THE SAGA OF HARALD THE TYRANT, MXXX-MLXVI

It befell in the days of the fall of King Olaf that Harald, the son of

Sigurd Sow, the stepbrother of King Olaf the Saint, bore his share in

the great battle of Stiklastad.

Even there it befell Harald that he was smote down, but he gained the

life of his body by flight with others that bore him company. Thus saith

Thiodolf:

'Nigh the hill, a battle-storm

I heard drive toward the King,

But the burner of the BulgarsSec.

His brother well supported.

Unwillingly from fallen Olaf

Was the prince sundered,

And his head he hid;

Then was he twelve winters

With added three thereto in age.'

|| It was Rognvald Brusason who bare Harald out of the battle, and

brought him to a certain peasant who lived in the forest, and that in a

glade far from the haunts of man; and here was Harald leeched until he

was whole of his wound.

Thereafter fared forth the son of that peasant eastward with him across

the Kjol (Kiolen), & as far as they were able to do so followed they

forest tracks in lieu of the common way.

Now in no wise wist the son of the peasant with what manner of man he

was faring, & as they were riding through the wastes of the forest sang

Harald thus wise:

'From forest now to forest

Wend I my way with honour scant;

Who wists but in the future

Wide fame may not be mine?'

|| And thus fared he eastward through Jamtaland & Helsingland, and in due

course was he come even to Sweden; there did he link his fortune with

that of Rognvald Brusason and many others of the men of King Olaf that

were yet alive after the mighty battle.

|| Now in the spring thereafter gat they ships for themselves and in the

summer fared eastward to Garda, where abode they the winter through with

King Jarizleif.

Thus saith Bolverk:

'The sword's blade, King, thou dried'st

When thou fared'st from the strife.

To the raven gav'st thou to eat;

The wolf howled on the wooded heights.

But the year thereafter and thou wert

East in Gard, O doughty fighter,

Ne'er have I heard of a leader of hosts

More famed than thou wert.'

King Jarizleif made Harald & his men welcome right kindly, and even so

became Harald captain of the land defence of the King & with him was

joined Eilif, the son of Earl Rognvald. Thus saith Thiodolf:

'Where Eilif was,

Alike they acted,

Those chieftains twain

In wedge-like phalanx.

Chased were the East Wends

Into a corner narrow,

Not easy for the LaesirsSec.

Was the law of the host.'

|| Some winters abode Harald in the realm of Garda, & fared forth for the

most part eastward; then went he a journey to Greece, and in his company

was a mighty following, and at that time likewise went he to Miklagard

(Constantinople). Saith Bolverk:

'The chilly shower drave forward

The ship's swart prows;

And barks all bravely armoured

Their sails bore by the coast-side.

The metal towers of Miklagard

The prince saw from the prows;

Fair-bosomed ships were borne

To the walls of the city.'

At that time there ruled over Greece Queen Zoe the Wealthy and with her

Michael Katalaktus.

When Harald was come even unto Miklagard in the hardiness that was of

his blood enterprised he service of the Queen, and even so did the men

that were with him.

Forthwith that same autumn took he ship on certain galleys with warriors

who were adventuring on to the Greek sea.

In those days was one named GyrgirSec. chief of the hosts, and he was also

a kinsman to the Queen. Now it came to pass that Harald had not abode

longtime with the host ere the VaeringsSec. became much drawn to him, so

that he and they adventured all together in a body whensoever there was

fighting, and the end thereof was that Harald was chosen captain of all

the Vaerings. Gyrgir and his hosts coasted in all directions among the

Greek islands, and greatly plundered the corsairs.

|| Once it befell when they were faring overland, and were of a mind to

pass the night in the woods, that the Vaerings were the first to come to

the place where it was intended they should lie, and chose they for

their tents even such position as was best and lay highest, for the

country thereabout was boggy, and no sooner came the rain than was it

ill living there over against where the land was low. Then came Gyrgir,

& when he saw where the Vaerings had pitched their tents bade he them

begone and pitch them in another place, since saith he, that he himself

would have his tent even there. But thus spake Harald: 'When ye are the

first to come to the place for the camp then shall ye make choice of

your place for the night, and it will behove us to pitch our tents

elsewhere, even in whatever spot is open to us. So do ye now likewise;

pitch ye your tents where ye will in any other spot that pertaineth.

Methought was it the right of the Vaerings here in Greece to be masters

of their own matter & free in all things before all men, and that was it

to the King and Queen only they owed obedience.'

On this bandied they words with so great heat that both sides fell to

arming themselves, & right nigh came they to fighting, but ere that were

the wisest men came up and they parted them.

They said it was more in reason that these men should be of one mind on

the matter, and a just decision made thereon betwixt them, so that never

more might strife arise out of this cause.

So then was agreed a meeting between them, & the best and wisest men

were present thereat; and at that meeting was it counselled in such

manner that all were of one mind, to wit, that lots should be borne in a

cloth and cast between Greek and Vaering as to who should be the first

to ride or row, or berth them in haven, or choose a spot for their

tents; both of them henceforth to rest content with whatever the lot

decreed. Thereafter was this done, and the lots were marked; then said

Harald to Gyrgir; 'Let me now see how thou markest thy lot, to the

intent that we may not both mark them in the same fashion.'

So Harald looked and thereafter marked his lot and threw it into the

cloth, and Gyrgir did likewise; but the man who was to draw the lot took

up one between his fingers, and lifting his hand said: 'These shall

first ride and row and berth them in haven and choose them tent-places.'

Then did Harald seize the lot with his hand and throw it out into the

sea, and when he had so done he said: 'That was our lot.'

Gyrgir said: 'Why didst thou not let more men see it?' 'Look you,'

answered Harald, 'on that lot which is left, & I wot well thereon will

you know your own mark.'

Then looked they at the lot, and all knew the mark to be that of Gyrgir.

So was it adjudged that the Vaerings should have the choice in all those

matters about which there had been strife. Sundry things befell likewise

on which saw they not eye to eye, but ever it ended in such a fashion

that Harald had his way.

|| Plundering & pillaging whithersoever they went fared together both

hosts during the summer, but when a battle was imminent would Harald

cause his men to hold aloof therefrom, or at least over against that

part where was the fight most open.

Ever said he that he would take good care that he did not lose those

that were of his company; but when a fight chanced and he with his men

only were opposed to an enemy so fierce was he in battle that either

must he win the day or die. For this reason oft-times it befell that

when Harald was captain of the men the victory fell to him, whereas

Gyrgir won naught.

Now when the warriors saw how oft did this come to pass, said they one

to the other that their cause would have better advancement an Harald

were alone captain of the host; and blamed they the leader of the band,

saying that he and his men were but bootless. To this Gyrgir made answer

that the Vaerings would not yield him support, & bade them begone,

whiles he fared with the rest of the host to be successful as far as in

them lay. Even so, thereon went Harald from the host, and with him

likewise the Vaerings and the Latin men, but Gyrgir kept the host of the

Greeks. Then came to pass that which all had awaited, to wit, that

Harald ever gained the victory & the plunder. Thereupon fared the Greeks

home to Miklagard save only the young men who desired to win riches for

themselves, and they gathered round Harald and took him for their

leader.

Then went he with his host westward to northern Africa, which the

Vaerings called Serkland,Sec. and there he gained addition to his host.

In Serkland won he eighty walled towns, some thereof surrendered to him,

whereas others took he by might.

Thereafter went he to Sikiley (Sicily). Thus saith Thiodolf:

'Towns ten times eight in Serkland,

Say I, then were taken,

The young hater of red-glowing gold

Rushed into the peril.

Before the fighter went to rouse

With clashing shields the Hilds,

Were they long the Serk-men's foe,

On the plains of Sicily.'

Thus saith Illugi, the skald from Bryn:

'Harald under Michael strove

For south-lands with his sword

The son of Budli, as 'twas said

Showed friendship by his fellowship.'[Sec.]

|| Now it came to pass that at this season was Michael King of Greece.

Many winters abode he in Africa, and to himself acquired goods and

chattels in plenty, gold likewise and all manner of precious things; but

all the wealth which he took and thereof had not need for his

maintenance sent he by his trusty men to Holmgard (Novgarod), to be

bestowed into the hands and care of King Jarizleif.

Exceeding wealth did he collect together there, as was like to be,

forasmuch as he was pillaging in that part of the world the which is

richest in gold and costly things. And so much did he accomplish withal

that, as has been writ before, took he as many as eighty towns.

|| And being come to Sikiley did Harald lay waste on that isle, and set

he his host over against a large town in which were many people.

