King Olaf proceeded about harvest time to Viken, and sent a message
before him to the Uplands that they should prepare guest-quarters for
him, as he intended to be there in winter. Afterwards he made ready for
his journey, and went to the Uplands, and remained the winter there;
going about in guest-quarters, and putting things to rights where he saw
it needful, advancing also the cause of Christianity wheresoever it was
requisite. It happened while King Olaf was in Hedemark that Ketil Kalf
of Ringanes courted Gunhild, a daughter of Sigurd Syr and of King
Olaf's mother Asta. Gunhild was a sister of King Olaf, and therefore it
belonged to the king to give consent and determination to the business.
He took it in a friendly way; for he know Ketil, that he was of high
birth, wealthy, and of good understanding, and a great chief; and also
he had long been a great friend of King Olaf, as before related. All
these circumstances induced the king to approve of the match, and so it
was that Ketil got Gunhild. King Olaf was present at the wedding. From
thence the king went north to Gudbrandsdal, where he was entertained in
guest-quarters. There dwelt a man, by name Thord Guthormson, on a farm
called Steig; and he was the most powerful man in the north end of the
valley. When Thord and the king met, Thord made proposals for Isrid,
the daughter of Gudbrand, and the sister of King Olaf's mother, as it
belonged to the king to give consent. After the matter was considered,
it was determined that the marriage should proceed, and Thord got
Isrid. Afterwards Thord was the king's faithful friend, and also many of
Thord's relations and friends, who followed his footsteps. From thence
King Olaf returned south through Thoten and Hadaland, from thence to
Ringerike, and so to Viken. In spring (A.D. 1025) he went to Tunsberg,
and stayed there while there was the market-meeting, and a great resort
of people. He then had his vessels rigged out, and had many people about
him.