Earl Hakon came one winter to the Uplands to a feast, and it so happened
that he had intercourse with a girl of mean birth. Some time after the
girl had to prepare for her confinement, and she bore a child, a boy,
who had water poured on him, and was named Eirik. The mother carried the
boy to Earl Hakon, and said that he was the father. The earl placed
him to be brought up with a man called Thorleif the Wise, who dwelt in
Medaldal, and was a rich and powerful man, and a great friend of the
earl. Eirik gave hopes very early that he would become an able man, was
handsome in countenance, and stout and strong for a child; but the
earl did not pay much attention to him. The earl himself was one of
the handsomest men in countenance,--not tall, but very strong, and
well practised in all kinds of exercises; and withal prudent, of good
understanding, and a deadly man at arms.