So strong were the walls thereof that he feared it were doubtful an he

could brake them down. Now the townsfolk had enough of victuals and

other commodities which were required to withstand a siege, so hit

Harald on the craft of bidding his fowlers to catch small birds, which

had nests in the town & flew out during the day to seek food. On the

backs of these birds caused he to be tied shavings of red pine-wood on

which had he poured melted wax and brimstone; fire thereto was set, and

the birds even so soon as they were loose, flew with one accord at once

to the town with the intent to seek their young and to hie them to their

own nests which were under the roofs.

And these roofs were thatched with reeds or straw.

Then the fire from the birds spread to the eaves, and though each bird

bore but a little burden of fire nevertheless in a brief space was

kindled a great fire, for many birds bore fire to the roofs that were of

the town. Thereafter there burned one house after the other until the

town itself was all aflame, and all the people came out therefrom and

begged for grace.

Yea was this that same folk that for many a day had talked proudly and

with mocking despite of the Greek host and the chief thereof. Harald

gave quarter to all men who craved it, and thereafter held authority

over this town.

|| Another town was there to which Harald went with his host, & right

well peopled was it and strong withal, so much so indeed that it could

not be thought that he would be able to make assault thereon. Flat land

and hard lay round about the walls thereof, so Harald set his men to dig

a trench from the place whence a brook flowed, & that in a deep gulley

wherein men from the town could not spy.

The earth of the trench threw they out into the water and let the stream

bear it away; and in this work they continued even both by night and by

day with fresh shifts after a spell.

After this fashion did the host advance on the town day by day; and the

townsmen flocked to the battlements & both sides shot at one another,

but by night did all betake themselves to sleep.

Now when Harald wot that this hole that was in the earth was so long

that it must have come under and past the walls of the town bade he his

men arm themselves, & towards dawn went they into the trench, and when

they came to the end thereof dug they up above their heads until they

came to stones set in lime; and this was the floor of a stone hall. Anon

they brake up the floor and ascended into the hall, and there sat many

of the townsmen eating and drinking, and great was the mischance of

these good men for they were taken unawares. The Vaerings went about

with drawn swords, and straightway killed some of them though others

fled, to wit, those who could get out.

Some of the Vaerings sought after these townsmen while others went to

the gates to set them open, and by this way in marched the host that

pertained unto Harald.

Then did the townsfolk flee, though many prayed for mercy, and mercy did

all receive who gave themselves up.

In this way was it that Harald was possessed of the town, and therewith

acquired exceeding wealth.

|| The third town to which they came was the one that of all of the

island had waxed largest and strongest, and to it pertained most

importance both by reason of the wealth and the number within its walls.

Even about this town lay great ditches, and the Vaerings marked that

they could not win it by craft after such fashion as they had possessed

themselves of the other towns aforesaid. And so it came to pass that

long lay they before the town yet did they accomplish nothing, and the

townsfolk seeing this waxed even bolder, and set up their array on the

walls, & anon opened the gates of the town and called to the Vaerings,

egging them on & bidding them enter; and they mocked at them for lack of

boldness, averring that for fighting were they no better than so many

hens. Harald bade his men behave themselves as though they wist not

after what fashion were such things said: 'Nought shall we accomplish,'

said he, 'even if we storm the town; they will fling their weapons down

under their feet upon us; and albeit an entrance we perchance effect

with sundry of our folk, yet is the foe strong enough to shut them in,

and shut the others out at their pleasure for they have put watches at

all the gates of the town.

No less mock will we make of them, however, and we will flaunt in their

faces that we have no fear of them. Our men shall go forth on the plain

as near the town as may be, having care nevertheless lest they come

within bowshot, and weaponless must they go & hold sports one with

another so that the townsfolk may wot that we care naught for their

array.'

After this fashion did they behave themselves for sundry days.

|| Now of the Icelanders that were with Harald at this time is it

recorded that Halldor the son of Snorri the Priest-- he it was who took

this chronicle back to his own land-- and in the second place Ulf the

son of Uspak, the son of Usvif the Wise, were the twain of them very

strong & valiant men and much cherished of Harald.

The pair were alike foremost in the sports on the plain. When things had

thus happened for these sundry days, were the townsfolk minded to show

even greater arrogance, & discarding their weapons mounted they up on to

the walls and defiantly set open the gates of the town. Now the Vaerings

seeing this betook themselves one day to their sports in such fashion

that the swords that pertained to them were concealed beneath their

cloaks and their helms beneath their hats. And after they had vied with

one another awhile saw they that the townsfolk in no fashion entertained

suspicion, thereon drawing their swords ran they forward to the gates.

When the townsmen saw this advanced they bravely to meet them, standing

fully armed, and thereon ensued a dire fight within the gates.

To the Vaering folk pertained neither shield nor buckler, & in default

thereof wrapped they their cloaks round their left arm; some were

wounded, some killed, & all were hard pressed.

Harald & the men with him who were in the camp hastened to their

succour, but by then were the townsfolk come up on to the walls from

whence they shot at & stoned those coming thitherwards. Yet more fierce

grew the fight, & those within the gates bethought them help came at a

slower gait than they could desire. Scarce was Harald come to the gates

ere was slain his banner-bearer; then said he: 'Halldor, do thou take up

the banner!' Halldor picked up the banner-staff, but he spoke unwisely:

'Who will bear thy banner for thee when thou followest it so

faint-heartedly as thou hast done now this while past?' These were words

more of anger than of truth, for Harald stood the stoutest among men.

Then hied they them into the gate, and great were the strokes given; but

the outcome thereof was such wise that the victory was to Harald and he

stormed the gates. Sore smote was Halldor, a deep wound gat he in the

countenance, and to him was it a blemish all the days of his life.Sec.

|| The fourth town whereunto Harald was come together with his host was

the stoutest of all those whereof we have yet told. So strong was it

that they wist there was no hope that it could be taken by assault, and

thereon beset they the town even by getting a ring around it so that no

victuals could be taken therein.

Now it chanced when Harald had been before it a while, fell he sick and

betook himself to his bed; & he caused his tent be placed away from

other tents so that he might have the ease that he should not hear the

noise and disquiet of the host. Backwards & forwards to him oft fared

his men, craving his counsel, and this was noted of the townsfolk who

argued rightly that something had befallen the Vaerings, and thereon set

they spies to discover what it might be. When the spies were come back

even into the town brought they intelligence that the chief of the

Vaerings lay sick, & for that cause had they not advanced on the town.

As time waxed big grew the strength of Harald small, and his men became

sorrowful and were heavy of heart.

Now of all this had the townsfolk full knowledge.

To such a pass came it that the sickness pressed Harald hard and his

death was told throughout the whole host. Then went the Vaerings to

speak with the townsmen, telling them of the death of their chief,

& praying the priests to grant him a tomb in the town.

Now when the townsfolk heard these tidings many were there, rulers of

monasteries or of other big churches in the town, who wished much, each

one of them, to have the body for his church, for well wotted each that

it would bring them great offerings; so the whole multitude of the

priests clad themselves in their vestments and walked forth out of the

town in procession well favoured and solemn, bearing shrines and holy

relics.

But made the Vaerings also a mighty funeral train; covered with a costly

pall was the coffin borne aloft, and above this again were held many

banners, & after the coffin in this wise had been borne in through the

town-gates was it set down right athwart them in front of the opening

thereof. Then did the Vaerings blow a war-blast from all their trumpets,

& drew their swords, and the whole host of the Vaerings rushed out of

their tents fully armed, and ran towards the town shouting and crying.

The monks & other priests who had been walking in this funeral train

vying with one another to be the foremost to go out and receive the

offering, now vied twofold as speedily to be the farthest off, for the

Vaerings slew every one who was nearest to them be he clerk or layman.

After this fashion did they go about the whole of the town, putting the

men to the sword and pillaging the churches, whence snatched they

exceeding great wealth.

|| Many summers fared Harald in warfare after this fashion alike in

Serkland and Sikiley.

Thereafter led he his host back to Miklagard, and abode there a short

space ere set he again forth on a journey to Jorsalaheim (Palestine).Sec.

There he left behind him all the gold he had gotten as payment from the

Greek King, & the same did all the Vaerings who went on the journey with

him.

It is told that altogether Harald fought eighteen battles on these

journeys. Thus saith Thiodolf:

'All men know that Harald

Eighteen battles grim hath fought,

Oft hath the peace of the chieftain been broken;

The gray eagle's sharp claws

In blood didst thou dye, King,

Ever was the wolf filled ere thou fared'st homeward.'

|| Harald with his men had now betaken themselves to Jorsalaland

(Palestine) and thence to Jorsalaborg (Jerusalem), and whithersoever he

went in Jorsalaland were all the towns and castles surrendered unto him;

thus saith Stuf, who had himself heard the King recount these things:

'The blade-bold smiting warrior

To subjection brought Jerusalem.

