar took possession of twoparts of the country, by which he became a powerful man,surrounded by many followers.  He was often in summer out onmarauding expeditions, and called out great numbers of the peopleto join him; but it went always unpleasantly with the division ofthe booty made on his viking cruises.  Then the bondes grew wearyof all these burdens; but Earl Einar held fast by them withseverity, calling in all services laid upon the people, andallowing no opposition from any man; for he was excessively proudand overbearing.  And now there came dearth and scarcity in hislands, in consequence of the services and money outlay exactedfrom the bondes; while in the part of the country belonging toBruse there were peace and plenty, and therefore he was the bestbeloved by the bondes.101. OF THORKEL AMUNDASON.There was a rich and powerful man who was called Amunde, whodwelt in Hrossey at Sandvik, in Hlaupandanes.  His son, calledThorkel, was one of the ablest men in the islands.  Amunde was aman of the best understanding, and most respected in Orkney.  Onespring Earl Einar proclaimed a levy for an expedition, as usual.The bondes murmured greatly against it, and applied to Amundewith the entreaty that he would intercede with the earl for them.He replied, that the earl was not a man who would listen to otherpeople, and insisted that it was of no use to make any entreatyto the earl about it.  "As things now stand, there is a goodunderstanding between me and the earl; but, in my opinion, therewould be much danger of our quarrelling, on account of ourdifferent dispositions and views on both sides; therefore I willhave nothing to do with it."  They then applied to Thorkel, whowas also very loath to interfere, but promised at last to do so,in consequence of the great entreaty of the people.  Amundethought he had given his promise too hastily.  Now when the earlheld a Thing, Thorkel spoke on account of the people, andentreated the earl to spare the people from such heavy burdens,recounting their necessitous condition.  The earl repliesfavourably, saying that he would take Thorkel's advice.  "I hadintended to go out from the country with six ships, but now Iwill only take three with me; but thou must not come again,Thorkel, with any such request."  The bondes thanked Thorkel forhis assistance, and the earl set out on a viking cruise, and cameback in autumn.  The spring after, the earl made the same levy asusual, and held a Thing with the bondes.  Then Thorkel again madea speech, in which he entreated the earl to spare the people. The earl now was angry, and said the lot of the bondes should bemade worse in consequence of his intercession; and worked himselfup into such a rage, that he vowed they should not both come nextspring to the Thing in a whole skin.  Then the Thing was closed.When Amunde heard what the earl and Thorkel had said at theThing, he told Thorkel to leave the country, and he went over toCaithness to Earl Thorfin.  Thorkel was afterwards a long timethere, and brought up the earl in his youth, and was on thataccount called Thorkel the Fosterer; and he became a verycelebrated man.102. THE AGREEMENT OF THE EARLS.There were many powerful men who fled from their udal propertiesin Orkney on account of Earl Einar's violence, and the most fledover to Caithness to Earl Thorfin: but some fled from the OrkneyIslands to Norway, and some to other countries.  When EarlThorfin was grown up he sent a message to his brother Einar, anddemanded the part of the dominion which he thought belonged tohim in Orkney; namely, a third of the islands.  Einar was nowiseinclined to diminish his possessions.  When Thorfin found this hecollected a warforce in Caithness, and proceeded to the islands.As soon as Earl Einar heard of this he collected people, andresolved to defend his country.  Earl Bruse also collected men,and went out to meet them, and bring about some agreement betweenthem.  An agreement was at last concluded, that Thorfin shouldhave a third part of the islands, as of right belonging to him,but that Bruse and Einar should lay their two parts together, andEinar alone should rule over them; but if the one died before theother, the longest liver should inherit the whole.  Thisagreement seemed reasonable, as Bruse had a son called Ragnvald,but Einar had no son.  Earl Thorfin set men to rule over his landin Orkney, but he himself was generally in Caithness.  Earl Einarwas generally on viking expeditions to Ireland, Scotland, andBretland.

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