King Olaf proceeded from thence to Hedemark, and baptized there; but
as he had formerly carried away their kings as prisoners, he did not
venture himself, after such a deed, to go far into the country with few
people at that time, but a small part of Hedemark was baptized; but
the king did not desist from his expedition before he had introduced
Christianity over all Hedemark, consecrated churches, and placed
teachers. He then went to Hadaland and Thoten, improving the customs of
the people, and persisting until all the country was baptized. He then
went to Ringerike, where also all people went over to Christianity. The
people of Raumarike then heard that Olaf intended coming to them, and
they gathered a great force. They said among themselves that the journey
Olaf had made among them the last time was not to be forgotten, and he
should never proceed so again. The king, notwithstanding, prepared for
the journey. Now when the king went up into Raumarike with his forces,
the multitude of bondes came against him at a river called Nitja; and
the bondes had a strong army, and began the battle as soon as they met;
but they soon fell short, and took to flight. They were forced by this
battle into a better disposition, and immediately received Christianity;
and the king scoured the whole district, and did not leave it until
all the people were made Christians. He then went east to Soleys, and
baptized that neighbourhood. The skald Ottar Black came to him there,
and begged to be received among his men. Olaf the Swedish king had died
the winter before (A.D. 1021), and Onund, the son of Olaf, was now the
sole king over all Sweden. King Olaf returned, when the winter (A.D.
1022) was far advanced, to Raumarike. There he assembled a numerous
Thing, at a place where the Eidsvold Things have since been held. He
made a law, that the Upland people should resort to this Thing, and that
Eidsvold laws should be good through all the districts of the Uplands,
and wide around in other quarters, which also has taken place. As spring
was advancing, he rigged his ships, and went by sea to Tunsberg.
He remained there during the spring, and the time the town was most
frequented, and goods from other countries were brought to the town for
sale. There had been a good year in Viken, and tolerable as far north as
Stad; but it was a very dear time in all the country north of there.