The smiling land was captive to him and the Greeks,

And by their might, unburned withal,

Came the country under the warrior's dictate.'

|| Here it is recounted that this land came unburned and unscathed into

Harald's power. Thereafter fared he to the Jordan and bathed himself

therein, as is the way with other pilgrims. On the Sepulchre of the

Lord, the Holy Cross, and other holy relics in Jorsalaland bestowed

Harald great benefactions. Then did he make safe all the road to the

Jordan, slaying robbers and other disturbers of the peace. Thus saith

Stuf:

'By counsel and wrathful words the King of the Agdir folk

Withstood on the banks of the Jordan the treason of men,

But for true trespass had folk to pay dearly;

Ill from the Prince suffered they.

(In Christ's eternal house).'

|| After these things fared he back to Miklagard.

|| Now when Harald was returned to Miklagard from Jorsalaland was he

minded to go to the north, even unto his own heritage; for it had come

to his ears that the son of his brother, to wit, Magnus Olafson, was now

King of Norway and of Denmark, and therefor gave he warning to quit his

service with the King of Greece; but when Queen Zoe came to hear thereof

waxed she very wrath & made dire complaint against Harald, averring that

he had gone dishonestly to work with the wealth of the Greek King which

had been taken in warfare what time Harald had been chief of the host.

Now there was a damsel both young and fair, whose name was Maria, and

she was the daughter of the brother to Queen Zoe.[Sec.] Afore had Harald

sought the hand of this maid in marriage, and by the Queen had his suit

been refused. It has been told here in the north by Vaerings, who were

then serving in Miklagard, that among those who should wot well of the

affair was it averred that Queen Zoe desired to have Harald for her own

husband, & therein lay the cause of all that which befell when Harald

desired to leave Miklagard, though mayhap otherwise was given out before

all folk. At that time was Constantine Monomachus King of the Greeks,

and together with Queen Zoe ruled he the kingdom. Wherefore was it on

these counts that the King of the Greeks caused Harald to be seized and

cast into prison.

|| But as Harald was drawing nigh unto the prison there appeared unto him

the holy King Olaf and bade him be of good cheer for that he would come

to his aid; & there in the street was afterwards builded a chapel, and

was it consecrated to King Olaf, & that chapel has stood there unto this

very day.Sec. Now after such fashion was the prison builded that it had a

high tower, & this was open at the top. Into the prison thereof was

Harald thrown, and together with him were Halldor and Ulf. The night

thereafter came a wealthy woman to the uppermost part of the prison,

whither she had ascended by means of ladders, and with her were two

serving-men and to either let they down a rope by which they drew the

prisoners up. This woman had one time been healed by the holy King Olaf,

and now had he appeared to her and laid upon her the injunction that she

should release his brother from out of prison.Thereon hied Harald him to

the Vaerings who with one accord rose to their feet when they beheld

him, and acclaimed him welcome.

Thereafter fell the whole of the host to arms and betook themselves to

the place where the King was sleeping, and taking him captive thrust

they out both his eyes. Thus saith Thorarin Skeggison in his lay:

'The bold prince gold obtained,

But the throned King of Greece gat blindness,

And thereafter went with scars most grievous.'

Thus likewise saith Thiodolf the Skald:

'The waster of wolves' sorrow

Let the eyes twain of the throned King be put out;

The prince of the Agdir folk on the Eastern King

Laid a grisly mark whereby was he horribly blinded.'

In the twain of these lays concerning Harald, & also in many other

songs, recorded is it how that he himself put out the eyes of the Greek

King; but in lieu of thus singing, had they known it to be truer, full

well might they have named a duke or count or some other nobleman. But

Harald himself and the other men that were with him themselves boasted

of this deed.Sec.

|| That same night went Harald and his men to the chamber wherein Maria

lay sleeping, & by force bare her away. Then betaking themselves to

where their galleys rode took they twain of them and anon rowed into

Siavidarsund,Sec. but when they were come thither found they that the iron

chain was stretched right athwart the inlet, and so Harald commanded his

men to fall to their oars on both the galleys, & those who were not

rowing were all to run aft, and each one to have in his hand his own

baggage-bag.

In this fashion they ran the galleys on to the chain, and as soon as

they were fast and the speed was stayed commanded he all his men to run

forward. Then that galley whereon was Harald plunged forward, and after

it had swayed on the chain slid from off it; but the other brake as it

rode the chain, and many were drowned, albeit some were taken up out of

the water. After this fashion did Harald escape from Miklagard, & thence

fared he forth into the Black Sea. But ere he sailed from land he set

the maid ashore, & gave her trusty followers to take her back to

Miklagard; and he bade her ask her kinswoman Zoe how much power she had

over him, or if her power had been able to hinder him from getting the

maiden. Thereafter sailed Harald northward to EllipaltaSec. and thence

fared all over the East-realm.Sec. On this journey made Harald certain

merry verses which together number sixteen, & all have the same refrain:

this is one of them:

'Past Sicily, far out, forged the ship;

Proudly she strode and ably 'neath our feet

Never before had Norseman come so far amain,

Yet saith the Maid of the gold-rings in Garda that she scorns me.'

|| By this, allusion made he to Ellisif, the daughter of King Jarizleif

of Holmgard.

|| When Harald was come to Holmgard did King Jarizleif receive him with

exceeding great kindness, and there abode he the winter through; at that

time, moreover, took he into his own keeping all the gold and various

other precious goods which he had sent thither out of Miklagard. So much

wealth was indeed collected together, that no one there in the north had

seen so great an amount before in the ownership of one man. On three

occasions[Sec.] the while he was in Miklagard had Harald ta'en his share in

the spoiling of palaces, for it was a law that every time a Greek King

died the Vaerings should have palace-spoil; at that hour might they go

through all the palaces of the King, wherein his hoards of wealth were

garnered, and take at will as much as ever they could lay hands on.

|| That winter gave King Jarizleif to Harald his daughter in wedlock, her

name was Elizabeth but Norwegians called her Ellisif. To this Stuf the

Blind is witness in the following:

'The alliance that he wished

Gat the prince of the Agdirs;

Gold amain won the friend of the men,

And to boot the King's daughter.'

|| So it came to pass that ere long there arose some discord betwixt

Magnus and Harald, and then were many men so evil-minded that they

wrought bad blood betwixt the Kings.

|| Now after the departure of Harald in the manner aforesaid, Svein

Ulfson went on sleeping. Later made he close inquiry anent the journey

of Harald; and when he came to know that Harald and Magnus had entered

into covenant, and had now an host one with the other, steered he a

course eastward alongside the coast of Skani and abode there with his

host, until it came to his ears in wintertime that Magnus and Harald had

fared northward even to Norway with their hosts. Thereupon shaped Svein

a course southward (west) to Denmark, and that winter took he possession

by force of all the dues of the King.

|| So soon as the spring was come King Magnus and King Harald called out

a muster from all Norway.

Now it befell once upon a time that both the Kings were lying in the

self-same haven, and the day thereafter Harald being the first to be

ready sailed forthwith, and in the evening hove he to in the haven

wherein he and Magnus had covenanted to lie that night; and brought he

his ship into the King's berth, and hoisted his tilts.

King Magnus, he that had later in the day sailed forth, found also that

haven, but when he was come perceived he that the men of Harald had by

then gotten their tilts up; & saw he furthermore that Harald was lying

in the berth of the King and that there was he minded to lie. Even so

soon as his men had struck sail said King Magnus unto them: 'Now shall

my men take their places by the bulwarks and fall to their oars, and the

others shall undo their weapons and arm themselves, and if Harald and

his men gainsay us and will not make way, then will we fight them.' When

King Harald saw that King Magnus was minded to give battle spake he to

his men and said: 'Cut the hawsers and let us put off; wroth is now

kinsman Magnus.' So said so done; and the ships of Harald were hove out

of berth, and King Magnus put his ships into their place.

