At that time there were many kings in the Uplands who had districts to
rule over, and the most of them were descended from Harald Harfager. In
Hedemark two brothers ruled--Hrorek and Ring; in Gudbrandsdal, Gudrod;
and there was also a king in Raumarike; and one had Hadaland and Thoten;
and in Valders also there was a king. With these district-kings Sigurd
had a meeting up in Hadaland, and Olaf Haraldson also met with them. To
these district-kings whom Sigurd had assembled he set forth his stepson
Olaf's purpose, and asked their aid, both of men and in counsel and
consent; and represented to them how necessary it was to cast off the
yoke which the Danes and Swedes had laid upon them. He said that there
was now a man before them who could head such an enterprise; and he
recounted the many brave actions which Olaf had achieved upon his
war-expeditions.
Then King Hrorek says, "True it is that Harald Harfager's kingdom has
gone to decay, none of his race being supreme king over Norway. But
the people here in the country have experienced many things. When King
Hakon, Athelstan's foster-son, was king, all were content; but when
Gunhild's sons ruled over the country, all were so weary of their
tyranny and injustice that they would rather have foreign men as kings,
and be themselves more their own rulers; for the foreign kings were
usually abroad and cared little about the customs of the people if the
scat they laid on the country was paid. When enmity arose between
the Danish king Harald and Earl Hakon, the Jomsborg vikings made an
expedition against Norway; then the whole people arose, and threw the
hostilities from themselves; and thereafter the people encouraged Earl
Hakon to keep the country, and defend it with sword and spear against
the Danish king. But when he had set himself fast in the kingdom with
the help of the people, he became so hard and overbearing towards the
country-folks, that they would no longer suffer him. The Throndhjem
people killed him, and raised to the kingly power Olaf Trygvason, who
was of the udal succession to the kingdom, and in all respects well
fitted to be a chief. The whole country's desire was to make him supreme
king, and raise again the kingdom which Harald Harfager had made for
himself. But when King Olaf thought himself quite firmly seated in his
kingdom, no man could rule his own concerns for him. With us small kings
he was so unreasonable, as to take to himself not only all the scat and
duties which Harald Harfager had levied from us, but a great deal more.
The people at last had so little freedom under him, that it was not
allowed to every man to believe in what god he pleased. Now since he
has been taken away we have kept friendly with the Danish king; have
received great help from him when we have had any occasion for it; and
have been allowed to rule ourselves, and live in peace and quiet in the
inland country, and without any overburden. I am therefore content that
things be as they are, for I do not see what better rights I am to enjoy
by one of my relations ruling over the country; and if I am to be no
better off, I will take no part in the affair."
Then said King Ring, his brother, "I will also declare my opinion that
it is better for me, if I hold the same power and property as now, that
my relative is king over Norway, rather than a foreign chief, so that
our family may again raise its head in the land. It is, besides, my
opinion about this man Olaf, that his fate and luck must determine
whether he is to obtain the kingdom or not; and if he succeed in making
himself supreme king, then he will be the best off who has best deserved
his friendship. At present he has in no respect greater power than any
of us; nay, indeed, he has less; as we have lands and kingdoms to rule
over, and he has nothing, and we are equally entitled by the udal right
to the kingdom as he is himself. Now, if we will be his men, give him
our aid, allow him to take the highest dignity in the country, and stand
by him with our strength, how should he not reward us well, and hold
it in remembrance to our great advantage, if he be the honourable man
I believe him to be, and all say he is? Therefore let us join the
adventure, say I, and bind ourselves in friendship with him."
Then the others, one after the other, stood up and spoke; and the
conclusion was, that the most of them determined to enter into a league
with King Olaf. He promised them his perfect friendship, and that he
would hold by and improve the country's laws and rights, if he became
supreme king of Norway. This league was confirmed by oath.