It was the fashion in Norway in old times for the king's high-seat to
be on the middle of a long bench, and the ale was handed across the fire
(1); but King Olaf had his high-seat made on a high bench across the
room; he also first had chimney-places in the rooms, and the floors
strewed both summer and winter. In King Olaf's time many merchant towns
arose in Norway, and many new ones were founded. Thus King Olaf founded
a merchant town at Bergen, where very soon many wealthy people settled
themselves, and it was regularly frequented by merchants from foreign
lands. He had the foundations laid for the large Christ church, which
was to be a stone church; but in his time there was little done to it.
Besides, he completed the old Christ church, which was of wood. King
Olaf also had a great feasting-house built in Nidaros, and in many other
merchant towns, where before there were only private feasts; and in his
time no one could drink in Norway but in these houses, adorned for
the purpose with branches and leaves, and which stood under the king's
protection. The great guild-bell in Throndhjem, which was called
the pride of the town, tolled to call together to these guilds. The
guild-brethren built Margaret's church in Nidaros of stone. In King
Olaf's time there were general entertainments and hand-in-hand feasts.
At this time also much unusual splendour and foreign customs and
fashions in the cut of clothes were introduced; as, for instance, costly
hose plaited about the legs. Some had gold rings about the legs, and
also used coats which had lists down the sides, and arms five ells long,
and so narrow that they must be drawn up with ties, and lay in folds
all the way up to the shoulders. The shoes were high, and all edged with
silk, or even with gold. Many other kinds of wonderful ornaments were
used at that time.
ENDNOTES: (1) We may understand the arrangement by supposing the fire in
the middle of the room, the smoke escaping by a hole in the
roof, and a long bench on each side of the fire; one bench
occupied by the high-seat of the king and great guests, the
other by the rest of the guests; and the cup handed across
the fire, which appears to have had a religious meaning
previous to the introduction of Christianity.--L.