When this had been accomplished went King Harald with sundry of his men

up on to the ship of King Magnus, & the King greeted him well and bade

him welcome. Then said King Harald: 'I thought that we were come among

friends; but just now I misdoubted that thou wouldst let this be the

case; but true it is that children are petulent & I will not account it

otherwise than that this was a childish deed.' Then said King Magnus:

'It was a kin-deed, not a child's-deed; I can in good sooth remember

what I gave and what I refused, but an it were allowed that this little

matter were now done in our despite another would soon arise. In all

things will we keep the covenant that we made, but thou on thy part must

fulfil that which was agreed upon.' Then said King Harald: 'There is

also an old custom which hath it that the wisest giveth way,' &

therewith went he back even to his own ship. In such like dealings

betwixt the Kings was it difficult to hold the balance; the men to King

Magnus swore even that he was in the right, but those who were dullards

deemed that Harald had been slighted.

The men that were of King Harald's following said it were well and right

that Magnus should have the berth had the two Kings come thither at the

same time, but that King Harald could not be called upon to leave the

berth wherein he were lying afore; and they declared that Harald had

acted well and wisely, but those who wished to make the worst of things

said that King Magnus desired to break the covenant, and that he had

done King Harald wrong and injustice.

Soon unwise men were talking so much about quarrels of this kind that

discord arose between the Kings, and many things befell which the Kings

took each after his own fashion albeit thereof is but little set down in

writing.

|| So King Magnus & King Harald brought their fleet down to Denmark, and

when Svein heard thereof fled he away to Skani. The two Kings abode long

in Denmark that summer, and brought the land into subjection; the autumn

to them was in Jutland. There one night, when King Magnus lay abed,

dreamt he that he himself stood there where his father King Olaf the

Saint abode, & thought he that his father spake with him: 'Which wilt

thou choose, my son, to fare with me, or become of all kings the

mightiest & live long, but to commit sin so great that thou wilt

scarcely or never be able to atone for it?' And he bethought that he

answered, 'I desire that thou choosest for me.'

Then the King seemed to answer: 'Thou shalt fare even with me.' King

Magnus told his men of this dream. A little while later fell he ill of a

sickness, and lay at a place called Sudatorp,Sec. and when he was nigh unto

death sent he his brotherSec. Thorir to Svein Ulfson bidding the latter

afford Thorir what help he might need, and with this message King Magnus

also made it known that when his days should be ended it was his wish to

have Svein to have dominion over the realm of Denmark, saying that it

was meet that Harald should rule over Norway and Svein over Denmark.

Thereafter died King Magnus the Good, & all folk mourned his death. Thus

saith Od Kikina-Skald:

'Full many a tear did men shed

When the mild King was borne to the grave.

Heavy the burden for those that he had benefited with gold,

Sore were the hearts of the house carles,

Their tears held they not back,

And oft-times in sorrow now are his people down-cast.'

|| When he heard these tidings summoned King Harald his host to a Thing,

and opened unto them a scheme whereof the purport was to fare forth to

the Vebiorg Thing, and cause himself there to be acclaimed King of

Denmark.

Thence would he conquer his country, for he accounted Denmark his own

heritage in succession to his kinsman Magnus in like manner as with the

kingdom of Norway.

And for this purpose bade he his men give him their assistance, for

then, said he, the Norwegians would be masters of the Danes for all

time. Then up and spake Einar Thamberskelfir, and said, rather was it

his duty to convey his foster-son King Magnus to the grave and to the

latter's father King Olaf, than to fight in a foreign land, or to covet

ye might and dominion of another King; therefore concluded he his

speaking by saying that better he deemed it to follow King Magnus dead

than any other king living. Afterwards caused he the corpse to be ta'en

and laid out in solemn state so that all might see it arrayed on board

the King's own ship. Thereafter all the men of Throndhjem and the

Norwegians made them ready to return home with the body of King Magnus &

the war-host was disbanded. Then did King Harald perceive that by so

much was it his wisest policy to fare back even unto Norway and first of

all things to make that country his own, and thereafter wax in power. So

Harald hied him thither with the whole of his host thus unto Norway, and

even so soon as he was come thither held he a Thing of the men of the

land, and caused himself to be acknowledged King over the whole country;

he fared right from the east, from Vik, and was acclaimed King by every

folkland in Norway.

|| Einar Thamberskelfir journeyed to Norway with the corpse of King

Magnus; with him fared all the host of the Throndhjem folk; & they took

the body to Nidaros where it was buried in the chapel of Saint Clement

wherein was then the shrine of the sainted King Olaf.

King Magnus had been of middle height, with a countenance ruddy and

frank, fair-haired was he, and eloquent; quick to think, strong to

decide, bounteous to give; withal a mighty man of war and very valiant

to boot; of all Kings was he the most beloved, & praised was he alike by

friend and foe.

|| That autumn also was Svein Ulfson in Skani & was minded to fare

eastward to the realm of Sweden; moreover thought he that he would lay

down the title of King which he had taken to himself in Denmark.

Peradventure as he was mounting his horse rode certain men up to him &

told unto him the tidings that King Magnus was dead, and how that all

the host of Norway had quitted clean from Denmark.

To this made Svein hasty answer & said: 'I call God to witness that

never hereafter will I flee the realm of Denmark even so long as I

live.' Therewithal mounted he his horse & rode southwards in Skani, & to

him were forthwith many folk gathered. That winter conquered he the

whole of Denmark, & all the Danes took him for their King. Thorir, the

brother of King Magnus, came to Svein with the message of King Magnus,

as has been afore writ, & Svein received Thorir with good countenance;

tarried he long with Svein and it was well with him.

|| After the death of King Magnus Olafson, had King Harald Sigurdson

possession of the whole realm of Norway.

And when he had ruled over Norway for one winter, & the spring was again

incomen mustered he men from out of all the land, one half of the

general host in men & ships, & thence sailed south to Jutland where he

harried & burned even very widely; that same summer hove he to in

Godnarfjord. At that time made King Harald this verse:

'While the linen-white woman

Her song chants to her goodman,

The anchor of the oaken ship

We drop in Godnarfjord.'

Then spake he to Thiodolf, and bade him add thereunto; and he sang:

'Next summer (foretell I)

The anchor more southward

Shall hold the ship with its fluke;

Deeper shall we cast it.'

And Bolverk in his lay mentions that Harald fared to Denmark the summer

following on King Magnus's death:

'From that fair land the year thereafter

A muster called'st thou out;

When thou ploughed'st the seas

With sea-steeds full splendid.

On darksome billow lay

The dragons precious, and uneasy

The host thereof saw off land

laden were the war-ships of the Danes.'

|| It was at that time that they burned the homestead of Thorkel Geyser.

He was a great chief, natheless were his daughters led bounden to the

ships: the winter before had they shown themselves very scornful of

Harald & had made mock of his war cruise to Denmark, & from cheese had

they cut out anchors and said that most like these would well suffice to

hold the ships of the King of Norway. Then was this chanted:

'Now from their whey cheeses cut

The maids of Denmark rings for anchors,

And this gibe annoyance gave the King.

Now see I maidens many in the morn

Reach the King's ships in fetters heavy:

Fewer laugh now.'

|| It is related that the look-out man who had observed the fleet of King

Harald's cried out to the daughters of Thorkel Geyser, 'Ye Geyser

daughters said that Harald would never come to Denmark.' Quoth one of

them, 'That was yesterday.'

|| At a very high price did Thorkel ransom his daughters. Thus saith

Grani:

'Of tears her eyes

Were never dry;

This wrong-headed woman

In the thick Horn-woods.

The lord of Norway the fleeing

Foe to the shore drave;

For his daughters wealth amain

Had to pay their father.'

|| The whole of the summer did King Harald harry in the realm of the

Danes & gat to himself much plunder, natheless did he not there abide

but fared he back to Norway in the autumn, and there tarried the winter

through.

|| That same winter, which was even that one after the death of King

Magnus, did King Harald take to wife Thora, the daughter of Thorberg

Arnason. To them were born two sons, the elder of whom was Magnus, the

younger Olaf.

King Harald and Queen Ellisif had two daughters; one of these was named

Maria, and the other Ingigerd. When that following spring was come, and

of that spring have we writ afore, did King Harald muster his host and

again fared forth to Denmark in the summer & harried there, & the same

did he now one summer after the other. Thus saith Stuf the Skald:

'Falster was wasted, and to its folk

Mischance befell (so I heard).

The raven his fill ate,

But rapine feared the Danes each year.'

|| Ever since the death of King Magnus had King Svein ruled the whole of

the Danish realm; remained he at peace during the winters, but by summer

went he out with his host & did threaten to journey north with the

Danish host, and there do no less harm than Harald had done in Denmark.

In the winter King Svein offered to meet King Harald in the River, and

there fight together to the last, or else come to agreement; and

thereafter, during that winter, were both one and other of them busied

arming their ships, so that in the summer to come might one half of the

general host be abroad.

