Ingegerd, the king's daughter, had now full certainty of King Olaf's
intention, and immediately sent men to West Gautland to Earl Ragnvald,
and let him know how it stood with the Swedish king, and that the
agreement made with the king of Norway was broken; and advising the earl
and people of West Gautland to be upon their guard, as no peace from the
people of Norway was to be expected. When the earl got this news he sent
a message through all his kingdom, and told the people to be cautious,
and prepared in case of war or pillage from the side of Norway. He also
sent men to King Olaf the Thick, and let him know the message he had
received, and likewise that he wished for himself to hold peace and
friendship with King Olaf; and therefore he begged him not to pillage in
his kingdom. When this message came to King Olaf it made him both angry
and sorry; and for some days nobody got a word from him. He then held
a House-Thing with his men, and in it Bjorn arose, and first took the
word. He began his speech by telling that he had proceeded eastward last
winter to establish a peace, and he told how kindly Earl Ragnvald
had received him; and, on the other hand, how crossly and heavily the
Swedish king had accepted the proposal. "And the agreement," said he,
"which was made, was made more by means of the strength of the people,
the power of Thorgny, and the aid of the earl, than by the king's
good-will. Now, on these grounds, we know for certain that it is the
king who has caused the breach of the agreement; therefore we ought
by no means to make the earl suffer, for it is proved that he is King
Olaf's firm friend." The king wished now to hear from the chiefs and
other leaders of troops what course he should adopt. "Whether shall we
go against Gautland, and maraud there with such men as we have got; or
is there any other course that appears to you more advisable?" He spoke
both long and well.
Thereafter many powerful men spoke, and all were at last agreed in
dissuading from hostilities. They argued thus:--"Although we are a
numerous body of men who are assembled here, yet they are all only
people of weight and power; but, for a war expedition, young men who are
in quest of property and consideration are more suitable. It is also
the custom of people of weight and power, when they go into battle or
strife, to have many people with them whom they can send out before
them for their defence; for the men do not fight worse who have little
property, but even better than those who are brought up in the midst of
wealth." After these considerations the king resolved to dismiss this
army from any expedition, and to give every man leave to return home;
but proclaimed, at the same time, that next summer the people over
the whole country would be called out in a general levy, to march
immediately against the Swedish king, and punish him for his want of
faith. All thought well of this plan. Then the king returned northwards
to Viken, and took his abode at Sarpsborg in autumn, and ordered all
things necessary for winter provision to be collected there; and he
remained there all winter (A.D. 1019) with a great retinue.