Asmund Grankelson had been this winter (A.D. 1027) in Halogaland in his
sheriffdom, and was at home with his father Grankel. There lies a rock
out in the sea, on which there is both seal and bird catching, and a
fishing ground, and egg-gathering; and from old times it had been an
appendage to the farm which Grankel owned, but now Harek of Thjotta laid
claim to it. It had gone so far, that some years he had taken by force
all the gain of this rock; but Asmund and his father thought that they
might expect the king's help in all cases in which the right was upon
their side. Both father and son went therefore in spring to Harek, and
brought him a message and tokens from King Olaf that he should drop his
claim. Harek answered Asmund crossly, because he had gone to the king
with such insinuations--"for the just right is upon my side. Thou
shouldst learn moderation, Asmund, although thou hast so much confidence
in the king's favour. It has succeeded with thee to kill some chiefs,
and leave their slaughter unpaid for by any mulct; and also to plunder
us, although we thought ourselves at least equal to all of equal birth,
and thou art far from being my equal in family."
Asmund replies, "Many have experienced from thee, Harek, that thou art
of great connections, and too great power; and many in consequence have
suffered loss in their property through thee. But it is likely that now
thou must turn thyself elsewhere, and not against us with thy violence,
and not go altogether against law, as thou art now doing." Then they
separated.
Harek sent ten or twelve of his house-servants with a large rowing boat,
with which they rowed to the rock, took all that was to be got upon it,
and loaded their boat. But when they were ready to return home, Asmund
Grankelson came with thirty men, and ordered them to give up all they
had taken. Harek's house-servants were not quick in complying, so that
Asmund attacked them. Some of Harek's men were cudgelled, some wounded,
some thrown into the sea, and all they had caught was taken from on
board of their boat, and Asmund and his people took it along with them.
Then Harek's servants came home, and told him the event. Harek replies,
"That is called news indeed that seldom happens; never before has it
happened that my people have been beaten."
The matter dropped. Harek never spoke about it, but was very cheerful.
In spring, however, Harek rigged out a cutter of twenty seats of rowers,
and manned it with his house-servants, and the ship was remarkably well
fitted out both with people and all necessary equipment; and Harek went
to the levy; but when he came to King Olaf, Asmund was there before him.
The king summoned Harek and Asmund to him, and reconciled them so that
they left the matter entirely to him. Asmund then produced witnesses
to prove that Grankel had owned the rock, and the king gave judgment
accordingly. The case had a one-sided result. No mulct was paid for
Harek's house-servants, and the rock was declared to be Grankel's. Harek
observed it was no disgrace to obey the king's decision, whatever way
the case itself was decided.