It was in that summer that there came from Iceland Thorleik Svein

Ulfson; he had heard to wit, when he was north in Norway, that King

Harald had fared south to the River against King Svein. Then did

Thorleik chant this:

''Tis awaited that in spear-storm

On the sea-king's path

The doughty men of inner Throndhjem

Will meet the hardy King.

God only can bring it to pass

That one of them there taketh

Life or land of the other;

Little wots Svein of concord.'

And furthermore he chanted this:

'Harald the harsh who beareth

Oft a red shield off the land,

Is guiding on Budli's waysSec.

The broad long-ships from the north.

But southward o'er the seas,

Doth come the warlike Svein

In animals gold-mouthed, masted,

And painted in colours fair.'

|| To the appointed trysting-place came King Harald with his host, and

there heard that King Svein was to the south and lying off Zealand with

his fleet. Then did King Harald part his host, sending the greater

number of the peasant-host back, but retaining to himself his body-guard

& friends and feudatories, also that part of the peasant-host which had

been mustered nighest to the Danes.

They fared south (west) to Jutland, southward of Vendilskagi,

& thereafter still south past Thioda, & went everywhere with the

war-shield aloft. Thus saith Stuf the Skald:

'Fled Thioda folk from meeting with the King,

Bold was he the stately dealer of blows.

Harald's soul in Heaven.'Sec.

|| They fared southward all the way to Heidaby, and when they were come

thither seized they that town and burned it. Then a man that was thrall

to King Harald wrought this:

'Burnt from one end to another

Was the whole of Heidaby;

Ruthless treatment this, methinks;

Our work, I trow, arouses grief in Svein.

In the town spent I last night:

Ere the eighth hour the flames shot up from the houses.'

|| Likewise Thorleik telleth in his poem that he heard that no battle

befell at the River:

'Among the King's followers

Each asks who doth not wot it

How 'twas that the prince avenger

To Heidaby did hie him,

When Harald from the east with ships

Sped early, without reason,

To the royal town. In sooth

Destruction ne'er should have been done.'

|| After this fared Harald northward and with him had he sixty ships, the

greater number were large & well laden with what plunder had been taken

in the summer. But as they were faring northward and past Thioda came

down King Svein from the land with a large host; & he proffered King

Harald to come ashore & do battle. Now King Harald had less than half as

many men as Svein and so he bade Svein fight with him at sea. Thus saith

Thorleik the Fair:

'Svein, even he who was born to success in Midgard,

Called on the mighty King in fight on land to meet him;

But Harald shy of failing would liefer fight, quoth he,

Aboardship, since the bold King held the land.'

|| Thereafter sailed Harald northward past Vendilskagi; but the wind was

against them & they brought-to under Lesey where they remained the

night. Then were the ships encompassed with a thick sea-fog, but when it

was morning, & the sun rose, beheld they on the other side of the sea

what seemed to them like burning fires. And King Harald being informed

thereof gazed thereat, & said straightway: 'Strike the ships' tilts, and

let the men fall to their oars. The Danish host hath come after us. The

darkness hath lifted, I ween, there where they are, and the sun is

shining on their dragon-heads the which are overlaid with gold.' And it

was even as Harald said for behold there was come Svein, the Danish

King, with a mighty host.

Both the fleets now rowed with all speed, but the Danish ships were

lighter under oars, the Norwegian ships being both water-logged and

heavy laden. So the Danes drew on apace.

Then did Harald perceive that this would never serve his purpose. Now

his dragon was faring astern of all his other ships, and he commanded

that some timber should be thrown overboard and apparel with other wares

be placed thereon, and as the water was calm these things drifted with

the current.

When the Danes saw these goods drifting along on the sea those who were

rowing ahead swerved aside after them, for they deemed it easier to take

the goods as they were floating loose on the water than to seek them on

board the Norwegian ships, and in this manner did their ships linger.

When King Svein overtook them in his ship bade he them proceed, and said

shame was it that with an host as large as his they could not take the

Norwegians, to whom was but few men, and get the fellows into their

power.

Then began the Danes to row the harder again, and when King Harald saw

that they were making way bade he his men lighten their ships by

throwing overboard malt and wheat and swine-flesh, even to chopping open

their kegs of drink, and for a while these aids availed them well. Then

did King Harald command that the war-hurdles should be taken, also

casks, and empty barrels, and be cast overboard and on them and in them

were placed prisoners of war.

Now when King Svein saw all of these floating together on the sea he

ordered that the men should be rescued, and accordingly was this done.

While his men were occupied in this their task, grew greater the

distance between the fleets, and when the Danes were again about the

chase had the Norwegians already made good their escape. Thus saith

Thorleik the Fair:

'I heard tell in what manner Svein

The eastmen put to flight at sea,

How the other King quick-minded gat him gone;

All the plunder of the Thrond-folk's King

On the Jutland sea was floating;

And sundry ships lost he withal.'

|| Under Lesey, did King Svein withdraw his fleet, and there found he

seven Norwegian ships, but aboard them were only peasants and men who

had been mustered for war.

When King Svein took them begged they for quarter and offered money in

ransom. Thus saith Thorleik the Fair:

'For grace did Harald's friends stout-hearted

Pray the King, and they few laid down their arms;

The peasants ready-witted refused to fight thereafter,

Speaking because their lives out they wished to live.'

|| Anent King Harald be it said that he was masterful and a strong ruler

in his own land, a very sage man withal, & it be common talk that there

was never a chief in the Northlands so wise or ready in resource as he.

A great warrior also, and very valiant, stronger, & defter with weapons

than any other man; but all this have we recorded before.

Nevertheless the greater number of his doughty deeds go unrecorded, and

this in part by reason of our lack of knowledge thereof, & in part by

reason that we will not put in books tales for which there is no

witness, even though in our hearing have such things been told. It

beseemeth us better that something may be added hereafter than that much

should need to be taken herefrom. About King Harald are many tales set

forth in lays which the Icelandic men made to him or to his sons, & for

this reason was he a firm friend to them. A firm friend also was he to

all our countrymen, and once when there was a great famine in Iceland

permitted King Harald four of his ships to carry meal to that island,

and decreed that six bushels thereof should not cost more than a hundred

ells of homespun; furthermore allowed he those that were stricken by

poverty to leave if so be that they could find themselves in victuals

the voyage thro' over to the main, and by these means was the land saved

and the harvest thereof bettered.

King Harald set up a bell for the church which was builded with timber

sent hither by the sainted King Olaf, and raised on a site nigh by where

the Althing takes place. Such memories have we here of King Harald & of

many other great gifts which he granted to men that sought them.

Halldor Snorrason and Ulf Uspakson, whereof we have afore wrote, hied

them to Norway even into the service of King Harald.

In manifold parts were they opposite one from the other. Halldor was

very big & strong and handsome, and King Harald bore witness regarding

him that he was among those of his men who altered least in unawaited

circumstances: whether such might be peril or tidings of joy, or through

things that might occur when danger was toward; never was he more

pleased nor less pleased, never did he sleep more nor less; nor took

meat & drink otherwise than as was his wont. Halldor was a silent man &

harsh, speaking bluntly, also was he stubborn and unmeek; and this was

not to the liking of the King since he had many other bold and willing

men.

Halldor abode with the King but a short time and then fared back to

Iceland, and made to himself a home at Hiardarholt, abiding there till

he was aged and become an old man.

|| In great love dwelt Ulf Uspakson with King Harald; a very wise man was

he, eloquent, strong, large-hearted, & resourceful. King Harald created

him his marshal and gave him in wedlock Jorun the daughter of Thorberg

whose daughter, to wit Thora, was wife to King Harald. The children of

Ulf and Jorun were Joan the Strong of Rasvold, & Brigida, the mother of

Sheep-Wolf, who was the father of Peter Burden-SwainSec. who again was the

father of Ulf Fly and of the other brothers and sisters of this latter.

The son of Joan the Strong was Erling, he that was the father of

Archbishop Eystein and his brothers.

King Harald gave Ulf the Marshal the rights of a feudatory and a grant

of twelve marks with more than half a folkland in Throndhjem; this

according to Stein Herdison in the lay of Ulf.

|| Now it came to pass that King Magnus Olafson had caused the church of

Saint OlafSec. to be builded in Nidaros on the self-same spot whereon his

father's body had rested for a night, and this spot was then above the

town; there too builded he the King's-House.

The church was not finished when the King died. Harald completed that

which was lacking to the church, and in the yard thereof laid he the

foundation of a stone hall, but this was not ready before he set to work

to build the church of Saint Mary up on the sand-bank, nigh the spot

where the holy body of the King lay buried that first winter after his

death.

