King Olaf, and a vast number of bondes with him, then went out to
Nidarholm, and had with him the heads of Earl Hakon and Kark. This holm
was used then for a place of execution of thieves and ill-doers, and
there stood a gallows on it. He had the heads of the earl and of Kark
hung upon it, and the whole army of the bondes cast stones at them,
screaming and shouting that the one worthless fellow had followed the
other. They then sent up to Gaulardal for the earl's dead body. So great
was the enmity of the Throndhjem people against Earl Hakon, that no man
could venture to call him by any other name than Hakon the Bad; and he
was so called long after those days. Yet, sooth to say of Earl Hakon,
he was in many respects fitted to be a chief: first, because he was
descended from a high race; then because he had understanding and
knowledge to direct a government; also manly courage in battle to
gain victories, and good luck in killing his enemies. So says Thorleif
Raudfeldson:--
"In Norway's land was never known
A braver earl than the brave Hakon.
At sea, beneath the clear moon's light,
No braver man e'er sought to fight.
Nine kings to Odin's wide domain
Were sent, by Hakon's right hand slain!
So well the raven-flocks were fed--
So well the wolves were filled with dead!"
Earl Hakon was very generous; but the greatest misfortunes attended even
such a chief at the end of his days: and the great cause of this was
that the time was come when heathen sacrifices and idolatrous worship
were doomed to fall, and the holy faith and good customs to come in
their place.