There was a man called Grankel, or Granketil, who was a rich bonde, and
at this time rather advanced in age. In his youth he had been on
viking cruises, and had been a powerful fighter; for he possessed great
readiness in all sorts of bodily exercises. His son Asmund was equal
to his father in all these, and in some, indeed, he excelled him. There
were many who said that with respect to comeliness, strength, and bodily
expertness, he might be considered the third remarkably distinguished
for these that Norway had ever produced. The first was Hakon Athelstan's
foster-son; the second, Olaf Trygvason. Grankel invited King Olaf to a
feast, which was very magnificent; and at parting Grankel presented
the king with many honourable gifts and tokens of friendship. The king
invited Asmund, with many persuasions, to follow him; and as Asmund
could not decline the honours offered him, he got ready to travel with
the king, became his man, and stood in high favour with him. The king
remained in Halogaland the greater part of the summer, went to all the
Things, and baptized all the people. Thorer Hund dwelt at that time in
the island Bjarkey. He was the most powerful man in the North, and also
became one of Olaf's lendermen. Many sons of great bondes resolved also
to follow King Olaf from Halogaland. Towards the end of summer King Olaf
left the North, and sailed back to Throndhjem, and landed at Nidaros,
where he passed the winter (A.D. 1021). It was then that Thorkel the
Fosterer came from the West from Orkney, after killing Einar Rangmumd,
as before related. This autumn corn was dear in Throndhjem, after a long
course of good seasons, and the farther north the dearer was the corn;
but there was corn enough in the East country, and in the Uplands, and
it was of great help to the people of Throndhjem that many had old corn
remaining beside them.