It was a great minster and so firmly was it builded with lime that it

scarce could be broken when Archbishop Eystein had it pulled down.

In the church of Saint Olaf were preserved ye relics of King OlafSec.

whiles the church of St. Mary was abuilding.

King Harald builded a King's-House below the church of Mary, by the

river, where it now stands; & the hall which he had builded before,

dedicated he to the church of Saint Gregory.Sec.

|| A certain man there was named Ivar the White, who was a bold

feudatory; his seat lay in the Uplands, and himself was a grandson of

Earl Hakon the Great. In appearance was Ivar exceeding comely. The son

of Ivar was named Hakon, and it hath been said of him that he surpassed

all the men in Norway at that time for strength and courage & ability;

he was much in warfare in his youth & made great advancement for

himself, and later was he a very famous man.

|| Einar Thamberskelfir was the most powerful of the feudatories in

Throndhjem; little friendship throve there betwixt himself & Harald,

natheless retained he the land-dues which had pertained to him during

the lifetime of Magnus.

Einar was an exceedingly wealthy man; he was wedded to Bergliot daughter

of Earl Hakon, as hath been writ before. Eindrid, their son, was now

full-grown, and had to wife Sigrid the daughter of Ketil Calf and of

Gunhild, the niece of King Harald through her mother.

Eindrid inherited fairness and beauty from the kindred of his mother, to

wit, Earl Hakon and his sons; and from his father, Einar, gat he height

and strength and the craft which Einar had above all other men; a very

hearty man was Eindrid withal.

|| Orm was the name of a certain Earl in the Uplands, and his mother was

Ragnhild the daughter of Earl Hakon the Great. This Orm was a very

excellent man.

In those days Aslak Erlingson lived eastward at Soli in Jadar; he had to

wife Sigrid the daughter of Earl Svein Hakonson.

Gunhild, another daughter to Earl Svein, was wedded to the Danish King

Svein Ulfson. This anent the offspring in Norway of Earl Hakon at that

time, and moreover anent many other bold men; all of the line of Earl

Hakon were more comely than other folk and the most of them were very

able men, but all were brave.

|| King Harald loved power, & this grew according as he took root in the

land; to so great an extent did it wax that in the case of most men it

bootless was to speak against him, or to bring forward other matters

than those which were to his mind. Thus saith Thiodolf the Skald:

'The men of the war-wont chieftain

All humble have to sit or stand

There in such place as the stern king desireth;

Before the filler of ravens bend many men,

And few there are indeed who will not do in all things

Whate'er the King may bid.'

|| Ever was Einar Thamberskelfir the chief leader of the Throndhjem

peasantry, and their spokesman at the Thing when the King proceeded

against them. Well acquainted was he with the laws; nor, with all the

peasantry at his back, was he lacking in boldness to carry through his

cause at the Things, even though the King himself might be present.

Now this made the King exceeding wroth, and at last were matters at such

a pass that they disputed together with contentious words, Einar

swearing that the peasants would not brook the lawlessness of the King

if he should break the common law of the land. After this fashion did

they fall out on sundry occasions. Then Einar started to have many men

round him when he was at home, and many more when he came to town and

the King was present. On one occasion when he fared in to town had he

with him many folk, eight or nine long-ships, and nigh upon five hundred

men;Sec. and coming to town he went ashore with this fellowship, and King

Harald who by hap was in the outer gallery of his house, stood and

looked on as the men to Einar flocked up from their ships, and it is

said that Harald thereupon chanted this:

'Here see I speeding up

With his great following

Einar Thamberskelfir;

Yea, he who cleaveth the waves.

That lord full strong is minded

A princely throne to fill;

At the heels of an earl

House-carles but few will follow.

He who the sword makes red

Will beguile us of our land

If Einar kisseth not

The thin mouth of the axe.'

|| Some days that while tarried Einar in the town.

Now it came to pass that one day a folk-mote was held, for it had

befallen that a thief had been taken in the town, and it was at this

mote that he was to be brought to trial, & the King himself was present.

Aforetime had the man been in the service of Einar who had favoured him

more than a little. Now of this matter was Einar told, and deemed he

that the King would not be the more prone to liberate the man because

he, Einar, set store by him, so accordingly bade he his men arm

themselves and in force to proceed to the mote, and then took Einar the

man away by dint of sheer strength.

Thereafter mediated the friends of either in the matter, & the end

thereof came that it was agreed that a tryst should be appointed and

that the King & Einar should meet one another. There was a

council-chamber in the King's-House down by the river,Sec. and into this

chamber entered the King and with him therein were but few men; the

others left he standing without in the courtyard. Now the King had had a

shutter placed over the smoke-hole, & there was but a little opening.

Then did Einar come into the courtyard with his men, and said he to his

son Eindrid: 'Remain thou out here with the men, and then will there be

no danger for me.'

Wherefore did Eindrid take up his station without the door of the

council-chamber.

Now when Einar was entered into this room said he: 'Dark is it in the

King's council-chamber,' and even at that moment fell men upon him and

some stabbed him & some hewed at him, and when Eindrid heard the tumult

drew he his sword and rushed into the chamber whereon forthwith was he

felled beside his father.

Then did the King's men run towards the chamber and before the door

thereof, but the peasants were all at a loss because now to them

pertained no leader; yet did they urge one another on saying that it

were shame not to avenge their chief, but for all that did they naught,

& made no essay to fight. Then went the King out to his men, set them in

array, & caused his banner to be unfurled, but made he no onset &

thereafter bade he all his men go out to his ship, then rowed they down

the river and so out on the fjord.

Now apace was brought the intelligence of the death of Eindrid to

Bergliot his wife for she was in the lodging that she and Einar

inhabited in the town. Thence went she up unto the King's-House where

was gathered the peasant host and them incited she to fight inasmuch as

in her lay, but at that same moment rowed the King down the river, then

quoth Bergliot: 'Now lack we my kinsman Hakon Ivarson; ne'er would the

murderers of Eindrid be rowing there adown the river were Hakon on its

banks.'

Thereafter caused Bergliot the bodies of Einar & Eindrid be laid out,

and they were buried in the church of Saint Olaf hard by the tomb of

King Magnus Olafson.

After the fall of Einar became King Harald so greatly hated for his

share in that foul deed, that the feudatories and peasants only held

back from fighting with him because to them pertained no leader to raise

the banner for them.

[Illustration]

|| Now dwelling at Austrat in Iriar was Fin Arnison, feudatory of King

Harald.

Fin was married with Bergliot, the daughter of Halfdan the son of Sigurd

Sow, & Halfdan was the brother of King Olaf and King Harald.

Thora, wife to King Harald, was the daughter of the brother of Fin

Arnison; sworn friends to the King were Fin and his brethren. Certain

summers had Fin been in viking warfare westward and on those quests he &

Guthorm GunhildsonSec. & Hakon Ivarson had sailed in company. So fared King

Harald down the Throndhjem fjord and out to Austrat, where he was well

received, and thereafter communed they together, Fin and he, & took

counsel one with the other as to the outcome concerning what had but

then befallen, to wit the slaying of Einar and his son, and then of that

murmuring and turmoil the which the Throndhjem folk were raising over

against the King.

Fin answered hastily: 'Wrong art thou on every count; whatsoever thou

doest thou doest ill & thereafter art thou so afeared that thou knowest

no whither to turn.'

The King rejoined laughing: 'Kinsman-in-law, I will send thee in to town

& thou shalt make it up betwixt the peasants and me; & if that business

cometh to naught then shalt thou fare to the Uplands, & good feeling

again cause with Ivar Hakonson & so bring it about that he goeth not to

war against me.' Fin answered: 'What will be my reward an I go on this

fool's errand, for alike Throndhjem folk and Upland folk are so hostile

to thee that no messenger of thine could fare to them save at his own

risk.'

The King answered: 'Go thou on this errand, kinsman-in-law, for well wot

I an any man could bring us to a reconciliation it would be thee, & ask

thyself of us what boon thou wilt have therefor.'

'Keep thou thy word, and I will choose the boon; I choose peace for my

brother Calf and removal of his outlawry, and the restoring unto him of

all his possessions; and furthermore I ask that he shall have all his

appointments and all the power that he had or ever he left the land.'

