Earl Hakon ruled over the whole outer part of Norway that lies on the
sea, and had thus sixteen districts under his sway. The arrangement
introduced by Harald Harfager, that there should be an earl in each
district, was afterward continued for a long time; and thus Earl Hakon
had sixteen earls under him. So says the "Vellekla":--
"Who before has ever known
Sixteen earls subdued by one?
Who has seen all Norway's land
Conquered by one brave hero's hand?
It will be long in memory held,
How Hakon ruled by sword and shield.
When tales at the viking's mast go round,
His praise will every mouth resound."
While Earl Hakon ruled over Norway there were good crops in the land,
and peace was well preserved in the country among the bondes. The Earl,
for the greater part of his lifetime, was therefore much beloved by the
bondes; but it happened, in the longer course of time, that the earl
became very intemperate in his intercourse with women, and even carried
it so far that he made the daughters of people of consideration be
carried away and brought home to him; and after keeping them a week
or two as concubines, he sent them home. He drew upon himself the
indignation of me relations of these girls; and the bondes began to
murmur loudly, as the Throndhjem people have the custom of doing when
anything goes against their judgment.