At Helgy, in the parish of Sunne, lived a warrior, by name Jonas Spits,
who, in wars against the Russians and others, had gained for himself
the reputation of a brave man.
It so happened that there was a revolt in the land, and the king sent a
message to Spits, commanding his services in battle. One Sunday
morning, after the troops had assembled in the field, Spits was engaged
in grinding his sword.
“This is right!” said the king. “There will be fighting to-morrow; let
me see that you make good use of your weapon then.”
“I shall not fail you,” answered Spits, and continued his grinding.
The next day brought a bloody conflict, in which Spits’ sword was not
idle until the evening and the conclusion of the battle, when the king
asked for him.
“Here I am,” answered Spits, bowing before him.
“Let me see your sword,” said the king, “and know what services you
have done this day.”
“Here it is,” said Spits, at the same time reaching for the weapon
covered with blood.
“Good!” said the king. “I’ll gild this sword for you.” Whereupon he
knighted him and commanded that he should be called “The Spits of
Gyllenspits.”