And the King said yea to all whatever Fin asked of him, & they twain

before witnesses took one another by the hand thereon. Thereafter said

Fin: 'But what am I to proffer Hakon so that he may promise thee peace,

for he it is who hath the upper hand of those kinsmen'? The King said:

'First shalt thou find out what Hakon is like to demand so that

reconciliation may be brought about, and thereafter must thou forward my

cause as best thou canst; but should the worst come to the worst, then

deny him nothing save & except the kingship itself.'

|| Then went King Harald southward to More where mustered he men, and a

great number was gathered unto him.

|| So Fin Arnison fared into the town & took with him his house-carles to

the number of some eighty men, and being come to the town held he a

Thing with the townsmen. Now Fin spoke long and wisely at this Thing,

bidding townsman and peasant take any other course rather than live in

hatred with his King or drive him away; & he reminded them how much ill

they had been brought to suffer when they had acted in this wise

aforetime, towards the sainted King Olaf.

He said, moreover, that the King would atone for these murders in such

manner as the best & wisest men might adjudge; and the outcome of the

speech of Fin was that the men gave their word to let the matter rest

until the return of the messengers despatched by Bergliot to Hakon

Ivarson in the Uplands. Thereafter fared Fin out to Orkadal with the men

who had accompanied him to town, and further up to the Dofrafjal and

eastward (south) across those mountains; and firstly went he to see his

kinsman-in-law Earl Orm (the Earl was wedded to Sigrid the daughter to

Fin) & to him disclosed his errand.

|| When this was done, appointed they a tryst with Hakon Ivarson, & when

they were met did Fin before Hakon lay his errand in accordance with the

behest of King Harald. But on the instant was it seen from the speech of

Hakon that he deemed himself bound to avenge the slaying of his kinsman

Eindrid; and said he, moreover, that he had received word from

Throndhjem that there would come to him forces sufficient for an

uprising against the King.

|| Then did Fin open unto Hakon what a difference would lie, and how much

the more to his own vantage, were he, in lieu of risking battle against

a King to whom he was already bounden by service, to accept from that

King honour as great as he himself might demand. Fin said that Hakon

might be unvictorious; 'and then wouldst thou have forfeited both wealth

and peace; and if thou wert victorious over the King then wouldst thou

be dubbed a traitor.'

The Earl also supported this speaking of Fin.

When Hakon had given the matter thought, made he known to them what was

in his mind, & said: 'I will accept reconciliation from King Harald if

he will give me in wedlock his kinswoman Ragnhild, the daughter of

Magnus Olafson, with such a dowry as is seemly for her, and as she

herself may desire.'

Then Fin answered that he would promise the fulfilment of this request

on behalf of King Harald, & therewith was the matter ratified between

them. Thereafter fared Fin back north to Throndhjem, and all the

disquiet and turmoil was set at rest; and so in the end kept the King

his kingdom in peace within the land, for now the whole of that league

came to naught which the kinsfolk of Eindrid had set against King

Harald.

[Illustration]

|| Now when the time was come that Hakon was to demand the fulfilment of

the contract, fared he to see King Harald; and when they began talking

of the matter together, said the King to him that he on his side would

keep to everything that had been covenanted twixt Hakon and Fin: 'Thou

shalt speak with Ragnhild herself, Hakon,' said the King, 'and ask her

consent to this match, but I would not advise thee, or any other, to wed

Ragnhild save with her consent.'

Thereafter went Hakon unto Ragnhild and asked her hand, and she

answered: 'Indeed feel I that my father, King Hakon, is dead, since I am

to be given to a peasant, fine man though thou art and of mighty

prowess. Were King Magnus alive would he never yoke me with any mate

less than a king, nor can it be awaited now that I will wed a man

without princely rank.' Now after this went Hakon to King Harald &

opened unto him of the colour of the speech of Ragnhild, & withal to his

memory again commended the agreement betwixt himself and Fin; and Fin

was there present, & sundry others who could also bear witness to what

was pledged betwixt him and Fin. Then of them all demanded Hakon to bear

him out in regard to the agreement that the King should give Ragnhild

such dowry as was to her mind: 'Since she will not wed an unprincely man

then canst thou give me an earldom; lineage have I, and according to

what folk say certain other qualities therewith that may well give me

title to be an earl.' Then said the King: 'When King Olaf, my brother,

& King Magnus, his son, ruled the kingdom, one earl did they allow to be

in the country at a time; this likewise hath been my plan since I have

been King, & therefore will I not take away from Orm the dignity which I

have already given him.' Then saw Hakon that his cause had not been

forwarded and he liked it but ill, and Fin was likewise exceeding wrath

that the King had not kept his word, and thereafter they parted. Hakon

fared straightway from the country in a well-found long-ship, and

southward steered a course for Denmark where he betook him to his

kinsman-in-law, King Svein. The King received him with great pleasure &

gave him large grants in Denmark and made he Hakon also captain of his

coast defences, which were against vikings, who oft-times harried in the

Danish realm, and Wends, and Courlanders, and other folk coming from the

east. Therefore at sea, on his ships, dwelt Hakon in winter as well as

in summer.

|| Asmund was the name of a certain man who was said to be nephewSec. &

foster-son to King Svein, a very able man was he, and well-beloved by

the King.

But when Asmund grew to man's estate soon showed he himself of an unruly

complexion & a manslayer; and the King being ill-pleased thereat sent

him away, but gave him a company of men and a goodly feof whereof could

he full well find support.

Now no sooner had Asmund accepted the money of the King than gathered he

many men to him, and thereafter, since the money the King had granted

him sufficed in no sort for his charges, seized he many possessions of

the King.

For this ill conduct, when the King heard thereof, summoned he Asmund to

him, and when they met told him that obeyed would he be, that he must

enter his body-guard & no longer have his own company of men. When

Asmund had been a time with the King, became he ill-content, & one night

ran he away and rejoined his company, and thereafter wrought even more

evil than aforetime.

Then it befell once upon a time when the King was riding in his

dominions, that he came nigh unto the place where then abode Asmund and

he despatched men to take him by force, and that done the King had him

put in irons and kept him thus for a while to see if he would not grow

meeker. But when Asmund was let loose from his irons forthwith ran he

the more away, & raised men and war-ships, and fell to harrying both at

home and abroad, & much war-work did he, slaying many folk, and

pillaging far and wide. Those men that were the sufferers from his raids

went to the King and made plaint before him, and he rejoined: 'Why say

ye this to me, why do ye not fare to Hakon Ivarson? He is now the warden

of my coasts, and is put there to punish vikings and keep the peace for

ye peasants. It was told me that Hakon was a bold man and brave, but

methinks that now is he never to be found where he deemeth danger to be

toward.'

These words from the King, and many added to them, came to the ears of

Hakon, & thereon went Hakon & his men in search of Asmund, & they were

met on their ships, wherefore Hakon forthwith gave battle. A hard &

great struggle was it; Hakon boarded Asmund's ship and cleared it, and

at the last he and Asmund themselves dealt blows one at another with

their weapons & thus fell Asmund. Thereafter Hakon smote off his head,

& then betook him with all speed to King Svein whom he found sitting at

table.

Hakon advanced before the table and laid the head thereon, in front of

the King, and asked of him whether he recognized it.

Never a word did the King answer, but he was blood-red to behold.

Thereafter went Hakon away. A little later sent the King men to him, to

bid him leave his service, & he said: 'No hurt will I do him, but it is

not for us to be the keeper of all our kinsmen.'

|| Then when all these things were accomplished did Hakon quit Denmark &

thence fared forth to the north of Norway, to his demesne.

By that time was his kinsman, Earl Orm, dead.

The friends and kindred to Hakon were rejoiced over his coming, and many

a bold man set to work to make peace betwixt him & the King, & in the

end were they reconciled, to wit, both King Harald and Hakon; and Hakon

was given Ragnhild, the King's daughter, in marriage, & King Harald gave

him Orm's earldom and such rule as had been Orm's aforetime. Hakon swore

fealty to the King, and likewise to afford him such service as he was

bounden to give him.

|| Since he had fared from Norway had Calf Arnison been living after the

fashion of a viking westward, but the winters through oft-times abode he

in Orkneyja (the Orkneys) with his kinsman-in-law, Earl Thorfin. Fin

Arnison sent to his brother Calf to tell him concerning the covenant

which he and King Harald had encompassed, the purport whereof being ye

outlawry of Calf himself, to wit, that it should be once more lawful to

him to dwell in his own land, and possess his estates, and such land

dues as he had held aforetime from King Magnus. When Calf received this

message, forthwith made he him ready to quit, and sailed he east to

Norway, and firstly sought he his brother Fin.

Thereafter Fin craved a truce for Calf, and then were they confronted,

the King and Calf, & entered into a covenant like unto the agreement to

which the King & Fin had arrived on this matter. Thereon gave Calf his

hand, and bound himself on the same terms as he had bound himself to

King Magnus aforetime, that he would do all such works as King Harald

desired or deemed would be for the strengthening of his kingdom.

