King Magnus Haraldson ruled over Norway the first winter after King
Harald's death (A.D. 1067), and afterwards two years (A.D. 1068-1069)
along with his brother, King Olaf. Thus there were two kings of Norway
at that time; and Magnus had the northern and Olaf the eastern part of
the country. King Magnus had a son called Hakon, who was fostered by
Thorer of Steig in Gudbrandsdal, who was a brother of King Magnus by the
mother's side; and Hakon was a most agreeable man.
After King Harald Sigurdson's death the Danish king Svein let it be
known that the peace between the Northmen and the Danes was at an end,
and insisted that the league between Harald and Svein was not for longer
time than their lives. There was a levy in both kingdoms. Harald's sons
called out the whole people in Norway for procuring men and ships, and
Svein set out from the south with the Danish army. Messengers then went
between with proposals for a peace; and the Northmen said they would
either have the same league as was concluded between King Harald and
Svein, or otherwise give battle instantly on the spot. Verses were made
on this occasion, viz.:--
"Ready for war or peace,
King Olaf will not cease
From foeman's hand
To guard his land."