Then was Calf re-endowed with all his possessions, and the land-dues

which had been his in former days.

|| Next summer called out King Harald an host and fared to Denmark where

he harried during the summer.

But when he was come south to Fion (Funen) found he a large host

assembled against him, so bade the King his men leave their ships and

arm themselves in order to make a landing; and parted he his host and

gave to Calf Arnison command over one company thereof, and bade them go

the first ashore and told them where to take up their station; himself,

said he, would go up after them, and come to their assistance.

Calf and his men went ashore, and anon a band of men set upon them, and

Calf forthwith gave battle. Not long was the combat, for Calf was

overborne by odds and fled with his folk. The Danes pursued them,

slaying many of the Norwegians, and likewise Calf Arnison.

When King Harald with his company were come ashore soon found they the

slain, more especially the corse of Calf, and this was borne down to the

ships, but the King pursued his march inland where he harried and slew

many men. Thus saith Arnor:

'The edge so sharp in Fion

He reddened, and the fire

Rushed o'er the dwelling;

Fewer folk were there thereafter in Fion.'

|| After this conceived Fin Arnison enmity against Harald for the slaying

of his brother Calf, for said he that the King had purposely compassed

the death of Calf; and furthermore that it was befooling of him himself,

to wit, this luring of Calf west across the seas into the power of King

Harald, and into putting faith in him. When these words were spread

abroad spake many men their mind that Fin had been simple when he had

deemed that Calf could trust in the good faith of King Harald, for it

was known that the King bore malice for deeds of smaller consequence

than those Calf had committed against his person.

Now let the King every man talk on this matter as he listed: he made

neither confirmation nor yet contradiction of whatsoever they said, and

it was in his own words alone that men did discover satisfaction at what

had happened. King Harald chanted this song:

'Now of men eleven and two have I the bane been,

We incite to battle and full many a slaying I remember.

That mind which is with treason fraught

Seeks to tame men by falseness;

Men say 'tis little that it takes such a balance to disturb.'

|| So much to heart did Fin Arnison take the death of his brother that he

quitted the land and came south to Denmark, and going unto King Svein

was well received by him. The King & he spake long together privily,

& at the end thereof was it known how Fin was minded then and there to

take service with King Svein and become his man. To him gave Svein the

title or Earl and therewith Halland to govern, and there Fin tarried to

safeguard the coast against the Norwegians.

|| Now Ketil Calf & Gunhild had a son whose name was Guthorm of Ringanes.

On his mother's side was he the nephew of King Olaf and King Harald,

able was he withal & early come to manhood. Guthorm was oft with King

Harald who to him was of very friendly countenance, and over Harald had

Guthorm much influence for he was a wise man & well-beloved of all.

Guthorm sailed often on viking cruises to the lands in the west, and had

disposition over many men.

His peace-land & place of abode in winter was Dublin in Ireland, where

he was a sworn friend of King Margad.Sec.

|| The summer thereafter King Margad and Guthorm with him fared to

Bretland (Wales) in order to harry there, and thence took they much

wealth which they had pillaged. After having done thus, lay they to in

Anglesey Sound so that they might part their plunder, but when all the

silver, and great was the quantity, was carried before the King and he

beheld it, then desired he to keep all for himself, and seemed now to

set scant store by his friendship with Guthorm.

Guthorm liked ill enough that he and his men should be scotched of their

share of the booty; & still less pleased was he when the King said he

might choose betwixt two things; 'Either to submit to our will, or do

battle with us, and he who gets the victory to have the money; and thou

moreover shalt depart from thy ships and I will take them.' Now on

either hand the task seemed severe; Guthorm deemed it unseemly that he

should without rime or reason give up his ships & money, but natheless

was it ill fighting over against a King to whom was an host so large as

that which followed Margad. Grave also was the disparity betwixt the

crews thereof, inasmuch as to the King were sixteen long-ships & to

Guthorm only five. So Guthorm prayed the King grant him three nights'

truce in the which to confer with his men on this matter, for thought he

that he could soften the King within this time, and aided by the

pleading of his men could set the matter on a better footing with the

King, but never a bit did he get what he asked for. This was on the eve

of St. Olafmas.Sec. So Guthorm chose to die, the stout fellow he was, or

win the day, rather than suffer the shame and disgrace and mockery of

having lost so vast a deal.

And called he upon God and the sainted King Olaf, his kinsman, praying

for their help and support, and vowing to bestow on that holy man's

house a tithe of all the plunder which would fall to them an they gained

the victory. Thereafter did he array his host, and rank it against the

greater host, and he advanced on them and fought with them, and by God's

help and that of the holy King Olaf did he gain the victory. There fell

King Margad, and every man who was with him, young & old. After this

glorious victory Guthorm returned home joyfully with all the wealth he

had gotten from the strife; & from the silver which had changed hands

every tenth penny was set aside for the sainted King Olaf even as

Guthorm had vowed. A vast deal of money was there so that from the

silver caused Guthorm to be made a rood of his own stature, or of that

of the captain of his ship, and that holy symbol is seven ells in

height.

This cross did Guthorm give to the church of the holy St. Olaf, & thereSec.

has it remained ever since in testimony of ye victory of Guthorm and the

miracle of ye sainted King Olaf.

|| Now there was in Denmark a Count who was evil & envious, and he had a

Norwegian serving-woman and the stock of her was from Throndhjem. She

worshipped the holy King Olaf, and put staunch faith in his sanctity;

but the Count misdoubted all that had been told him of the miracles of

that holy man, & affirmed that naught were they but rumour and talk, and

laughed to scorn all the praise and worship which the folk of the land

accorded the good King.

But now was drawing nigh the day whereon the gentle King laid down his

life, a day which all Norwegians kept, but which this unwise count

refused to hallow; & he bade his serving-woman fire the oven and bake on

that day.

And deeming from the mood of the Count that he would soon avenge himself

on her an she did not obey him in all that he had bidden her do, went

she all unwillingly and laid fire under the oven, and made much plaint

while she worked, & called on King Olaf, saying that she would never

believe more on him if he did not by some token or other avenge this

unseemliness. And now shall ye hear of a meet chastisement & true

miracle: it befell forthwith, in the self-same moment, that the Count

became blind in both eyes and that the bread which she had baked was

turned into stone.

Some of the stones have been brought to the church of the holy King

Olaf, and also to many other places. St. Olafmas has ever been kept holy

in Denmark since that happening.

[Illustration]

|| Westward in Valland (France) was there a man who was so malformed that

he was a cripple, and crawled he ever on his knees and knuckles. One day

when he was abroad, on a road, he fell asleep & dreamt that a man all

glorious without came to him and asked whither was he bound, and the

cripple answered with the name of a certain town.

Then the man all glorious said: 'Fare thee rather to St. Olaf's Church

in London, and there wilt thou be healed.' Thereafter awakened the

cripple and straightway fared in search of St. Olaf's Church, and after

a while was come to London Bridge & there asked of the townsmen whether

they could direct him to St. Olaf's Church; but for answer gat he that

there were too many churches for them to know to what man each of them

was dedicated. A while later came up a man & asked him whither was he

bound, and he told him whither he was bound, and that man said

afterwards: 'We will both go to St. Olaf's Church, for I know the way

thither.'

So then crossed they the bridge, and went to the street which led to

St. Olaf's Church. When they were come to the gates of the churchyard

the man stepped over the threshold which is between the gates, but the

cripple rolled over it, and lo, straightway rose he up a whole man. When

he looked round his comrade was gone.

|| King Harald founded a merchant town eastward in Oslo,Sec. and often

tarried there for it had broad countrysides round about, and was a place

suited for the ingathering of victuals; likewise was it well situated

for the defence of the land against the Danes, & also for onsets on

Denmark which Harald was wont to make even at such times when he had a

large host at his beck.

One summer fared King Harald with some light ships and but few men and

set he sail south for Viken; but on a fair wind springing up, crossed he

the sea to Jutland where he began to harry.

The men of the land, however, collected themselves together & defended

their country, so then sailed King Harald on to Limfjord and went up

that fjord.

Now Limfjord is so fashioned in shape that going up it is like entering

into a narrow river-groove, but as thou goest on up the fjord it

becometh like a great sea.

Harald harried there on both shores, but beheld the Danes everywhere

assembled in numbers. King Harald brought-to his ships alongside an

island which was small & thereon were no buildings; and when they went

in search of water they found none, and told it unto the King.